First Boat and need advice 1974 VIP tri-hull 15'

[skins1831]

So, I got the boat free. My grandmother gave it to me as a gift. I cleaned it out, removed all of the old carpet from the deck, and removed the top "shell?". I removed all of the rivets and can take it off "just need a few buddies to lift". The previous owner lost the steering on the boat ad tried to cut the cable out with a saw as you will see. I read many previous restoration projects here and thought to myself, I can maybe do this. However, is it worth it? My background, I am an Airframe and Powerplant mechanic for over 13 years. I have a high mechanical and structural aptitude from working on jets for so long. I have just never worked on a boat. From what i can immediately tell, it will be needing a new transom and stringers. Thanks for the input and i will try and work quickly when i get input and keep active here.

http://s61.photobucket.com/user/skins18312/library/Boat start

 

[skins1831]

[No message]

 

[sphelps]

Yep looks like he was having a time trying to remove the steering cable :lol:

Does it have a motor ? :welcome:

 

[skins1831]

I do not have a proper sized motor. I have an 8 horse tiller I used for my 12 ft aluminum hull. She can take a 70 horse (under proper structural circumstance) Not sure what to think. And yeah, I looked at the guy and asked him...."Really man.....really?" He was too lazy to get below the rear cap and unscrew it.

 

[sphelps]

Well then ya have to decide on restoring it or finding something else .. Just the boat restoration will run at a minimum of around 1000 to 1500 for material .. Ya always spend more than you think you will ... Then you will need a motor ... Might find a used one with some life still in it for about the same ... So your looking at around 2 to 3 grand and a lot of work to get on the water ...
Could you find another boat for the same money ? Sure but the chances are that it will need a lot of work also ...
Whatever ya decide we will be here to help however we can ...

 

[skins1831]

I have searched many sites and local ads for boats and really cannot find anything under around $5000 for something that doesn't need a decent amount of work. My budget is $3000, at least that's where i want it to be. Time is not an issue as I haven't owned a boat in 32 years. I can wait longer to finish this. I feel as if fixing this boat properly will teach me a lot about the sport, and build a larger sense of pride in my craft. I fear no work, I just fear not knowing if I can finish what i start due to lack of knowledge. These forums have REALLY built up my confidence. For 3 grand i would have a very "new" boat as a whole if I restore properly, where as if i repurchase elsewhere who knows... choices....

 

[Woodonglass]

Do you have the windshield? As sphelps stated 2-3K is a reasonable estimate.And you are right that when you're done she'll be good as new and will last for decades.We'll be here to help in every way

 

[skins1831]

Were gonna DO IT! Thanks to you I have the confidence I can complete it. It isn't about the money. It's about the pride I think i will have when it's done and my now 2 year old daughter can ride daddy's boat. I own my own business and it may sound crazy, but I have more (much more) time to allow toward this than most. Now.....how the heck do i get this cap off without snapping it? it's ALL the way loose...as in I can lift it way off the hull at any spot. Is it ok to lift with 2 guys? One in front and one in back? Oh and as to your question Woodonglass, no, i do not have/want a windshield. If that changes. by then, i will be done and that will be a minor detail comparatively haha. Thank You!

 

[ahmincha]

With the help from the guys on this forum if your breathing you"ll be able t5o get it done and done right. You'll have a sense of pride and a boat you" know every inch of. And it will actually be better then new!!!

 

[skins1831]

Nothing cant stop me now!....Except time, money, my wife, my daughter, my boat, weather, shipping, parts, materials, skill, work, and oh yeah....stress. All kidding aside I love this forum and you guys. Wonderful people and I hope I can help someone the way you are/can help me soon!

 

[sphelps]

See if you can slide some 2x4"s under the cap so they stick out on each side ... Getting a few people to help would be the easiest way .. There are other ways but you would need to park it under something or build a gantry to suspend it with ... Not that its real heavy just a bit flimsy ..

 

[skins1831]

I can lift each end myself, and Im not a big guy. I did like you said with 2x4's and just waiting on the muscle. I assume my next step to be cutting the old deck out? Was thinking of using a circular saw pretty shallow and tracing the hull about 4 inches from each side.

 

[slimdaddy45]

I may have a windshield to fit it if you decide you want one have to measure the width to see if it will fit good luck on your rebuild

 

[skins1831]

Thank you Slimdaddy! I will see how I feel when I get to that point....I'm a bit away as of now hahaha.