Need some help deciding what to do

[BVKuda]

I'll keep the story short. My wife purchased this boat while I was deployed. There were lots of flags flying which would have told me not to buy it, but she went ahead with it. I have now convinced her that the boat is going to either need some serious work, find someone who wants a "TLC" boat, or find it a new home. It's a 1976 Dusky Center Console with a 150 Evinrude. The motor is an '85. There are soft spots on the flooring, and when I opened the boat to look at the actual hull, the stringers are damp-- which tells me it is rotting. The engine is running good. I had some fixes done to it, and I have managed to keep the engine in good running order.

The question I have is this: Is it worth the work and how much work is it to gut out a hull and rebuild the stringers and decking? Has anyone done this before and found it "fun" or is it just a huge amount of cost to do? Second, how long do I play the charade of putting this up on Craigslist before I contact a charity that will take it as a tax write off and focus on getting a boat with a lot less problems? Or, might it be wise to buy a new hull, and keep the good running motor and slap it on another hull--- one with a lot less problems? A second part to this question is this: where do I look for a decent "used" hull for a good price?

Thanks for any input you have. I tried to attach pictures, but I don't have much of the flooring. I will say this, you can stand on it, but I would watch how many Golden Arches french fries you eat.

 

[bitterboater]

Re: Need some help deciding what to do

Welcome to Iboats, you have come to the right place to hopefully find the answers that you're looking for.

There are hundreds of threads here about rebuilding transoms and stringers. Use the search option at the top and begin the wonderful process of learning from others.

Many here do this because they are gluttons for misery. They enjoy the work, and it is very labor and time intensive. But, the work itself is fairly easy.

As to what you will do, that is up to you. You must do the work, and you will reap the rewards for the effort.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Need some help deciding what to do

Personal opinion? If the engine truly does run good, I would look on CL to find a boat hull that you prefer in good shape that needs power. I looked briefly this morning and found 3 right off the bat.

What you do with the remaining hull would be left to you. Discard it, donate it, sell it, or start the rebuild in your spare time to see what the work would be like. You might do well on the new deck/stringers and then sell it on CL to the next guy.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Need some help deciding what to do

Welcome to iboats and thank you for your service!

As already noted, you are probably looking at a lot of work. Take a look over in the restoration area.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Need some help deciding what to do

Many here do this because they are gluttons for misery. They enjoy the work, and it is very labor and time intensive.

LOL. Those are my sentiments. But as noted, many enjoy doing the work.

 

[DaNinja]

Re: Need some help deciding what to do

Welcome to iboats and thank you for your service!

As already noted, you are probably looking at a lot of work. Take a look over in the restoration area.

Yep, lots of great info there. It may not be cost effective, but if you're willing to do the work, it could be a rewarding project.

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: Need some help deciding what to do

I've rebuilt two boats now, guess I enjoy punishment. IMHO I'd only put the work in if you really like the boat and plan on keeping it for a long time. It's doubtful that you'll recover your investment if you're thinking about rebuilding to get it ready to sell (not if you do a proper job anyway).

BTW, since you've already found rotted deck and stringers, it's highly likely your transom will have issues as well, which will add a good amount of work.

Look at what good running engines similar to yours are selling for - you may come out ahead selling the engine, parting out the boat, and buying a boat with a good running engine already on it. I've seen very few boats in good condition for sale without engines, but that's not saying they don't exist in your area.

 

[Pez Vela]

Re: Need some help deciding what to do

Your plight reminds me of Papillon, who was sold a rotten boat after he escaped from prison, but was saved by the man with the tattooed face who managed to get him to a leper colony where he and Dega were able to get a good boat. Just a thought.

 

[spdracr39]

Re: Need some help deciding what to do

Save the engine lose the hull.

 

[DaNinja]

Re: Need some help deciding what to do

Your plight reminds me of Papillon, who was sold a rotten boat after he escaped from prison, but was saved by the man with the tattooed face who managed to get him to a leper colony where he and Dega were able to get a good boat. Just a thought.

