1991 18.5 ft SUNBIRD Bowrider

[ggundersen3]

Im looking at several used bowriders in the off season now to replace my 19.5' I just sold in october. So i came across a '91 Sunbird 18.5' with a 4.3L OMC drive. The boat is in good condition for a '91 as everything looks original. Where does (or did)Sunbird rate on overall quality/reliability in comparison to the major brands like Sea Ray, Four Winns, Regal, Bayliner etc. I know both the drive being an OMC and the boat being a Sunbird are no longer made, but looks like a well cared for boat. So someone tell me about Sunbird.

 

[SigSaurP229]

Re: 1991 18.5 ft SUNBIRD Bowrider

With the age of that boat it is mostly about care and condition. Its a middle of the pack boat along the lines of Bayliner and Thundercraft. I'd not really consider it based on the OMC drive alone.

 

[southkogs]

Re: 1991 18.5 ft SUNBIRD Bowrider

If it's an AMAZING deal on a boat in INCREDIBLE shape, then the OMC may not be the worst thing you do to yourself.

I own an OMC, and I like mine quite a bit (I kinda' own the worst of the worst). But … I probably wouldn't get another one

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: 1991 18.5 ft SUNBIRD Bowrider

being a '91, its not a stringer so thats good. the OMC cobra drives can be swapped for mercruiser drives if the drive fails.

However the condition of the boat and its maintenance will be the deciding factor.

 

[tazrig]

Re: 1991 18.5 ft SUNBIRD Bowrider

What do you actually know about the boat? Any maintenance records? Is the floor soft in general or in spots? How many hours on the motor? when was the last time it was run? has it been properly winterized since the last time it was run? How much are they asking for it? Is their paperwork showing clear title in order?

 

[ggundersen3]

Re: 1991 18.5 ft SUNBIRD Bowrider

Explain more about the comment "it's not a stringer". I thought until Glastron/Larson came out with the"VEC" design around 2001 most all boats had stringer construction. I guess I didn't know. Explain...

 

[ggundersen3]

Re: 1991 18.5 ft SUNBIRD Bowrider

THey have maintenance records, floors are solid, no hour meter, it was used last summer(he's selling it because he upgraded to a newer Crownline), it was winterized prior to winter storage by a marine dealer, he has the title. Asking $4k.

 

[tazrig]

Re: 1991 18.5 ft SUNBIRD Bowrider

Explain more about the comment "it's not a stringer". I thought until Glastron/Larson came out with the"VEC" design around 2001 most all boats had stringer construction. I guess I didn't know. Explain...

I'm pretty sure Scott is talking about the OMC outdrive which was called a "stringer" not the boat the drive looked like this:

 

[ggundersen3]

Re: 1991 18.5 ft SUNBIRD Bowrider

OK misunderstood. No it's an OMC Cobra drive for sure.

 

[tazrig]

Re: 1991 18.5 ft SUNBIRD Bowrider

THey have maintenance records, floors are solid, no hour meter, it was used last summer(he's selling it because he upgraded to a newer Crownline), it was winterized prior to winter storage by a marine dealer, he has the title. Asking $4k.

That seems way pricey for a 23 year old boat. But if it is in as good condition as you say I would have a marine survey done for a couple hundred bucks and have the motor and boat completely gone through. It will be very cheap money if the engine is bad, at the end of it's life or you have unseen structural or electrical problems.

 

[ggundersen3]

Re: 1991 18.5 ft SUNBIRD Bowrider

I actually had an OMC King Cobra drive on my last boat and I liked it a little better than a Mercruiser because the trim/tilt tilted up alot higher, almost a full 90 Deg. But I know theyre not made anymore, I think since around '98..

 

[southkogs]

Re: 1991 18.5 ft SUNBIRD Bowrider

I'm with Taz. If it weren't for the price, I wouldn't be completely freaked out by the OMC. $4k seems steep for that boat, but if it's REALLY well cared for maybe ...

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: 1991 18.5 ft SUNBIRD Bowrider

I'd not have gone to look at over $2500

 

[superbenk]

Re: 1991 18.5 ft SUNBIRD Bowrider

Pretty sure the OMC Cobra drive of that vintage was plagued with shifter cable problems & required some very careful adjustment.

Neighbor had a Sunbird almost exactly the same (where you looking exactly?) & had a number of problems with it shifting. He sank good money into it before finally giving up & getting rid of it.

I'd always heard/read that Sunbird was pretty low-end quality-wise. I wouldn't spend that on one of them from that year.

 

[ggundersen3]

Re: 1991 18.5 ft SUNBIRD Bowrider

Thanks I know theyre high on the asking price. This boat is in Rockford ,Il. I had an OMC King Cobra on my last boat and only had slight very occasional shifting problems. But thanks for the advice. I'm still looking! There alot of boats coming on the market around here since jan 1. I'd prefer to go Mercruiser Alpha one again like had in my 87 Sea Ray just because every marine shop will work on them. OMC is obsolete. What about Volvo/Penta drives? what should I be aware of with them? Some used boats I look at have that drive.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: 1991 18.5 ft SUNBIRD Bowrider

Volvo Penta drives and Mercruiser drives are fine.

The Sunbird boats have a low build quality and the vintage you are looking at also has a carbed 4.3. Personally I would not recommend that boat because instead of improving the build quality like Bayliner did the company was restructured multiple times and went out of business. I have seen the construction of even newer sunbird boats (late 90's) and I was not impressed.