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Comparing the Aventura II and Searey

Aventura & Searey on flight ramp

Searey

Aventura II

As the only dealer in the United States that handles both the Aventura II and Searey aircraft, we are routinely asked:

  1. What are the differences are between the two aircraft?

  2. And why is the pricing between the two different?

Well, both kits share the same heritage, dating to the Buccaneer series from the early 1980's. They are both aluminum bolt together construction, pre-molded fiberglass hulls, covered with fabric. The difference in basic pricing however, is harder to compare. Some features of the Aventura II are not available in the Searey, and some features of the Searey are not available with the Aventura II.

If you do not need all the frills, then the Aventura II will indeed be a slightly lower initial cost then the Searey. Your decision has to be:

  1. What options do I really need / want?
  2. What do I want the aircraft to do?
  3. How much time can I devote to building my kit?

Review the chart below to have a better understanding of what each kit comes with as standard. For an apples to apples comparison, if we add the options of the Aventura II to equal what is included with the standard Searey, both kits are comparable in kit pricing.

Note: Each picture below has a link which will enlarge the photo for better clarity.

 

   

Aventura II
Basic Kit Price $21,995.00

Searey
Basic Kit Price $26,900.00

Brakes      
  Manual Standard Optional
  Hydraulic N/A Standard (Pilot Side)
Comments:  
  • Mechanical brakes adequate for light duty.
  • Tire size is 480/400 x 8"
  • Optional mechanical brakes adequate for light duty. 
  • Hydraulic brakes are now standard with the kit, with 1 further upgrade to Grove brakes.
  • Tire size 6.00 x 6"
       
Doors   Optional $540.00 Standard
   
Comments:  
  • Doors hinge on windshield post. 
  • May not be opened in flight. 
  • Lockable with optional purchase of marine lock. 
  • Easily removable by pulling hitch pins for open air flight in warm weather.
  • Independent sliding canopies may be opened in flight, or easily removed for open air flying. 
  • Lock standard on pilot side.
       
Engine Mount Kit
Optional for Rotax 582  $765.00
Optional for Rotax 912/912S $995.00
Standard
Comments:  
  • Engine mounts are sold as options. 
  • Specify when ordering with kit for Rotax 582 or 912 / 912S engine installations.
  • Engine mounts included with basic airframe. 
  • Must specify Rotax 912 / 912S or 914 upon ordering airframe.
       
Fabric

 

 

 
  Dacron Standard (White Dacron Fabric) N/A
  Polyfiber N/A Standard
Comments:  
  • Dacron fabric easy for first time builder. Pre-sewn slip on sleeves.
  • Suggested to purchase Clearcoat kit for UV protection. 
  • Fabric supplied is white, additional colors or patterns cost extra.
  • More labor intensive then Dacron, however the finish is more traditional. 
  • Higher resistance to UV rays. 
  • Polyfiber materials supplied up through silver coats, builder supplies final paint colors.
       
Flaps      
 

Manual

N/A Standard
 

Electric

Standard Optional
Comments:  
  • Mechanical flaps not available. 
  • Electric flaps operated by linear actuator, infinitely adjustable.
  • Mechanical flaps standard, operated by a lever located just over the pilots right shoulder. 
  • Electric flaps operated by linear actuator, infinitely adjustable.
       
Fuel Tank    
  12 Gallon Standard N/A
 

18 Gallon

Optional $188.00 Standard
 

28 Gallon

N/A Optional $238.00
Comments:  
  • 12 Gallon tank is standard, allowing 2 hrs flight with Rotax 582, or 3 hrs with Rotax 912 / 912S.
  •  Add additional hour to above numbers with optional 18 gallon tank.
  • Suggest installing larger tank on assembly.
  • 18 Gallon tank is standard, allowing 3 hrs flight with Rotax with Rotax 912 / 912S.
  • Add 2 hours to above numbers with 28 gallon tank.
  • Suggest installing larger tank on assembly.
       
