New here with questions about a restoration

[EssPee2u]

Greetings All, had a conversation with my uncle about a planter he had in his yard...ok it's actually a boat he had sitting there which I told him if it stayed there exposed to the elements I was coming to rescue and restore it. Two years later he said I can have it and restore it as long as he gets to take it out for a spin occasionally.

Now from what I can gather it's an early 1970's Sportcraft Ski Liner with an old Evinrude Big Twin 40hp, it's made of fiberglass - exterior looks solid but faded interior definitely needs to be redone (seats fell over from slight pressure), motor hopefully only needs to be cleaned (he said it was working - but it looks bad to me)

I want to get it up and running, new paint, add stereo, fish finder, new seats, add all necessary lights/markers, gauges, maybe a new propeller if necessary, fish cooler, horn and whatever else I fancy. Ultimately the goal is a nice 14' boat the Wife and I can go out in and catch some Bluefish, Porgies & Stripers.

I can't post pics yet as a newbie, but until then how much do you think a restoration would cost? Is it worth it versus buying something ready to float? Is this a saltwater boat? Why is it so hard to find info on older Sportcraft?

Thanks in advance

 

[Scott Danforth]

Welcome aboard

That old of a motor wouldnt last long in salt. It can be run, however will require freesh water flushes. Later motors have stainless shafts and other features designed for salt

As for hull restoration, without pics, its a guess, however assume $2-3000 for the hull, and about $1500 for the interior

 

[savetexomabeaches]

If the boat looks like the ones I saw when I searched for it, there isn't much to those.. You may get away with keeping it under 2k to restore, pretty sweet lookin boat.. Get some replies in. Also, on the back right corner should be the hull ID.. that will tell you the year (if its after 1972) last 2 numbers will give you the year

 

[tpenfield]

:welcome:

Given that it is a small boat, you could probably do a restoration for about 2/3 of what it costs for a typical 20 foot boat. Just be aware that although the hull is fiberglass the structure of the hull is probably wood and in need of restoration as well as the other things you mentioned.

 

[EssPee2u]

Wow two quotes around roughly 4K plus the engine might not last long in saltwater where I will be? This may make me reconsider taking on the project

 

[EssPee2u]

Welcome aboard

That old of a motor wouldnt last long in salt. It can be run, however will require freesh water flushes. Later motors have stainless shafts and other features designed for salt

As for hull restoration, without pics, its a guess, however assume $2-3000 for the hull, and about $1500 for the interior

I'm not sure how old the motor is

 

[EssPee2u]

Hmmm pics won't upload from iPad???

 

[savetexomabeaches]

I changed my mind about my 4k quote.. but still need to see pics

Pic help http://forums.iboats.com/forum/forum-rules-and-guidelines/9938375-photo-upload-tutorial

 

[GA_Boater]

Click on the Forum Help link in the sig below and look at the photo posting tutorial.

And :welcome: aboard.

 

[sphelps]

You can keep your cost down and still have safe boat .. Just don't buy the high end everything as far as plywood . Use poly instead of epoxy and the rusto paint .
when you start adding all the nav systems and fancy electronics your cost will go up ..If the motor is toast that will be an extra cost ..

 

[Scott Danforth]

I'm not sure how old the motor is

Its older than the mid 80's

 

[EssPee2u]

No Title

Here are some photos?

 

[EssPee2u]

I didn't see any plywood anywhere on the boat

 

[Tnstratofam]

If it is a typical fiberglass boat ( with a few rare exceptions ) the plywood is under the fiberglass. Think of it like this the fiberglass encapsulates the plywood making it waterproof. Unfortunately water and does find its way through to the wood over time rotting it out. Add to that the freeze thaw cycle of most winters and everything starts to break down. From the looks of things it is a mess with potentially rotten deck, stringers ( They support the deck like floor joists in a house ) and a rotten transom. Which is the main structure that supports the motor and usually has the stringers tied into it to make the boat rigid.

It is rebuildable but it wont be cheap or easy. Lots of good people here to give sound advice if you decide to rebuild her though.

 

[tpenfield]

Flat bottom runabout . . . not much to it in terms of structure. so, it should be pretty straight forward.

Lakes only for that boat though . . . Engine looks rough.

 

[Scott Danforth]

I didn't see any plywood anywhere on the boat

the floor, the lateral bulkhead that you put your feet against all the bulkheads/stringers under the floor, the transom are all plywood encased in fiberglass. as others said, its a small boat, you may be able to restore the hull for less than $2k, however plan on $2k. the interior is a bit more spartan than I thought. side upholstry is $15 a yard for vinyl, $7 a yard for foam, $9 a can for 3M 77 spray adhesive, and $30 a box for monel staples. the seats will need new wood, foam, and vinyl as well. most likely cheaper to buy new. if you go all new, then assume $500-1000 on the interior.

you may be lucky, perform some test drills and the wood shavings come out dry and light colored. however most likely under the floor, the foam is waterlogged and the wood has long turned to mulch

dont count on that getting that motor running, at least without major work, if it ever does, consider it a miracle saying the motor is rough is an understatement.

you may be better off getting a newer motor and controls

 

[savetexomabeaches]

is there a title? 66-68 model?

 

[kcassells]

That's a cool looking boat!! Definitely worth a rehab. Better than the day it came off the line! Good luck. Hopping aboard.

 

[Woodonglass]

Do you have a title? I'm pretty sure it's gunna be a total gut and rebuild. If you're prudent and the Motor in fact does run...$2K max should get her back on the water.