Avon/zodiac searider 4m

liammurraystrout · 22 January 2014, 19:18

Hey guys after many helpful people an lots of thinking! I have decided to get a zodiac searider 4m!

But I Am stumped on a engine! I will be using the boat for fishing and rowing rings and other things?

What would be better a 2 or 4 stroke?

And engines beat for the boat?

Differences between the Avon and the zodiac?

Thanks again!

chris.moody · 22 January 2014, 22:45

I have never seen one of the new zodiac seariders, so cannot comment on them, but the old Avon searider has fantastic sea keeping abilities for its size and the build quality was excellent. My 1987 one is still on it's original tubes and they still look great

chris.moody · 22 January 2014, 22:49

2 or 4 stroke, that is a touchy subject. If you search on here you will find lots of discussions on the merits or both. Me, I am just about to replace my outboard on my SR4 with a 40 or 50 four stroke

Ribandmotorhome · 22 January 2014, 22:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris.moody

I have never seen one of the new zodiac seariders, so cannot comment on them, but the old Avon searider has fantastic sea keeping abilities for its size and the build quality was excellent. My 1987 one is still on it's original tubes and they still look great

Didn't know zodiac were making them

Ribandmotorhome · 22 January 2014, 22:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris.moody

2 or 4 stroke, that is a touchy subject. If you search on here you will find lots of discussions on the merits or both. Me, I am just about to replace my outboard on te my SR4 with a 40 or 50 four stroke

Get some ores, cheap to run :-)

chris.moody · 22 January 2014, 22:52

Zodiac website http://zodiacmilpro.com/rigid-inflat...ats/seariders/

chris.moody · 22 January 2014, 22:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ribandmotorhome

Get some ores, cheap to run :-)

I could buy a lot of pairs of oars for the cost of a new 50hp 4s.

Ribandmotorhome · 22 January 2014, 23:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris.moody

I could buy a lot of pairs of oars for the cost of a new 50hp 4s.

I know. I would be looking to see if it's worth buying a complete new boat if I was you Chris.
Mind you I'm tight and would struggle spend that just on an engine.
Good luck!!

chris.moody · 22 January 2014, 23:49

At least this way I am spreading the cost, buy the boat in 2013, new engine in 2014.

Ribandmotorhome · 22 January 2014, 23:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris.moody

At least this way I am spreading the cost, buy the boat in 2013, new engine in 2014.

Yeah and a new engine will be gert lush! :-)

Nos4r2 · 23 January 2014, 00:03

Just get a nice 50hp 2 stroke Yam or Merc. There's no comparison and nothing quite as loopy.

chris.moody · 23 January 2014, 00:08

If I could buy a brand new yam or merc 2 stroke I would but that's not allowed any more.

And these old 2 strokes are expensive if you have to keep paying to get them repaired.

Ribandmotorhome · 23 January 2014, 00:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris.moody

If I could buy a brand new yam or merc 2 stroke I would but that's not allowed any more.

And these old 2 strokes are expensive if you have to keep paying to get them repaired.

Just tell them your a commercial fisherman and your allowed to buy a new 2 stroke! :-)

I have never spent loads to keep a 2 stroke going, most I ever spent was £250 on a Powertilt pump in 10 years!
Lucky I guess.

By the 4 strokes do run lovely as you know. Shame they have to be serviced regimentaly really.

Nos4r2 · 23 January 2014, 00:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris.moody

If I could buy a brand new yam or merc 2 stroke I would but that's not allowed any more.

And these old 2 strokes are expensive if you have to keep paying to get them repaired.

Etec 50?

chris.moody · 23 January 2014, 00:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Etec 50?

It's worth considering. How much is a new one and what's the weight ?

Ribandmotorhome · 23 January 2014, 00:24

By the way Chris.
As your boat like mine was around before 4 stokes. There is an argument that a 4 stroke is heavier, so you shouldnt put the max hp on if it's 4 stroke.

Mind you wouldn't worry about it as they are well built.

Nos4r2 · 23 January 2014, 00:27

There's no problem with putting a 50hp 4 stroke on an SR4. Seen several, driven one. Not as much as an animal as the 2 stroke though.

Apparently the Etec 50 is 109kg, so not light, but still more torque than a 4 stroke.

chris.moody · 23 January 2014, 00:28

I have checked my searider owners manual and it does not mention any maximum engine weight

chris.moody · 23 January 2014, 00:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

There's no problem with putting a 50hp 4 stroke on an SR4. Seen several, driven one. Not as much as an animal as the 2 stroke though.

Apparently the Etec 50 is 109kg, so not light, but still more torque than a 4 stroke.

In what way less of an animal as I do love the way my old 40hp 2s "went like the clappers" ?

Ribandmotorhome · 23 January 2014, 00:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris.moody

I have checked my searider owners manual and it does not mention any maximum engine weight

Yeah I agree but when they were given the max hp rating it was obviously with a lighter 2 stroke in mind.

Just thought I would mention it.

Mine was fine with a 4cylinder 50hp blue band merc on the back which was the same basic engine as the 80hp in the day!

I also saw one with a 70hp 3 cylinder on, which was the same basic engine as the 50hp of that type. That was fine too.