Hull      
   
  Fiberglass Standard Standard
  Kevlar Optional $1496.00 N/A
  Carbon Graphite N/A Optional $3548.00
Comments:  
  • Fiberglass standard, hull weight approximately 140 Lbs.
  • Kevlar lighter for same strength, weight savings approximately 18 Lbs.
  • Fiberglass and Optional Kevlar hulls finished in White Gelcoat. No painting needed.
  • Fiberglass standard, hull weight approximately 140 Lbs.
  • Carbon Graphite hull is lighter for the same strength, weight savings approximately 60 Lbs.
  • Carbon Graphite parts must be primed & painted, not supplied in Gelcoat finish.
       
Landing Gear Retraction  
  Manual Standard Standard
  Hydraulic N/A Optional
Comments:  
  • Manual gear mechanism easy to operate.
  • No options for additional mechanisms.
  • On water, gear may be difficult to lower due to tire flotation depending on current speed.
  • Manual gear mechanism easy to operate.
  • Optional Hydraulic gear allows simple operation up or down at the flick of a switch.
  • On water, manually operated gear may be difficult to lower due to tire flotation depending on current speed.
       
Luggage Deck    
 
    Optional $360.00 Optional $200.00
Comments:  
  • Made from Fiberglass
  • Cleans up area behind the seats
  • Made from lightweight wood
  • Includes Black or Grey carpeting
  • Cleans up area behind the seats

 

       
Nose Deck Hatch    
 
    Optional $360.00 Standard
Comments:  
  • Must be ordered at time of kit order.
  • Cannot be retrofitted without replacing instrument deck
  • Suggested for easy access to battery, and storage of small items while in flight.
  • Larger opening then Searey.
  • Included with airframe kit.
  • Smaller opening then Aventura, but adequate for battery maintenance and small item storage.
       
Rear Cabin Windows  
    Optional $144.00 Standard
Comments:  
  • May be retrofitted at any time.
  • Better visibility in clearing turns to the opposite side of the cockpit.
  • Better lighting in luggage compartment area.
  • Included with kit.
       
Drooped Wingtips Optional $840.00 Standard
Comments:  
  • Requires about 5 hours to install.
  • May be retrofitted.
  • Installs over existing wingtip framework.
  • No noticeable difference in stall performance.
  • Built in mounting location for Whelen Strobes / Nav Lights.
  • Included with every kit.
  • Built in as part of the existing wing and covered with Stits Polyfiber fabric.
  • Built in mounting location for Whelen Strobes / Nav Lights.
Map Pockets    
   

Optional $129.00

Standard

Comments:  
  • May be retrofitted, attached with Velcro inside cockpit next to seats. Sold as a pair.
  • Included with every kit complementing the seats. Attaches with Velcro next to seats.
Shoulder Harnesses    
   

Optional $300.00

Standard

Comments:  
  • Shoulder and Seat belt sewn in a 4 point harness with quick release.

  • Shoulder harnesses now standard. Separate inertial reel from the seat belt. Release mechanism similar to a vehicle.

Now let's add it up and see what we get for an apples to apples comparison:

Aventura Searey
Basic Kit price $21995.00 $26900.00
Door Kit $540.00 Standard
Engine Mount Kit (912 / 912S) $995.00 Standard
18 Gallon Fuel Tank $188.00 Standard
Luggage Deck (Baggage Compartment) $360.00 $200.00
Nose Deck Hatch $360.00 Standard
Rear Cabin Windows $144.00 Standard
Drooped Wingtips $840.00 Standard
Map Pockets $129.00 Standard
Shoulder Harnesses $300.00 Standard

Total:

$25851.00 $27100.00

 

As you can readily see, the Aventura kit is indeed less expensive then a comparable Searey kit. However, based upon the numbers here (taken from respective manufacturers published prices as of 7/17/06), this is only a $1249.00 difference, or just under 5%.

We hope this has been helpful to you, and if you have further questions about which aircraft better suits your needs, please contact us!