UPDATED Purchased (ANOTHER) boat over the weekend, need advice

[David Ponder]

I purchased a 1974 Tri-Sonic brand Trihull boat. I paid $500 for boat/trailer, and towed it with the ST about 50 miles home. It is a model 1900 Riviera SST RS, 18 foot, 87" beam, 165 HP Mercruiser I/O Straight 6. (Project for the wife and I)



I need to find out more about this manufacturer, and see if I can get more information on what was installed from the factory. I understand they were/are in Texas somewhere, but I have no idea if they are still in business.



I also need service manuals for the sterndrive assy and the engine, as well as wiring manuals for the whole boat. The better the manual and details, the better for me. I need to be able to see what wire goes where, I will be pulling and rebuilding the engine also, and I need to work on the hydrolics for the tilt/trim. There is a lot of work to be done, and it is a long term restoration project, but it is a solid hull and interior is really good for its age, so its a good start.



Any advise on books, online resourses, Marine salvage yards, etc... would be greatly appreciated. I will post pics in my library shortly.



THANKS! Dave

 

[Bill Barber]

google tri sonic boats, tons of info.

 

[Wes Davis]

http://forums.iboats.com/



http://my.boatus.com/forum/



http://www.boatered.com/forum/





iboats.com is the best.



Get your Mercruiser manuals off Ebay. You don't really need anything for the wiring. Extremely simple 12v system. If you don't have a two battery system I highly suggest adding this feature. A starting battery and accessory battery on a switch. This will give you plenty of power and save your butt numerous times on the water from having a dead battery. You can't own a boat and never have a dead battery on the water.

 

[Kevin Palmer]

FYI, trihull boats are pretty stable in calm waters, they are not traditionally a good lake boat. Due to the hull design the edge (either of the outer hulls) tends to get picked up and cause a roll-over condition considerably sooner than a single keel boat..



There good, just need to be used in the right place is all..



Enjoy your project..

 

[Bill Reeves]

That 165 is a simple Chevy straight-6 that's been in use since the beginning of time. Change oil regularly, keep it clean and it'll run forever.

 

[Kevin Palmer]

Bill is correct about the Chevy engine...



One thing to keep in mind though.



Even though it is a regular Chevy engine, if you need a part such as a starter or alternator, I STRONGLY recommend you get a marine application. They are built differently with the intent to contain any sparking internally of the component itself if there is a spark.



This is to prevent from igniting any fumes that may be trapped in the engine compartment area.

 

[Johnny O]

On a boat that old I would check out the stringers very carefully, that's the heavy wood frame that the motor and drive mounts to. Depending on the hull, if it's cracked or rotted it can be a lot of work to replace it and sometimes it's impossible.

 

[Paul Maurer 2]

I would like to see a pic- we had a '73 Marquis trihull when I was a kid- lots of fun on that boat. You are a brave man to take on this project, esp. with an I/O that old- is it a Mercruiser outdrive? Good luck and enjoy.

 

[David Ponder]

Paul, Yes it is a Mercruiser outdrive. I put pics in a folder in my library...



I am no stranger to working on engines, and have done everythig from piston replacement (In vehicle) on an MGB, to timing chain on a Kia, to a complete overhaul of at least 6 or 7 engines... This will be my first marine engine. Thanks for all the advice above. My first step is to get a good cover to go over the boat to protect it from getting any worse.



I am buying a good marine battery this weekend to test out the electrical and see what would be needed. For those in the know, how hard would it be to swap the engine out if needed? I found an ad for a similar boat, (Glastron) with a good running 165 hp straight 6, for $600.00. I need to see what will be needed to fix the one i have first, but that is an option. Someone told me lining up the engine to the outdrive is a huge pain, (so I dont go thru gimble bearings like crazy)



Any further advice or suggestions would be welcome. Thanks Everyone!

 

[Wes Davis]

You can purchase, make or borrow a simple alignment tool. Aligning the engine is critical or you will burn out your rubber engine to drive coupler. The alignment is very simple unless you have other problems such as soft stingers for the engine to mount on or a soft transom that the drive hangs on causing your alignment to be out of whack. The adjustments are made with your front motor mounts. The engine swap is extremely simple with the only major issue usually being access. Sometimes they install the engine in the hull and then build the deck around it making it impossible to lift the engine out.

 

[Paul Maurer 2]

Wow- that boat is in amazingly good shape for it's age- definitely worth a restore. I forget that not all boaters live on the coast- I left my 1993 30' Chris Craft out in the boatyard here for 5 years and the salt/sun destroyed everything but the hull. I just got a small center console and the days we spend on it are the best days we have.

 

[Gerry Mac]

A friend of mine is the head mechanic for Mercury Racing Team. You should see his shop with all the motors and parts. Those racing motors have no transmissions or gears. Hence they are very short. The motor connects to the final drive. (Just thought I would add that)



Anyway he says

"A boat is a hole in the water that you throw money into"

He's right of course, but just try to take mine away.



Mac

 

[David Ponder]

Gerry.. I agree, it will cost some, but doing the work myself will save a bunch... Its a work in progress. I just ordered the mercruiser repair manual thru Amazon.



Any thoughs on running down an owners manual for this? there are more buttons than I can shake a stick at, and some are faded so I dont know what they do. Tri-Sonic was out of Texas and I dont think they are in business anymore. Anyone know of someone that might have one they can copy? I would gladly pay the cost and for their efforts.



By the way, I have never seen a Tri-Hull boat that has the "ripples" in the hull like this one does. (see pics in folder) Is this comon? Thanks again everyone!

 

[David Ponder]

I MAY be nuts... But its all good because my wife is OK with that...



Well, I went and purchased a 1975 Glastron boat, open bow, with a running 165 Mercruiser engine, & a better trailer, over this weekend for $550.00 ... I swear my front yard looks like a marina parking lot...



Anyway, My plan is to to pull the engine and outboard assembly from the Glastron and put it in the Tri Sonic. The Glastron is a decent boat, and we could have it on the water next weekend, but we like the Tri Sonic because it has a much nicer interior, and a true "walk" thru bow. (The Glastron has a step up to get into the bow area.)



Am I nuts? Should I try to get both boats going or stay with my original plan to swap the engine and outdrive? Anyone in KC area know about boats and willing to lend a hand? :grin: The price paid for both boats was a very good deal, and I did have a plan, but the Glastron is in really good shape also.. I am having second thoughts as to what I should do. Maybe I should license and use the glastron while working on the one we really want? Then sell it once the Tri Sonic is done? I also have limited space, and I have no room for anything right now... Suggestions? Thoughts? Number for a good Shrink?

 

[Wes Davis]

Many people don't like the ride of a tri hull so keep that in mind. One benefit of the tri hull is it is a much more stable boat while sitting still fishing or what have you. A tri hull wont rock and roll when people move around in the boat with weight shift like a v hull will. Tri hull is a great lake fishing boat taking it slow and easy enjoying yourself. If you need to get there fast you need the v hull.

 

[Les]

re: UPDATED Purchased (ANOTHER) boat over the weekend, need advice

Stop buying boats...:grin: