SR4 Refurb - Woody Wood Pecker

[Ribduck]

Hi All

Bought and old SR4 recently just in time for the lockdown project. Just a strip down and rebuild. Bought with no engine test or boat test.

Not sure on the year of the Avon SR4.

Engine is 1988 - 2 stroke 50 hp yam

Couple photos, see if they load OK then give you some details

[Ribduck]

Sorry the angles are not right on some of the photos!

[Ribduck]

[Ribduck]

Tubes

Look in good condition. only one repair patch. I am fairly sure they are not the original ones. Looks like they are replacement ones as some of the glue is visible underneath where they bond to the hull. I may be wrong, but I think the hull is 1988 as the engine? If so the original tubes would be fairly well shot.

I've cleaned them with ribtech tube cleaner and they have come up really well.


Hull

Loads of scratches, a few into the fibreglass. Needs a good polish / light sand to remove the oxidised area. Not been polished or waxed for a long long time.


Steering

Been replaced in last 5 years I'd say. Works OK, teleflex system. Looks like the steering wheel is original ?


Gauges

Rev counter is neat, I like that. Is the fibreglass casing Avon original? I've no idea. The housing is well built but not sure it OEM? Does anyone know?


Engine

1988, looks like newish starter motor. Carbs look mint outside. Not much rust really. The main area of concern is the water speed pin hole. massive corrosion up the lower leg. Never seen that before. Anyway will investigate.

[Ribduck]

[jeffstevens763@g]

Nice project hope it's as good as it looks for its age

[samt]

Very nice!

You have the 'deluxe' model with the moulded deck. They were built alongside the rescue version, but I'm not sure when they were introduced, I thought later than 88, but could be wrong.

There is usually a hull number on the transom, starboard side towards the top, last two digits give you the year. Or a patch on the tubes towards the bow on the inside, but thats only if tubes are original.. they certainly look like avon spec tubes. Maybe the were fitted on a Friday! You can't always see glue residue until its been in the UV light for a few days... then it turns brown!

Regarding corrosion on your engine, watch for blocked internal waterways, these yams often suffer a bit, normally can't tell without removing the cylinder head, but if you've got white residue around the gaskets thats normally a sign... other than that they are good engines... if you remove the carbs to clean them, make sure you get them set up properly afterwards, mixture, timing, throttle sync. They can be a bit sensitive.

The wheel is orignal, probable seized on by now, go careful if you try remove it. They are nice wheels.

Avon tubes last a long time! I've had a very early 70's boat in the past with original tubes still looking great!

[spartacus]

Interesting project. Take a closer look at the leg on your Yamaha, sure that's not a hairline crack on the leg? You'll be dropping the leg for an impeller change anyway so can view from inside. If it's superficial, I'd remove the powerhead, bead-blast it and respray the whole thing.

Quite an interesting link here for refurbishing a Yamaha 90hp.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OSL548Zv6T4

[phantom 19]

Gearbox is scrap. Not too hard to source second hand as it’s usually the leg which fits out on those. Luckily it’s one of the last years with a proper chile before they messed around with their Prime Start system which these days is more trouble than it’s worth.

As above the original Aquamarine wheel is really nice, I’d sacrifice the steering box by cutting the shaft then use hydraulic press to push the shaft out of the wheel once but removed.

[Tim M]

Nice looking boat. Keep the photos coming!

[Callum B]

Thats the right set up, with the 50hp 2t yam.....mine had an ex-military 35hp Johnson, which was a little under powered.
I put stainless steel plates over the inlet and outlet for the flooding hull ( along with a garboard drain plug), as it lifted onto the plane much faster...... didnt noticeably affect the stability at low speed, and i thought it was a good modification, easy to do, and worth doing.

Ive got a 3.75m avon now, which is nowhere near as good a sea boat as the sr4.

[Ribduck]

good comments, thanks. The crack on the lower leg looks fixable with some liquid metal, will give it a go. Goes straight through to other side!

Gearbox oil had no water in it, but was very black. New impeller going in, glad I checked, old one was very well used.

I'll check the tubes date, there is a reg patch up front I've not looked at yet.

Got the engine off, too tempting to get a bit of polish on the hull. Not been anti-fouled so worth a shine up.

[Ribduck]

Some photos

[Ribduck]

and a few more

[Ribduck]

The hull polished up nicely!

[Ribduck]

Steering wheel came off after a fairly lengthy struggle. Looks like the teleflex was replaced not too long ago so that's ok luckily.

I reckon the starter motor is fairly new aswell? bolts holding it on are corrosion free.


Going to make up a back plate from some black abs sheet for behind the steering wheel. Some of the old fittings have been drilled through the consul. I don't have any orange gel coat and would probably make it worst anyway.

I like the idea of a nice piece of hard wood but the ABS plastic is more practical I think.

I'll watch the vid recommended above. The engine needs a good clean and I'll strip the carbs and see what else I can inspect. If the thermostat comes out OK maybe the cooling system will be alright.

Battery on charge. Must get it ready for when the lockdown finishes!

[Ribduck]

might try the mod of blocking the flooding hull, see how it is first. The kids have their eye on it for them and their mates, so stability might be needed. Never been in an SR4 before so try and see!

[Richardnhunt]

The hulls come up nicely - how did you polish it?

[Ribtecer]

It looks like a really great job you're doing there. Well done.

I've been doing mine for the last two years. Just about ready for sea trials, and now I can't use it.

Hayho

[Ribduck]

Another 3 weeks then we will be back out hopefully !


I sanded the gelcoat with 800 grit, then 1500 grit. Random orbital sander.

Then orbital machine polisher with cutting compound and wool mop, then finishing compound with sponge mop. The UV wax.

I just get discs from ebay as the 800 / 1500 do not last long at all.

Polish is Farecla, marine ones stage 1/2/3. Works well and the 1 litre bottles go a long way I have found.