Restoring a Boat, Nightmare or is it realy Worth it spending a lot of $$$

[Got a Boat]

I am thinking to upgrade to a bigger boat and buing a second hand Boat and restore it.<br /><br />But i dont think it is worth the monney and the risk to buy someones nightmare.<br /><br />2nd hand Boats in good conditions are rare in Australia and usually overpriced when you count al the money you spend on extra gear, e.g. new Carpet, new seats, tune up of the Motor by a Mecanic plus parts and suitable prop, new trailer and all the smal gadgets like bilge pump, nav lights, repair of bimini replacement Steeringcable, ecetera.<br /><br />How would you guys estimate the value of boats wich have usually been operatet in saltwater.<br />Is it 50% of the new price or less when the Boat is 10 Years old ?<br /><br />You can love it fixing up a boat, but i had some experience it is not worth doing it exept when you love it desturbing your neighbours every sundays gathering.<br /><br />What do you think about assuming you restore a fberglass boat and spend hours and a lot of $$$ fixing up an older OB Motor you dont know how many times it has been on the Oceans floor.

 

[lark2004]

Re: Restoring a Boat, Nightmare or is it realy Worth it spending a lot of $$$

I looked for a long time to find a motor that was worth rebuilding. I also looked for a long time for a hull that would suit my needs (completely stripped).<br /><br />American boating prices can not be used here in Australia. Our prices seem to be based on how popular the particular model was, and if they are still a highly sought after boat. The overall condition is usually placed second, <br />No doubt you've heard it, <br />" Yeah mate, she's a great boat! These Haines Hunters are the BEST!" <br />All said while you stare at the black crap oozing from the cracks on the transom where the 2mm thick piece of alloy plate has been screwed on..... to re-enforce it......, <br />"They don't make 'em like this any more!"<br /><br />Also be aware that a majority of our used engines have a had a fairly harsh life. Older Mercs are not worth looking at if they've been in salt water, same for older Mariners, ost of the fittings will be rusted up. Most engines in the 10 year old region should be good (try and advoid Optimax and FICHT engines). It all depends on the previous owner. The Australian "she'll be right mate" attitude unfortunatly leads to many engines not being serviced, ever.<br /><br />You need to think about what you want from the boat very carefully. Also how much do you want to rebuild? Transom, Floor, Stringers, completely remodel the interior? It can be alot cheaper to rebuild that much, than to buy a boat completly fitted out. For example, BCF sell Epoxy Resin, it works out to be $50.00 for 1/2 litre of part A and part B to suit. BUT, Acme fibreglass at Eagle Farm, sell Epoxy Resin too, about $120.00 for 5 litres of part A and enough part B to suit. Our Boat stores (All of Them) sell Stainless fastners at prices that make you think they were made of gold! so do Austain, so do CBC, and a few other specalist nut and bolt shops, The prices from the othershops are about 1/4 the price of the boat shops.<br /><br />What I'm saying here is, you can do it far cheaper, without compromising the safety or quality of the job, IF you shop around.

 

[Got a Boat]

Re: Restoring a Boat, Nightmare or is it realy Worth it spending a lot of $$$

You know what i am talking about.<br />Yea mate, shell be right mate !<br /><br />I still have a look around for the half cabin I want, but they are really hard to find. If you know somebody who wants to get rid of a 5.5-6meter aluminium boat in cairns wich does not cost more than 20K with an new(er) motor.<br />Let my know<br /><br />you have made a great job with your Motor, where do you get the parts from ?<br /><br />cheers thomas

 

[bigbad4cyl]

Re: Restoring a Boat, Nightmare or is it realy Worth it spending a lot of $$$

yea but ive been able to walk around work for the past year talkin about rebuilding my boat. and at least had somthin goin on with my life ... i cant wait to see the faces when im done . and ive hand picked all the parts myself.

 

[lark2004]

Re: Restoring a Boat, Nightmare or is it realy Worth it spending a lot of $$$

I bought two motors, and made one good one out of the all the parts. Some parts I had to get repaired (took the parts to local engineering company), and some parts I had to go to an outboard wrecker to get.<br /><br />I agree with you about the half cabs being hard to get. I bet most of the Alloy boats in the size you are after are all centre consols? They seem to be very popular with the fisho's up here in Queensland.<br />I will keep an eye open for you down here in Brisbane, There may be a few more of them here due to the bay (family boater's), if I see anything, I'll let you know.

 

[pondjumper]

Re: Restoring a Boat, Nightmare or is it realy Worth it spending a lot of $$$

i found a website that has used boats, 1/2 restored boats, new boats, and everthing inbetween. it is as follows. www.projectboats.com you can get just a hull stripped down as you are hoping! CHECK IT OUT!

 

[lark2004]

Re: Restoring a Boat, Nightmare or is it realy Worth it spending a lot of $$$

Hey pondjumper.....do you know where Australia is?