One more old Boat Rescue

[gkentr]

Hi,
About 3 months ago we sold our 21' Fiberform mini trawler project built "Flotsam",
and thought we were done with boats,
And then started missing having the option of going boat fishing.
So I have started yet another "old boat" project.
As in low budget or recycled.
The hull is a 1970 something Starcraft tri hull.
gkentr

 

[gkentr]

This old hull was abandoned and left out in the weather for years.
gkentr

 

[Scott Danforth]

you have to really really love a tri-hull to spend money restoring one. they have no resale value, they didnt ride well, and an abandoned one will set you back well over $5k to just redo the hull and interior, not to mention the other systems.

 

[gkentr]

It had all of the standard features such a boat comes with.
Soft floors, ugly topsides, rotten transom and stringers, and soggy
'safety" foam.
What is does have that is useable is a 15' fiberglass shell that is boat shaped,
and has the built in stability an old tri hull offers for stand up fishing and
medium speeds.
gkentr

 

[Scott Danforth]

its most likely a chopper gun hull, so it has the strength of a beer-soaked bar pretzel especially with the rotten structure.

 

[gkentr]

Thank you Scott,
I do understand the limitations and cost involved.
But I would be rebuilding this for one main use only,
and that is a few fishing trips a year, in protected waters,
for a couple of "old "folks who don't need to speed.

my guess and projected costs, with me diong all the work,
is closer to $1,500 for the hull, i have a trailer, and then finding
a useable outboard motor, around 35hp to 50hp.
kentr

 

[Scott Danforth]

is closer to $1,500 for the hull, i have a trailer, and then finding

you may want to double check your pricing. you will have more than $600 in resin alone. Expect $3-$5000

 

[gkentr]

I have lurked here a bit, and there is lots of good info, stories, and help.
Here is my first attempt to post a pic.
This is what the project, now named "Tri-tip' looks like today.

 

[gkentr]

This will be the third old boat i've stripped down to the shell.
My concept for this one is a glass shell with glassed in stringers,
glass sealed floor panels, and everything else to be cedar.
Here are some rough sketch , not to scale, drawings and "pre-plans"
kentr

 

[gkentr]

I may be off a lot for the resin. The last time I did this resin was only $30
a gallon, bulk.
i only plan resin for the stringers, some floor panel sealing,
and transom bracing.
The topsides, and console to be cedar.
Safety foam to be in the sides, not the bottom, and covered with PMF.

I am hoping to build the console, complete with inline seating, helm,
and top, seperatly, inside the shop ,and be installed resting on the stringers.

Thanks again Scott for your replies.
If I am completely out of line starting such a project, I will consider
any comments saying so.
Again, the end goal is a low cost platform to fish and float around
on, customized for our use only, not concerened about resale,
top speed just above a plane, and only sometimes, and only in
protected waters. Projected lifespan-15 years only.

NO plans to make a Haulover inlet show off run.
kentr

 

[gkentr]

Here is a pic of the last project, 10 years ago, built from 5 dead boats,
some plywood, 2xs, and resin.
We named her "Flotsam", and spent several nights camping out both
on the water and on the trailer.
This also worked out great fishing for salmon on the rivers, even in the pouring rain.
kentr

 

[alldodge]

Look forward to the progression, and have doubts this will work with a 21 ft hull, but have been wrong many times before

Your last project looks good

 

[briangcc]

15'? That's alot of weight to be adding to that boat.

Me...I'd be adding foam under the floors. Beside the flotation factor, it would make the floor more rigid.

 

[gkentr]

Hi,
The last project was 21'. The 1971 Fiberform.
All 5 of the boats used to build that one were 1971 Fiberforms.
That way I got enough parts to make one Merc outdrive. The 292
straight 6 came from a shop truck. Never in salt water.
That boat got to be to big, and heavy, for us, so we didn't use it. That's why it was sold.

This new project is only 15'. an outboard, and to be as light as possible.
So far no $ spent.
The only reasons to use this hull for a project are the availability,
it was abandoned "on site", and how the tri hull can be a bit stable
when floating around for fishing, at anchor or tied to a bridge.

This may end up being more time cost and trouble than I can
cope with. It may be time to give up on the idea of having another boat.
Age is a factor. Now 75. I have done lots of boating in years past,,, but?
I'll need to consider carefully before spending big bucks.
There is still boating fun to be had reading forum posts.
gkentr

 

[briangcc]

Maybe just adjust the expectations of what you can accomplish with the selected platform.

If you're after an easy to get into, stable platform, a toon is a viable option. Put a large bimini (or 2) on it and you're close to what you were after.

 

[aspeck]

Interesting project. I would tell you that your idea is nuts and no way are you going to do it for the price you think, but then I see your last project. That is really cool. Good luck to you and I am anxious to follow this project and see how it turns out!

 

[airshot]

I am 74 and a lifetime boater...my choice is a 16' aluminum boat, wide and deep, very stability platform and far less effort and cost. At our ages, finding things to work on and spend money on before I can enjoy it is long over....now I just enjoy, work time is over. You other project looks awesome, would enjoy seeing more pics of that if you have any !

 

[gkentr]

Thank you for your comments,
Any input is welcomed.
A 'toon has no provision for a hidden porta. Plus, cannot afford the
initial cost.
As far as expectations, I'm setting the bar low as it is. One step up from
the 12' tin I gave away, and two steps up from the very nice 16' Dolphin
canoe I still have.
I wanting something we can stand up in and walk around a bit.
Something that fits our needs and our choices. Including budget.
Very hard to find without spending a lot. Or building it.
That's why we designed the last project together, and it worked out.
That's also why something custom might work out again.
But it needs to be light, simple, and function as wanted.

The overall cost mentioned does not include bartered for items,
use of recycled materials, or use of dead boats for parts.
One good example used for the last project is a 25' open/cuddy
Fiberform, bought for $400, sold the trailer for $300.
So for $100 I got a good fresh water cooling system, "rack" helm,
long steering cable, one set of controls, lots of usable 12v wire,
another complete set of the aluminum rubrail used for that project.
and the front deck/ topside gunnel glass sections used.
Also lots of fiberglass panels cut from the large sides.
I am not counting the work it took to strip that boat, or the cost
of taking the 85% of "leftovers" to the dump. There's a lot leftover.

Bottom line for now is, the stripped out hull is not costing anything
sitting where it is. I will keep my eyes open for any parts, materials,
or leftover boats to add to the project.
I guess there's no need to say I like having a project like this to work on
as much or more than using it.
kentr

 

[gkentr]

A nice 16' aluminum fishing boat with a newer 4-stroke outboard and small trolling motor sounds great. I would if I could.
Just not in the budget.
Parts and pieces, spread out over time, is.
So is time spent on the 'net, like this forum.
I'll find some pics of Flotsam under construction to share.
kentr

 

[Scott Danforth]

Most pontoons today have a curtain for privacy around the portable head. They offer kits to add to any pontoon