1984 Avon Searider (Coast Guard) backyard find? Help identify? Restorable?

[caveman69]

I have a friend that wants to get rid of an "old boat" in her back yard. Boat, motor, and trailer. I can get it for no cost, but digging it out (not literal digging... well much, anyway). Can you guys help me identify model? Pics attached.

It is an old Coast Guard boat. Serial on back is AVB24183M84L. She says the tubes are marked Hypalon. They stopped using it 20 years ago when tube stopped holding air. Motor may be good and the case looks in great shape (nice motor, too). Old pic included

From researching serial, AVB is Avon Marine (purchase by Zodiac). Some more searching it looks to be an Avon Searider 4m(eter) manufactured in July 1984.

I have too many projects, but this looks too good to pass up and I would get lots of use out of it when restored. Looks like a lot of fun.

Are they fairly restorable? How badly does Hypalon degrade, sitting uninflated over the years in the sun?

Thanks for any tips. I'll remove it for her anyway, just wondering if it is worth the pain of another project

Brice

[caveman69]

Update: She found the "hole". Tree limb had fallen on the tube and blew out a seam top to bottom.

[brveagle]

Wow that's been sitting for some time. RIB's are not as popular here in the states, especially ones that have sat that long and need new tubes. I would plan on those tubes being trashed, especially with such a big gash in it from the tree falling on it.

An old mercury like that will prop take quite a bit of work to get going, especially since it's sat for so many years.

I admire your optimism but that's one serious project.

[Nos4r2]

Get it. You may yet be able to resurrect the tubes.