Fixer Upper

[JR Newbie]

Hey there everyone. New to all this so bare with me as Im slowly learning. Grandfather passed some time back and left me his old fishing boat. Not sure what type of condition its in but Im excited for the journey and getting it back out on the water. Not too much info on it other than one picture. From what I can gather its a 1970 something MFG Caprice center console fishing boat. IDK...take a look at the pic and you tell me. My friend google couldn't tell me much about it. Any info I can get would be great. I'm in NorCal & I'm driving to SoCal to pick it up but will most likely get a new trailer first. Any suggestions about trailers and towing? Will be my first time pulling a boat. The plan is to bring it home & figure out how to restore it & take it out on the bay for some fishing. Let me know your thoughts, suggestions or if I'm just crazy. Thanks.

 

[racerone]

If the structure under the floor and transom were made of wood you have a lot of work ahead of you.----Research on this site to see many projects.

 

[GA_Boater]

Howdy.

I wouldn't buy a new trailer for a boat that may go on the scrap heap after you get her home. Rent a flat trailer to haul her home on the existing trailer and decide on a trailer then whether you keep her or not.

 

[gm280]

I'd like to welcome you to iboats! We always like new members and their projects.

As for the boat, a real close evaluation is needed before jumping into a total refurbishing effort. I can tell you if you do decide to totally refurbish his 'cause of sentimental value, it can get pretty involved. If you are not afraid of some real smelly, crappy, dusty, itchy, sweaty work, then you came to the right place to get info and suggestions. But you have to determine the condition and let us know... JMHO

 

[mike_i]

where in so cal is the boat? Are you needing a local trailer shop to go to?

 

[JR Newbie]

where in so cal is the boat? Are you needing a local trailer shop to go to?

I believe its Apple Valley but I might just heed the sugguestion that GA_Boater made and get a flat bed. What you think?

 

[lprizman]

Welcome!
Find a local trailer guy or shop to evaluate it for you....might need new tires and greese the bearings....check the lights and straps.
What are you towing it with and distance?
If possible find a surveyor to check it out unless your fully invested due to the family connection.
Spending a few $$$ now could save thousands down the line.
Best of luck and keep us up to date.

 

[JR Newbie]

Howdy.

I wouldn't buy a new trailer for a boat that may go on the scrap heap after you get her home. Rent a flat trailer to haul her home on the existing trailer and decide on a trailer then whether you keep her or not.

Great sugguestion that I might just do

Howdy.

I wouldn't buy a new trailer for a boat that may go on the scrap heap after you get her home. Rent a flat trailer to haul her home on the existing trailer and decide on a trailer then whether you keep her or not.

I didnt even think about that. Doing this would keep me from needing to register everything right away too. Speaking of registration...if I dont have a title how do I go about registering it?

 

[JR Newbie]

If the structure under the floor and transom were made of wood you have a lot of work ahead of you.----Research on this site to see many projects.

Thx racerone. Lot of research a head of me!

 

[JR Newbie]

Howdy.

I wouldn't buy a new trailer for a boat that may go on the scrap heap after you get her home. Rent a flat trailer to haul her home on the existing trailer and decide on a trailer then whether you keep her or not.

Great sugguestion that I might just do

I'd like to welcome you to iboats! We always like new members and their projects.

As for the boat, a real close evaluation is needed before jumping into a total refurbishing effort. I can tell you if you do decide to totally refurbish his 'cause of sentimental value, it can get pretty involved. If you are not afraid of some real smelly, crappy, dusty, itchy, sweaty work, then you came to the right place to get info and suggestions. But you have to determine the condition and let us know... JMHO

Thx for the welcome gm280. Im in it for the long haul. Not afraid to get my hands dirty! Any tips on how to best evaluate its condition. I dont pick her up til end of May but will post more pics when I do get her home.

 

[JR Newbie]

Welcome!
Find a local trailer guy or shop to evaluate it for you....might need new tires and greese the bearings....check the lights and straps.
What are you towing it with and distance?
If possible find a surveyor to check it out unless your fully invested due to the family connection.
Spending a few $$$ now could save thousands down the line.
Best of luck and keep us up to date.

From what I was told about the trailer, it needs wiring, new wheels & tires and, the hydaulic brakes dont work. Because Im driving from SF Bayarea to LA I dont think I want to take a chance it with failing hydraulic brakes especially with a kid in the car with me .

