Hello new people!

DailyDriven · Jan 4, 2012

Hey guys, name's Matt from metro Detroit.

But enough about me... I got a question or two for you guys.

In a nut shell, how much can I expect to spend restoring a 16" bass boat with an outboard motor (motor not included, I have a good working one).

I realize there is a rediculous amount of unknowns and possibilities, but throw me a ball park number. 1 grand, 2 grand, 5 grand?

I should add that I will be doing everything myself or with the help of my roommate and I have access to every tool imaginable and an uncle who would love to help who is an electrical engineer, so my payables won't be very high.

Any kind of insight would be grateful... and I hope to be restoring by this time next year

Bondo · Jan 4, 2012

Re: Hello new people!

Ayuh,... Welcome Aboard Matt,...

The final tally will no doubt be somewhere within yer ballpark...
The variables will dictate whether it's the low end, or high end...

Head on down to the restoration forum, known 'round here as the Drydock...
Do some readin', 'n you'll figure it out fer yerself...

Don S · Jan 4, 2012

Re: Hello new people!

In a nut shell, how much can I expect to spend restoring a 16" bass boat

It could cost $100 and be like new. Or $10,000 not only hard to narrow down, but impossible.
With that little bit of information you gave, there is no way of giving even a wild guess.
Things like material it's made of, what it looks like now (pictures required), things like year, model, make all helps figuring out an estimate.

DailyDriven · Jan 4, 2012

Re: Hello new people!

Bond-o said:
Ayuh,... Welcome Aboard Matt,...

The final tally will no doubt be somewhere within yer ballpark...
The variables will dictate whether it's the low end, or high end...

Head on down to the restoration forum, known 'round here as the Drydock...
Do some readin', 'n you'll figure it out fer yerself...

Sounds like a plan!

Don S said:
It could cost $100 and be like new. Or $10,000 not only hard to narrow down, but impossible.
With that little bit of information you gave, there is no way of giving even a wild guess.
Things like material it's made of, what it looks like now (pictures required), things like year, model, make all helps figuring out an estimate.

Alright, I guess I need to back track a bit and do some research.

ErikF · Jan 4, 2012

Re: Hello new people!

Like Bond-O said you'll probably end up spending somewhere between your high and low ballpark figures.

Too many variables to be able to pin it down and more accurately without more information. What kind of hull? Aluminum? Fiberglass? Are you looking to do a functional restoration or does the boat need to look "new" when you're done? Will you be buying parts new or used? How long are you willing to look for the right deals?

Just to throw a number out there I'm restoring a 21' aluminum Starcraft cuddy cabin right now, the boat was mechanically sound when I bought it so I'm really only doing a deck replacement, interior updating, and some new electronics. So far I've spent north of $1500 on parts and will probably spend another $1000 before I'm finished. And this is with buying used whenever possible and spending time chasing deals.

DailyDriven · Jan 4, 2012

Re: Hello new people!

ErikF said:
Like Bond-O said you'll probably end up spending somewhere between your high and low ballpark figures.

Too many variables to be able to pin it down and more accurately without more information. What kind of hull? Aluminum? Fiberglass? Are you looking to do a functional restoration or does the boat need to look "new" when you're done? Will you be buying parts new or used? How long are you willing to look for the right deals?

Just to throw a number out there I'm restoring a 21' aluminum Starcraft cuddy cabin right now, the boat was mechanically sound when I bought it so I'm really only doing a deck replacement, interior updating, and some new electronics. So far I've spent north of $1500 on parts and will probably spend another $1000 before I'm finished. And this is with buying used whenever possible and spending time chasing deals.

That's good to know, and to answer your question I would like an aluminum hull. A lake I love to fish at has stumps sticking out of the water and are hard to see at some points, I just don't want anything flimsy. For the look of it, I will obviously go for functionality at first, then doing cosmetic modification thereafter. And I don't mind chasing deals down as this is more of just something to keep me occupied after I graduate and make a new hobby.

ErikF · Jan 4, 2012

Re: Hello new people!

DailyDriven said:
That's good to know, and to answer your question I would like an aluminum hull. A lake I love to fish at has stumps sticking out of the water and are hard to see at some points, I just don't want anything flimsy. For the look of it, I will obviously go for functionality at first, then doing cosmetic modification thereafter. And I don't mind chasing deals down as this is more of just something to keep me occupied after I graduate and make a new hobby.

Okay, now for another set of questions:

What condition boats are you looking at? Are you looking at boats that are effectively bare hulls or boats that are used but need to be cleaned up?

The motor you have, does it have the controls? Does it run well? Will it need any money invested to be seaworthy?

Also a note of advice, unless you want your hobby to be restoring the boat you may be better off buying a ready to use boat in nice condition. In many cases to do a restoration right you'll spend more than a comparable boat in solid, ready to use condition would cost.

On a 16-18' bass boat I would expect you'll spend between 1-2k on materials and supplies to make it nice, this does not include any motor work. Basically 1-2k should buy material for a new deck, epoxy or fiberglass to seal the deck, floor covering (carpet or vinyl), seats, basic electrical/lighting...

DailyDriven · Jan 4, 2012

Re: Hello new people!

ErikF said:
Okay, now for another set of questions:

What condition boats are you looking at? Are you looking at boats that are effectively bare hulls or boats that are used but need to be cleaned up?

The motor you have, does it have the controls? Does it run well? Will it need any money invested to be seaworthy?

Also a note of advice, unless you want your hobby to be restoring the boat you may be better off buying a ready to use boat in nice condition. In many cases to do a restoration right you'll spend more than a comparable boat in solid, ready to use condition would cost.

