Picked Up my Searider 5.4 Today

[dctucker]

New to me, ex-US Navy boat. Commercial/military spec with the reinforced tubes. Completely stripped of all equipment other than the helm. Previous owner bought it at a government surplus auction, never put anything into it and decided to sell.

I've got quite a lot of cleaning & fitting out to do, starting with the oversized trailer, before I can even install the 80 HP used Mercury, which I also picked up on eBay. Much to do, but I'm very excited. Boats like this are a rare find in the States. I received a few odd stares trailering it home... and I live in Marblehead, MA which is the headquarters of Ribcraft USA!

Here are some pictures...

[Rogue Wave]

Lucky Guy,

I think sea riders are the finest small ribs made!

Any effort and work you put into cleaning repairing and fitting out will reap big rewards.

best of luck

Stuart

[The Jackeens]

Enjoy the project!

It would be nice to see some action shots from 'over there' when she is ready.

Missus

[Nick Hearne]

Looks like its in good condition to me, all she kneads is a bit of sip & polish!
Keep us posted on your refit!
Nick

[Wayne Rogers]

Good luck with the fitout, looks like a great project.Would be great to see pictures when she finished.

[Mennojsh]

he painted the boat 2 years ago with coelan coating
the boat is darkbleu tubed now looks really nice
and he got a 150 hp mercury efi on it
it is really fast but don`t give enyone else the steering wheel when you are in it

boot is good in following sea and in head seas

but beware when the waves are coming from the side

boat hull creates lots of lift

you cant break the hull it is really strong

good luck with your boat
you will love it

maybe i can find some pictures of my friends boat

[dctucker]

Thanks to all for the encouragement! I've learned quite a bit here already. Found this site a day after I found the boat on eBay. What I learned here confirmed my desire to buy this particular boat. I'm expecting to be fully fitted out and running for under $5000 USD.

Hull and transom are solid, tubes look and feel good. Holding air nicely, as expected. Should clean up nicely with a bit of work and some of that Aerospace 303 (?) cleaner and protectant for the tubes. I need to buy steering and control cables, fuel tanks, battery & box, fire extinguisher, VHF, etc. I also have a 25' sailboat, so I have safety & miscellaneous equipment to spare (mostly).

First thing is to fit the trailer to the boat properly before I can mount the outboard. I'll work on that tomorrow, and hope to have the outboard fitted within a week or so. It's beginning to get cold here, and the boating season is drawing to a close, but my goal is to get her fitted out and on the water before it REALLY gets too cold. And my wife concurs, bless her! This rib will primarily serve as a coach boat for her Paralympic (disabled) sailing team. That's how I got the okay to buy it, though I exceeded the approved budget by $1000 USD... It also happens to be a nice toy for me

[The Jackeens]

Originally Posted by dctucker

This rib will primarily serve as a coach boat for her Paralympic (disabled) sailing team.

Cool

missus

[Rogue Wave]

Originally Posted by dctucker

It also happens to be a nice toy for me

without a doubt

[boatster]

Hi,

I was watching that auction as it closed. Lucky for you I'm in California .
Actually there was another one for sale at the exact same time on Ebay that was in California. I didn't set aside a budget to purchase it so someone else got it. Those look super capable. I only have a 4 meter sportboat rib (shallow hull) but its fast. I am keeping my eyes out for another 5.4 Searider to pop up for sale somewhere When your done with it you should post some pics. Good luck.