Real newb here NO idea where to start

[Hybridbird]

Greetings all!I've been lurking here for a few weeks trying to find out a few things and would like to say you guys(and gals) seem like a great group and have a very informative site here.With that being said I guess I will have to state my intentions and take my licks with the best of them,since I can't seem to find just what I need by searching and hope I will be forgiven somewhere along the line! I have recently aquired a boat or what's left of it I should say,for a very reasonable price.I took it knowing that it would require a greatI deal of work,and probably $$ on my part to make it seaworthy again.I am starting to think,however that I may be in over my head.This will literally be my first time owning/operating a boat of any kind and only my 3rd time even being on one in my life.My problem is,I think the boat is pretty old and I am having a LOT of trouble finding any means of identifying it i.e. brand,model,engines.I have read posts on here about HIN tags and engine tags and can't seem to find any of these on this particular boat.I have a few pics,but I am still trying to figure how to get them up.If anyone could giev me ANY idea of where to start with this thing as far as ID or determining whether or not it's even worth saving I would greatly appreciate the help.My best description so far is as follows- It's approx. 23 feet long it says mexico 24 on the side,it has I/O style engines/drives.One of the drives says volvo 290 on it I believe,althoiugh it's hard to tell because they look to have been painted(?) at one time.It has 2 four cylinder engines under a big door in the rear that both say volvo-penta on whats left of them.One of them appears to have what looks like some kind of coolant tank at the front of it,with a radiator cap on it.It has no seats or carpet,it does however have some wooden bi-fold doors in the front part that open up to a lower part of the boat with benches/beds(?) on the walls with a sink/hotplate combo in the rear of one seat and a port-a-potie looking deal in the floor under a hatch between the seat/beds.It also has a hatch leading from this lower area up to the bow.I am assuming that everything that I have seen so far is fiberglass.There is also a swimdeck sticking out over the drives with a fold down ladder that goes between them hanging from it.I can't even find any tags on the trailer,but as far as I can tell it is too far gone and will need replacing anyway.This boat has been sitting for atleast several years and is missing quite a few major parts and I don't even know if the parts can still be found.Any comments/ideas?I am still open to any course at this point,I just don't want to get 1/2 way into it with a couple grand gone and find out it's a lost cause.I have even gone as far as looking though pics of boats on ebay to try and find something even close to what I have here,but have come up empty handed.Thanx in advance and sorry for the novel guys!

 

[vipzach]

Re: Real newb here NO idea where to start

Welcome to iboats! There are lots of very smart people on here, that can help you identify your boat and the parts you might need. As you will find out, a boat is great fun and expensive to maintain. <br /><br />My first suggestion will be to take a boater safety course. If you have only been on a boat three times and never owned one, then you really should take the safety course. <br /><br />If you want to put pics in your posts, first off you need a picture hosting site like photobucket.com, then use the full reply form and add them that way.<br /><br />I would ask JB or one of the other mods to move your question to merc/volvo engine area. That is where you will get much better answers to your questions. Lots of smart guys there! Good Luck!<br /><br />Zach

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: Real newb here NO idea where to start

Welcome! The make and model are pretty irrelevant at this point. It's not like you could get replcement parts from the manufacturer. It's easier and simpler to get generic parts, which is quite likely what the manufatcurer did anyway. That said, with lots of missing parts, it sounds like it may be a good parts boat, sorry to say. Have to see it to be sure though. Post pictures.

 

[Surffx]

Re: Real newb here NO idea where to start

Posting pics: <br /><br /><br />1. Go to http://xs.to/ <br /><br />2. Scroll down about half way on that page and click the “Browse” button.<br /> <br /><br /><br />3. Next, browse to your photo and double click on it.<br /> <br /><br /><br />4. After that, click on the “I accept” check box and then the “Host Image” button.<br /> <br /><br /><br />5.When you get to this page, scroll down until you see the “forum code for embedding”<br /> <br /><br /><br />6. Copy that line and paste it into your post and that should do it. Both “copy” and “paste” are in the Edit menue at the top of your web browser. <br /><br />Let me know how it goes.

