Need info on 1995 Thunderbird Falcon 18' BR

[RobfromME]

Good morning,

I have put a deposit on a 1995 Thunderbird 18' stern drive bowrider, and intend to purchase pending inspection. It is a Mercruiser stern drive. Can anyone provide more information on the boat? I cannot find any resources for this boat and I see it is no longer made (but there's plenty on the Mercruiser!). There also appears to be another boat named Thunderbird which is quite different.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks all for your help. This is my first real boat, so sorry if the questions seem a bit daft.

Regards,
Rob

 

[haskindm]

Re: Need info on 1995 Thunderbird Falcon 18' BR

Back in the 1970's Thunderbirds were "THE" boat. If you are old enough to remember the old Flipper TV show, a Thunderbird boat figured prominently in the show. Don't know if this is the same company or how their quality held up in later years. Here is a link to some history.http://www.fiberglassics.com/thunderbird/
I believe they may have finally been bought out by "Formula" boats.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Need info on 1995 Thunderbird Falcon 18' BR

we you have told us absolutely nothing about the boat, other than it is 1995 Tbird bowrider, I/O. how much info can i give you with that.

 

[RobfromME]

Re: Need info on 1995 Thunderbird Falcon 18' BR

Tashasdaddy,

I apologize for raising your ire by not providing enough information.

As I mentioned in my post, I am new to boats and was here to find help. If you would please tell me what information I should have provided, than I would be more than happy to do so. My experience has been with airplanes where a year and model says a great deal about the airplane.

I wasn't trying to be vague, I just didn't know.

Regards,
Rob

we you have told us absolutely nothing about the boat, other than it is 1995 Tbird bowrider, I/O. how much info can i give you with that.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Need info on 1995 Thunderbird Falcon 18' BR

Rob -- Tash didn't mean anything by the comment. When it comes to boats, asking questions about a particular make or model requires that you provide specific info regarding the power plant, stern drive manufacturer (Mercruiser, OMC, Volvo Penta, etc) along with both the engine and stern drive serial number. While Bowrider is a term, it is seldom used to identify a boat model so Just like Thunderbird is specific model made by Ford, Thunderbird is the brand name, and the model name is Xxxxxxx. 18 foot helps but not much. In other words, there may have been three or four different floor plans and power options for that particular boat. If you buy this boat, you will undoubtedly be back here asking about the engine, the stern drive, performance expectations, prop selection, electrical, and a host of other issues. When you do that, again be as specific as possible. It's the only way we can help. When it comes to performance questions, two things are important. 1) what rpm (observed) does the engine turn at wide open throttle (in the water of course), and 2) what diameter and pitch prop does the boat currently have. Being an airplane guy, I'm sure you understand why that's important. As for electrical, boat wiring is very generic and there is a typical boat wiring diagram at the very top of the Electrical forum. Good luck with the boat and post a picture or two should you end up with it.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Need info on 1995 Thunderbird Falcon 18' BR

exactly, would you buy a plane without know the make and hp of the power plant. nav equipment, etc.
Buying a boat

1st you need to decide what you want to use it for, fishing, cruising, or water sports.

2nd how many people adults, children you want on board of the average outing.

3rd outboard, inboard-outboard, or inboard power plant.

4th Budget, what you want to pay, and what you are willing to pay, when you find
Exactly what you want.

You can hire a marine surveyor, to inspect the boat, or you can do it yourself.

You are mainly looking for soft spots in the deck, transom, cracks, all signs of a rotten, under frame. You walk all over the deck, that a mallot, or hammer with wooden handle, using handle, tap all over the transom, a shape rap is good solid base, a thud, is questionable base.

The motor should be clean, no spots where the paint is discolored, or pealing from heat, having run hot. (This part for outboard motors Compression should be atleast 100psi, and within 10% of each other,)
Spark on all cylinders, good pee stream, check lower unit for water in oil.

The overall condition of the boat will tell you a lot, as to how it has been maintained.
boat motor combo, A 30 year old may be in better condition, than a 3 year old.

 

[RobfromME]

Re: Need info on 1995 Thunderbird/Falcon 1800 BR 3.0L Mercruiser

Re: Need info on 1995 Thunderbird/Falcon 1800 BR 3.0L Mercruiser

Good evening,

Here is further information about the boat...

1995 Thunderbird/Falcon Model BR1800
Type: 18' bowrider
3.0L LX Mercruiser with Alpha One drive

I understand the Mercruiser is a very common engine/drive for this size boat and there seems to be a plethora of information on it.
However, I cannot find anything on the boat except the weight from the NADA used boat price guide. It states that it is 2550 lbs. This seems awfully heavy for this type/size boat but I don't know...what do you folks think?
I'd like to find some old reviews, owner comments, etc. about this boat. I intend to use it to take my children tubing.
When I have the boat inspected, I will have the prop and s/n data to post. Based on the above, would this be an acceptable boat for tubing, even if a prop change is required?

Thanks, Silvertip, for the clarifications. It's a bit of a learning curve and I appreciate the patience.

Warmest regards,
Rob

 

[danond]

Re: Need info on 1995 Thunderbird Falcon 18' BR

The make/model of the boat is really irrelevant. If you like the way it looks and it's in good shape, the rest is pointless to know. Boat seats and other interior stuff all turn to crap in a hurry when they're not taken care of. It's a V hull, it'll ride well on the water.

The full inspection is a must, and a test drive is critical.

It'll be great for tubing. It's pretty tough to find an 18' boat that isn't.

 

[RobfromME]

Re: Need info on 1995 Thunderbird Falcon 18' BR

Thanks, danond. I was worried with the small motor and the NADA listed weight of 2550 lbs. This seems really fat compared to others in it's class (Glastron, Bayliner, Sea Rey). I have myself, my wife, and four teenagers. The teens love tubing and I didn't want to get a dog.
I hadn't considered the hull design's importance in the equation...shame on me as an engineer!

Thanks again,
Best,
Rob

The make/model of the boat is really irrelevant. If you like the way it looks and it's in good shape, the rest is pointless to know. Boat seats and other interior stuff all turn to crap in a hurry when they're not taken care of. It's a V hull, it'll ride well on the water.

The full inspection is a must, and a test drive is critical.

It'll be great for tubing. It's pretty tough to find an 18' boat that isn't.

 

[haskindm]

Re: Need info on 1995 Thunderbird Falcon 18' BR

Tubing does not take much power. You probably will not want to exceed 20-25 mph.