Avon Searider Engine Choice

[PinkPanther]

Hi All,

Currently looking for advice from searider veterans on engine choice for Avon searider 5.4m. I have been looking at several choices namely 90 hp's first would be a 2 stroke Yamaha, 2 stroke Mariner Barrus fast post immersion starter or a Suzuki df90 four stroke i'm inclined to go with the suzuki as it's supposed to be quieter more economical however its coming in at 154kg which is just a kilo under the recommended max weight for the transom according to Zodiac milpro website although I thought that Avon's recommendation was lower that 155kg , The mariner is also rigged for an umbilical so allows flushing on land pretty easily as well as being able to restart pretty easily following an inversion although the searider itself hasn't been fitted with a self righting frame Yam would come from a private seller and can't be quite sure of the hours however looks to be in very good condition for year! Any advice greatly appreciated

[Nos4r2]

Avon's weight recommendation was higher-175kg IIRC, but search it on here as the info is archived somewhere.A 90 Optimax is just within the the weight allowed by them.

If you can get a Mariner with post-immersion restart kit on, you'll be a lucky guy.They rarely make their way into private hands without the kit being removed. Realistically,you'll be unable to right the boat without a self righting A-frame so it's a bit of a pointless thing to have unless you go the whole hog AND keep it all maintained, which costs money and time.

Realistically, the 4 stroke will be cheaper to run but less fun. 30 kg extra on the stern makes a noticeable difference. If you can stomach the extra fuel bills for the Yam, buy it.

[Daniel]

I've not had a 5.4 but I recall Stuart Hopkins who has had a few says the 90 opti makes the stern too heavy and spoils balance as a result ??

[matt h]

Yep your right. There is only one engine that suits and balances perfectly . Yam 90 two stroke. Its a narrow beam hull. Anything more than 125 kgs and it sits too heavy.
Ive owned 5 and driven versions with honda 90 and optis and balance was bad compared to the others.
35 is doable with F70 yam as 120kgs

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by matt h

Ive owned 5

Only 5?!

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by Daniel

I've not had a 5.4 but I recall Stuart Hopkins who has had a few says the 90 opti makes the stern too heavy and spoils balance as a result ??

I'd agree, I was just saying that they were originally rated to take one. Never said they were any good with one on

[whisper]

Opti is way to heavy

[HUMBER P4VWL]

Whilst not AS balanced as some options, the Opti is a cracking engine in the 1.5L 90hp option and on the 5.4 boat is VERY quick. We owned one for about 10 years and it was brilliant. If you find a clean boat with one on, or you need an engine and you find a clean one, I wouldn't discount it.

You'll pay more for an older school, older engined Yam. I'd rather the newer engine personally.

It was perfectly balanced at speed, it was at rest that the waterline on the transom was low, so the deck was often wet. Especially if reversing. But you'll get that to some degree with the SR whatever you put on. They all have wet decks as there is not usually any sunken water well at the rear!