Rough Estimate to Restore 20 foot Bayliner Capri

[Kelby232]

Hello everyone. I've been a long time browser on this forum and this is my first post.

I recently got a 20 Ft Bayliner Capri for free from a family member who didn't want it anymore. It has a 125 HP Force engine on it that does run and it came with the trailer. That's about it for the good news though.

The boat has been sitting outside like shown in the pictures for a few years. The interior needs completely replaced. The problem is that I'm on a tight budget and I don't have the skills to do this kind of job. I'd like to do as much as I can but like I said, I don't have any experience in this kind of work.

As much as I'd like to get it looking brand new, I'd settle to at least be able to take my wife and two kids out on the weekend once or twice a month and so I can go fishing. I don't have the best of pictures so I'll put more up when I can. Anyway my question is, about how much would it cost to be able to restore this?

 

[sportrider]

it depends on how deep you want to go. I'm at just about $600.00 in to mine, and thats not including flotation foam, yet alone any interior. the way I see it, when all's said and done I'll have put about 3500-4000 into my $1700.00 boat. I've already rebuilt the engine, rewired it and a few things I'm sure I'm forgetting. but when I've compared the cost of a new boat equal to what I have to what rebuilding mine is going to/has cost, it's a pretty easy decision for me.

 

[paddlers]

As with most hobbies boats are expensive. Think of the maximum that you're prepared to spend, then double it then add some more for unforeseen extra things that you thought were ok and you will be on the way.....

Welcome to the boat owning community!

 

[Tnstratofam]

Quotes here in Tennessee at local marinas, and boat yards for my 20 foot Stratos Ski boat which has an inboard outboard set up were in the $3000-$5000 dollar range for the deck and stringer replacement. All said add another $1000-$2000 for the transom. That may seem high, but factor in $1500-$2000 for materials if you do it yourself then add shop mark up it's gonna be expensive if you have the work done by someone else. Good luck whichever way you decide to go.

One more thing to consider is that Force engine. They are out of production, and may have problems that are expensive to fix. Free Boats often times turn into you getting rid of someone's junk pile that should be hauled to the dump anyway.

 

[Woodonglass]

Welcome to iBoats!


It's difficult to give an exact number on restoration costs. The areas of concern are the floor/deck, Stringers and bulkheads(the structures under the floor that are the backbone of the boat) and the transom(the rear of the boat which the motor hangs from), the electrical system, and the motor. All of these must be in good working condition and structurally sound in order for the boat to be safe. A thorough inspection needs to be made to determine their condition and once this is done, the members here on the forum will be better able to guide you to what your final restoration costs might be. Since the motor runs this is a major +. A total "Gut Job" of a boat of this size, meaning stripping her bare and building her back from the hull up, could cost approx. $4,000 and 200 man hours of work but...She would look and perform better than she did when new. You CAN do the work. Most of the people on this forum had NEVER done any kind of boat restoration work before coming here and by the time they leave the could hire on at most marinas!!!! It's hard, nasty, itchy work but when you're done it's very rewarding. Bottom line...You can't and won't find a boat anywhere anytime for $4,000+ bucks that'll be in the condition this one will be in when you're done with her. Go price a NEW 20' Bayliner...You'll KNOW for sure that restoring this one is Well worth it. DON'T worry about your skill set. NONE of us had the skills when we started. But if you're stubborn, and determined to have a boat, You can do it. Just stick to a Plan and you'll be on the water sooner than you know it.:happy:

 

[Tnstratofam]

I have to admit that with the help of people like Wood there is very little most people can't do when it comes to boat repair. I am ashamed to say that I get pretty fired up and have a bit of a knee jerk reaction to fiberglass boats that need restoration. My previous post was a good example of my knees jerking at the thought of another boat owner facing the mess I've found myself in. I have been able to accomplish quite a bit since joining this forum with the help of many members like Wood. Restoration is an option for almost any boat. Again Good Luck, and Welcome to the wonderful world of Boat ownership.

 

[JASinIL2006]

Welcome to iBoats!

That's a nifty graphic, Wood!

 

[64osby]

You initial post states you don't have $ or skills. Do you have motivation?

Are you willing to work 200 hours and invest $2k or more($4k) on this boat? If not then maybe save the motor and controls. Take everything off the boat that can be salvaged. Windshield, gauges, fitting and fixtures, tanks anything that you can sell.

Scrap the boat save the motor for now. Sell anything and everything you can for the boat fund. Start looking for another boat that has a bad motor and maybe needs a trailer. If a new boat has a trailer keep the best one and sell the other. Around here trailers start about $300 and go up from there.

In my opinion aluminum boats are easier and less expensive to work on. Maybe you could find a fiberglass boat that just needs a motor or an aluminum boat that needs a floor and transom.

The other option would be to sell all the parts the motor and the trailer. This would give you at least a $1000 / $1500 boat fund to go shopping with.

You might find a boat that doesn't need a complete rebuild if you look hard enough. My .02.

Edit - The boat in in my signature cost $2100 and two days after I bought it we had it on the lake/vacation for a week with no issues. After 4 years it still is great and has needed very little to keep it on the water. Boating doesn't have to cost a fortune.

 

[Kelby232]

Thank you everyone for all of the responses. I was thinking it would cost around $3 to 4 grand to fix. I really appreciate all of the encouragement to do the work myself too.

Maybe I will try and tackle this restoration. Putting in the hours to fix it won't be a problem. Getting the right tools and figuring exactly how to fix it will be the problem. Maybe if after a year of working on it and I can't figure it out, I will have at least shaved down the price for a place to continue where I left off.

Thanks again everyone!

 

[pckeen]

Good luck - read through some restoration threads before you go further. Also - check that the controls and steering components are in good shape - you'll need to figure extra for that if they are shot.

 

[Arawak]

One more thing to consider is that Force engine. They are out of production, and may have problems that are expensive to fix.

OTOH that looks like an early Force, judging by the cowling, which is just a Chrysler with Force decals. Not the prettiest or most fuel efficient motor, but very easy to work on, and easy to find used parts and spares motors. The later Forces ended up getting lots of Mercury bits in them and become more problematic.

if kelby doesn't want it, I'll take it

 

[Woodonglass]

Getting the right tools and figuring exactly how to fix it will be the problem. Maybe if after a year of working on it and I can't figure it out, I will have at least shaved down the price for a place to continue where I left off.

Thanks again everyone!

That's what We're here for!!!! We'll be able to guide you to the tools of the trade and how and where to use em!!! Trust Me, you won't be the first or the last guy to come on the forum with a ton of questions on where to start and how to restore a glass boat. The KEY is to have the willingness and sticktoitiveness to get the job done. If you have those two things, we'll stick with you to the end!!!!

 

[lakelover]

That's a nifty graphic, Wood!

Yes, a great graphic....but where's the aluminum?

To the OP Kelby232, restorations are always more than the budget. I kept track of what I spent on mine, but have never totaled it up because I'm afraid to know! I don't think I'd enjoy the boat as much if I knew. Not trying to scare you away, but.... I think 64osby has great advice above!

Whatever you decide, good luck, and above all - Have fun!!!

 

[Woodonglass]

Yes, a great graphic....but where's the aluminum?

The aluminum is there!!! You gotta look close but it is there!! I practice Equal Representation in ALL my Graphics!!!!:laugh:

 

[lakelover]

I think I see it, if I squint and close one eye.

 

[64osby]

I think I need Smoke's 47" monitor to see it. :lol:

 

[Woodonglass]

Lower Left Corner Boat with the foam in it...IS a "Tinner"!!!