I just purchased a 1980 Aristocraft 19 from a friend's father in law. The boat was used regularly for 12 years, then the family moved to Missouri and parked it on their farm. They have not touched it since then. That was 25 years ago.
I had the pleasure of purchasing the boat for next to nothing. I am planning on going to get the boat from their farm on May 4th! It is of course in rough shape. It basically is going to need a lot of elbow grease to get it up and running again. I am going to "fix it up" instead of restore it. I want to make it operational and nice, but not necessarily period correct.
I am told the motor is ruined, however I do not know if there is cause to think that other than just sitting for 25 years.
I am planning on checking to see if the foam is water saturated (I know it most likely is, however it has been sitting nose up, so wishful thoughts).
The stringers are fiberglass so I should not have a problem with those.
I am told the transom is still good, however I feel that may be optimistic.
I know I am going to need to replace the steering cable.
I will need to replace all the rubber lines and whatnot.
I am planning on checking the fuel tank to see if there is any rust in the tank or lines.
I am planning on rebuilding the Bilge pump/Blower and modding the bilge pump to be automatic with an Arduino board.
I am planning on having the top professionally painted as it is the crown jewel of the boat.
I am planning on completely redoing the upholstery/interior of the boat.
All that being said, I know I am in for a large project. I expect it to take a year or more as time and money are available. I am mechanically inclined and have worked on a lot of cars and other similar type projects. I am however new to boat work. I understand how to operate them, but not necessarily all the ins and outs to watch out for as I am doing this project. I understand a lot of first opinion is to tell me to run for the hills, to find a different boat. I get it. I am going to put a lot of time and money into this boat, and it will probably not be worth the time and money put in, if I ever have to sell it. I am not doing ti as an investment, but rather because I enjoy projects like these, I think this boat will look great when I am done, and if I am going to accidentally ruin a boat while working on it, I would rather it be one I have put next to nothing in.
So what I am asking for, is not advice on how to get myself out of this project, but rather advice on critical things to check and be cautious of while I am doing this project. I would like advice on any common pitfalls that I need to watch out for!
Thanks in advance.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/6b9yfkttw2...13459.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/6cr61maq49...57566.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ugw4xzy11a...70808.jpg?dl=0
I had the pleasure of purchasing the boat for next to nothing. I am planning on going to get the boat from their farm on May 4th! It is of course in rough shape. It basically is going to need a lot of elbow grease to get it up and running again. I am going to "fix it up" instead of restore it. I want to make it operational and nice, but not necessarily period correct.
I am told the motor is ruined, however I do not know if there is cause to think that other than just sitting for 25 years.
I am planning on checking to see if the foam is water saturated (I know it most likely is, however it has been sitting nose up, so wishful thoughts).
The stringers are fiberglass so I should not have a problem with those.
I am told the transom is still good, however I feel that may be optimistic.
I know I am going to need to replace the steering cable.
I will need to replace all the rubber lines and whatnot.
I am planning on checking the fuel tank to see if there is any rust in the tank or lines.
I am planning on rebuilding the Bilge pump/Blower and modding the bilge pump to be automatic with an Arduino board.
I am planning on having the top professionally painted as it is the crown jewel of the boat.
I am planning on completely redoing the upholstery/interior of the boat.
All that being said, I know I am in for a large project. I expect it to take a year or more as time and money are available. I am mechanically inclined and have worked on a lot of cars and other similar type projects. I am however new to boat work. I understand how to operate them, but not necessarily all the ins and outs to watch out for as I am doing this project. I understand a lot of first opinion is to tell me to run for the hills, to find a different boat. I get it. I am going to put a lot of time and money into this boat, and it will probably not be worth the time and money put in, if I ever have to sell it. I am not doing ti as an investment, but rather because I enjoy projects like these, I think this boat will look great when I am done, and if I am going to accidentally ruin a boat while working on it, I would rather it be one I have put next to nothing in.
So what I am asking for, is not advice on how to get myself out of this project, but rather advice on critical things to check and be cautious of while I am doing this project. I would like advice on any common pitfalls that I need to watch out for!
Thanks in advance.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/6b9yfkttw2...13459.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/6cr61maq49...57566.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ugw4xzy11a...70808.jpg?dl=0