1973 gibson 36' project

[72stardust]

this is my second thread about a project and after my first project got shot down for multiple reasons and very good reasons I was blind to...but thanks to the great knowledge and experience here on iboats everyone who had advice to give led me in the right direction and the right decision to let it pass...so I am asking for more help and great advice on another potential project...its a 73 Gibson that had been apparently dropped while being dry docked and the blocks pierced the hull so it now has approx. 2ft long hole on the port side towards the rear. the boat is powered by twin 225 Chryslers that havnt been ran in three years. I yet to have looked at it first hand but the boat seems to have been taken care of while years in service...it is on craigslist in the Cincinnati Oh area...maybe someone on here from the area might even know the boat... any and all honest thoughts and opinions are welcome

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1973 gibson 36' project

How far is this boat from you?

What's it going to cost you to get the marine yard to load it on a trailer?

How much will it cost to transport that giant trailer to where ever you want to work on it? I think it will definitely require a move permit & all that goes along w/ moving a boat this big.

It may have been well cared for in it's prior life, but it doesn't look to have weathered the litigation period very well:

Boat has been in litigation for a year and had some rain enter the interior but damage was done in the storage yard so it never sank

Until you see it first hand & climb aboard, I wouldn't even consider making an offer.

It's a fiberglass hull?

 

[Bondo]

Re: 1973 gibson 36' project

It's a fiberglass hull?

Ayuh,... With that Big Bend just above the block, it looks like a Steel hull,...

She's Severely Twisted,.... Looks like a pile of Parts to me,....

 

[jc55]

Re: 1973 gibson 36' project

Wow, I'm kind of wondering what the first project you passed on looked like. Very nice interior, I looked at the ad. The "twist" appears ...

Without having any experience, I would say as a casual observer ,that you would have to get this thing blocked in such a way that you create an actual jig for the entire boat. You'd have to strategically cut this boat until it relieved itself into it's natural state. The cost of steel I-beams, jacks, lumber, etc.


$5000 more saves you $20k...
30 ft gibson houseboat

 

[72stardust]

Re: 1973 gibson 36' project

the boat is bout an hour from me as for permits I'm sure it will require something but really isn't that bad just a pain to deal with to obtain. I thought it was a fiberglass hull and the ripple I figured it was just pushed out but now has me wondering cause im really not interested in a steel hull. no offers have been made till I see it... my thing is if it is a quality boat from its period and if powertrain parts are available. my previous option was a 42' stardust with electric outdrives with twin small blocks. the boat had been sunk so it needed a complete restore including motors and outdrives....from what I had learned from here was the outdrives were junk on there best day and a retrofit would be needed from the rear of the engine out. the engine rebuild isn't a big deal but wasn't sure if they were rebuildable without serious machine work. the auction house wanted it out and after talking with them and looking at it I made arrangements to have a delivery and the auction day came and then I read the post about the outdrives and other things and last minute I decided to not bid and the boat didn't sell and the auctioneer was teasing the crowd with it....then to my surprise the following week the boat sold for $25.00...it might have seemed like a good deal but I let be someone else's good deal and figured I will find my deal at another time. so my journey continues. I don't mind something that will need a lot of work but I have to be able to get parts for the drive system...the electrical and structural I don't see being a problem just might have a few questions once in a while and need guidance towards the right one...something that was built and built with pride or worth putting more money back into to get it worthy again...thanks for all honest input

 

[Bondo]

Re: 1973 gibson 36' project

the boat is bout an hour from me as for permits I'm sure it will require something but really isn't that bad just a pain to deal with to obtain. I thought it was a fiberglass hull and the ripple I figured it was just pushed out but now has me wondering cause im really not interested in a steel hull. no offers have been made till I see it... my thing is if it is a quality boat from its period and if powertrain parts are available. my previous option was a 42' stardust with electric outdrives with twin small blocks. the boat had been sunk so it needed a complete restore including motors and outdrives....from what I had learned from here was the outdrives were junk on there best day and a retrofit would be needed from the rear of the engine out. the engine rebuild isn't a big deal but wasn't sure if they were rebuildable without serious machine work. the auction house wanted it out and after talking with them and looking at it I made arrangements to have a delivery and the auction day came and then I read the post about the outdrives and other things and last minute I decided to not bid and the boat didn't sell and the auctioneer was teasing the crowd with it....then to my surprise the following week the boat sold for $25.00...it might have seemed like a good deal but I let be someone else's good deal and figured I will find my deal at another time. so my journey continues. I don't mind something that will need a lot of work but I have to be able to get parts for the drive system...the electrical and structural I don't see being a problem just might have a few questions once in a while and need guidance towards the right one...something that was built and built with pride or worth putting more money back into to get it worthy again...thanks for all honest input

Ayuh,.... Chrysler parts Are available, but not Easily, as Chrysler got outa the Marine biz, 'bout the time that boat was New,...

It appears to be an Inboard, so it's hard to say what transmissions it's got,...