 

[jlinder]

Re: Real newb here NO idea where to start

Have you looked at the engines for data? Try looing at componants like carb (if it has one), alternator, etc. and try to see if there is a manufacturer there. Those might give you a hint. There should also be a serial number somewhere on the block.<br /><br />As has been said, take lots of pictures. Someone might take one look and recognize it off the bat.<br /><br />On a personal note, please use a little more punctuation. Breaking it up into paragraphs really helps.<br /><br />Good luck

 

[samsam]

Re: Real newb here NO idea where to start

Originally posted by Hybridbird:<br />It has no seats or carpet,I can't even find any tags on the trailer,but as far as I can tell it is too far gone and will need replacing anyway.This boat has been sitting for atleast several years and is missing quite a few major parts and I don't even know if the parts can still be found.Any comments/ideas?I am still open to any course at this point,I just don't want to get 1/2 way into it with a couple grand gone and find out it's a lost cause. [/QB]

Sorry to say but this boat seems to define lost cause. You won't get even close to 1/2 way into it for a couple grand. The only thing it's got going for it is there are no identifiying numbers or tags, so you could abandon it on a side street and make it the city's problem. I'm not trying to be mean or anything, but don't put any money into it until you've at least put a bunch of pictures of it here or have someone locally look at it or pictures of it. Sam

 

[Solittle]

Re: Real newb here NO idea where to start

A BIG WELCOME to you!!<br /><br />I'm going to give it a shot in the dark with not much to go on.<br /><br />That could be a fine rig for Florida boating if in good condition. Since you are a newb I have to ask how much time and money are you willing to put into this venture? Not counting the possibility of extensive work on the hull replacing floors, stringers and transom you could be faced with complete rebuilds of both the engines and the outdrives. This can get expensive real quick. I would not recommend this for a first boat or project. For a first boat for Florida water I would recommend a 19-21' center console and outboard powered. Find a one in good working condition and save your "project boat" for another time (or get rid of it).<br /><br />If you go ahead ask yourself before you get into too deep what if I do this and find out that boating is really not my thing?

 

[rosco_59]

Re: Real newb here NO idea where to start

I think this boat is not a good one for a person who has never owned one. You would be better off finding a smaller one with an outboard motor that runs without putting much in it.<br />Good Luck

 

[NoWorries]

Re: Real newb here NO idea where to start

hybridbird, "a boat is a hole in the water that you throw money into" and sounds as your isn't even in the water......so all you have left is to throw money into it!!<br /><br />Seriously, the posts above are not to meant to be cruel, it's just the simple facts of boating. Very seldom can you get away with buying a fixer upper and ending up with less in it than if you was to buy the same boat in current seaworthy condition. And that's if your experienced with boats! <br /><br />You said you recently "acquired" the boat at a "reasonable" price. Did you get a Title to it? The title should have the year/make/model on it with hull identification number. If no title and no serial or ID numbers, I would be thinking possibly stolen!? Another thought, with or without title, have you checked about taxes? A boat that has sat for several years may have back taxes owed that might be more than the boat is worth. Or it could have been junked, and there is no title... so you would have to figure out if the boat could even be re-titled.<br /><br />Let us know what you find out.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Real newb here NO idea where to start

Does it look like this?<br /><br /><br />

<br /><br /><br /> http://www.****ies.co.uk/viewboat/DOS1600/power_Sports_Boat/Sunseeker_Mexico_24.html <br /><br /> http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F73383/

 

[Hybridbird]

