1984 Sunbird Runabout - looking for type

[TL Duis]

Just bought a 1984 Sunbird Runabout, trying to find any and all info on it that I can. Looking for type in particular. I have the HIN, but can't seem to pull any model type. The title doesn't show the type, either. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[roffey]

welcome aboard... try posting the HIN and someone here will assist you.

 

[GA_Boater]

Welcome aboard.

A picture is better. All The HIN will tell you is the builder (Sunbird) and year (1984), which you already know.

 

[TL Duis]

The ad shows some smaller pics. My husband thinks its a 270 outboard. But we are new to this and want to make sure. Plus we want to buy a bimini. Thanks again for any help!

 

[Mischief Managed]

I had a 1984 Sunbird 17 footer with a Volvo Penta 270 stern drive powered by an AQ125A engine. It was a very poorly made boat and possibly the lowest quality boat you could buy at the time. Look very carefully for rot in the deck, transom and stringers.

 

[jkust]

I see the familiar just needs an _______ and is only ____$.

 

[TL Duis]

Thank you, I will make note of those locations so we can check it out. And yes, we knew it had problems, but we only paid $600 and the trailer it came on was worth that much. We also have a close friend that is a mechanic, so the repair was very economical.

 

[southkogs]

Welcome aboard.

I believe Sunbird was actually born as a company in 1985 (or at least started producing boats then), and I think I see a hint of that in one of the numbers from your photos.

Sunbirds are mostly just named by their length (175, 190, etc.) and you can find some about their first model year HERE.

Some suggestions: before y'all get too deep into anything else - see if the hull is solid. Not the fiberglass, but rather (as was mentioned above) the stringers, deck and transom. Those are the "bones" of the boat, and if they're bad you could wind up with danger as opposed to fun.

Once you've confirmed the boat is solid, or you know what's involved in fixing it, then start working on the drive and the trailer - while you're taking a boater safety course. (<== very important!)

There won't be a manual for the boat (per se'). They didn't do that type of thing for boats. You can find a shop manual for your Volvo once you confirm the model number and that will help you repair and maintain the engine/drive. Most of the "rigging" for the boat (seats, steering, bimini, etc ...) are all things that you can replace aftermarket and are not boat specific (even though the manufacturer installed them at production.

 

[TL Duis]

Thank you! It's not our first boat, just our first of this type. The deck is solid, so we will be checking transom and stringers this weekend. We think it's likely the 198 CC.

 

[Old Ironmaker]

The old "The trailer is worth what I paid for the boat." I would be very wary of rot regardless if the floor feels solid. Do not put another penny into this boat without taking core samples from the stringers as well as the transom. I have also bought because of the great price, not boats but cars. Only to have my heart broken when I find there is not a single aftermarket part that exists anywhere on Earth. One was for a barn find 60's something Lancia. I cut the front of the car off and made a wall hanger for the Bar we owned then. I doubt you will find an after market Bimini for a 35 year old Sunbird, not around here, maybe south where there is a large market. A custom top around these parts will be more than what you paid for the boat. Good luck and please check well for rot, it's a 35 year old boat and will bet anything it needs to be ripped out and replaced. I would think the I/O seals are rotted as well unless recently done Gimbal bearing. Does the boat leak? Does it run? Oh man, the list goes on and on for a 35 year old boat for 600 bucks. Free labor for the mechanics is one thing, replacement parts are another. Don't be discouraged but be smart before spending hard earned money and you still don't have a dependable boat. Good luck to you both.

 

[TL Duis]

Thank you, I will make sure we do that. I have no desire to swim back to the dock!