71 SEASWIRL 16.5 FT

JOKS

Recruit
Joined
Apr 27, 2005
Messages
4
Hello all,<br /> I've never posted on this forum before, but was invited to do so from a friend on another forum. Please forgive me if I am foregoing any traditions that are part of the iboat forum. :) I am an avid angler and have the opportunity to purchase a boat which may be perfect for me to start out with. It is a 71 Seaswirl 16.5 ft. that looks to be in good condition. It has a 4 cyl. Chevy II engine with an OMC outdrive. I'm looking for any help I can get in finding out more about these boats and also wanted to introduce myself in case I do buy it and then need resources to fix it up. It has been stored under cover and the owner tells me that it should run just fine with some TLC. It needs some new wires that look rather corroded and I'm fairly sure that it will need carb rebuild kits. A bunch of general maintenance stuff. I'm an amatuer mechanic but I get the feeling I'll be in over my head with a lot of the things involved in this project. The boat looks like it is in good shape, no stress cracks or dents etc. and the engine looks clean with just a hint of rust. Anyway, I look forward to chatting with you all. J :)
 

rodbolt

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 1, 2003
Messages
20,066
Re: 71 SEASWIRL 16.5 FT

run<br /> run away<br /> dont do it<br /> i owned one of the omc with twin 1bbl carbs, worked great but parts are almost non-existant.<br /> for a first boat save your money and find something that is already running good and a bit more modern.
 

Bondo

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Apr 17, 2002
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71,310
Re: 71 SEASWIRL 16.5 FT

I'm in 100% Agreement.............<br /><br />Keep Looking.......<br /><br />That Engine/Drive is the Worst Possible Choice to Buy,... Much less to be Learning on........<br /><br />Something with a Mercruiser, or Volvo will make you a Happier Camper.......
 

vipzach

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Joined
Feb 15, 2005
Messages
1,283
Re: 71 SEASWIRL 16.5 FT

opinions are like you know what.... but if is something rodbolt suggestes you can bet it is probly a good suggestion :p
 

JOKS

Recruit
Joined
Apr 27, 2005
Messages
4
Re: 71 SEASWIRL 16.5 FT

Aawwww...my bubble of enthusiasm has been burst. I thought this would be the perfect boat too! Sooooo...lets see...parts are practically non-existant...power plant and drive arn't the best....darn it! Run...run away...man, what a bummer...I need to get myself out on the water so bad. Thanks for the advice, it really is appreciated. It is valuable, even if it isn't what I wanted to hear. Anymore bad news? Go ahead, I'll just chock it up to the ol learning curve. I have, as you can see, a lot to learn J.
 

vipzach

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Feb 15, 2005
Messages
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Re: 71 SEASWIRL 16.5 FT

You haven't bought it yet have you? Don't get in a big hurry, it will be worth the wait. Don't get a stringer whatever you do. Get a merc or a volvo as bondo suggested. Do some looking I'll bet you can find something somebody is ready to part with. Good Luck man!
 

cc lancer

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 23, 2004
Messages
371
Re: 71 SEASWIRL 16.5 FT

Hey JOKS:<br />Welcome to the Forum, I bought one in Oct. for $200.00, boat and trailer. The little boat looks great, the custom cover is made from the same material, that is used to cover flatbed semi-trailers. Outdrive is in great condition.<br />It has a bad spot in the floor which I will fix for about $100.00, and resale for $1000.00.<br />What R/B, and Bondo said are true, the outdrive is a fossil, parts are even limited on e-bay, and it the outdrive goes, you will be scrounging to find wore-out parts to get yours going again.<br />Keep shopping, find a boat with at least an Merc. Alpha-1 and a 305 or 350 Chevy.
 

JOKS

Recruit
Joined
Apr 27, 2005
Messages
4
Re: 71 SEASWIRL 16.5 FT

No, vipzach, I havn't bought it yet. I will take my time trying to find the right boat for a beginner. More and more the Mercruisers have been suggested to me as dependable. What should I look for, everyone? I feel that I need to narrow my search and be more specific. I'm looking for a 17 to 23 ft. boat with a closed bow. What are some of the best boats that can handle the chop we have here in the Pacific? I heard from an acquantance that the early eighties Wellcraft's are good boats. I'm primarily going to be using it for salt fishing. Thank you all for your suggestions and advice, it is very much appreciated. J.
 

tommays

Admiral
Joined
Jul 4, 2004
Messages
6,768
Re: 71 SEASWIRL 16.5 FT

wellcraft is a good boat<br /><br /> i think the biggest problem you will find is a saltwater boat of that age that doesent have a drive train that is pretty near the end of its usefull life <br /><br />20 years in saltwater is a long time for and drive and motor<br /><br />tommays
 

vipzach

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Joined
Feb 15, 2005
Messages
1,283
Re: 71 SEASWIRL 16.5 FT

Joks, my suggestion is a merc,alot of people like the volvos too. If you go with a merc get atleast an Alpha I. There are alot of parts out there for them. I would imagine being in the Pacific that you would want a v8. The longer the boat the better the ride will be. Saltwater is hard on a boat, so try not to spend much, so that when something happens to the old boat you won't have much invested. Good luck!
 

Haut Medoc

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jun 29, 2004
Messages
10,645
Re: 71 SEASWIRL 16.5 FT

I would look for a boat with a merc. Wellcraft, Searay are good boats.I would look for a boat that had spent most of its life in fresh water. I live in seattle, and although I spend most of the time in the Puget sound, my boat is moored in Salmon Bay which is inside the locks in fresh water. It's FWC, and the outdrive and cooling system get flushed out everytime. Anyway, I have a ford 888, but have had chevy's in the past and would look for that. Don't waste your time & $ on an older boat that's not FWC, unless you intend to re-power. Jeff
 

JOKS

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Joined
Apr 27, 2005
Messages
4
Re: 71 SEASWIRL 16.5 FT

This board is a great resource! Thank you for the help. Jeff, the boat that I was looking at had never seen the salt, that is one of the reasons that I was interested in it to begin with. Thanks for the input. I'm going to keep searching for the right boat for me. What years or models of boats do you folks consider the best or most ideal fishing boats that can handle the chop well? Wellcraft and Searay have been suggested and I will start looking at some. Thanks again! J.
 

BigPoppaG

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Sep 22, 2004
Messages
493
Re: 71 SEASWIRL 16.5 FT

SeaRay rules...............but don't just go by my suggestion. ;) <br /><br />Read below.
 

Haut Medoc

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jun 29, 2004
Messages
10,645
Re: 71 SEASWIRL 16.5 FT

I have a '73 Searay srv 220, pretty roomy in the back, works well for fishing & crabbing. You might look into Wellcraft Nova............
 
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