Free boat?

[bonz_d]

Re: Free boat?

Nothin is free! In the same vein neither is LOVE. Maybe sometimes though advice is.

 

[bouttime007]

Re: Free boat?

This is the other big factor. A project boat allows you to attain the boat you want with payments of a couple hundred here and there for parts and materials. I don't think anyone would be real intertested in selling me an already nice boat for semi-regular payments of like $98

Thats basicly why I got my Seanymph. I knew it was the boat I was looking for, and it was cheap. ($600)

I knew it would take some elbow grease, but I like working with my hands to "create" something that only I can picture in my head. Ending up with the boat Ive seen in my mind for what seemed like forever, is worth triple what Ive spent to get there.

 

[Greg Mrozinski]

Re: Free boat?

I disagree a bit. It's not that anyone is getting down on the boat, it's a matter of telling the OP the reality of cost and labor to resto' that boat. Many people jump on this site saying "hey, looking at my first boat and here it is, a little elbow grease and we're good!" That's just not the case. I think it's fair warning to let the guy know EXACTLY what he's in for with this. there are no free boats.

Totally agree. After being down this road myself, the best advise is to give the facts and let the owner decide if he is up for it. I paid $1600.00 for my resto boat (of course I didn't think about it as that when I bought it). It had a good hull, very good trailer and a good motor. Interior was not in good shape and to find out neither were the guts. Had someone told me I was looking at another $2500.00 to refurb it, I would have shopped around some more. BUT, since I already had it, I wanted to learn and gain the experience of restoring a boat. I am so glad that I did. I learned one heck of a lot and I couldn't replace this boat for $4100.00 today especially since it is basically brand new now. I'll be dead and this boat will still be motoring around. I am good with that little piece of legacy.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Free boat?

I disagree a bit. It's not that anyone is getting down on the boat, it's a matter of telling the OP the reality of cost and labor to resto' that boat. Many people jump on this site saying "hey, looking at my first boat and here it is, a little elbow grease and we're good!" That's just not the case. I think it's fair warning to let the guy know EXACTLY what he's in for with this. there are no free boats.

Totally agree. After being down this road myself, the best advise is to give the facts and let the owner decide if he is up for it. I paid $1600.00 for my resto boat (of course I didn't think about it as that when I bought it). It had a good hull, very good trailer and a good motor. Interior was not in good shape and to find out neither were the guts. Had someone told me I was looking at another $2500.00 to refurb it, I would have shopped around some more........

THIS is my point and motivation...... well put!

 

[V153]

Re: Free boat?

Ditto. Well said.

I spent roughly $4400 restoring a Glastron V153 about three years ago. Including boat. The hull & origional gel coat were in very good shape. Everything else, not so much. I popped the top & used Tuff Stuff composite laminated w/biax for transom, stringers, and floor. Went ahead & 'shoe-boxed' the stringers too. Some might say I overbuilt it & spent too much money.

But ya know what? Suits my needs just fine. It's light & it's fast. Handles chop like a champ. Not afraid to poke her nose out in the Gulf & jump some rollers either. I couldn't be happier with the end result. Though it'll never really be "done"?

Having said that one should always be wary of things that are "FREE".

 

[Prophammer]

Re: Free boat?

Unless the boat is free it is hardly ever worth fixing one. Junking them for people who are fixing them is where the profit is at. Like this fine specimen you see in this post. Tell me someone isnt looking for part of that bow rail. I am a cheap Bas%$#@ I would rather build my junk as buy your good boat. Look at all the good boats bought in the project forum. At least when I build it I will not worry about rot or snotty repairs unless I made them from being a cheap ba^&%$#. When I bought my power-stroke to pull my century I bought an older one Why? If I have to work on it why pay a premium because it is a late model? Year just isnt that important to me. Condition is.

I have extra Injector O rings for an early HUI power stroke, I only have 7, oh well I guess bordem really hit, too dark outside to work on the boat!!