Determining Whether or not to Rebuild 1990 17' Larson

kcon

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Dec 10, 2016
Messages
303
Valid Point. Do you think the boat has value to someone who would be interested in restoring it? I realize that's not something any one person can answer. If selling it is exteremely unlikely, then I won't waste more time. Ultimately, I'd rather not waste a summer trying to sell the unsellable when I could be fixing it.

I'm considering hooking the boat up to the muffs this week to make sure there aren't any issues with starting / running.

Also, If I pull the engine and lower unit, and they are removed from the boat for winter, how should I go about winterizing? Or will they be fine since they're empty?
The odds of being able to see it as a project are low, unless you price it really really fair, even then you'll probably sit on it for a while (or could sell it in a week, really hard to tell).

I'd definitely winterize the engine if it's gonna sit in the cold, I'd just make sure there's no water in it (flush the water ports with anti-freeze to be positive), and change the oil, simple enough.
 

racerone

Supreme Mariner
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Dec 28, 2013
Messages
37,818
What I think.-----Many folks are misled by the concept of a fiberglass boat.-----The fiberglass can stand the test of time but not the cheaply made ( often ) wooden structure hidden out of sight.----Water gets into the wood and it rots.------Turning many nice looking boats into worthless trash.------And when these boats are used in big / cold water they are " death traps "---Many areas there is no mandatory inspection required in order to launch a boat.
 

tpenfield

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Jul 18, 2011
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18,040
You would be able to rebuild this boat better than it was coming out of the factory. Looks like it was put together using chopper guns.
 

Meames1

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Dec 14, 2020
Messages
157
@Meames1 I've had my eyes on your build. Very nice work! I have no problem with sticking to deadlines. Did you do all of your work on weekends? Some weeknights? Every free minute? A five-month timeline is something I can tolerate. 1 year won't work for me.
To be honest, I was working on it every free minute in those 5 months. Even working on "little" things during my lunch hour (Cough-- hour and a half--cough). I'm the type that really dives into a project. I have too much OCD and too little patience, lol.
 

robreye25

Cadet
Joined
Dec 16, 2020
Messages
14
Well everyone, thank you for your input. I've discussed this with my wife and we've decided that this is a project worth taking on. I need to put together a timeline. My major focus will be completing items that need above freezing temperatures before the end of the fall.
 

todhunter

Canoeist
Joined
Sep 15, 2020
Messages
1,308
Based on your first post and project-mindedness, it sounds like you're going to do great on this. You sound similar to me...I've never owned or driven a boat before and jumped right into my project. Fortunate for you, you at least got yours on the water some at first...mine went straight into gutting.

I haven't chimed in until now, but I'm in the middle of my restoration, though approaching a 2 month hiatus due to other projects needing more attention. I would say I got the gutting done and replaced the transom, stringers, deck, and engine mounts in 4-5 months, working 20+ hours per week on the boat (1-4 hours on weeknights, working 3-4 nights, and usually 6-8 hours each day, both weekend days). I'm almost at the point of putting the cap back on. Before my hiatus, I was shooting for the 6-8 month timeframe to have the boat done. Now it's looking like it will be more like 10-12 months. However each project is different, and I'm guessing my boat will have to spend around 2-3 of those months at an upholstery shop.

Due to having to work outside, I highly recommend setting up some kind of shade to work under to keep things cool while fiberglassing. You'll want to start your demo soon and then start glassing so that you can have it all wrapped up by the end of fall before temperatures get too cool, otherwise you'll be trying to figure out how to heat the area.
 

robreye25

Cadet
Joined
Dec 16, 2020
Messages
14
@todhunter Thanks for the support! Understanding your timeline helps me keep my expectations realistic.
I'll have a better idea once I open it up and start digging in. Unfortunately, we have the next 2 weekends booked, and a handful of weekends throughout the summer.
I think the first step will be buying an engine lift. Once I have the outdrive off, I just might be able to fit the boat in the garage. That will be a huge help to keep the boat out of the elements, and also having light to work at night. šŸ¤ž
 

todhunter

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Sep 15, 2020
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@todhunter Thanks for the support! Understanding your timeline helps me keep my expectations realistic.
I'll have a better idea once I open it up and start digging in. Unfortunately, we have the next 2 weekends booked, and a handful of weekends throughout the summer.
I think the first step will be buying an engine lift. Once I have the outdrive off, I just might be able to fit the boat in the garage. That will be a huge help to keep the boat out of the elements, and also having light to work at night. šŸ¤ž
I can get my boat/trailer in the garage with the drive and swim platforms removed...with about 8" to spare from the tongue of the trailer to the garage door. If you can manage to get it in the garage with the drive off, it will be a much better place to work...other than grinding...it took 2 days to deep clean my garage after grinding, even with a tent built over the boat. I'm still finding fiberglass dust from all that. If you can grind outdoors (no close neighbors), I'd recommend it. Good luck, and post lots of pics!
 

