1986 Bayliner Capri 1600 Question

[Dwhitton95]

Hi everyone. This is my first post, so I'll give a short intro, I'm 26 and have recently, maybe even stupidly, purchased a 1986 Bayliner Capri 1600 with a Force 85 HP for $800, knowing the transom had to be replaced. Well I honestly believe it needs a full restoration and the more I read about doing them the more discouraged I get thinking I'm way in over my head.

I know the transom needs to be replaced, the seat bases are rough but useable, and I also believe that the floor and stringers need to be redone as well. The floor has already been done once but they just threw plywood and carpet overtop of the old one, I haven't pulled it up yet to see exactly how bad but I'm expecting the worst. The entire thing needs to be reupholstered as well. I have ideas and everything in my head for how I want to do it all just biting the bullet to start it is the hard part.

I'm new to boats other than knowing how to use canoe's and kayak and know nothing about bigger boats or even remotely restoring them. So I'll leave some pictures and see what everyone else thinks. On the bright side through, the outboard runs like a champ, new battery and fresh fuel and she fired right up with out even having to choke it. So any ideas or input would be greatly appreciated, I already expect that I'll end up with at least $3500 into it if not more. The last photo is the transom that had the outer layer peel away from the rot, it's definitely rough.

 

[buxmj]

It is good you are looking through some builds and finding out what you are getting into. Yes, your boat is in rough shape and it will take a lot of time and money, but if you decide to do it yourself you will have a boat that will be built so much better than factory and if done right and cared for will most likely outlast you.
It does look like it will be a full cut and gut, the more rot the better, it is much easier to tear out. If you have the space to do it that is a big deal.
If you decide not to take on the project you have a motor and trailer you can sell and easily recoup your money.
Good luck and keep us posted!

 

[todhunter]

Agree with Buck. Do you have the space (dry and able to be warmed in the winter) to do the restoration? Do you have the time (mine took 18 months) and desire to see it through? You can learn the skills and if you're really into seeing it through, you'll come up with the money.

You should make sure you have all the legal paperwork (title and registration) for the boat and trailer sorted out before you start buying things for the restoration. Go ahead and do the work now to get it titled and registered to you.

I think your budget is a little on the small side. $3500 should get you the materials and consumables for the structural restoration. If you pay someone to redo the upholstery, plan on $4000. Then throw in another $2500 for incidentals like engine maintenance items, wet sand and buffing materials, tools you may not have, etc.

If I haven't scared you off yet, work on getting the titles and registrations in your name. You can do it.

 

[Dwhitton95]

Agree with Buck. Do you have the space (dry and able to be warmed in the winter) to do the restoration? Do you have the time (mine took 18 months) and desire to see it through? You can learn the skills and if you're really into seeing it through, you'll come up with the money.

You should make sure you have all the legal paperwork (title and registration) for the boat and trailer sorted out before you start buying things for the restoration. Go ahead and do the work now to get it titled and registered to you.

I think your budget is a little on the small side. $3500 should get you the materials and consumables for the structural restoration. If you pay someone to redo the upholstery, plan on $4000. Then throw in another $2500 for incidentals like engine maintenance items, wet sand and buffing materials, tools you may not have, etc.

If I haven't scared you off yet, work on getting the titles and registrations in your name. You can do it.

I've got the title and registration in my name, did the the day after I bought it I never like having anyone else's name on paperwork. I plan to do everything myself or with a little help. Only down side is I don't have the space to put it inside anywhere or to even build a cradle to take it off the trailer, so I'm hoping I can manage with it outside under a tent and on the trailer.

I only said $3500 because I just did rough calculations in my head for materials. I lucked out with the engine, that is mechanically fine other than I'll be changing the fluids and a tune up. But $4000 wouldn't be too bad, I'd Like to at least keep it under $5000, but its not looking that way. I'll have to see how it goes though. Might just end up selling it, who knows.

 

[southkogs]

A recommendation: do a quick gut check, and a little internet searching. Boats are pricey right now, so patience is your best friend. For the $5k (plus a little maybe) you can probably find a decent boat in reasonable condition within the time frame it would take you to do the restoration.

Bayliner had a pretty bad run of things in the 1980s. Cool lookin' boats, but the manufacturing process (and results) were notoriously bad, particularly on the trailer boats. You would be restoring it, so "better than spec" results - but on a low end, not built well boat.

If you want the project: there are probably better ones out there. If you want to go boating, you can probably do it in the same time frame (or faster) with the same money.

 

[76SeaRay]

Working in a tent (carport) is possible but based upon your pictures dated early this month and the look of the trees in the background, you are probably in a northern cooler climate. You could do the cut and gut during the cool and winter season but would need to do the fiberglass work in the warm summer months only. During the winter you could do cutting and fitting of new stringers, transom and bulkheads maybe in a garage to have those ready for the summer months for faster rebuild. Also, cutting and grinding fiberglass will cause a lot of dust and is noisy. How are your neighbors with that? The tent would have to be enclosed to prevent dust drift to your neighbor's cars if they are close by...

If you don't have the tools or can't borrow them, then consider this. An oscillating tool, grinder, orbital sander, hand drills, skill saw, and good shop vac are going to be necessities. Somewhat optional would be a 3 inch belt sander and a 1/2 inch belt sander. A small table saw is very helpful for ripping straight links of boards for the stringers. So, don't forget your tool budget. Then there are the supplies, sanding discs, mixing cups, tongue depressors (mixing catalyst). This is where a lot of hidden costs creep up on you.

A lot of the fun in a project boat is the restoration work but it can overwhelm and cause frustration too.... It will take a while unless you can spend a lot of hours just working on it...