Wow. Exactly what I was thinking....


Well...kinda.

 

[Beefer]

Re: Need some help deciding what to do

I'm with Fireman 100%. Keep the engine and trailer, and get a hull. And yes, there are tons of them on craigslist. I think that's a great way to get an awesome boat for not so much money.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Need some help deciding what to do

Your plight reminds me of Papillon, who was sold a rotten boat after he escaped from prison, but was saved by the man with the tattooed face who managed to get him to a leper colony where he and Dega were able to get a good boat. Just a thought.

So, you're saying hanging out with a guy witha tattooed face in a leper colony is a better deal than redoing the deck/stringers in a boat?

Actually, I'm inclined to agree with you...

 

[Pez Vela]

Re: Need some help deciding what to do

I like your thinking. The genius of my comparison, which exists primarily in my own mind, is that it's susceptible to multiple interpretations, and encourages deep thought ... sorta like "No Country for Old Men." In this case, all interpretations lead to the same conclusion.

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: Need some help deciding what to do

Personal opinion? If the engine truly does run good, I would look on CL to find a boat hull that you prefer in good shape that needs power. I looked briefly this morning and found 3 right off the bat.

What you do with the remaining hull would be left to you. Discard it, donate it, sell it, or start the rebuild in your spare time to see what the work would be like. You might do well on the new deck/stringers and then sell it on CL to the next guy.

my vote

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Need some help deciding what to do

I'll keep the story short. My wife purchased this boat while I was deployed. There were lots of flags flying which would have told me not to buy it, but she went ahead with it. I have now convinced her that the boat is going to either need some serious work, find someone who wants a "TLC" boat, or find it a new home. It's a 1976 Dusky Center Console with a 150 Evinrude. The motor is an '85. There are soft spots on the flooring, and when I opened the boat to look at the actual hull, the stringers are damp-- which tells me it is rotting. The engine is running good. I had some fixes done to it, and I have managed to keep the engine in good running order.

The question I have is this: Is it worth the work and how much work is it to gut out a hull and rebuild the stringers and decking? Has anyone done this before and found it "fun" or is it just a huge amount of cost to do? Second, how long do I play the charade of putting this up on Craigslist before I contact a charity that will take it as a tax write off and focus on getting a boat with a lot less problems? Or, might it be wise to buy a new hull, and keep the good running motor and slap it on another hull--- one with a lot less problems? A second part to this question is this: where do I look for a decent "used" hull for a good price?

Thanks for any input you have. I tried to attach pictures, but I don't have much of the flooring. I will say this, you can stand on it, but I would watch how many Golden Arches french fries you eat.

Hello Kuda and welcome to Iboats..and welcome back..

Im going to look at this question in a different perspective ..

1. Do you Like the boat/layout .. do you want a center console ? or would you rather have a cuddy for kids to fall asleep in ( I like the Centers myself..but with 2 small kids I would have to opt for the cuddy cabin for them to tire out in out of the elements.. ).

2. Do you want to restore a boat ? .. Cuttin and guttin..glass and grinding.. hours and hours of research and personal time ?

3. Do you have the Money to resto a boat thats not going to bring a return value ( I dont know what she/you paid for it ). Like a car..can you buy a 70 Volks for a buck..then 10 hours and 1k for resto then sell it for lets say 1500 ?

4. As allready mentioned here..finding a Used hull that you can slap your drive on without stringer or trans/floor damage could be a long search. Not saying you cant find a hull that someone blew the motor from lack of winterizing or something..but its going to be hard. There are peeps out there that Just sit on Craigs or etc. almost 24 hours a day looking for the good "junked" ones.

5. If you want a boat..really want a boat.. be patient.. look around..keep looking till you find the one that grabs ya.

B.O.A.T. = Bring Others Another Thousand

Dont lemme scare you out of this..Read my post carfully.
You can resto..I just dont hear any jumping for joy on your new purchase is all ..

YD.