1985 Sylvan Sportster w/ Merc 90 L6 OB - Opinions?

[bchaney]

Hey guys, been reading up here (excellent info, thanks to all the posters) and keeping an eye on craigslist for anything interesting. Was planning to wait until fall or winter to buy because I don't really plan to use a boat until next season, BUT something interesting popped up nearby on Saturday - an 18' Sylvan Sportster. I understand that this is the same/similar to the Starcraft Super Sport, and I'm hoping that you guys with all your wisdom and knowledge can help me find out more info about this here vessel so that I can make a more informed decision. I talked to Rob (Watermann) about it since he knows every piece of these boats (Thanks Rob!), but I want to see what others think.

I went to check it out last nite and here’s what I found:

• Solid floor, looks like some sort of dark colored plywood but not epoxied or painted or sealed up really well
• Solid transom, I pushed and pulled on the outboard pretty good and the it didn’t move
• No loose or missing rivets, no pitting or cracks or big dents in the hull
• 1985 Merc inline 6 90hp runs but middle carb leaked a bit while running
• Upholstery in pretty good shape, some fraying on seams of passenger seat
• New looking battery, didn’t see a date on it
• All the wiring looks pretty clean and everything worked except the horn
• Driver-side console is kinda loose and center windshield is out of alignment so it doesn’t latch
• Trailer looks clean, fresh paint and newer lights/wheels/tires but I didn’t look too close, has rollers underneath but a set of bunks outboard
• Has 2 extra seats, one on each side of the outboard well
• Some silicon caulk on the bottom of the transom on the outside
• Bow cushions thin and uncomfortable
• Aluminum fuel tank under the outboard well

Here’s what the owner said:

• He’s the third owner, his dad owned it from late 80s to 2016
• His dad put in a new floor, transom, seats and cushions (but kept the same color theme unfortunately) 3 years ago
• Mercury dealer replaced the stator and 2 ignition switches (not sure what he meant by this, I think of the key receptacle as the ignition switch, he’s gonna send me paperwork, said it was a $1200 bill)
• Boat sat in his dad’s garage in TX from 1991-2016, estimated 200hrs on motor maximum
• He left it uncovered in his driveway for the past 3 summers but covered in the winter
• Gets about a quart of water in it by the end of the day
• Freshwater use only

We’ve agreed to meet up Friday for a test drive so I have a little time to do some more research. I will try to get a compression tester before then and check the oil in the lower unit (is there a way to do this without draining it?). Will check out the trailer closer. Will check the bilge for water and see how the motor runs of course. Anything else I should look at or check during the test drive? How much do you think its worth?
From what I know so far, overall it seems like a solid boat, no major work needed immediately. It’s a shame that he left it uncovered for the past few summers and the upholstery colors are pretty ugly but those are my biggest complaints. I’ve heard mixed things about the Merc – sounds like they can be temperamental. The 85 was a late production model so that’s good, but the 90hp seems to be a lower RPM grunt compared to the faster spinning 115hp (bigger intake ports I think).

All opinions welcome and thanks in advance for any help.

 

[JoLin]

Except for the seating arrangement it looks to be the same as the 16', mid-90's Sylvan Fish 'N Ski I owned. Pay attention to the steering and make sure it's in good shape. I needed a new R & P helm unit and cable- I had to disassemble the entire starboard side of the boat to snake in a new cable. Make sure the deck over the fuel tank is solid with no "sag". If it's like mine, the fuel tank is plastic, and a sagging deck can cause the top of the tank to "dish". Water collects there and can seep into the tank from the fuel sender plate.

Mine had an 85-hp Yamaha and had (for me) plenty of power. One mod I made was to mount up a pair of Smart Tabs. Made a huge difference in the way the boat popped on plane.

My .02

 

[bchaney]

Thanks for the response. Was your fish n ski aluminum? Any was the 85hp motor enough to pull up a skier or wakeboarder? I turned the steering wheel lock to lock and it seemed smooth. The fuel tank is actually on top of the floor but below the motor splash well. Will look into smart tabs, my dad had those on his old boat and loved them.

I found out that the motor is actually an 86, I verified with the serial number. The seller sent me the paperwork on the recent engine work, they replaced the stator and 2 switch boxes as well as lube, which I assume is oil for the lower unit.

 

[JoLin]

Yes, it was aluminum. Unfortunately,I never engaged in water sports. I used it for a couple of years in the St. Lucie River in FL. I'm used to bigger, heavier boats and never felt really comfortable in the chop. The boat handled it fine, just not my cup of tea.

 

[bchaney]

Well the guy sold it to someone else before the test drive. Very disappointing.

 

[Old Ironmaker]

There is another boat out there for you. If I lost a sale, home, car, truck boat or whatever I say there is a reason why. Move on.

 

[5150abf]

Sylvans are made about 5 miles from my house, they are nice solid boat and probably underrated compared to a Lund ect but they are a solid little boat.

I am running an 81 Sea-Nymph, very similar and made about 10 miles from Sylvan, and love it, the thing is almost indestructible, had it for 13 years and river fished it so it gets a good work out.

So sure of the hull I just repowered it with a new Yamaha

If it seems to be in good condition go for it and don't let the age throw you, the aluminum in that hull will be here long after both of us are gone, might need to freshen the inside but the hull will last forever..

Of coarse at some point you will want to replace the transom wood but that is almost normal maintenance on a boat.

I stripped mine to the keel and rebuilt it maybe 6-8 year ago, more for a winter project than it needed done.