1993 Sunbird Neptune C/C questions

[Salt Dawg]

I am looking to purchase this boat, and am looking for a few parts. On the starboard side over the transom is a lid that covers a battery or something, and it is missing.
By the way, it is an outboard version, if that helps. Where would one go to purchase hatch covers, and other cosmetic parts for a neptune, since the company is out of business?

Also, the guy said the floor was "as hard as concrete". I have not looked at the boat in person yet, so what, if anything do I need to look for?

How would you tell if a transom is bad, somewhat bad, good, or perfect on a boat without an engine on it? I am guessing that the guy is not going to want me to go drilling on his boat, unless I have already purchased it.

Gonna have to travel about 200 miles to look at it, so want good info prior to trip.

 

[americaneagler77]

Re: 1993 Sunbird Neptune C/C questions

stress cracks, separation, blisters, brown stains, knock on it with a rubber mallet or something listen for hollowness (bad) are good ways to tell the conditon of the transom. if the bilge are is wet when you look at it that would be a bad sign for the wood down there, as for cosmetic parts, something aftermarket or modified might be needed, or scour ebay or craigslist for parts in need. my father has a 1990 20ft sunbird. its a nice rig. if there are stress cracks all over the boat corners etc especially that would be a sign of a deteriorating vessel. some are normal and a boat of that age...my 87 for winns had a rotted floor, transom and likely stringers too when i decided to let her go...there were stress cracks all over her, hull too. the bolt holes in the transom for the motor mount were sucked in and cracked to hell, the floor was bouncy but never broke etc. its too bad because the hull was TOUGH.

 

[Salt Dawg]

Re: 1993 Sunbird Neptune C/C questions

The guy said there are no stress cracks anywhere on the hull, including the transom area. I asked him about the condition of the hull, as far as scratches, gouges, etc., and he said the boat was "used" but not abused. not beat to hell and back was what he said.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1993 Sunbird Neptune C/C questions

Sunbirds were absolutely bottom of the barrel. Now I don't think anyone has made any truly crap boats but you need to check this one out very very carefully. (I'd still rather have a well maintained Sunbird than a neglected Cobalt) Look for any tell tale brown stains around any through-transom fasteners. Push down hard on the motor and look for any flexing. Check the deck carefully. ANY soft spots usually indicate major issues.

Anyway, as for parts, there really is no such thing as model-specific boat parts after a couple years of age. Boats are made with fairly generic components though so you should be able to find suitable replacements for most things (gauges, lights, etc). You may have to fabricate something for your hatch cover. www.greatlakesskipper.com stocks a lot of factory overstock parts and may have something that will work. Welcome to the forum.

 

[Salt Dawg]

Re: 1993 Sunbird Neptune C/C questions

Thanks for the help, and I will keep all the inspection information in mind when I finally find a boat that I want. The guy sold the Neptune before I had a chance to go look at it. That's ok though, got some very good info, and obviously it was not meant for me to get THAT boat.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1993 Sunbird Neptune C/C questions

Feel free to run any other potentials by us here. We've certainly saved more than a few from buying some real headaches!