opinions on 89 Sunbird w Evinrude 48

[steelespike]

A friend is looking at a 89 15' Sunbird bow rider w a Evinrude 48.at a marina.
For he and his wife to do some light boating. The excellent large pics indicate a nearly new appearing boat motor trailer package.Boat is in their show room.New impeller,asking 2,995.I told him a test ride would be a good idea though a little tough this time of year here in the north east on the St Lawrence.Can be seen at Clayton Marine.com
My Q is any experience with the Sunbird? what kind of reputation etc.?

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: opinions on 89 Sunbird w Evinrude 48

They were built in South Carolina and were bought by OMC in 1987.
They were considered a mid level boat.
I see a lot of them around still in this area.Decent looking boats.
They seem to have held up well.
Not a bad price for a dealer if the hull and transom check out.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: opinions on 89 Sunbird w Evinrude 48

the 48 rude is hard to kill. tuned a very reliable motor. it will not be a speed demon, but should plane ok, and reasonable cruise speed, on a 15' glass hull.
nice looking boat.

 

[stevelaunius]

Re: opinions on 89 Sunbird w Evinrude 48

I have a 1990 sunbird 175 and it is a good solid boat. Transom and floor are still in good shape.

 

[you can try mine]

Re: opinions on 89 Sunbird w Evinrude 48

I have a bow rider 15 ft. 89 sunbird with a48 hp evinrude it will run at 24 mph with my wife and I in it. The sun bird is a good boat I bring it on the ocean at avila beach in ca. and I use it on the local lakes. It is pretty lite so it trailors easy also. My only complaint is it is a bit to small to take many people along [motor and space]

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: opinions on 89 Sunbird w Evinrude 48

size very true, 15 basically is a 4 person boat.

 

[mrcool]

Re: opinions on 89 Sunbird w Evinrude 48

the 48 rude is hard to kill. tuned a very reliable motor. it will not be a speed demon, but should plane ok, and reasonable cruise speed, on a 15' glass hull.
nice looking boat.

Yep, he's right! good motor, but that is going to be a slow boat, I wonder what the max. is for that Sunbird? They are so so boats. I had a friend who had one, He liked it, didn't love it, ended up trading it for a Searay.

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: opinions on 89 Sunbird w Evinrude 48

That boat looks to be in great shape, somebody babied that thing. Be interesting to see the max hp rating on that boat, probably no bigger then a 75hp.

 

[steelespike]

Re: opinions on 89 Sunbird w Evinrude 48

That boat looks to be in great shape, somebody babied that thing. Be interesting to see the max hp rating on that boat, probably no bigger then a 75hp.

I think he said it was rated for 70hp.He's planing to check it out today.
If he gets it I'm going to push him to be sure it is setup right.We'll report back.

 

[haskindm]

Re: opinions on 89 Sunbird w Evinrude 48

Looks can be deceiving. Someone knowledgeable MUST check the stringers/transom for rot and/or water damage. If that checks out it should be a great boat. With a 20-year old boat, the care that it has received is MUCH more important than the builders reputation.

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: opinions on 89 Sunbird w Evinrude 48

Looks can be deceiving. Someone knowledgeable MUST check the stringers/transom for rot and/or water damage. If that checks out it should be a great boat. With a 20-year old boat, the care that it has received is MUCH more important than the builders reputation.

True. For them to have it on the show room, it might mean that they know what they have "a great boat" and it's been checked out already or they could be trying to pass off a "junk boat" as being in great shape. The previos owner probably kept it in the garage. Who knows it could be one of the employee's boats he or she decided to get rid of.

Besides I believe Steelespike has all the bases covered as far as what to check. I wasn't to far off on the hp rating .

 

[steelespike]

Re: opinions on 89 Sunbird w Evinrude 48

Well he looked and he bought. Motor was properly stored, boat imaculate
He got it for $2,500.stored till spring test ride in spring for final approval.
Of course they have his money so we'll see how honest they are.They are a well established operation.

 

[kandil]

Re: opinions on 89 Sunbird w Evinrude 48

Now he needs to become an iboats member and post his own questions.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: opinions on 89 Sunbird w Evinrude 48

Saw one of these at the ramp my last day out for the season. I thought it was a really neat looking little bowrider. I'd want some more HP of course but for a first boat it would be perfect.