1979/1980 Wellcraft Suncruiser

[Celtichawk]

Okay guys buddy I work with is practically giving this boat to me. Now he already advised interior in rough shape not sure details and motor unsure if it runs. It has a Chevy 350 inboard/outboard as OMC. That could be incorrect as well as only listing what he says. And quite frankly he don't know much. Its dirty on the outside so needs a bath and he mentioned some parts of deck might be rot but nevertheless soft. You guys know anything about this boat. Oh its a. 22.5' foot boat. So good size with cabin space and a bow hatch. Sure you guys already know what it looks like this model but my question since its practically free what would be key things to look over and are they a dependable good boat once fixed up? How popular were these models? Etc.. And anything else to look for would be great.

 

[Maclin]

Re: 1979/1980 Wellcraft Suncruiser

Wellcraft has good rep and desirability, but with all those problems it is just another old pile of boat right now.

The OMC drives are obsolete. Soft floor = rotted structure underneath. Boats are not just thick plastic hulls, they have wooden beams called stringers underneath the floor for strength, so if the floor is soft the rot is almost always deeper.

I am just going by hisrtory I have seen and read, and with boats that age you cannot come out even if it is free after all you have to do to them just to get it almost ready to use. Not only economically a bad idea, but you will probably never have a safe reliable boat you can use all season. You will constantly be chasing problems. And with the OMC you will be chasing unavailable parts. By the time you add up the money spent, well, don't ever add it up or you will faint dead away.

If you just want something to tinker on and not ever really use then OK, but if you want a boat you can use then step back and realize this is probably not ever going to get there.

 

[southkogs]

Re: 1979/1980 Wellcraft Suncruiser

If you get hold of it, and the engine runs well and the drive works fine ... then if you want to do the work to repair the structural stuff, go for it. Set a budget and stop when you hit it.

If the engine and drive are a mess, and the hull is a mess ... I'd look for some other "free" boat. The reality (like Maclin said) is that you'll spend more repairing/restoring this boat than a newer one in good condition will run.

HOWEVER ... part out the OMC Sterndrive, there are some weirdos out there still trying to keep them running and they'll pay for parts. After that, junk the hull and sell the trailer. Now you have money to buy a boat that works