Avon 4mtr or 5.4mtr ..advice needed please..

[Spencer2903]

Hi..I am new to this site..if it is anything like Landyzone when I first joined ..I think I know what to expect!,,,
As a family we have been incredibly lucky to have been left a choice of 2 ribs in probate..and we are able to chose one...totally free...
One is an Avon sr 4 mtr with mariner 40hp and trailer..full history and engine trailer and rib in excellent condition...with all safety devices etc.....
The other is an Avon sr 5.4 mtr...with a 60 hp mercury and again trailer (non braked)...again in great condition....tubes good etc...but this one does need some some cosmetic issues done..ie cleaning tubes, and general tidy up and the steering ram is not seized but very stiff...I think wd40 or grease and elbow grease will cure this. This one has more equipment to include vhf emergency radio, flares, double jockey set and fenders....

As a family, we have had 4 of us on a small ribeye rib 3.1mtr with a 9 hp....Yamaha..and it joust so happened that this year we were going to upgrade....we will be using this in north Norfolk for fishing, play time with wakeboarding etc and general small island /inlet hopping and then once we have more experience of a larger rib we will go across the bar and out to the main bay etc.

Couple with this, my son ( very sensible genuinely ) is now 17 and it is a squash on the ribeye...hence the upgrade plus if I or he has friends with him or I the upgrade will give us the extra room.

Both myself and my son have the Rya powerboat 2 and respect the sea, the area and more importantly others. This is not to be a boy racer set up rather a rib to enjoy with the family etc.

My question is, is the 5.4mtr to far an upgrade and too big a step..or would you take the 4 mtr as an interim measure......my thoughts are the 5.4mtr and having seen both this I believe would shape up to be a fabulous family rib after some cleaning...and general tidying up whereas the 4mtr is ready to go this weekend....

Both are electric start, power tilt and trim etc.....and I have done loads of research on the flooding hull etc and, have even thought about a bench seat for my parents too on the 5.4.

Finally, just because it has 60hp...I take the view that we don’t have to use this flat out straight away...

Apologies for the length of this but I have to let the estate know ASAP.

Thank you
Best
Spencer

[spartacus]

Welcome to the forum.

Wish someone left me a choice of two Seariders!

Without doubt go for the 5.4m in my opinion. Plenty of advice on the forum about Seariders, and very loyal following. If its cosmetic work such as cleaning tubes or servicing the engine, then everything is possible. Double check the transom and deck, as they are known areas to go if not properly maintained, etc.

The 4m Searider is still a great boat but the 5.4m gives you options for extra fuel and kit, and plenty space on board if taking friends out as your knowledge and experience increases.

Regards the 60hp, yes you don't need to use it in anger but with 4 people on board, full kit and fuel, then you'll need all your horses.

[beerbelly]

both great ribs but I have had a 4 metre searider and its a fantastic little thing but a tad cosy with 2 adults on board never mind 4 .definitely go for the 5.4

[Spencer2903]

Thank you to both of you above...i appreciate you coming back to me....I was hoping you were going to agree with the 5.4....have a great day.

[Sandman]

If you have storage space for it definitely go for the 5.4. The 4m is a fantastic rib but will be too small for a family of four.
You may well struggle to pull a wakeboarder up though. I wake board behind my 4m with a 40hp outboard with my wife a daughter on board but getting up takes a bit longer than I would want and needs good balance (and I am not very heavy).

[Tim M]

Agree - go for the bigger one. I have an SR4 (which I also use regularly around North Norfolk and the Solent) which is fine with my and my other half. On occasion we've done some longer trips with two others - two riding the console and two sitting on the tubes behind. It's a little too cosy and very limiting if the weather is anything other than perfect The greater space will really open up how you use the boat.