bucket of rivets
Seaman Apprentice
- Joined
- Feb 26, 2012
- Messages
- 47
I've been wanting an aluminum boat now for years but the cash has just never been there for a new one.
Last week I was made aware of one for sale that needs some work. An old Duratech 17' open hull, the model I believe is Sportboat. I searched the web and found Duratechboats.com, but was wandering what a bare hull in good condition is really worth. The boat I'm looking at will need new plywood floors and all new steering. I have a motor I'd like to use, an older outboard. The current owner really wasn't advertising the boat for sale but its parked in his back yard, and he lives next door to a buddy of mine. It took him a week to give me the price of $1800 for the hull.
If it were a run of the mill Starcraft or other riveted hull, I would probably say that seems high, but this thing is built like a tank. It's not the normal light tinny aluminum that is common on most boats. This thing feels heavy.
Its currently sitting on a brand new 2005 trailer, the owner said he bought the trailer for the boat new when he bought it in 2005, and it's never been wet or towed other than to get the boat home. He wants $1500 for the trailer, which to me seems too heavy for the boat, but it does fit well. I priced a new trailer and was told $2600 for that same trailer at the dealer.
Either way, I've got a good bunk trailer that will fit the boat, so that expense isn't an issue, I'm just trying to decide whether or not to pull the trigger on the boat itself at $1800. (He won't budge off the price, and I've never seen another boat like this around here).
I figure I could have all the wood work done in a weekend or less, even if I replaced the transom wood. The only thing left to buy would be a seat and any accessories I wish to add.
Last week I was made aware of one for sale that needs some work. An old Duratech 17' open hull, the model I believe is Sportboat. I searched the web and found Duratechboats.com, but was wandering what a bare hull in good condition is really worth. The boat I'm looking at will need new plywood floors and all new steering. I have a motor I'd like to use, an older outboard. The current owner really wasn't advertising the boat for sale but its parked in his back yard, and he lives next door to a buddy of mine. It took him a week to give me the price of $1800 for the hull.
If it were a run of the mill Starcraft or other riveted hull, I would probably say that seems high, but this thing is built like a tank. It's not the normal light tinny aluminum that is common on most boats. This thing feels heavy.
Its currently sitting on a brand new 2005 trailer, the owner said he bought the trailer for the boat new when he bought it in 2005, and it's never been wet or towed other than to get the boat home. He wants $1500 for the trailer, which to me seems too heavy for the boat, but it does fit well. I priced a new trailer and was told $2600 for that same trailer at the dealer.
Either way, I've got a good bunk trailer that will fit the boat, so that expense isn't an issue, I'm just trying to decide whether or not to pull the trigger on the boat itself at $1800. (He won't budge off the price, and I've never seen another boat like this around here).
I figure I could have all the wood work done in a weekend or less, even if I replaced the transom wood. The only thing left to buy would be a seat and any accessories I wish to add.