95 Sunbird rebuild (I think I am going to keep this one)

Post your restoration and rebuild projects here.

Moderators: Redneck_Randy, badmoonrising, lakerunner

Message
Author
User avatar
keosports
Posts: 91
Joined: Wed Mar 13, 2013 9:46 am
Location: west palm beach

95 Sunbird rebuild (I think I am going to keep this one)

#1 Post by keosports » Sun May 12, 2013 6:05 am

Image

Image


picked up a new (to me) 21' 95 sunbird fiberglass tri-hull pontoon, put a new deck on and threw on some parts i had lying around the house to try it out for it's first run yesterday. I am using a 25" 1990 johnson 140 with a 15x17 ss prop. I took it out on the intercoastal with heavy chop 2'-4' and it went really well, got it up to 30mph, the tach was malfunctioning so not sure what my RPMs were, I have it fixed now and am going to try again today on the fresh water canal, should be very calm, hoping to get 35mph. now that I like the way it handles waves and broke the 30mph mark I think I am going to pimp this one out, I have a T-Top guy making me a custom aluminum tube fence/railing, not sure about the furniture set up but would like to incorporate a bar and bar stools like on the new South Bays.
21' sunbird tritoon deckboat E-Tec 150
25' fiberglass deck unknown mnf. Yam 70
20' rebuilt sweetwater Johnson 115
21' monark parts boat Evinrude 60
16' tango jet boat Merc 175
12' inflatable catamaran Yam 9.9
10' hobie sport mirage 1 Me-power

User avatar
lakerunner
Site Moderator
Posts: 4820
Joined: Fri Mar 17, 2006 2:31 pm
Location: Live in McAlester, Ok Boat on Tenkiller
Contact:

Re: 95 Sunbird rebuild (I think I am going to keep this one)

#2 Post by lakerunner » Mon May 13, 2013 7:12 pm

:thumbsup :thumbsup
Loyd & Betty Meeks
Livin the lake life
2004 Tracker 22 Regency/2010 90 E-Tec. Pulled by Ford 2020 F 250,
McAlester, Oklahoma
Home lake is Tenkiller

User avatar
keosports
Posts: 91
Joined: Wed Mar 13, 2013 9:46 am
Location: west palm beach

Re: 95 Sunbird rebuild (I think I am going to keep this one)

#3 Post by keosports » Sun May 26, 2013 6:29 pm

well I was hoping to be back out on the water this weekend but the new power bimini came in this week but was missing some parts (hopefully missing parts are on the way) and the new fence came in today but they sent me the wrong color, the paneling was suppose to be black, (so I guess the missing parts for the bimini doesn't matter at this point) this wasn't my dream fence but I am going with it until someone out there makes a nice aftermarket kit, i checked with a few fabricators, 1 was outrageously priced and 2 I submitted plans/ specs and never heard back from them.ImageImageImage
21' sunbird tritoon deckboat E-Tec 150
25' fiberglass deck unknown mnf. Yam 70
20' rebuilt sweetwater Johnson 115
21' monark parts boat Evinrude 60
16' tango jet boat Merc 175
12' inflatable catamaran Yam 9.9
10' hobie sport mirage 1 Me-power

User avatar
keosports
Posts: 91
Joined: Wed Mar 13, 2013 9:46 am
Location: west palm beach

Re: 95 Sunbird rebuild (I think I am going to keep this one)

#4 Post by keosports » Sun Jun 02, 2013 9:13 pm

ImageImageImage
21' sunbird tritoon deckboat E-Tec 150
25' fiberglass deck unknown mnf. Yam 70
20' rebuilt sweetwater Johnson 115
21' monark parts boat Evinrude 60
16' tango jet boat Merc 175
12' inflatable catamaran Yam 9.9
10' hobie sport mirage 1 Me-power

User avatar
redbeard
Posts: 1203
Joined: Fri Jul 20, 2012 8:30 am
Location: Blue Springs, MO

Re: 95 Sunbird rebuild (I think I am going to keep this one)

#5 Post by redbeard » Mon Jun 03, 2013 6:26 am

Sweet now its time to enjoy.
Truman Lake
1986 24' Playcraft "The Georgia Peach"
1996 Evinrude 88 HP
14x11 Prop

User avatar
keosports
Posts: 91
Joined: Wed Mar 13, 2013 9:46 am
Location: west palm beach

Re: 95 Sunbird rebuild (I think I am going to keep this one)

