need some advice

Hello, I don't know if this is the section I should be in but would just like some advice from the experts. I bought a 1963 runabout for $400 a week ago. It has a 75hp Evinrude starflite V with electric shift. The engines runs very well, but needs new impellar and the engine dies when I put it in reverse. So I took it to a local mechanic to replace the impellar and to diagnose the reverse issue. Before fixing anything he saw that the transom was rotten and bowed. He says that he wouldn't put any money into it. He is offering to take scrap the engine and boat for me and give $200 for the trailer. He is also offering to sell me 1 of 3 boats that are mechanically and structurally sound but need interior work for $700-$1000. I have looked into restoring my runabout, and I could do the work. I don't know much about outboards, but I am mechanically inclined. Should I get rid of the runabout and buy one of the other boats offered or restore it. I really don't care either way, but the wife is concerned which is going to be more expensive. Any help would be greatly appreciated. here are the pics of my runabout.

Re: need some advice

I'm not an expert, but I would get another opinon on the transom. Does the wood look rotted to you? Does the engine bounce up and down a lot on the trailor going down the road?

Have some one look at the transom from the side and with the motor at an angle, put your leg or arms on the lower unit and push down with your weight.

Whole boat should move down a little on the trailer. If the transom bends on top even just a little it's going bad. Also small stress cracks in the gelcoat at the ends of the top of the transom indicates flexing under load, another sign of a weak and getting bad transom.

Sounds like you got a sweet deal. Maybe you can get a summer's worth of use then look for a different boat to put your engine on next year.

AND DONT SCRAP THAT ENGINE!

As for the engine issues, you would be surprised at what you can do yourself with some online help and a will to do it. For instance that impeller is something you can do.

Re: need some advice

The thing about the rotten transom is that it usually means rotten stringers too, along with water logged foam too.

That motor will be expensive to fix if it breaks down... but you could probably part that motor out or sell it as is for almost as much as you gave for the boat.

Re: need some advice

Thanks for the advice guys. It does have some stress fractures, and it does bow a little with weight put on it. I am considering restoring the whole thing over the winter or this summer if need be if I keep it. I've been kicking around in the restoration threads and think I could gut it and replace the transom. I just don't know if it's worth it. I feel pretty stupid at this point. I just got out of the Army and just wanted a boat. I guess I should have done some more research first.

Re: need some advice

Consider goals: "I want a cool old boat that people comment on when I put in at the ramp, and I'm willing to do HOURS of work to make that happen" ... then, you have a project. It'll cost you more than you'll get out of it later and it'll take you longer than you think it will. But people do it quite often and have great lookin' boats that they really enjoy.

"I want to get out on the lake and enjoy the water. Period." Then you're probably better off buying something new(er). You can make most of that $400 back like Jig said above.

Old boats are a labor of love ... and sometimes more on the labor side.

Re: need some advice

Cross posted with you, so advice above still stands, I'll just add:

jshdrake said:

...I feel pretty stupid at this point. I just got out of the Army and just wanted a boat. I guess I should have done some more research first.

Click to expand...

Thanks for serving first of all. And secondly, if you can keep all of your boating blunders to $400 or less you'll be doing pretty well on the overall. I've probably got a pretty solid $900 blunder lead on ya'

You can recover most of the money you've spent if you're patient.

Re: need some advice

Thanks for the vote of confidence. And I always appreciate a fellow Americans support. I think I'll talk it over with wife and see what she thinks. I am inclined to make it a classic again and if I don't get on the water this year at least when I do put her in the water I'll know she's right. If anyone else has any words of wisdom I would love to hear it. Thanks again.

Re: need some advice

sell now. you are lucky to get that offer