 

[72stardust]

Re: 1973 gibson 36' project

the owner responded back to me confirming it is a fiberglass hull...now 2 questions....is a 73 Gibson a decent boat to be putting money back into and can such a hole in the hull be repaired structurally and sound and to not have to worry bout it...I have no fiberglass experience but do understand the concept of what needs to be done.

 

[Bondo]

Re: 1973 gibson 36' project

the owner responded back to me confirming it is a fiberglass hull...now 2 questions....is a 73 Gibson a decent boat to be putting money back into and can such a hole in the hull be repaired structurally and sound and to not have to worry bout it...I have no fiberglass experience but do understand the concept of what needs to be done.

Ayuh,..... Depends on the Condition,.... 'n Anything is Possible,... Time, 'n Money are the limits,...

That big buckle along the side would concern me,...
Ya gotta get the hull Straight, before actual reconstruction can begin,...
'n that's a Big ole barge to be jackin' on,....

'course, crawlin' through the bilges will give ya hints to the rest of the hulls structure,...
Rot is the enemy of course,...

 

[72stardust]

Re: 1973 gibson 36' project

how hard is it to straighten the hull...is there any post about the process...

 

[proshadetree]

Re: 1973 gibson 36' project

You could form up that hull with 4x4 post then glass it back in. My question is why? There is a boat twin to that one for free near me. My dock has been trying to sell one for a grand that is at least still floating and has another one in the field I have not looked at yet. I have seen many at least floating boats sell for 5g that are useable as is. My point is that they are many cheap houseboats to chose from. I gave high for mine but had a stack of bills for work already completed. I have also put a few more stacks next to it. When its time to sell you will still have to make slip fee because nobody wants one thats been dry docked. Know what your getting into before you do. Whit that said I love mine and hope to be able to keep it forever.

 

[72stardust]

Re: 1973 gibson 36' project

proshade is there any pics available of them...where they docked at?

 

[ondarvr]

Re: 1973 gibson 36' project

If the hull is as twisted as it looks there could be some fatal damage from being dropped, or from how it was supported after the drop. It could be an illusion in the photo though.

It looks like the stern is unsupported and continued to sag while sitting.

 

[72stardust]

Re: 1973 gibson 36' project

I agree...the props look as if they are sunken into the ground...maybe my search still continues...

 

[proshadetree]

Re: 1973 gibson 36' project

(1) Gibson House Boat in Monterey, TN #3773733 - Go LSN - Local Sales Network

 

[proshadetree]

Re: 1973 gibson 36' project

43' Delta Clipper 1978-reduced in Jamestown, TN #3802834 - Go LSN - Local Sales Network

 

[proshadetree]

Re: 1973 gibson 36' project

32ft houseboat and trailer in crossville, TN #3277101 - Go LSN - Local Sales Network

 

[proshadetree]

Re: 1973 gibson 36' project

I cant find the add on the free one. The ones above are just a quick search. Top one is 36 ft. Next appears to be a 45ft. Last a 32ft on a trailer. The higher priced one is not a bad deal for engines you can find, on a floating boat. The two cheapest one I mentioned are at Mitchell Creek Marina in Allons Tennessee. There are auctions all the time at marinas for houseboat where the owners cant pay slip fees and cant sell their boats. Some are in better shape than others. I have been at a few where steel hulls sold for less than scrap price because no one wants to transport them. The boat you have pictured appears to be more of a parts boat than anything else. Old houseboats are all over for dirt cheap if you just keep your eyes open. Many stay on the market for years unless the price is dirt cheap. Once the current owner figures in slip fees they can take much less for a boat and still come out ahead.

 

[72stardust]

Re: 1973 gibson 36' project

proshade thank you....you have encouraged me to venture out elsewhere and found a 72 Nautiline 42'. he said the transom had been redone and the stringers were in great shape has pinta outdrives with 302 fords engines that run great. he dry docked it 4-5yrs ago to gut and remodel and says time and lack of interest is reason he is selling he is asking $4500. from what he said it has really great bones and that's the reason he decided to go through it. but he did also say its an old boat and there are a few things but its a good boat to do something with....that is a lot better than what is offered around me that I have found its just 350 miles away from

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1973 gibson 36' project

I don't have contact info for either lake, but it's winter, I suspect there is at least 1 houseboat afloat at either Dale Hollow (it's in both Tennessee & Kentucky) or Lake Cumberland (Kentucky) that's for sale & in pretty decent shape.

There are multiple big marina's on Cumberland, and there's probably at least 1 marine in each state at Dale Hollow.

Good luck on your CONTINUED search.

Do houseboats often need donor boats during rehab? :watermelon: Might shop for a 2 for 1 sale :faint2:

 

[proshadetree]

Re: 1973 gibson 36' project

I love my Nautiline. She's a 69 model 43 ft. I do have the 318 with Dana's but wish I had ford or Chevy power. Both my engines were built before I bought it. I have pics where they tore it down to the hull and replaced all the wood. I had mine moved from Old Hickory to Dale Hollow. Sometimes you just can't find your boat on the water you want. But that is extra cost. The reason I suggested a floater is the moving cost. Mine was 3G. Now if I took it home fixed it and brought it back that's 6g down the tube that will not add a cent of value to the boat.