Am I getting in over my head? Thinking about buying an old Chris Craft

[Spivy30]

I am thinking about buying an old Chris Craft Roamer 31' with a steal hull. The boat seems to be in very good shape just needing some redoing of some wood work and some work on the hull. The hull has a small hole in the front where the keel starts should I run for the hills the boat is gonna be almost free just have to take over storage fees. Would should I expect to pay to fix this hole? Are there any experts who work on these hulls? It's in the Chicago area. The boats beautiful and runs well but I don't want to go broke fixing the hull.

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: Am I getting in over my head? Thinking about buying an old Chris Craft

If its steel, you can just drag your welder down there and weld it up. Grind, sand, paint and your floating.

For most people, if you have to ask the question, then you probably are.

You can always buy it and pay to have all the work done.
If it cheap, and you think you can do the work, take the plunge and see where you end up.
You can always try and sell it again if you decide its not your thing.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Am I getting in over my head? Thinking about buying an old Chris Craft

Steel hulls are actually pretty easy to fix, if you have a welder, and know how to pick the right rod or wire, then you got it licked already..

I would be willing to buy just about any Chris Craft that comes along, although my heart is set on a wood one..

 

[eds3172]

Re: Am I getting in over my head? Thinking about buying an old Chris Craft

Pictures! Pictures! Pictures!

 

[Spivy30]

Re: Am I getting in over my head? Thinking about buying an old Chris Craft

I think I'm going to buy it. I'll post pictures tomorrow. I don't know how to weld but I know some people who do I was just worried that I would have to get some marine specialist down there to weld it and charge me hundreds a hour.

 

[redfury]

Re: Am I getting in over my head? Thinking about buying an old Chris Craft

Metal hulls, aluminum or steel...make sure you aren't going to end up with a hull that is pinhole city. Steel is a little easier since it's easier to weld, so I'd be more tempted to take a flyer on it if I thought the scope of the project was something I could tackle, even if it got a little more involved than I first imagined.

 

[Spivy30]

Re: Am I getting in over my head? Thinking about buying an old Chris Craft

I know nothing about steal hulls how would I go about making sure it doesn't have pin holes. I think I could easily learn to weld so I might take some classes over the winter . Any roamed resto websites out there

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Am I getting in over my head? Thinking about buying an old Chris Craft

Wholly Moses, that is a yacht,

If it is in pretty good shape and your going to get it next to nothing, then I would say go for it, I was just looking at some of those on google, good looking sled!

Hows the bottom paint look on it?

And I agree pictures!! Please!

 

[Spivy30]

Re: Am I getting in over my head? Thinking about buying an old Chris Craft

It will need bottom paint too but that's something I can do. I'm just worried its going to need more work on the hull then you can see but oh well.

 

[NoKlu]

Re: Am I getting in over my head? Thinking about buying an old Chris Craft

There's one on ebay right now for $1,775. and the hull has been redone. It's just down the road in Detroit.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1962...459QQitemZ170539906137QQptZPowerQ5fMotorboats

 

[Spivy30]

Re: Am I getting in over my head? Thinking about buying an old Chris Craft

I sawthat one. I think that one needs more work then the one I found even if mine needs the hull repaired

 

[Spivy30]

Re: Am I getting in over my head? Thinking about buying an old Chris Craft

I am going to try and work out details tomorrow and start the purchase process. Looks like I will be spending A LOT more time on iboats with lots of questions

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Am I getting in over my head? Thinking about buying an old Chris Craft

I am going to try and work out details tomorrow and start the purchase process. Looks like I will be spending A LOT more time on iboats with lots of questions

Great I am really looking forward to seeing your adventure, I really wish I could do one like that!

 

[backyard mechanic]

Re: Am I getting in over my head? Thinking about buying an old Chris Craft

Don't know what you are paying for the boat but a marine surveyor may be your best defense for not getting a pin cushion. If it is you just bought a scrap boat. Pretty serious stuff there. More history on the boat might tell you a story more easy to swallow. Just be real cautious!

A hint... what did the Zincs look like or was there any? A few rust spots would be common on a steel boat but pin holes all over means the boat is destined for an uninvited/unintended trip to the bottom. Not fun when family and friends are aboard.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[Biged007]

Re: Am I getting in over my head? Thinking about buying an old Chris Craft

I think I'm going to buy it. I'll post pictures tomorrow. I don't know how to weld but I know some people who do I was just worried that I would have to get some marine specialist down there to weld it and charge me hundreds a hour.

As I was growing up working at the marina down the street on the housatonic there were a couple of steel hull Chris' the one thing I can tell ya was and I guess it will always be is the ribbing they took like tub,Tug blah blah well they would always have there day when they would be heading out when the others were coming because of chop because with there weight they don't pound the waves they blow right thru them On the down side if it's orig she'll prob have twin SB chevy's in her and at 2days costs be a bit costly to operate Actually one of the guys I speak of still owns his and dropped in a pair of Cummings diesels 30 years ago and never looked back.
On the up side the prices on a decent Mig welder have come way down I just purchased one at a home depot 2 years ago it's a Lincoln 175 gas rig that runs on a 20 amp 120 volt circuit and it will do anything on that boat you need to. Finally if were to buy such a rig you now OWN it and can enlist the help of a friend (Hey John here's $50.00 due me a favor)
Well there's my .02
ED

 

[Spivy30]

Re: Am I getting in over my head? Thinking about buying an old Chris Craft

I'm going into this assuming that the hull will need alot of work. I dont remember it having a lot of zincs but thats one thing I will look at. I'm pretty handy and think I can learn to weld so i'm looking at this as a big learning experience, plus I always wanted to learn. If it never floats again i'll still have my Sea Ray to use and I wont be into too deep. On the other hand if it does it will be a huge pay off. In the whole scope of things steal is pretty cheap and so would a welder, most of the investment is going to be time. I was thinking about it like this too, if I were restoring an old car that had rust I would would be welding in all kinds of panels plus bondo plus sanding plus an expensive paint job.

Although a car cant sink if you do it wrong.