Am I lucky? (free boats flash before my eyes)

Well this weekend i should be investigating that boat I previously posted about and have a feeling I'll be keeping the trailer and motors and harvesting what parts I can then junk the boat IF it is in bad shape.

I am slightly bummed from hearing how it will most likely be too damaged since its Fiberglas and sat open for 7 years, but I had talked to my old high school football coach who was interested in my 12 foot tinny...I told him he could just have it for free but he told me about a fiberglass open bow he has sitting at a buddy's place that although it has sat for sometime it was at least covered with the plug open and the trailer was moved several times a year for cutting grass and said I could just have that (needs a floor).

Considering the boat has sat on a trailer for a few years but was covered and had the plug open what would I have to worry about with this one? I don't have pictures yet nor have I gone to look at it but what would be recommended I look for if this is a more viable option than the other fiberglass boat I showed?

My old man Prefers I did an aluminum boat but you can't beat free, and the open bow fiberglass would fit my needs of a fishing boat and a pleasure boat for me and the girlfriend.better than a tin boat.

Re: Am I lucky? (free boats flash before my eyes)

the most important point is that it drains. Being covered cuts both ways: it keeps rain out, maybe; it traps moisture in. Covers on "sitting" boats aren't usually maintained tight. But covers mostly protect cosmetic aspects, including upholstery; the drain takes care of structural integrity.

So there's a good cheance it's fine for what it is. Just check out the transom and be sure it doesn't flex.

If it "needs a floor" because the floor is rotten, that's a bad sign. If it needs a floor becuase there isn't one, that's good, because everything under it will be visible for inspection, and may have stayed dry enough.

Re: Am I lucky? (free boats flash before my eyes)

No such thing as a "free" boat. You "Old Man" is wise to prefer you having an aluminum, in that the maintenance, effort to getting it back on the water will be much less than what you get into with a fiberglass. What you'll look for is things like bad stringers, floor/sole (which you mentioned) and equally important, the transom. Just because a hull has the plug out, doesn't mean water has seeped into the wood from cracks or gaps and that's where the problems start. A fiberglass boat might "look" great, but be worthless. And, hey, I'm a fiberglass man myself, lol.

Re: Am I lucky? (free boats flash before my eyes)

My boat had the plug out before I bought it. The problem was that the drain hole was clogged up with leaves. Needed a complete restore. Take core samples (drill) of the transom and stringers to see how bad the rot is. If it is free, it still may be worth it if you need to restore. Take a look at the restore section and see what you may be into.