80's Sunbird Ski Boat and a 70HP Nissan Should I Go got it?

[Bunnerrabbit]

OK I have posted about this once but I am so unsure if I should buy or not. I will tell you what I know for sure. Boat is a 16ft 85 to 88 sunbird ski boat. Original interior thats totally trashed due from just years of sun and water damage. It was used on a mix of salt and fresh water. Unsure of transom but would most likely replace it and floor possibly a new fuel tank and lines. Along with a whole new interior. Would redo bow and rear motor area with new vinyl seats buying the vinyl and making my own . Middle seats would be replaced with store bought seats on aluminum pedestals that I already have. The trailer needs new rims and tires and the rest of the trailer is in decent shape. The motor on the boat is shot its a 85 HP Force its also white if that can give anyone a clue on its age. It has tilt and trim and I might be able to sell parts of it. The replacement motor is a 1990 Nissan 70HP I have a little concern that its to small of a motor. Story behind the motor is that it stopped running and guy took it to get worked on. They ended up just buying a new motor and it would not run so in the end it turned out that they just had water in the tank. It is at my in laws right now they bought it from the original owner. Motor is $600 with all controls. Boat and Trailer is $200 and at a friends house nothing is coming from total strangers and stories are believed true. Should I buy? I want to just buy the boat and get a motor when the boats done but unsure if I could find something then for the $600 price I am seeing now. Money is tight and fixing the boat would prob take until spring. If you made it this far post something even if its Go for it or Don't mess with it. Ideal boat would be a 18ft center console with about a 90HP on it but if moneys tight getting a sub $1000 boat then thats out of the question. ANy opinions and thoughts welcome.

 

[MikDee]

Re: 80's Sunbird Ski Boat and a 70HP Nissan Should I Go got it?

Go For It! I started skiing with a 16' wood lapstreak Thompson with a 30Evinrude many yrs ago, along with my friends similar boats, and I was about 170lbs then, getting up was not much of an issue, except trying to start on one ski, then it took abit too long. At the time, a 70hp on a 16' boat was unheard of? Since then I've put on 80lbs, but I have no doubt a 70hp would get me up fine on a 16' boat. Don't be surprised if you get 40mph out of that Nissan, or even that Force 85 if it's salvagable, when all is set up good. The Force is a decent motor, and very simple design for working on (regardless of what the naysayers say) I've recently aquired a couple, and find this to be true. Power & speed, is not the issue here, either way it's a nice combo if it's in decent shape, and if not,,, you hafta decide if you want to do all the work, But, I think it's worth it. good luck, Mike

 

[Evinrude Boater]

Re: 80's Sunbird Ski Boat and a 70HP Nissan Should I Go got it?

When I read posts such as this asking for opinions on whether or not they should buy a fixer upper, I tend to think they haven't been looking long enough to know for themselves what is available in their area for the price they want to pay. My boat package was free for the reason he couldn't get any money for it. It was 10 times more work than I thought it would be and I learned from that. I went to the school of long evenings and lotsa money.
No one on this forum but you knows what condition this boat is in. Even you can't see below the floor, inside the transom or inside the engine. Looking at boats and reading about people's experiences has taught me a lot about shopping for a fixer upper. I wouldn't jump into something just because it's in the family. Be objective and check out other boats and see how it compares to the market. It may be the deal of a lifetime or an anchor with a broken rope

 

[Bunnerrabbit]

Re: 80's Sunbird Ski Boat and a 70HP Nissan Should I Go got it?

I have found a free 19ft boat with a 115 on it thats blown prob a 1980 ski type boat but thinking going with something bigger just means more $$ Finding larger motor and more area to fix. I have also found some inboards that are free but not really wanting to mess with an inboard. Have also found SEVERAL pre 1980 runabout or open bow but with the 80"s sunbird its still somewhat current looking.

 

[Steve Mahler]

Re: 80's Sunbird Ski Boat and a 70HP Nissan Should I Go got it?

Sounds like you may have a good project on your hands, but I have a couple thoughts..

1) I think 70 will be enough for the boat, but you wont get 40mph in my opinion

2) The cost of fixing the hull up will be more than a couple hundred bucks - just the wood, resin, and other materials will run a couple hundred; and seats cost a fortune no matter how you do it. So I think a reasonable goal would be to finish it for less than 1500 minimum. All my projects run higher than planned....

Good luck

 

[MikDee]

Re: 80's Sunbird Ski Boat and a 70HP Nissan Should I Go got it?

Sounds like you may have a good project on your hands, but I have a couple thoughts..

1) I think 70 will be enough for the boat, but you wont get 40mph in my opinion

IMO, it all depends on how light the hull is, it's only 16', and I don't think a Sunbird is one of the heavier design boats, besides it sounds like a skiboat style, they are usually made to get up on plane quick, and hold it, while delivering more speed then a conventional hull, like mine.

2) The cost of fixing the hull up will be more than a couple hundred bucks - just the wood, resin, and other materials will run a couple hundred; and seats cost a fortune no matter how you do it. So I think a reasonable goal would be to finish it for less than 1500 minimum. All my projects run higher than planned....

Good luck

Yes, you never know what it's gonna cost to get it the way you want it, it may even be much cheaper then that, you may get lucky. If it appeals enough to you, that would be your call.