1975 Chrysler 16'7" trihull boat

[Cuznjon]

Hello i am a new Chrysler boat owner (new to all boats actually) I want to find out more about my boat to be able to order parts and owners manual and boat motor repair guide.

I have a 1975 Chrysler trihull with a 85 chrysler motor, I would love to know more information about the boat to get owners and repair manual and if the motor is original to tje boat and what model it is

 

[Scott Danforth]

Welcome aboard

there will be no useable information in the owners manual other than a list of dealers for 1975 (most of which have been out of business for 40-50 years)

you can look up information on http://boatinfo.no/lib/library.html# and scroll down to other

hope you have all the paperwork on your 45 year old (title, registration, etc)

look at the stickies at top of forum pages. start with this forum. there is a whole check-list of things to look at BEFORE you buy a boat.

 

[TyeeMan]

As previously mentioned, boat owners manuals really don't tell you anything, , even today's owners manuals. They'll probably tell you what all the switches are for and how and where to place your people and their stuff for a pleasant ride but that's about it.

As for the outboard being original to the boat, very likely. Chrysler outboards were never very popular as Johnson, Evernude (Evinrude) and Mercury pretty much had the out board market until Yamaha, Honda, and Suziki joined the crowd.

Just do yourself a favor. Before you spend 1 dime on the boat, do everything possible to see IF there is any good fiberglass left.
If you find spongy spots, especially in the transom, don't even try to fix it.

Good luck!

 

[Texasmark]

In 1971 I bought a new 1971 Chrysler Sport Fury 16' or 16+' don't remember, tri-hull exactly as pictured, same color and all. Boats of the sort (bow riding tri-hulls) were popular back then but there were many builders and hull designs varied greatly.

Initially bought it with the 55 hp 2 cylinder and learned right off that no way was that enough ponies for water skiing. I lost my shirt in trading it back to the dealer for a new 85 hp 3 cyl. after a couple of months of ownership.

To give you an idea as to my enjoyment with the boat I traded it in the following year (took another beating) on a new 18' Caravelle deep V tri-hull with a Johnson 125 hp engine. Day and night difference in the the smoothness of ride and power to do the work for water sports. Never punched a hole in it as it was much heavier along with the center hull had much more V, both making the difference in the smooth ride.

The problems with the Chrysler boat was that it was made from "chopped" fiberglass (gun delivered) and the hull was very "tender. One of my fishing buddies had a Chrysler bass boat with a 60 Johnson and it had the same type manfacturing technique.

Never had a hole punched in a boat but had 2 in that boat, one back near the engine on the top decking that attaches to the transom.....brand new was just out of the dealer, right before closing, was putting the chains on the trailer and a guy with a topper on his p/u (couldn't see behind him) backed into my brand new boat....Zero hours on it... Chopper gun glass was about ⅛" thick there and a second punch through, at the bow caused by the trailer chock punching through where the bow eye is located.

Ride was horrible as it was a very light boat with a very shallow V (obvious in the picture) and with the gull wings it just beat you to death. The 85 was a sweet running engine but horrible on gas since it was cross flow charged and all my buddies were running OMC Loop charged 3 cylinder engines and their 60 and 65 hp engines on 15-16' bass boats could outrun me and comparing my fuel consumption to theirs was absolutely disgraceful.

The boats were built in Plano, Texas and the Chrysler engine was a had-me-down from the West Bend engine manufacturer who went under and Chrysler baled them out.....not a popular engine obviously

Sorry for the hard facts but facts are facts. Good luck!

 

[flyingscott]

I disagree they were a popular engine and a profitable division for chrysler. When Chrysler sold the outboard division to U.S. Marine (Force) it was the only Chrysler division making money. They were good reliable motors that ran well. Now the bad the Tri-hull was a bad design and rough riding. So what you bought is a disposable first boat so enjoy the hell out of it. Parts for the motor are available change your waterpump and lower unit lube regularly and enjoy. In the late 70s early 80s the chrysler/force motor was the fastest 85 you could buy.

 

[Texasmark]

"I disagree they were a popular engine and a profitable division for chrysler." You responding to my post? Read it again. Here is what I said: "The 85 was a sweet running engine but horrible on gas since it was cross flow charged and all my buddies were running OMC Loop charged 3 cylinder engines and their 60 and 65 hp engines on 15-16' bass boats could outrun me and comparing my fuel consumption to theirs was absolutely disgraceful." Those are facts!

I forget the guy who passed on....Frank Ampucara or something like that. He loved them and played with them all the time posting on here. That was his bag, not mine.

 

[flyingscott]

"I disagree they were a popular engine and a profitable division for chrysler." You responding to my post? Read it again. Here is what I said: "The 85 was a sweet running engine but horrible on gas since it was cross flow charged and all my buddies were running OMC Loop charged 3 cylinder engines and their 60 and 65 hp engines on 15-16' bass boats could outrun me and comparing my fuel consumption to theirs was absolutely disgraceful." Those are facts!

I forget the guy who passed on....Frank Ampucara or something like that. He loved them and played with them all the time posting on here. That was his bag, not mine.

You also said they were not popular. I still disagree with you they were no worse on gas than anything else at the time. Imagine that a 65 hp motor got better gas mileage than an 85 hp. WOW that just boggles the mind with a 20 hp difference. Maybe if your motor would have been on a better boat it would have been faster. A tri hull compared to a bass boat yeah thats fair.