converting a avon 5.4 to inboard

tim2658 · 05 January 2009, 17:04

has anyone or know anyone to convert a avon 5.4 searider to an inboard diesel, i did get as far as putting the beds in and building the transom up on my old one then sold it and i never kept in touch with it so not sure if he finished it, i think it would make a very useful boat just wondered if it had been done before.

Nos4r2 · 05 January 2009, 17:12

Avon build them now-I think Turbodiesel had something to do with the 1st one-and they do look rather smart.

http://www.avon-workboats.com/page/sr54id1

<edit> Here's some more info:-

http://rib.net/forum/showthread.php?...light=searider

matt h · 05 January 2009, 17:36

love the idea of one, but at £36, yep 36k a tad overpriced

im sure it can be done, the hull out part is identical, just the engine bearers are the issue and im sure that wouldnt be to difficult, hmmm, i see a challenge coming up,(Nos find a decent engine and leg 250 hp that weighs 100 kgs) having said that, the cost of doing it and re sale value afterwards.

Nos4r2 · 05 January 2009, 17:48

I did daydream about it for a while too-was wondering about sticking a Hamilton jet coupled to a marinised golf GTI diesel into one but there wouldn't be any room for more than the skipper onboard...

Now, with an outdrive.... Whats the most an Alpha 1 can take? (daydream daydream...)

badbaws · 05 January 2009, 18:59

We use the new diesel 5.4metres on our ships.. and they are to coin a phrase.. "pants". It was bad enough when they took the 90hp engines off and put 75hp on the back.. but the diesel boat.. sluggish for sure 25.4 knots flat out 2 crew.
The MOD police have fitted new larger consoles to their boats and they look great.

Just think of all the money you will save and put a nice juicy 2 stroke 90hp on the back and forget about inboards in 5.4m's, especially a diesel

Nos4r2 · 05 January 2009, 22:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by badbaws

We use the new diesel 5.4metres on our ships.. and they are to coin a phrase.. "pants". It was bad enough when they took the 90hp engines off and put 75hp on the back.. but the diesel boat.. sluggish for sure 25.4 knots flat out 2 crew.
The MOD police have fitted new larger consoles to their boats and they look great.

Just think of all the money you will save and put a nice juicy 2 stroke 90hp on the back and forget about inboards in 5.4m's, especially a diesel

That's why I was thinking of the Golf GTI diesel-it's 160hp

Rogue Wave · 05 January 2009, 22:29

i'dbe looing at a VW 1.9 as well, fenomnal pheronominal phnominal err fkkn great engines. I know of one that had an inboard petrol Volvo 5 litre on an alpha leg It was scary fast and the acceleration was stunning

Nos4r2 · 05 January 2009, 22:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

i'dbe looing at a VW 1.9 as well, fenomnal pheronominal phnominal err fkkn great engines. I know of one that had an inboard petrol Volvo 5 litre on an alpha leg It was scary fast and the acceleration was stunning

I'm sure we had a discussion about liberating Jasper's Seat Leon engine for the same purpose at one point

Rogue Wave · 05 January 2009, 22:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

I'm sure we had a discussion about liberating Jasper's Seat Leon engine for the same purpose at one point

Ooh do it to me bigboy! He's chopped in his Leon and got an Ibiza Cupra which is a 1.9 as opposed to the 2 litre he didn't get on with the partikewlate sensor. He's had the 1.9 breathed on and it's knocking out 235hp and if you drive it sensibly you can get 45mpg so I'm told

Thers bound to be a few of them in the scrapyard but I suspect they will al be front ended

Nos4r2 · 05 January 2009, 23:03

Hmm.... reckon an alpha would take that without breaking?

Searider · 05 January 2009, 23:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

i'dbe looing at a VW 1.9 as well, fenomnal pheronominal phnominal err fkkn great engines. I know of one that had an inboard petrol Volvo 5 litre on an alpha leg It was scary fast and the acceleration was stunning

Few years ago there was one with a volvo leg on it in Cowes. Looked a bit tatty and may have had a photographers name on. Don't know what engine though.

JSP · 05 January 2009, 23:59

How about a petrol Alpha boxer engine? So small you can fit them in Mini's. Not to sure on my alpha history but I'm sure they did a 3. something ltr.
Saying that though, trying to get the mixing screw in the twin webber carbs set up right everytime before you start the thing would get abit Gordon Brown.

tim2658 · 06 January 2009, 01:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Avon build them now-I think Turbodiesel had something to do with the 1st one-and they do look rather smart.

http://www.avon-workboats.com/page/sr54id1

<edit> Here's some more info:-

http://rib.net/forum/showthread.php?...light=searider

cheers nos for the info i will have a go its just getting the right lump ive had alot of 5.4s and they are no good over powered, i did have a new 165hp mercruiser 2.8l turbo which i was going to put in my first one but i think its a bit big now.

matt h · 06 January 2009, 09:21

i have got a ford 3 litre with a pp jet on it, still in the boat but havent done anything with it, hmm, you got me thinking now

Nos4r2 · 06 January 2009, 09:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt h

i have got a ford 3 litre with a pp jet on it, still in the boat but havent done anything with it, hmm, you got me thinking now

Reckon there'd be room for you in the boat as well as the fuel tanks and engine/drive?

Turbodiesel · 06 January 2009, 22:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by badbaws

We use the new diesel 5.4metres on our ships.. and they are to coin a phrase.. "pants". It was bad enough when they took the 90hp engines off and put 75hp on the back.. but the diesel boat.. sluggish for sure 25.4 knots flat out 2 crew.
The MOD police have fitted new larger consoles to their boats and they look great.

Just think of all the money you will save and put a nice juicy 2 stroke 90hp on the back and forget about inboards in 5.4m's, especially a diesel

Ha Ha, yes you had one of the 75hp Yanmar engine ones i guess!. There not the fastest thing in the world. The Police get the Mercruiser 120hp Diesel which is almost as fast as the outboard version but it handles like it on rails. We are working with Avon at the min to put a 165hp Yanmar in which will be good, the seats are going at the stern and the engine will be infront of you inside the console. coupled up to a Hamilton Jet. I only have drawings of it but once we have it i will get some pictures. Watch this space.

Nos4r2 · 07 January 2009, 01:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turbodiesel

Ha Ha, yes you had one of the 75hp Yanmar engine ones i guess!. There not the fastest thing in the world. The Police get the Mercruiser 120hp Diesel which is almost as fast as the outboard version but it handles like it on rails. We are working with Avon at the min to put a 165hp Yanmar in which will be good, the seats are going at the stern and the engine will be infront of you inside the console. coupled up to a Hamilton Jet. I only have drawings of it but once we have it i will get some pictures. Watch this space.

If you need help testing it I'm only 35 miles from you

no excuses · 07 January 2009, 03:01

when converting from outboard to inboard especially with the large HP increase, how will the insurance companies over there look at something like this?

Pete7 · 07 January 2009, 09:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt h

i have got a ford 3 litre with a pp jet on it, still in the boat but havent done anything with it, hmm, you got me thinking now

Me too, make me an offer for mine because I can't see me using it. It has the extra nozzle to control trim as well. It is light enough to pick up with one hand.

Oh and who could forget Kathleens Jet Drive thread, a Ribnet classic

http://rib.net/forum/showthread.php?...ight=jet+drive

murph06 · 12 January 2009, 18:32

Anyone know who makes the consoles for the new diesel searider? As far as I know they're made out of aluminium?