On a 16-18' bass boat I would expect you'll spend between 1-2k on materials and supplies to make it nice, this does not include any motor work. Basically 1-2k should buy material for a new deck, epoxy or fiberglass to seal the deck, floor covering (carpet or vinyl), seats, basic electrical/lighting...

Oooh the questions are getting harder and harder! As far as controls for the motor, what are you referring to? It has the arm and the throttle control. It runs well, I started it up last summer. But basically I'm looking at roughly 5 grand to make it a functional boat (motor not included).

southkogs · Jan 4, 2012

Re: Hello new people!

Matt:

Welcome aboard! I grew up in Detroit (proper), and still visit family in Michigan regularly.

My favorite fishing boat for lake fishing (not the Great Lakes) is a small open fishing boat (row boat) we have with an Evinrude 9.9 OB on it. These things are cheap to operate, easy to get hold of and will go nearly anywhere. If you're on a budget, and want a decent fishing boat - that's what I would suggest.

If you want something a little bigger, that will handle some on the great lakes and can spend a little more money - I would start looking for a 16 - 18' center console aluminum boat (Lund makes a nice one, but there's plenty out there).

$5K will buy a LOT of used boat out on the market right now.

fisherguy123 · Jan 4, 2012

Re: Hello new people!

It could depend a lot on their beer and refreshment consumption rate ........be sure to factor that in and it won`t be free labour ......and don`t bring out the beer until a certain quota of work is done !

DailyDriven · Jan 4, 2012

Re: Hello new people!

fisherguy123 said:
It could depend a lot on their beer and refreshment consumption rate ........be sure to factor that in and it won`t be free labour ......and don`t bring out the beer until a certain quota of work is done !

Oh god I forgot about that... crap I'll be doubling my expenses now.

southkogs said:
Matt:

Welcome aboard! I grew up in Detroit (proper), and still visit family in Michigan regularly.

My favorite fishing boat for lake fishing (not the Great Lakes) is a small open fishing boat (row boat) we have with an Evinrude 9.9 OB on it. These things are cheap to operate, easy to get hold of and will go nearly anywhere. If you're on a budget, and want a decent fishing boat - that's what I would suggest.

If you want something a little bigger, that will handle some on the great lakes and can spend a little more money - I would start looking for a 16 - 18' center console aluminum boat (Lund makes a nice one, but there's plenty out there).

$5K will buy a LOT of used boat out on the market right now.

Thanks for the info! I'll be checking them out. I'm not too big of a fan of great lakes fishing (I prefer smaller, inland lakes like Fletcher's Pond)

Ah hah! I found the post I found I liked on Craigslist...

http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/boa/2780723765.html

How much would restoring something like this cost? Assuming the motor runs and it is structurally sound.

Bondo · Jan 4, 2012

Re: Hello new people!

How much would restoring something like this cost?

Ayuh,.... What's to Restore,..??

Accordin' to the ad, you can be Fishin', for under a Grand....

smokeonthewater · Jan 4, 2012

Re: Hello new people!

hate to derail your thread BUT you're on the wrong track... you say you have $5000 to spend? you can get a MUCH nicer boat than that one will EVER be for half that.... you don't need to 'restore' anything.... just buy a boat and go fishing.

for 5 grand you can buy a really nice boat WITH a great motor.... shop around this time of year and you can get into a 20'er with a 150 on the back that shines like a new penny.

southkogs · Jan 4, 2012

Re: Hello new people!

I'm with Smoke: Here's a couple I found real fast -

http://detroit.craigslist.org/mcb/boa/2756887206.html
http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/boa/2765450009.html
http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/boa/2760235439.html
http://detroit.craigslist.org/mcb/boa/2750825724.html
http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/boa/2778725821.html

Searched up to $4k. Any one of those offers you a LOT more boat than what was in the other posting. And they all look pretty much ready to go. That $2,600 Lowe looks like a nice rig - though I think a little pricey.

ultra353 · Jan 5, 2012

Re: Hello new people!

Hey neighbor, I think that 16ft alumicraft for 3100 ( probably get it for 2800-2900) is a nice set-up. I would reccomend getting a ready to fish rig, you never know what your getting into, unless you get a smokin deal. I like to fish Fletchers pond as well, except for the landmines!

DailyDriven · Jan 5, 2012

Re: Hello new people!

ultra353 said:
Hey neighbor, I think that 16ft alumicraft for 3100 ( probably get it for 2800-2900) is a nice set-up. I would reccomend getting a ready to fish rig, you never know what your getting into, unless you get a smokin deal. I like to fish Fletchers pond as well, except for the landmines!

Hah exactly the reason I want aluminum!

Alright guys, thanks a bunch for the insight. I'm going to be saving up and most likely purchase one over next winter and do some cheap cosmetic alterations to make it "my own".

Thanks again for the help everyone, be safe out there and enjoy yourselves. And hopefully this time next year I'll rejoin you guys back on here.

5150abf · Jan 6, 2012

Re: Hello new people!

Save your pennies and keep looking, let everyone you know know that you are looking for a boat, CL and the newspaper are good sources.

I found mine by accident in some free newspaper they put out once a month but it took me everybit of 3-4 months to find one or for it to find me, how ever that works.

Know what you want and stick to it since you will probably look at quite a few boat before you found one.

Hello new people!

Cadet

Moderator

Honorary Moderator Emeritus

Cadet

Petty Officer 1st Class

Cadet

Petty Officer 1st Class

Cadet

Moderator

Petty Officer 1st Class

Cadet

Moderator

Fleet Admiral

Moderator

Petty Officer 1st Class

Cadet

Vice Admiral