Inherited a custom made wooden replica 1950's runabout WITHOUT an engine

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Feb 6, 2023
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Having no boating background whatsoever, I am looking for advice on an estimate and also how to go about having a Mercury 5.7 engine installed in a boat built by my step father who has since passed away with little to no paperwork on it. And then maybe what it might sell for... any advice would be appreciated. Thanks
 

racerone

Supreme Mariner
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Dec 28, 2013
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Visit your local shop and get an estimate.-----You might be shocked.-----Best keep it in the backyard as a " pirate ship " for the grandkids I think.
 

Scott06

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Apr 20, 2014
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Having no boating background whatsoever, I am looking for advice on an estimate and also how to go about having a Mercury 5.7 engine installed in a boat built by my step father who has since passed away with little to no paperwork on it. And then maybe what it might sell for... any advice would be appreciated. Thanks
Is it set up for sterndrive or inboard.

I assume it is rated for 260-300 hp that a 5.7 would produce?
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
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First, welcome aboard

Second, you can register your boat as home made

third, regarding the motor question, inboard or I/O?

4th, if you have to pay someone to install a motor, you would loose money when you go to sell it.

if you buy a motor yourself and install it yourself, you may be able to sell the boat/motor/drive for just a little more than you have in it.
 
Joined
Feb 6, 2023
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First, welcome aboard

Second, you can register your boat as home made

third, regarding the motor question, inboard or I/O?

4th, if you have to pay someone to install a motor, you would loose money when you go to sell it.

if you buy a motor yourself and install it yourself, you may be able to sell the boat/motor/drive for just a little more than you have in it.
Thank you for 1 and 2. It just says single inboard.
 

dwco5051

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Interesting. Some pictures would help to see exactly what you have and how far completed the project is.
 
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Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
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Nice looking boat. Something is going on with the transom. You can see some delamination.

This boat should have some vintage marine hardware vs a new motor.

You would get the best amount by selling it as is. Or put the motor and hardware in it and keep it
 

04fxdwgi25

Chief Petty Officer
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Mar 25, 2022
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Sweet looking boat. If mine, I would keep it and power it up. Using vintage power plant would be awesome, but modern F/I engine may be a good "upgrade" mixing old with new. Even repair the de-lamination on transom

Doubt you'll ever sell for same / more than invested, but will have a ton of fun and great memories / tribute to late FIL.
 
Joined
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Nice looking boat. Something is going on with the transom. You can see some delamination.

This boat should have some vintage marine hardware vs a new motor.

You would get the best amount by selling it as is. Or put the motor and hardware in it and keep it
Thanks for the input Scott. What is the transom? And what kind of price would you put on it as is?
 
Joined
Feb 6, 2023
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Sweet looking boat. If mine, I would keep it and power it up. Using vintage power plant would be awesome, but modern F/I engine may be a good "upgrade" mixing old with new. Even repair the de-lamination on transom

Doubt you'll ever sell for same / more than invested, but will have a ton of fun and great memories / tribute to late FIL.
Not sure I understand the old with new. Where should I start if I were going to do that? Boat repair shop? As I said, I am inexperienced.
 

Scott06

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Apr 20, 2014
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Not sure I understand the old with new. Where should I start if I were going to do that? Boat repair shop? As I said, I am inexperienced.
Old and new - old looking boat with modern powertrain vs vintage engine. Yes I would start at a marine mechanic or marina. But I think you need to find someone who wants to do this kind of work. I would think you would spend $25k plus to have a new engine trans etc installed.

Here is an example of a bobtail set up for inboard, would need trans controls prop and shafting on top of this

 
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racerone

Supreme Mariner
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Dec 28, 2013
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I know of a shop that used to repair / maintain old boats and motors like that.-----They slowly started saying to these " well to do folks " time to think about installing something newer.----- No down time with modern engines.-----Modern engines do not sound the same as a Buchanan . Scripps or A Van Blerck at idle.
 
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