1st day out: THANK YOU!

[Steve Waters]

Just a little thank you to all you RIBBERS out there; I bought the 4 m Avon Searider down in Exmouth a couple of weeks ago and dragged it back to Winchester for some personal TLC. Add a radio, flares, fire extinguisher, bigh wheels and new bearings etc etc! And me and my buddy Dutchy took it down to Hamble village for a test run TODAY (started at -5 degrees!) SMOOTH!! Everything went perfectly and the weather today 17-11 was brilliant (I think I got sunburnt!!) out into the Solent like a mill pond. The 30 hp Honda was luvverly, smooth quiet and very economical (1.5 hours for about a gallon!) Lifted the boat up and out of the water and despite the abscence of tilt & trim was positively beautiful.
I AM HOOKED! A dry suit for the trubble and we'll be off!

Take care out there
Steve Waters

PS Good idea not to put the car fob and mobile in the outside pocket of your dry suit............you live, you learn!

[Andy Moore]

Did you see the dolphin?

[The Jackeens]

Originally Posted by Steve Waters

Everything went perfectly and the weather today 17-11 was brilliant (I think I got sunburnt!!) out into the Solent like a mill pond. The 30 hp Honda was luvverly, smooth quiet and very economical (1.5 hours for about a gallon!) Lifted the boat up and out of the water and despite the abscence of tilt & trim was positively beautiful.
I AM HOOKED! A dry suit for the trubble and we'll be off!

Sounds like you had a blast. Good for you .

Us

[bogib]

Well done, congratulations

Based on what you wrote there are going to be many great trips to come in the future and you have the Solent waters to play on all year round different from us here up north.

Bogi

[boatster_sr4]

Excellent! Welcome the the Searider 4 meter club.

You may want to try using some Nauticus Smart Tabs. They'll improve your ride and fuel economy. I do tons of miles in my sr4 going 26 miles offshore. I wouldn't be able to do this without em. There is a thread all about tweaking our sr4s: http://www.rib.net/forum/showthread.php?t=11796

[boatster_sr4]

Sorry for the blatant and constant plug for nauticus tabs. I tried to edit my post but it was too late.

[Steve Waters]

Originally Posted by Andy Moore

Did you see the dolphin?

I have to say I didn't. But I must also mention that if I had gone home and told the wife I had she would never have forgiven me for going out without her!!

[Steve Waters]

Originally Posted by boatster_sr4

Sorry for the blatant and constant plug for nauticus tabs. I tried to edit my post but it was too late.

Boaster I've searched high and low for Nauticus tabs: plug me a website!??
Steve Waters

[jackeen]

http://www.streamlinedpropellers.co.uk/smarttabs.html

do em over here, known as smart tabs as they hurt like hell when you walk into them.

had them on out previous boat and was well impressed.

paul

[boatster_sr4]

Hi Steve,

I have the 30lb actuators. Even though they might recommend 40 lbs I think it is a bit too much pressure. I've logged over 40 hours with my tabs so far and find that you don't need too much pressure to improve the ride significantly. Here is a picture of my setup. If you have any questions let me know. I have no financial interest in this product either. I think its the biggest improvement to my boat so far. And I've tinkered with it alot!

Here is the product website: http://www.nauticusinc.com

[Steve Waters]

Thanks Guys!, Lots of bit hanging off the back to move to fit these ie depth finder, speedo sensor, to say nothing of that outboard!! I'll see what I can move they don't seem to expensive.
I might just move the better half to the front of the RIB!!

[ollyit]

sounds like you got the bug mate! - I have an sr4 also, pics are on my site, they have transformed my boat also oh and welcome