Scratched the itch...Searider deluxe

[tinker]

Found a nice looking searider deluxe on ebay, not a very good listing, 2 obscure pictures and 0 feedback. Lovely couple though and very genuine.

Went to have a look and the searider was solid enough, need the seating sorting and the engine ran......didn't pump water great but the tilt and trim worked, parts on order , yamaha 40hp 6H4, so plenty of spares available.

[Fenlander]

That looks promising, I've always liked them. Will you retire the Aerotec/15hp combo.

[fastasfox]

was your purchase swayed by Harry's Goodwin?
Good luck with the refurb.

[tinker]

Originally Posted by Fenlander

That looks promising, I've always liked them. Will you retire the Aerotec/15hp combo.

No the Aerotec is at the front of my list, just waiting for the honing tool to clean the cylinders on the new to me block, rebuilding the carb at the moment, mrs is out so the blocks in the dishwasher as I type. .

The beauty of the Aerotec is that it fits in the back of my campervan easily with room to spare for the other stuff we require, like..... food , well deck chairs and such stuff that require a comfortable stay. I can then use it with no hassle or not use with no hassle.

The downside of a trailered rib is that if i tow it where im going and dont fancy going out, weather of whatever, i feel obliged to use it. This searider will probably be used twice a year, I just had to have it.

[tinker]

Originally Posted by fastasfox

was your purchase swayed by Harry's Goodwin?
Good luck with the refurb.

Seeing his videos did sort of bring the child in me back. I started the RIB dream with a Flatcraft force 4 and always loved the interaction it allowed with the passenger, side by side. The retro looks did help. Suppose you have to go to quite a large rib to have side by side jockey seats and tbh sitting that high up did make the Mrs feel nervous, was a Ribcraft 4.8m.

[smallribber]

Now that looks a lovely boat. Few and far between well done for finding that. Looking forward to seeing some videos and more pics. Excellent

[Nasher]

Nice find Tinker, and please do keep the original seating.

Like you I started Ribbing in a Force 4, and enjoyed the experiance.

[tinker]

I have gone full circle, think I remember yours, didn't you have a website dedicated to flatcraft?

[Peter_C]

Boat looks nice! Does that trailer have any suspension? I've just never seen a design like that.

[Nasher]

Originally Posted by tinker

I have gone full circle, think I remember yours, didn't you have a website dedicated to flatcraft?

Wow, good memory there Tinker.

I owned Flatacraft.co.uk and .com at one stage.
The guys who restarted the brand back up persuaded me to sell them the rights and then closed down soon after starting up.
I assume it didn't work out for them.

A few pics here:
https://www.rib.net/forum/members/1181-albums290.html

[tinker]

Originally Posted by Peter_C

Boat looks nice! Does that trailer have any suspension? I've just never seen a design like that.

It does,.leaf springs that run inline with the axle. Never seen it before either but not an expert on trailers tbh. The leafs need cleaning up and painting, another job to the list bit I'm at my happiest messing about with boats ( fixing and fettling)

Towed well though, owner gave me a bearing he had removed, which is always a good sign imo. Stopped after a mile,.everything cool, then after 10 miles, just before the motorway gave the wheels a shake, no play and hub and tyre nice and cool.

[tinker]

Originally Posted by Nasher

Wow, good memory there Tinker.

I owned Flatacraft.co.uk and .com at one stage.
The guys who restarted the brand back up persuaded me to sell them the rights and then closed down soon after starting up.
I assume it didn't work out for them.

A few pics here:
https://www.rib.net/forum/members/1181-albums290.html

My brother and me have had a couple of the orange force 4, nice boat on a flat sea, quick. A bit of slam jumping waves but always seemed to cope OK. Don't see many about now though. Nice picture of a c craft sib on the beach there as well, my first ever inflatable, spent more time repairing it than using it but that always seems to be the way with budget boating

[tinker]

Started the engine today as I was bit concerned the tell tail wasn't giving decent flow. Anyhow the water bin obviously wasn't deep enough as the motor pumped water on turning over. Motor seems good, nice even compression readings, used my newly acquired bore inspection endoscope and the cylinders look OK, pistons a bit coked up but I can cope with that. Just got to resist my natural instinct on stripping it down, as the phrase goes, if it ain't broke done fix it. One thing I did notice were the spark plugs, little more than hand tight, don't bode well for any DIY maintenance that's been taken out on it......I must resist stripping it down and repeat.......

Anyhow engine ran OK, not great, card kit on order as well as water pump and Thermostat.

[smallribber]

I prefer the old adage If it ain’t broke don’t break it