Restore worth it? Big boat

Thomsm10

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Apr 30, 2017
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29
Hello all. First time posting I am not new to boating, grew up in a boating family. But this will be my first boat and obviously first project boat. I have a few choice but this one seemed to be a great deal. Asking $2000 for it a bayliner 26ft cabin 1996. The guy said the hull and boat is perfect and the engine is fine. Its all interior work. From the pics what do you guys think, worth it for? It seems like a great boat and when finished would be a killer ride. Any estimate for restore? I can put about 800-1000 into it a month for however long it might take. I've never done this before so give me your honest opinion as for any wiring I might just pay a pro to do the rewire, but not sure how much I should plan for that.

It won't let me add attachments???? Says I'm not authorized??

Posted link below

Thanks guys!!
 
Last edited:

pckeen

Commander
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Jun 20, 2012
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Welcome to iboats!

​You have to make some posts before you can post pics (I think it is three posts) using iboats. Your other option is to open a photobucket account, upload photos there and post the image directly into your post - do some searches for 'posting photobucket iboats', and you'll find some more detailed instructions.

​If that bayliner has a good engine and outdrive, then $2k is a fair price for it. If you don't know much about boats, then get a marine mechanic to go over the engine to make sure it is in good shape.

​Read through some threads here on boat buying and what to look for. There is a sticky on iboats somewhere - I think in the general boating section. You want to have a good idea as to what really needs to be done on the boat before you buy it.

​As for the restoration, the restoration on a fiberglass boat can be very extensive. If you have a solid hull, solid floors, and you are simply doing interior work like replacing upholstery, then the restoration is (relatively) simple, and $2k is a really good price.

However......

​My guess from the price alone is, that you have soft spots (meaning rotten), floors. Rotten floors means you will also have rotten stringers and a rotten transom. You have to take the entire boat apart to properly repair those issues. Take a read through some of the restoration threads here to get a sense of how much work you are looking at. The estimates for the materials cost of restoring a18' fiberglass boat range between $2000 and $6000, depending on what needs to be done. Typically if you are working evenings and weekends - you are looking between 6 months and a couple of years of work for a restoration.

A 26' boat is a ton of work - there are very few completed 26 footers on here, because the work is often too much for people to do.

​Having said all this negative stuff, if you have a good hull, and a boat that is mechanically sound - then $2k for a restorable boat is a pretty good price.
 

pckeen

Commander
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Jun 20, 2012
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OK - so my last post was before you posted the link to the advertisement

​Looks to me like that boat needs a total restoration. It also looks like someone started the process then gave up. Someone has already started to rip the deck out at the bow - which means they had problems underneath that needed to be addressed. Are you sure this is a 1996? It looks older to me, and when I did a quick google search, other bayliners from 1996 seem to have more modern styling. If you are not sure, check the HIN number on the rear or the boat, and the serial numbers on the engine. That will give you the year of the boat and motor.

​If that triple axle trailer is in good shape, and if it is a 1996, and if the engine and outdrive is in good mechanical condition, then this is pretty well priced. But don't be fooled, this is a massive undertaking, with hundreds and hundreds of hours of work (and thousands of dollars required to do a restoration.
 

Thomsm10

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Apr 30, 2017
Messages
29
Thanks for the run down. I definitely know it will be working and some $ I am in the education field so I basically am about to get 2 1/2 months off for the summer. So I can work about 10 hours a day on it every single day. Also I can dump about 3k into it during that period. So I figured that would be a significant portion of the restore right there. The only repair I am uneasy about is doing floor rot. Never done it so not sure if it's something I can do myself
 

Thomsm10

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Apr 30, 2017
Messages
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And sorry, the 1996 was another one I was looking at, it is more ready then this one. I am not sure what the model is on this, but you're right it is older. I'd say maybe 1990?
 

pckeen

Commander
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Jun 20, 2012
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Not sure - my guess would be 1980s, maybe 1970s. Boats were required to have a hull identification number after 1972 - usually on a plate on the back of the boat. That number will identify the month and year of manufacture.
 

