Restoring a Sun Runner

[Excalibur II]

Hi, folks, Newbie to these forums here.

I've got the opportunity to buy an old (1987 model according to its HIN) Sun Runner.

I don't know what actual model it is but it's about 28 feet long including the anchor platform and about 8' 6" beam. It's got twin Volvo AQ131s on 290SP legs. (Or rather it did have - there's only one engine in it, the other one has been taken out to be rebuilt and is somewhere nearby, apparently, although I haven't actually seen it.) I'm assuming the engines and legs are original, as there is only the one set of holes in the bearers where the missing one has come from.

The whole thing is a complete basket case and has been stored in a workshop here in the UK for the last 11 years, when the present owner lost interest in renovating it after importing it from Florida. It needs a complete rewire, all machinery overhauled or replaced, and refurnishing and trimming from stem to stern, all of which is obviously reflected in the price I will be prepared to pay if I decide to go for it.

The question is, does anyone on here have any knowledge or experience of the performance and seaworthiness of a Sun Runner like this one? I had never heard of them until I looked at this one but I now see that the company (from Washington) went bust in the early 90s, so I can't contact them. Obviously, I can't do a sea trial on this one and I don't want to invest a lot of time money and effort if the finished result is going to swim like a bloated hippo.

My initial inclination would be to sell off the AQ131s and drives and replace them with something a bit more up to date - probably diesel. However, I will reserve the final judgement on this until I have had a good look at the existing units.

What I am really after is some idea of how the boat is likely to perform and how much power it needs. In other words, would it have been under/over powered with the old AQ131s, or about right? I don't know its displacement, but I get the impression it's quite solid and heavy - built like the proverbial brick outhouse, in fact.

Any help/advice would be much appreciated. If this goes ahead I will obviously have to learn how to post photos on the forum .

 

[Excalibur II]

Re: Restoring a Sun Runner

Come on, guys !

Somebody, somewhere must know all about Sun Runners. Where is everyone?

 

[erikgreen]

Re: Restoring a Sun Runner

Solid and heavy is good for durability, but usually bad for performance.

The Volvo drives are top notch, consider keeping them if you aren't going to completely repower. They'll last forever, properly maintained.

A diesel repower of this boat will cost more than the boat is worth, by the way.

I don't own a Sun Runner, but I can tell you performance is going to depend on a few things. Specifically it depends on hull shape, weight, engines, and drives.

The stock engines for that year per NADA.com were 205 HP and the hull weight was 6500 lbs.

With that setup I'd estimate you'd get about 24-25 knots cruise, a bit more flat out, assuming a more or less standard V hull.

So the next question is, what are you expecting in the way of performance? If you want to go faster you'll need bigger engines, and the volvo drives can handle up to a certain amount of HP before you need to replace those too.

If your performance expectations are a great deal higher (45-50 kts+)you'd probably be happier with another boat, since you can't change the hull design or weight that much, and you won't have room for really big engines.

FYI the speed curve for boats isn't linear... twice the HP will not get you twice the speed. Probably putting 350HP engines in would get you another 10-12 knots or so, after that you'd get maybe 1-2 knots for each 25 hp jump or less.

Also worth mentioning that a boat in pieces should be possible to get a very good deal on, especially if you have to replace the wiring and interior and rebuild one engine. A boat of that age, size, and condition over here would be worth something like $2000 in the current market.

Erik

 

[Excalibur II]

Re: Restoring a Sun Runner

Thanks for responding so fully, and for pointing me in the direction of NADA.com. That looks a very useful website. Interesting that they quote 205HP as the standard engines as this is something I am trying to establish at the moment. Some documentation that the vendor has mentions that they are Volvo AQ131s producing 230HP, but all the info I have been able to find to date rates AQ131s at 120HP - quite a difference. Given the hull weight (which doesn't surprise me), 2 x 120HP doesn't seem anything like enough power, so I need to dig a bit more on this.

The petrol vs diesel question is a bit more skewed in favour of diesel over here as our petrol costs a lot more than yours - currently about ?1 per litre here. However, diesels are more efficient and also the tax on diesel over here is lower if some of the fuel can be used for heating or cooking. Our tax people will accept an agreed fixed percentage, so the whole fill up is effectively taxed at a much lower rate. Consequently diesel-engined boats are worth quite a bit more than the equivalent petrol engined model, especially if they are fitted with a diesel fuelled cabin heater. For this reason, I am still planning on the basis of selling the existing engines and fitting a suitable pair of diesels.

25 knots cruise with max of, say, 30 knots would suit me fine - as you quite rightly point out, this is not the right boat to make into a 60 knot speed machine.

Your estimate of the value is most helpful - it pretty much confirms my assessment of what the boat in its present state is worth - thanks again.

 

[Excalibur II]

Bingo !

Bingo !

Further searching of nada.com now leads me to believe that the Sun Runner I am looking at is actually a model 275SB made in 1986 . The HIN shows it as an 87 model, moulded in October 1986.

This is listed as fitted with 230HP petrol sterndrives, which ties in nicely with the paperwork the vendor showed me. Although how they got the Volvo AQ131s up to that figure when everyone else seems to rate them at 120HP is still a bit of a mystery.

The detective work continues . . .

 

[capri1600]

Re: Restoring a Sun Runner

If those engines suggest they are AQ131's. Believe the engines, not the NADA guide nor the one selling you the boat. People do strange and stupid things to their possesions and boats are no exception. If someone had a pair of those engines and wasn't looking for perforance, just cheap, they very well could be 120hp engines.

 

[Excalibur II]

Re: Restoring a Sun Runner

Thanks Capri, I'm right with you there!

I haven't had a chance yet to examine the engines closely, but the one that has been refurbished and installed has AQ 131A on the air filter. Not being a Volvo connoisseur I can't identify the engine visually, but it's certainly possible that it's got the wrong filter case on it. (Now if it was a Mercruiser masquerading as something different I would have spotted it from a mile away. ) As you say, it's equally possible that a previous owner has downsized the original engines for some reason, although I know these are the engines that were in it when the current owner bought it.

I hope to find out a bit more about it this weekend, and will no doubt be posting more questions next week.

 

[dazk14]

Re: Restoring a Sun Runner

Ok, Aq 131's are rated at 120hp, period. They are 2.3 litre single carb engines.

Sunrunners are VERY nicely designed as you can tell by observation.

The boat will do 27-30knts., no speed demon - but functional. The engines are durable, but dealer parts are ridiculously high.

You will need to hit the lottery to replace the engines with Volvo diesels. On top of the expense of the engines and fitment, the gear ratio in the outdrives will not work... $$$$.

You say the boat needs to be re-wired...that is above and beyond what an average mechanic would want to tackle. If that is the case expect lots more ancillary challenges.

Everything is worth it for a price...but unless you are rather Volvo handy, I'd probably pass.

If you want to get wet, a 12' inflatable with a 10hp will get you out and back for less than a couple of dealer installed exhaust manifolds (that you will very likely need).

I have restored a Sunrunners that sat for ~10yrs. If it wasn't family, I would have made a boatload!

Post back with more details if you'd like a closer look.

Hope this helps!