Chris51280

Ensign
Joined
Jan 24, 2018
Messages
932
glad you rebuild it. can check out mine too i did about 2 years ago. Mine also needed engine work. Is it 100% pretty, no. It is however mechanically sound and I have touched every part on this boat.
I had it at a marina because of starting issues and they said i had a crack in my carb which was not true. I looked at it again and fixed the problem. There you see, marine mechanics are not the all knowing entity. Sometimes you know your boat better and it is actually harder to find good mechanics that can actually troubleshoot instead of just replacing parts.
With the current pandemic and everybody buying boats the market is empty and prices are high for used boats. just like trucks. So keep at it and this site is the best around.
I always find people on facebook getting wrong advice. This site here is very good and you will have a solid trustworthy boat for years to come.
 

chevymaher

Commander
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Mar 29, 2017
Messages
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I always find people on facebook getting wrong advice.
Only advice I consistently see on facebook. Get your wallet out and bend over or your a fool.

They purposely try to confuse them lie to make it seem harder than it is. So in the end the advice is take it to a certified Marine Mech. Namely one of them. There are a bunch of mech there who are really that dumb or just lie alot.
 

todhunter

Canoeist
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Sep 15, 2020
Messages
1,308
I always find people on facebook getting wrong advice.
There was a guy on one of the FB groups trying to convince someone who just bought a boat project that he could do stringers, transom, and deck in a weekend or two, lol. I was just SMH.
 

kcon

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Dec 10, 2016
Messages
303
Glad to hear you're taking it on!

Here's a great 'tent' for making an outdoor workspace.

I keep my boat stored in it, I work on my boat in it and used it a paint booth. If you do get one, I recommend making it far more durable by securing the tubes together with sheet metal screws. I even got a $20 hanging LED tube light up in it; really makes it feel like a good work space.
 

Chris51280

Ensign
Joined
Jan 24, 2018
Messages
932
There was a guy on one of the FB groups trying to convince someone who just bought a boat project that he could do stringers, transom, and deck in a weekend or two, lol. I was just SMH.
sure, i can too. just dont glass them and use construction adhesive to slap it together. Marine plywood, no need to, right? Think NOT
 

Chris51280

Ensign
Joined
Jan 24, 2018
Messages
932
Only advice I consistently see on facebook. Get your wallet out and bend over or your a fool.

They purposely try to confuse them lie to make it seem harder than it is. So in the end the advice is take it to a certified Marine Mech. Namely one of them. There are a bunch of mech there who are really that dumb or just lie alot.
and the advise is just dangerous at times. Carbs from cars. Fuel pump wired wrong. Winterizing wrong and then wonder why it cracked. They are cutting alot of corners. Thats fine but be aware of the consequences and if you can live with them.
Also find it very hysterical on the same questions being asked: Does this sound normal, what kind is my "leg". Spinning the prop in one direction and wonder where the clicking noise comes from.
My advise, keep researching alot and read your service manual. Your question most likely has been answered before. I know not everybody woke up being a boat mechanic but a little common sense and own research will go along way.
 

88 Capri (2022 SOTY)

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 25, 2019
Messages
819
@todhunter Thanks for the support! Understanding your timeline helps me keep my expectations realistic.
I'll have a better idea once I open it up and start digging in. Unfortunately, we have the next 2 weekends booked, and a handful of weekends throughout the summer.
I think the first step will be buying an engine lift. Once I have the outdrive off, I just might be able to fit the boat in the garage. That will be a huge help to keep the boat out of the elements, and also having light to work at night. šŸ¤ž
I've been working on mine for 2 years but granted I live up north with a garage that is too small so my work time is limited. Either way taking ones time without a time-line is best because of unexpected delays etc.
The best I can figure I will be in the 6k range when she is water ready between engine, outdrive and boat itself but it will be paid for and rot free!
 

chevymaher

Commander
Joined
Mar 29, 2017
Messages
2,921
I've been working on mine for 2 years but granted I live up north with a garage that is too small so my work time is limited. Either way taking ones time without a time-line is best because of unexpected delays etc.
The best I can figure I will be in the 6k range when she is water ready between engine, outdrive and boat itself but it will be paid for and rot free!
And just needing gas to use it is the best. My buddy told me just that. Nothing is worse than payments on something you can't use. AKA winterized. Once your past this the cold and raining like this year is the big drag LOL.
 

KJM

Lieutenant
Joined
Jul 31, 2016
Messages
1,265
I can get my boat/trailer in the garage with the drive and swim platforms removed...with about 8" to spare from the tongue of the trailer to the garage door. If you can manage to get it in the garage with the drive off, it will be a much better place to work...other than grinding...it took 2 days to deep clean my garage after grinding, even with a tent built over the boat. I'm still finding fiberglass dust from all that. If you can grind outdoors (no close neighbors), I'd recommend it. Good luck, and post lots of pics!
Yeah, I second the sanding outside. I sanded inside once or twice and I doubt I'll ever be rid of all the dust. It gets everywhere!
 
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