Help to ID a boat

[FrankenCub]

Hello guys. I've been reading various repair topics here, awesome base of info here ! Seems we have no snow here in NY to ride snowmobile, and I haven't had a boat in about 12 years, I decided to check out a local boat that is for sale. The guy said it's a '83 Renkin but I think he's meaning to say Rinker. I have been searching the web for any info on this model but by looking at pictures I'm left at a loss. The windshield frame is different on this one than any other Rinkers I've seen no matter what year. It doesn't appear to have been replaced, but I guess it's possible it has. He thinks it's 18' and has the Volvo/Penta drive with a 4cyl. I know nothing about the Volvo/Penta setup, I'm more familiar with Mercruiser and OMC. It will need the interior replaced, including the floor. It doesn't seem completely rotted but is softer than it should be, and it's been painted at some point. Anyone know what model this could be ?

 

[southkogs]

Welcome aboard.

Renken is a brand, and had an 18' bow rider in 1983. Quick web search for Renken boats, and that one isn't far off from the styling. On the back of the hull, just under the rub rail, there should be a stamped number (HIN = Hull Identification Number). The first three letters in that number will give you the code for the manufacturer.

Volvo is a good drive - or at least can be. In the case of what you've got pictured, I'd take that as opposed to the OMC option. Have you bought that boat, or are you just looking at it? 'cuz the photos are givin' me "the willies" about much more than just a soft floor. I'm more concerned about your stringers - those seats are sagging in to the middle quite a bit.

You might have a lotta' work making that boat sound.

 

[dwco5051]

The trailer seems to be undersized for that boat. Agree with southcogs about the overall condition but the windshields still appear to be parallel.

 

[roffey]

The boat has great lines, but looking at it from the back the upholstery looks tough and that's just the start. It looks like it has not been covered in years.

 

[FrankenCub]

Welcome aboard.

Renken is a brand, and had an 18' bow rider in 1983. Quick web search for Renken boats, and that one isn't far off from the styling. On the back of the hull, just under the rub rail, there should be a stamped number (HIN = Hull Identification Number). The first three letters in that number will give you the code for the manufacturer.

Volvo is a good drive - or at least can be. In the case of what you've got pictured, I'd take that as opposed to the OMC option. Have you bought that boat, or are you just looking at it? 'cuz the photos are givin' me "the willies" about much more than just a soft floor. I'm more concerned about your stringers - those seats are sagging in to the middle quite a bit.

You might have a lotta' work making that boat sound.

Thanks for the welcome
I also look at many of the Renkens but didn't see the same windshield frame and some other things that stood out looked more Rinker to me. Funny thing is it says R(thenabunchofblurryletters) on the dash LOL

I haven't bought the boat yet, just lookin, but the price is right let me tell you
The seats are not fastened to the floor and are a bit twisted as they sit there giving the illusion that they are leaning to the center. I believe they have been replaced, they are in far better condition than the rest of the interior.

 

[FrankenCub]

The boat has great lines, but looking at it from the back the upholstery looks tough and that's just the start. It looks like it has not been covered in years.

I really like lines but OH YEAH, that upholstery is baaad. I used to work in an upholstery shop so no big deal, I can make that new again. The actual floor and stringer condition will be a bit deceiving, it was 27deg when I looked at it yesterday lol. It could just be froze solid

I guess the biggest part that bothers me is the Volvo engine, I'm a GM guy.

 

[garbageguy]

If the floor is soft, your biggest concern may be the stringers (including motor mounts) and transom.

 

[FrankenCub]

Well I just found a couple dash pictures that help, it is a Renken......

 

[southkogs]

That might well be a GM engine ahead of the Volvo drive. I don't know Volvo's all that well, but I believe they did use some GM engines.

Does it run?

 

[FrankenCub]

That might well be a GM engine ahead of the Volvo drive. I don't know Volvo's all that well, but I believe they did use some GM engines.

Does it run?

