Which Saratoga do I have & Other Issues

[lcm3673]

Hello- new here and have a few questions about our boat. We recently acquired this boat through our business (we do towing and recovery which includes impounds, so we got ourselves what we think could be a nice freebie). We actually got her at the end of last year but were only able to take her out twice and had no problems with her. Unfortunately this summer has been rather busy and we were only able to just pull her out of storage and take her out. She was out on the Mississippi one time and there was an issue with the starter and my husband and brother spent the day anchored to an island waiting on their tow back to land. What can I say- paying customers come first!

My husband has now fixed the the starter issue and the boat now starts and idles fine. Unfortunately, now when we put her in gear, she dies every time. Not sure what exactly is going on. Anybody have any ideas for what it could be and how to fix it?

Also, in researching this, I discovered that there is more than one type of Bayliner Saratoga. Curious if anybody can tell me off the pic what ours is exactly. I called and ordered a manual (thanks for that number!) off the VIN (BJBJ34SB1178) but not sure what it is exactly. Any help here would be greatly appreciated because I would like to order the new canvas for the boat at some point. What is on there now doesn't seem to fit quite right.

 

[lcm3673]

Re: Which Saratoga do I have & Other Issues

Ok, I apprently posted to soon. My husband has actually fixed the problem with the boat not running. It was out of power steering fluid and that is somehow connected to the hydraulics and seems to be running just fine now. Haven't got her out on the water but will be taking her out shortly. Still curious if anyone knows what type of Saratoga she is. Sunbridge, Flybridge, etc. I am not sure what all the different types there are. Thanks!

 

[dpoelstra]

Re: Which Saratoga do I have & Other Issues

this is a Saratoga Sunbridge. I had the 1979 model, and sold it back in the mid 90's. This is a very solid boat and heavy for its size. They usually came with a 305 ci chevy engine, which is under powered for this heavy of a boat. I later changed the 305 out for a 350, which made a really nice running boat.

I have had my Saratoga is seas that would shovel water right over the top and into the cockpit, and she handled it all. Just a few years later, manufactures figured out that they could get all the strength they need with much lighter fiberglass, but this is an early thick fiberglass model.

The Bayliners of this era were known for dry rot in the stringers, but the problem was (I think) fixed by the 78/79 models. They were using green lumber for the stringers, so there was nothing you could do about it. If this boat has no rot, you got a great boat, with a great Volvo running gear that is reliable and relatively cheap and easy to work on. Great memories in the one I had. I trailered her all over.