Re: Real newb here NO idea where to start

That boat in the pic is just the one,thanx roscoe!I figured someone here would probably have an idea.Yeah,the title work is being checked into as we speak.The boat was left at a house that someone was "helped" to move out of by the sheriff and the owners.They were told to takeit with them when they left but said they had no way to tow it or anywhere to take it to,and that was 4 months ago.<br /> Long story short,the owners are now trying to sell the house and want it gone like tomorrow, literally. The aquiusition price was VERY cheap nice ROUND figure,if you get my drift,so if he/I can't get paperwork for it,I'm not out anything so far.<br /> I am a mechanic by trade,so I was hoping to be able to pull the engines myself to rebuild them,since I'm assuming they will need ATLEAST that much.Would I be money ahead (if I decided to go ahead)to have these outdrives rebuilt or try to find good used replacents?I'm still in the not real sure stage,but I figured between doing a majority of the mechanical myself and hopefully finding some good deals on E-bay and the marine salvage yards around here,maybe I could pull it off.I do appreciate all your feedback,it's just what I was looking for someone throw out variables that may not have come to mind.

 

[CN Spots]

Re: Real newb here NO idea where to start

Jeepers, that's a big honkin boat for a first project! Like the other guys, I don't want to discourage you but this might be a bit much for a beginner. Especially if it is in serious need of repair/restoration. Pic of it are a must. Try Photobucket.com, if I can post a pic from there, anybody can. We need to see the condition of certain areas of the boat. It's possible you've overlooked something that the old dogs here will spot pronto. Might save you thousands, and your sanity. <br /><br />This is also a terribly big boat for a beginner. She's gonna be harder to tow, drive, moore and maintain than a smaller boat. Not saying you can't do it, just saying you need to be prepaired (and trained) for the commitment/responsibilities.<br /><br />If you do indeed decide to go for it, good luck and keep us posted.<br /><br />Welcome to iboats!<br /><br />spots

 

[Hybridbird]

Re: Real newb here NO idea where to start

Let's try this photobucket <br /><br /> photobucket <br /><br /> photobucket <br /><br /> photobucket <br /><br />If these work I have a couple more engine shots.

 

[Hybridbird]

Re: Real newb here NO idea where to start

OK I might have this link thing whipped nlets try these:<br /> engine 1 <br /><br /> engine 2 <br /><br /> boat port <br /><br /> boat bow port <br /><br />Sorry for the so so pics fellas the phone cam is only 1.3 MP these are the best I could do.If I see this thing through,it will be quite some time (if ever) before this thing sees big water.I just happen to have about a 50-60 acre lake right in my back yard for practicing,and I would prefer to stick to the lakes and canals anyway.I don't know the first thing about reading nautical(sp?)maps or GPS so the idea of open water is NOT one that excites me at the moment I realize that this thing may take several months maybe even a year before it's ready to see water of any type.I didn't want anyone thinking that I had the idea that this would be easy to throw some parts at for a few weekends and be ready to go playing.As I stated before,if I dig into it and find out it's a lost cause,I'm not out anything.(YET! )The ad that was posted by roscoe said that there were only about 200 of these made,is that considered low for boat production or is that about right for one model?Thanx to all who have replied thus far,you guys have been great and I am taking all views into consideration.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Real newb here NO idea where to start

Well bird if you have both eyes open and it seems that you do - - go for it. Plan on it costing twice as much as you think now and taking twice as long. But when you get done you will have a vessel that you will be proud to take almost anywhere and if it fusses once in a while you will know how to make it well.<br /><br />Good luck!

 

[roscoe]

Re: Real newb here NO idea where to start

200 seems like a low production number.<br /><br />Start by hiring (yes, pay him) a marine surveyor to inspect the boat.<br />Maybe you can get one to do it cheap, on the side. You want to know the integrity of the hull, stringers, and transom. If they are shot, you will have to totally gut the boat and rebuild it.<br /><br />You should read thru the Boat Restorationm and Building forum page to see what youare up against.<br /><br />You already know there is a lot of corrosion in the outdrives, and that the engines will need a going thru.

 

[Hybridbird]

Re: Real newb here NO idea where to start

Thanx guys,I will look in the yellow pages to see if I can find one of those marine survey guys and see JUST how bad it will end up hurting.I can't seem to find anything else on the web about these damn things besides the links posted above,and I can't get the first one to work.Unfortuneately that seems to be right up my alley,just like every other project I've taken on Well,I guess stay tuned and we'll see where this thing takes me before I even get it in the water.