#6 Post by keosports » Mon Jun 03, 2013 7:09 pm

yes, i just need to get the engine dialed in, i have the wrong prop for this hull, 15x17 need something like a 15x13or14, only getting 4000rpms @30mph, hoping to get 5500 @ 35+mph
21' sunbird tritoon deckboat E-Tec 150
25' fiberglass deck unknown mnf. Yam 70
20' rebuilt sweetwater Johnson 115
21' monark parts boat Evinrude 60
16' tango jet boat Merc 175
12' inflatable catamaran Yam 9.9
10' hobie sport mirage 1 Me-power

User avatar
keosports
Posts: 91
Joined: Wed Mar 13, 2013 9:46 am
Location: west palm beach

Re: 95 Sunbird rebuild (I think I am going to keep this one)

#7 Post by keosports » Wed Jun 05, 2013 1:59 pm

just ordered a brand new 150hp E-Tech, went into the dealership to but a new Suzuki 175 but was talked out of it, Evinrude is offering for 1 month only a 6 year warranty, free rigging and guages, should be in next thursday, hopefully I will have in on saturday and trying out on saturday
21' sunbird tritoon deckboat E-Tec 150
25' fiberglass deck unknown mnf. Yam 70
20' rebuilt sweetwater Johnson 115
21' monark parts boat Evinrude 60
16' tango jet boat Merc 175
12' inflatable catamaran Yam 9.9
10' hobie sport mirage 1 Me-power

User avatar
lakerunner
Site Moderator
Posts: 4820
Joined: Fri Mar 17, 2006 2:31 pm
Location: Live in McAlester, Ok Boat on Tenkiller
Contact:

Re: 95 Sunbird rebuild (I think I am going to keep this one)

#8 Post by lakerunner » Wed Jun 05, 2013 5:28 pm

keosports wrote:just ordered a brand new 150hp E-Tech, went into the dealership to but a new Suzuki 175 but was talked out of it, Evinrude is offering for 1 month only a 6 year warranty, free rigging and guages, should be in next thursday, hopefully I will have in on saturday and trying out on saturday

I got a 5 year when I got mine
Loyd & Betty Meeks
Livin the lake life
2004 Tracker 22 Regency/2010 90 E-Tec. Pulled by Ford 2020 F 250,
McAlester, Oklahoma
Home lake is Tenkiller

User avatar
keosports
Posts: 91
Joined: Wed Mar 13, 2013 9:46 am
Location: west palm beach

Re: 95 Sunbird rebuild (I think I am going to keep this one)

#9 Post by keosports » Thu Jun 06, 2013 8:55 pm

maybe this is good timing because my 140 caught on fire today, luckily it was in my driveway and I had my shop fire extinguisher near by, it was completely engulfed, I put it out fast, washed it down and there is no sign of a fire at all, under the cowl was filled with gas, guess my mechanic forgot to tighten something up last week when he cleaned the carbs. (after all was washed down it started right up and ran like a champ) bottom carb appears to be leaking. I got really lucky because I had the boat parked right next to my other "sold" boat and my shop and none are insured, looks like I am going to have 3 extinguishers on board at all time from here on out.
21' sunbird tritoon deckboat E-Tec 150
25' fiberglass deck unknown mnf. Yam 70
20' rebuilt sweetwater Johnson 115
21' monark parts boat Evinrude 60
16' tango jet boat Merc 175
12' inflatable catamaran Yam 9.9
10' hobie sport mirage 1 Me-power

User avatar
badmoonrising
Site Admin
Posts: 10066
Joined: Fri Mar 30, 2007 7:04 pm
Location: Chesapeake City, Maryland

Re: 95 Sunbird rebuild (I think I am going to keep this one)

#10 Post by badmoonrising » Fri Jun 07, 2013 8:16 pm

:scared When a boat is stored on your property, it's covered under your home owner's ins.
Ed, Cheryl, Ethan and Aspen.
2013 Sun Tracker Party Barge 22 w/90 HP Mercury, "Hellrhighwater 2"
2014 E-350 Extended XLT.
Chesapeake City ,MD

User avatar
keosports
Posts: 91
Joined: Wed Mar 13, 2013 9:46 am
Location: west palm beach

Re: 95 Sunbird rebuild (I think I am going to keep this one)

