1968 22ft Crichfield

[Boatman1991]

Hello,
I'm new to the forum.

I'm looking into buying a 1968 22ft Crichfield Boat. The engine was not winterized and the owner tells me the freeze plugs were blown out and the engine is a 3.8l V6 GM motor. Has anyone rebuilt one of these on their own? If so what was the cost.

This would be my first boat. It is in pretty rough shape overall. I plan on going to check it out this weekend to see if the hull is still solid or not. Also seeing if anyone can tell me what I should look for besides hull issues? I have attached all the pictures I have of the boat from the owner. I am hoping most of the surface dirt can be taken off by the power washer. If should stay away from it, please also let me know as well. Haha. Thanks everyone.

 

[kcassells]

Yup, stay away. Total structural and mechanical renovation project. Plants growing on the deck are a nice touch though.

 

[eggs712]

Total gut and restore. The plants growing on/through the deck means the old wood has been rotted long enough to compost.

 

[flashback]

You should reverse the negotiations and offer to dispose of it for a few bucks...

 

[Boatman1991]

He is only asking $200. You guys would still stay away?

 

[flashback]

It's going to cost you many thousands to get It working again.. I would charge him 500 just to remove it. Then if you have a yen to restore it at least you have a few bucks to get started.. IMO

 

[zool]

He is only asking $200. You guys would still stay away?

The outdrive is obsolete, the engine is trash, the boat is rotten....you're paying to remove a headache from his property, IMO

 

[matt167]

The outdrive and engine are both obsolete. That 3.8 is a Buick that was only used in marine applications for a couple years. An old sea ray or something would be worth converting to mercruiser and restoring, but that boat really has no style that sets it apart. You will never recover any money of the thousands you would spend…. Buy an old tin starcraft

 

[kcassells]

Ask him for a $1000.00 to tow it away. I'm not usually this frank but really walk away.

 

[todhunter]

100% walk away...for all the reasons the folks above said.

 

[briangcc]

I dunno...I kinda like the lines and given its a 22' boat I see the potential to be a nice fishing rig. The only things really dating the boat visually from the front are the angular windshield and the front railing - easy upgrades down the road. (There I was positive)

The caveat being it would be a complete and total gut job, taking me at least a few years to complete. I have kids and an admiral who likes to stay busy on the weekends so maybe 3-4 years of work. And it'd be a repower as that engine looks woefully underpowered for that size of boat. Probably looking at a 5L or 5.7L v8 donor.

Not for the faint of heart or anyone looking to get on the water this season.