1971 Tri-Sonic Riviera

[evkramer01]

I've got a 1971 Tri-Sonic Riviera that I can't seem to find any information about. The boat is 18' long and it has a Mercruiser 165hp straight 6. The boat has stayed in my family for most of its life, my grandfather bought it from a close friend in 1974, who bought it new in 1971. It was kept in great running condition until around 2008. My dad got a job working weekends and my mom had weekends off, so it got neglected for a number of years. The boat was covered when it was first parked, but several years of Oklahoma weather took its toll and it's been exposed to the elements for quite sometime. I attached pictures.

Despite its state of disrepair, I have great memories with my family and of growing up in this boat. The sentimental value is greater than any dollar amount, and I want to get in back out on the water. I'm hoping it's not completely rotted, but my expectations are low. I started to look for parts and find some info about these but I haven't been able to find anything about this company. The very little that I have found online, doesn't say anything about early model boats. Everything I have found is about 1972 and newer. I know the company was owned by Roy Rogers at one point and I think the boats were built somewhere in TX. From what I have read online these boats are only common around OK, MO, and TX which would make sense. But that's about all I was able to turn up in my research.

Does anyone know where I could find some parts for this thing? Is there some kind of cult following for these that I'm unaware of? If anyone has any information about this boat/manufacturer please share. Thanks

 

[evkramer01]

Also can anyone give me any info about the HIN? I learned that they weren't required until 1972 (lucky me) and everything was based off of the serial number. Should I use the serial # to try to find parts or is there something else that I'm missing?

 

[3rdtimesthecharm]

try fiberglassics.com

 

[Bondo]

Also can anyone give me any info about the HIN? I learned that they weren't required until 1972 (lucky me) and everything was based off of the serial number. Should I use the serial # to try to find parts or is there something else that I'm missing?

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,...... Yer not gonna find any parts for the boat itself, you'll need to fab up whatever ya need,.....
Boats ain't like cars,....
Fortunately, the parts for the motor, 'n drive are available,.....
'n yes, use the motor, 'n drive serial numbers to find parts for 'em,.....

 

[Tim in TN]

Tri-Sonic was a trademark used by Mark Twain boats. They were very nice boats in their day. I had a 1976 180T Tri-Sonic Mark Twain in the late 1990's and loved it.

 

[roffey]

despite the current condition I suspect it can be brought back to life. When you start working on it start up a thread and we can all come along for the journey.

 

[evkramer01]

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,...... Yer not gonna find any parts for the boat itself, you'll need to fab up whatever ya need,.....
Boats ain't like cars,....
Fortunately, the parts for the motor, 'n drive are available,.....
'n yes, use the motor, 'n drive serial numbers to find parts for 'em,.....

Awesome, thank you. Do you know some place specifically where I could find/order engine and drive parts?

 

[jbcurt00]

Awesome, thank you. Do you know some place specifically where I could find/order engine and drive parts?

The generous sponsor of this free forum is an online retailer

 

[evkramer01]

The generous sponsor of this free forum is an online retailer

Oh yeah... lol thanks

 

[evkramer01]

My dad mentioned there was a ticking in the outdrive few times it ran before it was parked. I know thats not a lot of information to go on, but does anyone know what that could be?

 

[evkramer01]

Here's some pics of the engine and some older pics of the boat before it was completely covered in leaves and moss.

 

[evkramer01]

despite the current condition I suspect it can be brought back to life. When you start working on it start up a thread and we can all come along for the journey.

I agree. I found a bunch of pictures of my dad (left of 2nd pic) with his friends on the boat when he was my age. Makes me want to get it back on the water every time I see them so I can do the same thing with my buddies.

 

[Texasmark]

As I recall Travis Boat Sales and/or Phil Dill Boats in Lewisville, Tx. used to sell them. "I lusted in my heart" (Jimmy Carter) for one back then but couldn't afford it. Popular on Lake Dallas/Lewisville and Texoma with the Trihedral hull. Great for Texas' windy lakes. Not sure it that's the boat but there was a boat of that type manufactured in Lewisville at that time.