What's the attraction with refurbing Sea Riders?

[Barrowboy]

I'm new to ribbing and would ask that you forgive my ignorance but just what is the attraction with refurbishing Sea Riders? Are they the ribbing equivalent of a classic car; an old MG Roadster perhaps?

Please don't get me wrong, I've thoroughly enjoyed reading the refurb threads and there's some serious work been undertaken but I get the impression a lot of ribbers have a 'family rib' and then a Sea Rider sat in the garage too?

So, what is it about the old Avon Sea Riders and is there a model that is the most desirable/collectable; the 4m seems to figure in a lot of refurbs?

[whisper]

Once you get over what they look like and understand what they can do vs any other rib in the same size class, you can't help yourself

They are a great challenge to do and if you get the right one you can get them looking really good.

Your emotions go up and down with the project though as things just take so long to do and the cost of parts and materials soon mount up.

Awesome ribs to work on and a great build spec from new....

Most of all they are cheep

You would have probably noticed that the build threads are being referred more often now as restorations

[whisper]

Originally Posted by Barrowboy

So, what is it about the old Avon Sea Riders and is there a model that is the most desirable/collectable; the 4m seems to figure in a lot of refurbs?

SR4.7

[ShinyShoe]

More like a landrover but that'd start a whole new thread we don't wnat to go down. An MG you'd want to restore to its factory state. A SR you want to make work for you and probably be better than factory state!

SR's are really tough boats + there are a good few about (which means they dont tend to cost a fortune either). A 4m fits in a normal sized garage which is really helpful for a refurb and for keeping costs down.

If you want a stable hull the flooding hull adds balast as a fishing platform or for coaching from.

More 4m than 5.4's I think. 4.7 is probably the holy grail in terms of performance and size but there are far less around... 4.7 wont fit some garages with a trailer hitch and an engine

[Max...]

There is just something about Seariders... I'm a Landy nut and (currently) ex SR 4.7m owner so there is something in the LR thing but I'll have another SR one day. I think the big appeal of the 4m is they are cheap, common, easy to store, only need a frugal 40hp and more sea worthy than anything else that size.

[Barrowboy]

Originally Posted by Max...

There is just something about Seariders... I'm a Landy nut and (currently) ex SR 4.7m owner so there is something in the LR thing but I'll have another SR one day. I think the big appeal of the 4m is they are cheap, common, easy to store, only need a frugal 40hp and more sea worthy than anything else that size.

Max, your's was one I saw for sale recently in the classified section here and it sold within about 6 hours??? Looked a really tidy rib and it was evident you'd put a lot of hours into her so your (ex) boat partly prompted my question!! 'Alan' on here also had a great refurb thread showing the restoration he'd performed on a Sea Rider so there's obviously something going on!

Hmmmmmm, might have to take a look coz I do love a project........

[Barrowboy]

Max, your's was one I saw for sale recently in the classified section here and it sold within about 6 hours??? Looked a really tidy rib and it was evident you'd put a lot of hours into her so your (ex) boat partly prompted my question!!

Correction, it was a Sea Rider owned by Matt H. Apologies.

[Max...]

Not mine, I'm going back a few years. Was a rare 4.7m foam collar bought from Matt H, he's had a few boats...

http://www.rib.net/forum/f8/my-new-b...7-a-37261.html

[edit] crossed over your post.

And I just looked at the old pics on the link above I do miss that SR...

[whisper]

Originally Posted by Max...

I do miss that SR...

Check this one out, the photos don't do it justice, it is completely original except for a reflowed deck to bring it up to mint condition.

It's had very little use

http://www.rib.net/forum/f21/militar...ale-56924.html

[Mollers]

Every family should have one.

[whisper]

Originally Posted by Mollers

Every family should have one.

+1

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by Mollers

Every family should have one.

wot, like the nutty aunt with a dozen cats, the fat cousin who dribbles, the creepy uncle & the two spinsters who live together

[Anchorhandler]

Originally Posted by Barrowboy

I'm new to ribbing and would ask that you forgive my ignorance but just what is the attraction with refurbishing Sea Riders? Are they the ribbing equivalent of a classic car; an old MG Roadster perhaps?

Please don't get me wrong, I've thoroughly enjoyed reading the refurb threads and there's some serious work been undertaken but I get the impression a lot of ribbers have a 'family rib' and then a Sea Rider sat in the garage too?

So, what is it about the old Avon Sea Riders and is there a model that is the most desirable/collectable; the 4m seems to figure in a lot of refurbs?

Here's an example of why i traded in a 6.5m Vipermax for one...

Unfortunately i pushed my luck with the temporary transport dolly i built to move the boat around the workshop and yesterday suffered the consequences....

It was never load tested to take the weight of a chubby fecker like me bouncing up and down on it during the fitting out process .

I was sat on the bow at the time and nearly gave the boat a black/gray and ermmm...brown colour scheme!

Anyway, after i eventually stopped laughing, i sheepishly checked the bow for damage and........virtually Nothing!!! The polished concrete floor came out worse.

Now thats what you call a tough little boat

Simon

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

wot, like the nutty aunt with a dozen cats, the fat cousin who dribbles, the creepy uncle & the two spinsters who live together

We prefer smart german estate car and eastern European gofer down South. ;-)

[SiR_Pete]

after reading a lot of the comments on line about the SR and especially here I've really gotten to like the boats. I may look to take up a restoration project myself over the winter but cant for the love of me get the liking of the single console's. does anyone know what is the smallest SR you could fit a double(side by side) console on and would any one happen to have any pics. not having much luck finding one online!!

[A1an]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

wot, like the nutty aunt with a dozen cats, the fat cousin who dribbles, the creepy uncle & the two spinsters who live together

This made me laugh, I actually do/did have all of the above!

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by SiR_Pete

does anyone know what is the smallest SR you could fit a double(side by side) console

Forget it, you'll produce a turd. Take a look at a 4/5m Ribeye?

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by Mollers

Forget it, you'll produce a turd. Take a look at a 4/5m Ribeye?

Seconded. It's been done on a 5.4, but actually standing side by side while in use would take the cast of Bugsy Malone.

[Bigmuz7]

Originally Posted by A1an

This made me laugh, I actually do/did have all of the above!

+1 .... A fair critique indeed PD

[SiR_Pete]

Originally Posted by Mollers

Forget it, you'll produce a turd. Take a look at a 4/5m Ribeye?

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Seconded. It's been done on a 5.4, but actually standing side by side while in use would take the cast of Bugsy Malone.

that's probably why I cant find any pictures of them so.. it would be an SR5.4 or an SR6 that i would have been looking for in any way..

Thanks for clearing that up..