Searider 5.4 Refurb Project

Narcosis · 03 April 2006, 18:52

Hi All

Well the day has arrived when we started the referb of out newly owned Avon Searider 5.4 (got it 2-3 weeks ago

), the major refurb is around the console, ripping it out, found an internal fuel tank that we are going to build into the new console

. Making the console 2 to 3 inches wider, so allowing 2 batteries, 1 fuel tank, and a s**t load more dry storage (I hope). Moving the Ignition, Choke, Kill cord onto console.

Thought I'd put a couple of pictures with the first stages underway. Has any one else completed some thing similiar?

I'll keep you posted as it progress's.

Regards
David

Biggles · 03 April 2006, 19:00

Hi Mate,

I,m looking to do the same as you later this year.

At the moment I'm considering whether to replace the console or not. I had a good look at one today and saw the ridge in the middle which could cause some problems with fitting a different console.

Any chance you could send me a high res picture of your third picture in the thread. And also any others of the boat once its been stripped right back. In particular the area where the console used to be.

I would also be very interested in details of the cockpit and seating you intend to put in to it.

Keep me posted.

regards Nick R.

Narcosis · 03 April 2006, 19:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biggles

Any chance you could send me a high res picture of your third picture in the thread. And also any others of the boat once its been stripped right back. In particular the area where the console used to be.

I would also be very interested in details of the cockpit and seating you intend to put in to it.

Hi Nick, have a look at the link below, images are big 4M+, showing the console mount, and due to the lack of options and type of consoles vs price out there, we are going to try and make our own, marine ply structure, with fibreglass reinforcement. The new console is going to grow left and I will build in a dropped lip into the design.

Regards
David

http://www.aqualegends.com/SR54/

Narcosis · 07 April 2006, 18:03

Update
Visit www.aqualegends.com and select the Rib Project in the menu for a Photo Gallery of the lastest progress.

Regards
David

Bou · 07 April 2006, 18:54

Hello David,

Nice to see that you are not afraid to do some work!

I've got experience with building a whole new jockey console.
It takes a few evenings of work but its worth it!

If you like I can put some pics on as well.

Good look with it!

Gr,

Boudewijn

Narcosis · 07 April 2006, 19:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bou

Hello David,

Nice to see that you are not afraid to do some work!

I've got experience with building a whole new jockey console.
It takes a few evenings of work but its worth it!

If you like I can put some pics on as well.

Good look with it!

Gr,

Boudewijn

I would really appreciate any hints and tips, been on the phone for days ringing experts(

) about laying fibre glass.

I am trying to design this around a removal 42 Lt Tectank fueltank , where have you put your fueltank?

Any pic's would be great to see, many thanx.

Regards
David

Rogue Wave · 07 April 2006, 19:59

Does this mean i can buy your old tanks!

Bou · 07 April 2006, 23:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Narcosis

I would really appreciate any hints and tips, been on the phone for days ringing experts(

) about laying fibre glass.

I am trying to design this around a removal 42 Lt Tectank fueltank , where have you put your fueltank?

Any pic's would be great to see, many thanx.

Regards
David

We've integrated a 55liter fuel tank and a 55amp batery. And we still got room to store!

The console is 170cm long and I don't remember how wide se is (I'll check it for you tomorrow)

We first made a woodenfram of 4 mm triplex.

Then laminated it all together. 2 layers on the outside (350gram) and 2 layers on the inside (350gram). And laminated the console on the hull, so no use of bolds or skrews. Just to make it extra strong and water tight!

After the lamination we put epoxy on it, just to get it all smooth and watertight.
Finished it all with DD paint (I don't know how they call it in the UK) and put some extra SS on it for the finishing tuch.

Made the seats also ourselfse. Very easy to do with some foam and Sky leather and some wood.

The Backrests we've made of SS. But, same on me, I don't have any pics of that...

Bou · 07 April 2006, 23:48

And one more pic of the console with seats on it (ex backrest)

Narcosis · 11 April 2006, 20:16

Goto www.aqualegends.com and click on Rib Project.
Aiming to finish in about 2 teeks, praying.

Bou · 11 April 2006, 22:22

Looks great!!

Enough space to put a fulltank and battery,
The front will give you plenty of dry-storage!

Do you know the colour already??