Paddichuck
Cadet
- Joined
- Sep 5, 2012
- Messages
- 26
The cherished old family boat is getting long in the tooth. It is a pretty uncommon 20'8" Starcraft SS201, V5 hull, with an 185HP 3.8L OMC 800 stringer.
I don't really want to see it go as there are lots of good memories with this old tub, but here in Canada, something like a Crestliner 2150 Sportfish SST with a 250 or 300HP O/B (which is what I would like to replace it with) stickers well north of $100k these days. Madness! I can do a lot of resto-mod for $100K.
The boat has been meticulously maintained and still has quite a bit of life in it, though things are "starting to go" (trim hydraulics need a rebuild, the ball gear is half worn through, etc.) Even though there are 1100 hrs on it, the 3.8L still runs very well, pulls as hard as it ever did (40mph) and despite all the haters, the stringer outdrive has been great since 1985. However, despite living on a lift, in a boathouse its whole life (i.e. no water damage or rot in the floor), it needs upholstery and interior updates - but I'm planning for the day the outdrive or the engine dies, or starts causing more trouble than they are worth to fix (IF I could find the major parts for the discontinued OMC).
I am seriously considering redoing the interior, painting/vinyl wrapping it, and getting a custom made aluminum enclosed outboard bracket and hanging a 200 or 250HP outboard off the end.
This seems possible and doable for much less than the $100K of a new boat. The hull is in great shape and is perfect for the way we use the boat.
Am I crazy for thinking of doing this?
I welcome your thoughts and opinions.
I don't really want to see it go as there are lots of good memories with this old tub, but here in Canada, something like a Crestliner 2150 Sportfish SST with a 250 or 300HP O/B (which is what I would like to replace it with) stickers well north of $100k these days. Madness! I can do a lot of resto-mod for $100K.
The boat has been meticulously maintained and still has quite a bit of life in it, though things are "starting to go" (trim hydraulics need a rebuild, the ball gear is half worn through, etc.) Even though there are 1100 hrs on it, the 3.8L still runs very well, pulls as hard as it ever did (40mph) and despite all the haters, the stringer outdrive has been great since 1985. However, despite living on a lift, in a boathouse its whole life (i.e. no water damage or rot in the floor), it needs upholstery and interior updates - but I'm planning for the day the outdrive or the engine dies, or starts causing more trouble than they are worth to fix (IF I could find the major parts for the discontinued OMC).
I am seriously considering redoing the interior, painting/vinyl wrapping it, and getting a custom made aluminum enclosed outboard bracket and hanging a 200 or 250HP outboard off the end.
This seems possible and doable for much less than the $100K of a new boat. The hull is in great shape and is perfect for the way we use the boat.
Am I crazy for thinking of doing this?
I welcome your thoughts and opinions.