 

[JimS123]

If the structure under the floor and transom were made of wood you have a lot of work ahead of you.----Research on this site to see many projects.

Early MFGs were extremely rot prone. Many didn't last very long. The company recognized that and made major changes in hull construction. All wood was eliminated sometime in the 1960's I believe.

If the boat in question is truly a 1970's model, my guess is that its all glass and other than cosmetics it should be good to go.

Now, having said that, cracks in the hull or other physical damage are another story and need to be evaluated.

 

[JR Newbie]

Early MFGs were extremely rot prone. Many didn't last very long. The company recognized that and made major changes in hull construction. All wood was eliminated sometime in the 1960's I believe.

If the boat in question is truly a 1970's model, my guess is that its all glass and other than cosmetics it should be good to go.

Now, having said that, cracks in the hull or other physical damage are another story and need to be evaluated.

Fingers crossed that its all fiberglass w\out any cracks

 

[Sprig]

Why do you need a new trailer?? What’s wrong with the trailer? A new trailer may cost more than what that boat is worth.
There is way way more about this boat that you and we don’t know than we know. It’s around 50 years old and the cost to salvage it and bring it back to decent useable boat may be very very expensive. And if you are knowledgeable and skilled enough to do the work yourself you may be looking at hundreds and hundreds of hours of labor. You absolutely need to have someone knowledgeable survey the boat or get a professional marine survey. I wouldn’t move that boat an inch until someone knowledgeable checked it out.

 

[JR Newbie]

Why do you need a new trailer?? What’s wrong with the trailer? A new trailer may cost more than what that boat is worth.
There is way way more about this boat that you and we don’t know than we know. It’s around 50 years old and the cost to salvage it and bring it back to decent useable boat may be very very expensive. And if you are knowledgeable and skilled enough to do the work yourself you may be looking at hundreds and hundreds of hours of labor. You absolutely need to have someone knowledgeable survey the boat or get a professional marine survey. I wouldn’t move that boat an inch until someone knowledgeable checked it out.

Hey Sprig. Thanks for the comment. From what I was told about the trailer, it needs wiring, new wheels & tires and, the hydraulic brakes dont work. Because I'm driving from SF Bay area to LA I dont think I want to take a chance it with failing hydraulic brakes. Another member suggested I just rent a flatbed. I would like to have a pro or someone with some knowledge to take a look at it because I have no idea what I'm doing but I'm willing to learn along the way. I wonder if I'd be able to find some one to meet me out there to take a look at it?

 

[dwco5051]

To get an idea of what you may be getting into here is a pretty complete thread on the restoration of a similar boat.

'76 MFG Fishin Caprice II Center Console Rebuild

First of all I would like to thank everyone that contributes to this site. I never would have attempted this project without the information I have gained from this site. I have put quite a few hours into disassembly and now need some advice on how to go about finishing the job and getting her...

forums.iboats.com

 

[JR Newbie]

To get an idea of what you may be getting into here is a pretty complete thread on the restoration of a similar boat.

'76 MFG Fishin Caprice II Center Console Rebuild

First of all I would like to thank everyone that contributes to this site. I never would have attempted this project without the information I have gained from this site. I have put quite a few hours into disassembly and now need some advice on how to go about finishing the job and getting her...

forums.iboats.com

Yup... this was the thread that got me on this forum. Thanks for sharing.

 

[mike_i]

Apple Valley is in the Mojave Desert. If that boat has been siting as in the picture in Apple Valley it has got to be fried. Without seeing it it's a guess what condition it's in but I'd guess it's bad. Unless you want to restore the boat for sentimental reasons think twice before spending money on it. If you have to move it I would have it trucked on a flatbed before spending money on a trailer and towing it hundreds of miles especially since it's your first time towing a boat.

 

[racerone]

Facts------Got a call from someone looking for a used flywheel for a 1976 / 77 model 50 HP Mercury.-He had already bought a new starter.------Supplied the flywheel.-----Then got a call 3 days later and party said that his " mekanik " also needed the stator.------I said " let me look at your boat and motor to see what else you need "-----So I saw this sad looking boat and motor.----Quickly determined that transom / floor / stringers needed lots of work.----Party said he could fix it himself.-----I said---- " you did get a nice trailer ".---He said he bought it new too.------That was 5 years ago and he has not called for the stator.-----I think after spending about $2000 he took boat to the landfill.-----I think this happens all the time.-------It takes longer to fix a boat then what they tell you !!