Thomsm10

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Apr 30, 2017
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29
Thanks Peter. By the way my wife is from Canada. Now she's a Floridian since last year :)
 

Thomsm10

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Apr 30, 2017
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Looks to be a 1988 bayliner ceira 2655. Since we live in florida, I'm looking to make something me and the wife can travel down the coast with. I will have to think about this for a bit, and see if anyone else posts some encouragement or some bad warnings lol
 

tpenfield

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Jul 18, 2011
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Take a look at the restoration threads by the following members: (links below)

GWPSR http://forums.iboats.com/forum/boat...0-1981-bayliner-victoria-2750-restore-or-bust
Zool http://forums.iboats.com/forum/boat...perial-280sf-engine-swap-and-restoration-pics
BigDirty http://forums.iboats.com/forum/boat...she-was-dirty-but-now-shes-clean-and-splashed
TBoner7864 http://forums.iboats.com/forum/boat...restoration-of-1978-bayliner-victoria-sundeck

They will be similar to what you are facing.

Make sure the current owner has title to the boat as per whatever the State of Florida needs so that you can properly register and title the boat, etc. Same thing for the trailer. Otherwise you will have big problems getting it titled and registered.

The good news is that the trailer is probably worth $2K . . . The boat . . . not so much.

Expect to do some engine work and some structural work . . . it is not likely that it is just the interior that needs work. Also, see what brand of engine it has. Mercruiser would be good. . . . OMC not so much. I would pass if it were and OMC since they have been 'OOB' for quite some time.
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
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the boat in the picture is not worth $2k. its a $1300 trailer with a junk boat on it.

I would estimate that it will take about 1000 hours and about $8000-10000 to get it back in running shape.

its a mid 80's bayliner so the whole boat needs to come apart for all the structure to be replaced from the keelson to the stringers, bulkheads, transom, etc.

that will entail uncapping this beast as well as pulling the motor all the tanks, etc.after you completely strip the interior.

for that kind of coin you can get a good down payment on a boat that is already boat worth and be boating tomorrow. then take the 1000 hours of time, get a part time job and pay off the loan

For Florida, you will need a valid title and bill of sale for both the boat and the trailer
 

Grub54891

Admiral
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Jun 17, 2012
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6,416
I'd look it over real well, some good advice has been posted here already, but I see that chip board in the pics. If the owner has used that in other places in the boat, Not good. That stuff crumbles pretty easily in a boat, you spill one drink and it swells up and gets rotted. And boats do get wet.
 

wrvond

Chief Petty Officer
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Mar 2, 2010
Messages
597
If you can afford to spend $800 to $1000 per month to repair a boat, you'd be money ahead to buy a $26,000 boat that needs nothing and make $500 month payments.

I see a 1990 Cruisers Rogue 3070 for sale in Buford, GA for $24,900 with heat and air with a generator on Boattrader.
If I didn't already have a boat, I'd be all over that one!
 

CrazyFinn

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Dec 12, 2016
Messages
357
In my opinion, no. Not worth it. Especially if you don't have experience with this kind of work, and not with a Bayliner that had questionable quality construction even when it was new.
 

Thomsm10

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Apr 30, 2017
Messages
29
Thanks guys! And yea, it's probably true I can just get a down payment on a boat. But I was actually looking for a summer project whIle I am off work the entire the summer. But in the end it may be best to get a more ready boat.
 

redneck joe

Supreme Mariner
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Mar 18, 2009
Messages
14,125
be careful on a new boat that costs a lot more; just because it is more expensive doesn't mean you will end up with a solid boat.

The Bayliner appears to be pretty stripped down so you could at least more easily see what the substructure is like.

I'll be passing back thru Valdosta on my way home in a few days if you want someone else to look at it with / for you.
 

wrvond

Chief Petty Officer
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Mar 2, 2010
Messages
597
Thanks guys! And yea, it's probably true I can just get a down payment on a boat. But I was actually looking for a summer project whIle I am off work the entire the summer. But in the end it may be best to get a more ready boat.

Believe me, even a "splash ready" boat will keep you busy!
 

redneck joe

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Mar 18, 2009
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thom - you have a PM.


we can help you find one so a couple questions.

Wife into boating or will be just you?
Kids?
Dogs that will join?
how many new friends will you have once you buy a boat?
What will you be pulling the boat with, or moored?
 

Thomsm10

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Apr 30, 2017
Messages
29
thom - you have a PM.


we can help you find one so a couple questions.

Wife into boating or will be just you?
Kids?
Dogs that will join?
how many new friends will you have once you buy a boat?
What will you be pulling the boat with, or moored?

It will be me and the wife. We have 2 larger type dogs we will bring from time to time. No kids. And just looking for something to go weekend overnight in. And occasionally takel out some friends and family for the day. It will be kept at a marina.
 

redneck joe

Supreme Mariner
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Mar 18, 2009
Messages
14,125
dogs: You have plans / experience getting them to shore as needed? If not, plan now.

again, check you PM's.
 
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