5.4 Searider Ideal power

ADS · 04 March 2006, 20:21

I ve been looking on the net at a few 5.4 Seariders recently...
What is the ideal power plant, HP, I have seen a few with 75HP 2 strokes, and a few with 90HP's on is the 75HP adequete?
If I took the plunge I would be using the boat for a bit of cruising, towing a few toys, bit of rescue boat duty. I prefer a boat with abit of spare power thats lively, like my current set up.
Finally what sorts of speeds do you get with a 75/90 carbed 2 stroke.

Also what are the views of a 4-stroke on a Searider, too heavy, this one here is cheap:http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/BHG069
but is the 80HP 4 stroke too heavy in peoples opinions, despite it not being over the transom weight.

regards,

Alex

boatster_sr4 · 04 March 2006, 20:57

Hey ADS,

When I took my 5.4 out with its 1996 Johnson 70 2 stroke it gps'd at 36 mph WOT. I figure thats fast enough for most conditions I go in. Hole shot is great too so I don't think 70 is a bad power range. I think 70 is lowest hp recommended by Avon. Of course a 90 2 stroke would be nice too.
Only thing is I'm a bit leery of Johnson/Evinrude reliability. A nice Japanese motor like a Tohatsu or Yamaha would be perfect I think.

I talked to someone who had a 90 hp Honda on his 5.4 and he said it was a bit too heavy as the transom gets washed everytime he stops.

Boatster

Nasher · 04 March 2006, 21:08

Alex

Hi. Give Davybuoy a PM. If he doesn't answer, PM me and I'll call him.

He has a 5.4 SR and has had various engines on it over the years.

He will tell you the 90HP(I think) Tohatsu EFI he has on it at the moment is the best ever. Two up I think he gets over 40 Knots out of it and he's not started playing with props yet.

Nasher

ADS · 04 March 2006, 21:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nasher

Alex

Hi. Give Davybuoy a PM. If he doesn't answer, PM me and I'll call him.

He has a 5.4 SR and has had various engines on it over the years.

He will tell you the 90HP(I think) Tohatsu EFI he has on it at the moment is the best ever. Two up I think he gets over 40 Knots out of it and he's not started playing with props yet.

Nasher

Cheers for your help Boatster.
Cheers Nasher will do, a 90 TLDI or a 90 ETEC/ 90 Opti would make a very very nice boat but a bit out of my price range I fear. Currently thinking 90HP two stroke, I would like to nudge 40 knots ideally.

regards,

Alex

Bigmuz7 · 04 March 2006, 21:57

Agree , 90 is the mark 110 tops, had 135 on a 5.8 but it was too much, chine walking came as standard

John Kennett · 04 March 2006, 22:26

Yamaha 90 would be good. You should be able to pick one up at a decent price and they have a reputation for reliability. A 70 would probably be fine too.

John

Rogue Wave · 05 March 2006, 01:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Kennett

Yamaha 90 would be good. You should be able to pick one up at a decent price and they have a reputation for reliability. A 70 would probably be fine too.

John

I am with the boss on this one,

ADS · 05 March 2006, 14:04

Agree JK, RW, I ve allways had a soft spot for the 3 pot Yamaha 2 strokes so Im on the look out for an SR5.4 and ideally 90 Yamaha. Unfortunatly, the one here has been sold

http://www.rib.net/forum/showthread....light=searider

Alans says can you take it off JK!

Cheers for the help guys,

Alex

dctucker · 05 March 2006, 15:02

I've got an old (1980) 4 cyl Merc 2 stroke 80 on my 5.4. Plenty of grunt, with a slightly oversized diameter 3 blade SS 21" prop. Great hole shot, and enough top speed to chine walk when lightly loaded. Don't know what it weighs, somewhere around 135 kg or a bit more is my best guess. I sometimes get some wash over the transom in bigger seas, while stopped.

I think this may be 80 HP measured at the flywheel, not propshaft as newer motors are? Unless you're running heavily loaded or frequently towing riders (or boats), I think a 75 HP is probably enough for a 5.4. I'm able to get a 1400 kg J/24 sailboat (+4 crew) planing under tow with the 80 HP and the prop I've got. That's the only time I wish I had a 90. Fortunately, my wife is now sailing a 280 kg boat, so towing a J or a Sonar will be more rare. No need to look for a bigger engine!

John Kennett · 05 March 2006, 19:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by ADS

Alans says can you take it off JK!

I have now. Thought I'd done it ages ago, sorry for any wild goose chasing!

John

DM · 05 March 2006, 21:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

I am with the boss on this one,

You're a creep!

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Kennett

A 70 would probably be fine too

A 115 would probably be fine too

DM

ADS · 05 March 2006, 21:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidmanning

A 115 would probably be fine too

DM

I saw the pictures, very nice Searider DM, like the console

115HP is a lot of power though, would you say it was alot more thirsty than a 90 Yam for example, having that extra cylinder.

Secondly, I assume the standard SR offset console seats two people, has any body fitted any additional seating to a Searider 5.4. I realise you will never get two jockeys side by side, is it common to extend the main jockey?

regards,

Alex

DM · 05 March 2006, 21:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by ADS

would you say it was alot more thirsty than a 90 Yam for example, having that extra cylinder.

For sure. 2lpm at WOT but you were to busy hanging on to worry about that.

DM

Searider · 06 March 2006, 09:57

Had a 90hp carbed Mariner 2 stroke on mine. 39.7 knots with a Laser II 20" prop. Should have gone a bit quicker if i'd raised the engine abit.

I reckon a 75hp 2 stroke would also be a good bet.

Rogue Wave · 06 March 2006, 10:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidmanning

You're a creep!

DM

Possibly, sometimes, when I am dealing with a higher intellect, but you wouldn't experience that side of me , would you!

DM · 06 March 2006, 11:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

but you wouldn't experience that side of me

That's an excellent piece of repartee.

Who wrote it for you?

DM

Rogue Wave · 07 March 2006, 00:57

The predictability of your last coment was only overshadowed by the lack of original content

Rogue Wave · 07 March 2006, 10:32

ADS don't ley my disain for that Wolverhampton Wanderer obscure the remarkably good engine advice submitted by that Nice Mr Kennett

DM · 07 March 2006, 11:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

by that Nice Mr Kennett

Trade membership due is it?

DM

ADS · 07 March 2006, 12:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

ADS don't ley my disain for that Wolverhampton Wanderer obscure the remarkably good engine advice submitted by that Nice Mr Kennett

Too late! Just ordered a 4 stroke powered Ribeye with Icom radio