free boat what to do?

[hadaveha]

A friend called and said he had his fathers boat that he bought brand new if id come get it I could have it, well I think most of you guys know this song, but anyway I got it motor has great compression,no water in the lower unit, everything moves freely, trailer lots of surface rust, but over all good shape. the hull what a sh-- box. my plans was to take the motor, trailer, and a few other parts and toss the little boat, but I swear I am starting to like the boat. if I take it on im looking at transom,stringers or what ever it has, and floors. anybody have a few thoughts as to what expence ID be looking at, ball park.

 

[DeepBlue2010]

if the engine is really in a good shape with no major issues, I would say couple of grands will get this boat to a really nice shape. if you enjoy fishing, you got yourself a sweet deal.

 

[fishin98]

Empty the boat...pull the motor...Then you can make a HONEST assessment of what you really have....old boats are MONEY PITS!

 

[gm280]

If you enjoy fishing and seriously don't mind long hard, dirty, itchy, smelly, sweaty work, then you have a good deal. I can see much potential there, but I am just that way. Usually a free boat is not a good deal and if you strapped a quarter to it and threw it away, that would be the best thing one could do. But if you have the motivation, money and ability, you can have a nice fishing boat. Your decision... JMHO!

 

[Woodonglass]

If you want to get on the water fast...use the motor and buy a Tinner!!! If you want a project, rebuild it!!!

 

[Rick Stephens]

Only thing more expensive than a free boat is a daughter.


Fun stuff tho.......

 

[jigngrub]

$1500 minimum, but the foam should be nice and dry so you shouldn't have to worry about replacing that.

 

[hadaveha]

I have a son in college and I have a daughter that's why I was asking maybe I'll be one of those luky guys and it will have foam stringers

 

[jigngrub]

maybe I'll be one of those luky guys and it will have foam stringers

Keep on dreaming, it's going to be rotten through and through just like the other 4 you have sitting outside and haven't done anything to.

As far as expense goes, the stringers are just a small portion of the monies and material you'll need to make that boat seaworthy.

The boat elves hate you and the only way any of these boats are going to get fixed is if you roll up your shirt sleeves and get to work instead of dragging more rotten stuff home to work on.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Only thing more expensive than a free boat is a daughter.


Fun stuff tho.......

'nuff said.

 

[Scott Danforth]

boat looks like gelcoat is onlything holding the mulch together. I would strip it, find a tinny and go fishing.

 

[hadaveha]

Well to be honest when he the reason I told him I wanted the boat was I knew of a nice dry 13 ft whaler I was going to put this motor on. But go figure now the whaler has been sols

 

[jbcurt00]

So, if your original plan was to get a free trailer and OB, and junk the boat, w/out compelling evidence to keep it.... yeah, junk the boat.

Strip everything you can. There will be more boats to put on the trailer and under the OB

 

[littlerayray]

I would take it home strip it down and scrap the hull

 

[hadaveha]

My dad told me free and fool both start with f son

 

[jigngrub]

My dad told me free and fool both start with f son

Like all old rotten boats, that one can be fixed up nice if someone has the skill and desire... and it'll be a hell of a lot cheaper than a new one. The cheaper you get them for, the cheaper they are when they're finished and starting out at zero doesn't get any better.

 

[jrttoday]

yes sir!, I picked up two of those "if you'll get it off my property today" lol; put the two together and made a really nice skiff/flats bass boat etc that I still occasionally put money/work into. But it's tailor made for me and will outfish any other boat for my kind of fishing. CARRY ON!! when you finish you'll really have something. That's part of the problem with this country, we don't build anything anymore..

 

[jbcurt00]

Have's got plenty of stuff to work on, this boat isn't the only 1.

Perhaps pick the most likely to finish or 1 that needs the least amount of work, and do that 1. I suspect this boat isn't either of those 2 possibilities.

I'd bet there's a tin boat that's partially started, just not complete.

I know the drag another project home and the started not complete stories all to well

Good luck

I stick to my earlier advice: stay the course, stick w/ the original plan: save the good bits, junk the boat...... And again, there will be another in need of a trailer and/or OB

 

[jigngrub]

That's part of the problem with this country, we don't build anything anymore..

That's exactly right!

We're playing video games indoors and staying cool and dry in the summer and staying warm and comfy in the winter. We're also staying nice and clean and the only callouses we have on our hands are on our finger tips from game controllers and remote controls to the TV!

There's also some people that say I can't do that because I don't have the skills... well guess what, you'll never have the skill if you don't get out there and try and work. Skill is an acquired trait that requires doing the work to become skilled!

 

[hadaveha]

I'm going to get the motor off today I think then I'll yank some of the floor up, which I will not even need tools to do, and the just have a look at what's under their