The Valve cover has Volvo cast into it and it doesn't look like a GM engine to me. I happen to just get a text from the owners brother a few minutes ago, his brother said he knew more about it. He said it ran a year and a half ago, then last spring it did turn over when they tried to start it. They replaced the fuel pump and a couple other things but it still wouldn't start. So from my experience it's most likely an ignition problem. They had their "mechanic" friend working on it. Were these Volvo engines CDI ignition by any chance ?

 

[crazy charlie]

Looks like a Renken

 

[FrankenCub]

Looks like a Renken

I found a few more images of interiors that definitely match the boat so it is a Renken. In scouring the web I still have yet to find a transom on any Renken that is like this one, from any year '78-'87. I'm assuming the windshield has been replaces as it doesn't match either. I like the looks of this windshield frame better anyway.

 

[southkogs]

I gotta' tell ya' ... non-running engine (which means you don't really know what kind of shape the drive is in), and sloppy floor and bad interior ... she's sounding more like a boat the owner should be paying you to take.

What kinda' price are they asking?

 

[FrankenCub]

I gotta' tell ya' ... non-running engine (which means you don't really know what kind of shape the drive is in), and sloppy floor and bad interior ... she's sounding more like a boat the owner should be paying you to take.

What kinda' price are they asking?

In talking to the guy's brother, it ran two years ago but I won't rely on that. He's asking $250, I offered $100 cash. I figure if it turns out to be not worth saving I can part it out and use the trailer for a different boat.
The problem with my area is every used boat will need an interior and most likely a floor. Unless it's a fairly new boat that I can't afford lol. I figure if I can start it up and all seems well, then I'll proceed to the floor.

 

[southkogs]

Naw ... $100 is close enough to zero to be worth the risk. You can get more than that outta' it in parts. Just be realistic. With these things, if you don't set yourself up right they can become money pits real fast.

 

[FrankenCub]

Naw ... $100 is close enough to zero to be worth the risk. You can get more than that outta' it in parts. Just be realistic. With these things, if you don't set yourself up right they can become money pits real fast.

Yeah that's what I was thinking, I could make up the $100 pretty fast + some if it ends up a stripper. That's why I'll start with the engine. Check compression, get it running (betting it's something simple causing no spark), if it runs good move on to the drive. If it's not wore out and shifts good.
I see so many boats around here for sale fairly cheap, but they never have paperwork for either boat or trailer, if they even come with a trailer.

He just text me, I got it for $100 lol

 

[roffey]

Just as a FYI, my boat has a Merc 4.3 Alpha one. The next door neighbor has a Volvo 4.3 Penta, the motors are the same with the exception of the valve cover. The outdrive are completely different and it was my impression that is where the difference lies. I bet there are still lots of parts for the motor, back in the day most boats that size had 120 hp. For a couple of hundred bucks it will provide hours of entertainment over the winter, IMHO go for it.

I bet your looking at a complete redo of the interior but that boat will look real sharp when restored and you sound like your up for the challenge. Keep in mind we all boat vicariously through others so pictures of the restore are a must here.

 

[Bayou Dave]

For $100 it is well worth getting it. If you part it out you will get more than 100 just for the windshield.

 

[FrankenCub]

I just got home with the boat. Had a spare new prop in one of the storage boxes, cost of the boat covered lol. It's definitely going to need a complete interior redo but it will be worth it. I spent some time checking it over more closely when I got home and everything else looks good so far.
They said they do have a video of it running and said it purred real nice, he's going to look for the video. I pulled the distributor cap when I got home to inspect it, I'm guessing they never bothered to check the points last spring. He also said it's been covered up till last year when someone piled some pieces of wood on the cover and it ripped. Still expecting rot though.

Is there a way to look up the model by the hull ID ? I don't see any tags that state what model it is and it's been repainted.

 

[roffey]

Absolutely, if you post the HIN the guys here will be all over it. FYI the last two digits are the year. If you look around the internet there is a standard. You should be able to tell the month and year it was made along with the model year. Sound like you have a fun project on your hands, good luck.