#11 Post by keosports » Sun Jun 09, 2013 7:41 pm

badmoonrising wrote::scared When a boat is stored on your property, it's covered under your home owner's ins.
any idea if homeowners insurance would cover theft too? I am going to call Geico to get insurance but I am not hopeful since the boat is overpowered, I may get a new HIN# issued since I rebuilt everything on the boat from the hull up (not sure if that would make a difference for the insurance co.)
21' sunbird tritoon deckboat E-Tec 150
25' fiberglass deck unknown mnf. Yam 70
20' rebuilt sweetwater Johnson 115
21' monark parts boat Evinrude 60
16' tango jet boat Merc 175
12' inflatable catamaran Yam 9.9
10' hobie sport mirage 1 Me-power

User avatar
badmoonrising
Site Admin
Posts: 10066
Joined: Fri Mar 30, 2007 7:04 pm
Location: Chesapeake City, Maryland

Re: 95 Sunbird rebuild (I think I am going to keep this one)

#12 Post by badmoonrising » Sun Jun 09, 2013 8:40 pm

keosports wrote:
badmoonrising wrote::scared When a boat is stored on your property, it's covered under your home owner's ins.
any idea if homeowners insurance would cover theft too? I am going to call Geico to get insurance but I am not hopeful since the boat is overpowered, I may get a new HIN# issued since I rebuilt everything on the boat from the hull up (not sure if that would make a difference for the insurance co.)

If the boat was stolen from a residence, it's generally covered under homeowners. A boat being towed is generally covered under car insurance. Boat insurance can be for the place it's stored (marina, slip, rack, lift, etc.) OR only damages that occur when the boat is in/on the water. I had some crackhead steal $1800.00 worth of equipment out of one of my fishing boats years ago (mostly rods/tackle/etc.). I called Boat US who informed me that that's under homeowner's. Homeowner's paid for all new equipment, didn't bat an eye.

As for overpowering, it depends on the insurance company. Boat US has been scrutinizing everything the last few years.
Ed, Cheryl, Ethan and Aspen.
2013 Sun Tracker Party Barge 22 w/90 HP Mercury, "Hellrhighwater 2"
2014 E-350 Extended XLT.
Chesapeake City ,MD

User avatar
keosports
Posts: 91
Joined: Wed Mar 13, 2013 9:46 am
Location: west palm beach

Re: 95 Sunbird rebuild (I think I am going to keep this one)

#13 Post by keosports » Sun Jun 30, 2013 8:05 pm

I got a lot done this week, got the furniture in & installed, swim platforms installed, built the bar, bass tube, fresh water system, and got to take it out for a few hours on Saturday until a big storm came rolling in.
ImageImageImageImageImage
21' sunbird tritoon deckboat E-Tec 150
25' fiberglass deck unknown mnf. Yam 70
20' rebuilt sweetwater Johnson 115
21' monark parts boat Evinrude 60
16' tango jet boat Merc 175
12' inflatable catamaran Yam 9.9
10' hobie sport mirage 1 Me-power

User avatar
keosports
Posts: 91
Joined: Wed Mar 13, 2013 9:46 am
Location: west palm beach

Re: 95 Sunbird rebuild (I think I am going to keep this one)

#14 Post by keosports » Sun Jun 30, 2013 8:11 pm

also got the diamond plating on and sharkhided, still debating on what to do with the sides,trying to find some cool striping, I priced out wrapping the panels on through to the hull to the water line but I am a little hesitant on spending $2k on something that is only good for maybe 5 years.
21' sunbird tritoon deckboat E-Tec 150
25' fiberglass deck unknown mnf. Yam 70
20' rebuilt sweetwater Johnson 115
21' monark parts boat Evinrude 60
16' tango jet boat Merc 175
12' inflatable catamaran Yam 9.9
10' hobie sport mirage 1 Me-power

Bamaman
Posts: 3679
Joined: Fri May 06, 2011 1:44 pm
Location: NW Alabama--Tennessee River

Re: 95 Sunbird rebuild (I think I am going to keep this one)

#15 Post by Bamaman » Sun Jun 30, 2013 9:27 pm

I hate to think of the hours you've spent on your boat reconditioning and rebuilding it. You've done a marvelous job.

I like the way your boat sits in the water. It's more of a tri-hull deck boat to me than an actual pontoon boat.

We'd be interested in what speeds you're getting, and what rpm's. Picking a prop for such a boat might require a good prop shop.

You've essentially got a new boat, so a new engine is warranted. Your ETEC should be a good fit, as they're stronger coming out of the hole than 4 strokes of the same horsepower.
'12 Bennington 24' SSLX Yamaha 150

Post Reply