TOPIC: Urgent need of boat identification

Hi to all!

I am a new member here.

I'm about to buy my very first boat this week-end, and I know nothing (yet) about boats...

This one seems like an good deal to me and for my needs.

The problem is I need to know exactly how much the boat + trailer + motor weight, since my car can only tow up to 2000 lbs. The owner has no clue. I'm figuring if I could a least know how much the boat weights, that would be a good start.


All I know is that it's a 1980 16' Sea Sprite bowrider with a 1980 70 hp Johnson motor.

On Nadaguides, I've found that there were only 4 Sea Strike outboard 16' boats built in 1980, ranging from 900 to 1165 lbs. 265 lbs could make a difference.

I've attached some pictures, in case someboby would recognize it and know a little bit more about it.

Thank you very much for your help! (by the way, any idea for the weight of the motor and trailer also?)

Hmm, it looks like my other pictures was not attached. I'm trying again. How can you attach more than 1 image file?

and another one

another one

and another one

Mandrake,

WELCOME to the forum. - fwiw, that would be a GREAT hull to live-line BIG mullet out of on the TX/LA coast. - Not too big; Not too little; Just right.
(just like the 3 bears.)

yours, satx

Welcome aboard.

Welcome aboard!

I do not have a 1980 brochure. In the 1976 brochure, your boat sorta lookls like the "Sea Bird II model 1676 BR" which weighs 945 pounds.

I also have a 1983 brochure and there is nothing like your boat in it.

Have you verified the model year using the 12 character hull ID? It should be stamped into the back of the transom, starboard side.

Andreas

welcome mandrake,another consideration...what kind of car do you have?
will it have the traction and power to pull it out at the boat ramp.

i just took a boat someone cut up to the dump,around the same size,it weighed right around 1000 lbs with the seats and 2 wheel barrows in it,lol.john

Thanks everybody for the warm welcome!

My car is a 2008 Ford Taurus X AWD. Although it is a V6, it can only tow 2000 lbs max, with a max 200 lbs on the hitch.

So I should figure approximately 1000 lbs for the boat. Then how much approximately for the motor and trailer?

205 lbs for the engine.
I would guess 500 lbs on the trailer.
I have a big single axle capable of a 21' boat and it weighs 750 lbs.

If you live where there are any hills, get a new car.
I was towing my 2500 lb. setup with a 2001 Dakota 6 cyl. It was rated at 5000 lbs. If it was flat where I live, no problem.
My new Tundra is way better.

Consider the long run. I used my Taurus to tow but my boat is not that heavy. It handled it just fine and I use some pretty steep ramps. Your is all wheel drive. That is good. The Taurus springs are limiting. You can get a bigger spring. If you feel the sub frame is too weak a stiffner bar can be added. I don't feel it needs anything there. The V-6 that Ford used is hard to hurt. I would try it and if it can't handle it in stock form I'd probably go for a better tow vehicle. The tongue weight of the boat is easy to check.