I am a newbie and hoping to buy a rib. I have completed my RYA level 2 and keen to start developing some boat handling skills and get out in the Solent.
I have been offered an Avon SR4.7, white hull orange tubes, with mariner 60 2 Stroke, I would be very grateful for any advice on what to look for / opinions on the boat. Has galvanised trailer, reasonable condition.
It has a new prop, carbs just cleaned, remotes freed up and a service. The tubes look great, with a very light fading. The hull, except some gell coat chinks along the keel otherwise looks to be pretty good . Overall the boat looks clean with no repairs. The 2 person (slightly off set seat) needs recovering.
What sort of price should o be looking to pay please and is it easy enough to fix the gel coat chips on the keel? Lastly, we plan to use it as a family of 4 (7& 10 year old), is it possible to put a bench seat across the stern over the top of the fuel tank? Thinking stainless steel with padded seat? Any experience of doing this or alternative configuration suggested.
The 4.7 is a good boat, a 60hp would be good match for it. Gel Coat chips are not hard to repair and if you get Rib Shops Rib revive you can get a rid of a lot of the tube fading.
Yes you can add a bench seat, (there are numerous post on here about that).
As to the price, that is subjective, in the range £3-6k? it depends on what you are prepared to pay. If you google/ebay others on a similar type and size.
I had a sr4 that was comfortable enough with 2 adults aboard but certainly would have been very crowded with any more . my 5.6 osprey will carry 4 with ok room but that's about it .I would try getting 4 people on board before you buy as I think you may be surprised how crowded it will be with 4
Looks like a tidy little boat. Avon's were generally very well made, so if it looks ok then it probably is. In a 4.7 you should have enough space to squeeze in a small bench seat at the back, giving you cosy room for 4. When I was a kid myself and my parents would potter around the Solent in a 4m - with the extra bit of length 4 people should easily be doable in fine weather. There's plenty of options out there for an aftermarket bench seat. Ebay is a good bet.
