Re: Damaged Hull -- Pictures
Thanks for the post! Well, I ran this through my head about 1000 times and then back around again 1000 times... I have decided to go with a full restoration for a couple of reasons. First of all I decided to do this because I normally do kayak fishing and I love it. So being able to move up to a boat that I can get into the lakes and rivers in will be GREAT! My family size really isn't an issue it's just me, the wife (who is 4' 10" tall) and my son who is 10 months old. As for when I take it out fishing again, it would be myself, my father and brother going. When it comes to people on the boat at one time, I'll only have 3 maybe 4 max. I was interested in the boat because of the tri-hull and that this boat, trailer, Johnson 70hp engine, trolling motor (1 year old) and a older fish finder for was offered to me for $400. Now I didn't see the holes in the fiberglass when I bought the boat and the guy who sold it to me (a good friend) was not aware of it either. Now I knew it would need some cosmetic work but as for the stringer and all that I didn't know that all of this stuff was going to need to be replaced as well.
Now that I have stumbled across this forum I have met a bunch of GREAT people that have been providing me with excellent information and tips. Combining that with hours upon hours of research I feel confident in me completing this restoration successfully. My budget is not really a factor, I don't mean that in a way where I have a never ending stash of money but I look at it like this. I can't afford a boat, I can't afford boat payments. So over the next few months spending a couple hundred here and a couple hundred there to have a boat that will be paid off and last me a good 20 - 30 years how is it not worth doing. I was looking into what this would cost me and I came in around $1000 so just to be on the safe side I say $1500, throw that $400 I put into it to purchase it and I would say a max of $2000 for everything. I know I will never see the money back but I'm not looking to, I just want to make some great memories with my family out on the boat and $2000 for that is NOTHING! Also, I love working and learning about stuff so as I work on this boat I find myself getting sucked into it more and more. I honestly can't wait for it to warm up so I can learn to fiberglass. I have been wanting to work with fiberglass for about 10 years, just never had anything to make with it. So now this gives me the opportunity to put it to the test.
As for an update, I will be picking up the wood for the cradle this week or next week and I'll be putting it all together, leaving the middle of it open so I can get under it and patch the holes. I have been drawing up some blue prints for a design on it and kind of going back and forth between a couple of the designs. I will be posting more images soon!
Thanks everybody!!!!!!
Peter, I am late in the game on your project but after reading through your thread, I do have a few questions.
What size is your family, how long do you plan to keep this boat, and what is your "total budget" to put this thing back in the water. And last but not least what did you pay for the boat.
I am like everyone else here, I like seeing old boats restored, but only if it isn't a burden to the restorer and only if its not putting money into a boat that isn't worth the effort or time.
What I am basically saying, is this boat has worse issues than I have seen on many other projects. Even fiberglass over time can become brittle and loose strength and this boat is very old. If you have not put much money into the purchase of the boat, it might be a good idea to look for one in better restoration condition.
What I mean by restoration condition is one that you know will be worth restoring.
Now worth restoring is a personal choice at best with all the factors being thought through. This being your first boat, the building/restoration can have either great effects on your boating future or ill effects depending on how you look at it.
This boat in no way will be worth much when even if you do restore it better than when it was new. Recouping your funds invested will be nearly impossible. Now that being said, if its worth it to you for the experience or just the pure pleasure of this style boat or whatever then so be it.
I just wanted to give you some things to think about before you spend a year restoring a boat that you will eventually find was maybe a waste of time because the boat isn't right for your family, the costs outweighed the benifits, etc etc.
Good luck on whatever direction you choose, but imo I would look for another boat. If you do decide to go forward on the project I would fully gut it so you have full confidence in the boat when your done. You also have the right people here to help you along already so good luck.
Thanks for the post! Well, I ran this through my head about 1000 times and then back around again 1000 times... I have decided to go with a full restoration for a couple of reasons. First of all I decided to do this because I normally do kayak fishing and I love it. So being able to move up to a boat that I can get into the lakes and rivers in will be GREAT! My family size really isn't an issue it's just me, the wife (who is 4' 10" tall) and my son who is 10 months old. As for when I take it out fishing again, it would be myself, my father and brother going. When it comes to people on the boat at one time, I'll only have 3 maybe 4 max. I was interested in the boat because of the tri-hull and that this boat, trailer, Johnson 70hp engine, trolling motor (1 year old) and a older fish finder for was offered to me for $400. Now I didn't see the holes in the fiberglass when I bought the boat and the guy who sold it to me (a good friend) was not aware of it either. Now I knew it would need some cosmetic work but as for the stringer and all that I didn't know that all of this stuff was going to need to be replaced as well.
Now that I have stumbled across this forum I have met a bunch of GREAT people that have been providing me with excellent information and tips. Combining that with hours upon hours of research I feel confident in me completing this restoration successfully. My budget is not really a factor, I don't mean that in a way where I have a never ending stash of money but I look at it like this. I can't afford a boat, I can't afford boat payments. So over the next few months spending a couple hundred here and a couple hundred there to have a boat that will be paid off and last me a good 20 - 30 years how is it not worth doing. I was looking into what this would cost me and I came in around $1000 so just to be on the safe side I say $1500, throw that $400 I put into it to purchase it and I would say a max of $2000 for everything. I know I will never see the money back but I'm not looking to, I just want to make some great memories with my family out on the boat and $2000 for that is NOTHING! Also, I love working and learning about stuff so as I work on this boat I find myself getting sucked into it more and more. I honestly can't wait for it to warm up so I can learn to fiberglass. I have been wanting to work with fiberglass for about 10 years, just never had anything to make with it. So now this gives me the opportunity to put it to the test.
As for an update, I will be picking up the wood for the cradle this week or next week and I'll be putting it all together, leaving the middle of it open so I can get under it and patch the holes. I have been drawing up some blue prints for a design on it and kind of going back and forth between a couple of the designs. I will be posting more images soon!
Thanks everybody!!!!!!