There's no such thing as a free boat: My '96 Bayliner Capri 1750 Adventure

[madatthe]

I'll start out with what seems to be typical of introductions in these types of Threads:

- This is my first post
- This is my first boat
- I'm trying to spend as little as possible
- I'm trying to do most of the work myself
- I have no idea what I'm doing

About 10 years ago my uncle bought a house on a canal in Cocoa Beach and this boat came with the house. The boat was stored outside, uncovered and the interior was already shot so he just maintained the engine, did some DIY repairs on the floor and generally enjoyed it until his wife finally convinced him to buy a new boat.

Two weeks ago I was given the best/worst gift a boy could get! A free boat!

 

[jigngrub]

Re: There's no such thing as a free boat: My '96 Bayliner Capri 1750 Adventure

Wait 'til you see what's under the deck.:faint2:

 

[madatthe]

Re: There's no such thing as a free boat: My '96 Bayliner Capri 1750 Adventure

My plans are simple... at least I think so. I want this to be a fishing boat that's fun to drive, cheap and reliable. I know that I'm supposed to pick two, but I'm pretty sure that I can get all three!

I started last weekend by removing everything from the boat that had carpet, vinyl, padding or rot (which is pretty much everything as you can see from the photos). My biggest complaint with this boat was the lack of space for gear and walking around, so the rotten side storage areas, seat bases and transom compartments on either side of the motor were cut out. Next week I will be removing the bow compartments, what's left of the stringers and the boxed in areas on either side of the motor so I can see how much rot I have to deal with in the transom.

FANTASY FAST FORWARD

One day, far far away, after all the rot is removed, the transom, stringers and appropriate supports are rebuilt stronger and better than from the factory, I will be putting in a flat floor (possibly made out of 3/4 in. textured Starboard) and two foldable seats on pedestals for the driver and passenger. The sides of the boat will have racks for fishing poles and the engine cover will be strong, compact, secure and relatively soundproofed. On the floor/deck, there will be a number of places to strap down livewells and coolers with padded tops. There will be multiple hatches installed in the floor that open to compartments for storing life vests, emergency gear and emergency six packs... I won't be using foam, I will instead leave all of the areas under the floor usable as re-inforced compartments that drain to the bilge.

BACK TO PRESENT DAY

I'll be picking the boat up again on Friday and I shall dig into it again this weekend. I'll keep this updated as a project log for myself and I'll ask questions as they come up. I hope that something I do in this thread helps others figure out what to do (or not to do) in the future!

 

[matt167]

Re: There's no such thing as a free boat: My '96 Bayliner Capri 1750 Adventure

a 1750 ( 17.5' unless I'm thinking wrong ) will need auxillary flotation to be USCG compliant. It does not have to be pour in, but floation needs to be there in boats 20' and under. Pour in is most common used in fiberglass boats and has been for decades because it also holds structure.

 

[madatthe]

Re: There's no such thing as a free boat: My '96 Bayliner Capri 1750 Adventure

Wait 'til you see what's under the deck.:faint2:

I've been reading through other Bayliner resto threads for the last few weeks in anticipation of picking up the boat. I wasn't surprised to see that my boat wasn't built any better or with any more care than the hundreds of thousands of other mass-produced, rotted Bayliners out there

At least the engine and outdrive are in perfect working order...

a 1750 ( 17.5' unless I'm thinking wrong ) will need auxillary flotation to be USCG compliant. It does not have to be pour in, but floation needs to be there in boats 20' and under. Pour in is most common used in fiberglass boats and has been for decades because it also holds structure.

I'll look into this. If that is the case, I may have to alter my design a bit and create one large hatch over the ski compartment and line the other two sides with contractor bags and pourable foam. Perhaps I could pour the foam around a large shoe box or small cooler wrapped in plastic so I could use foam to be compliant but still have some usable space under the floor... So many possibilities!

 

[64osby]

Re: There's no such thing as a free boat: My '96 Bayliner Capri 1750 Adventure

My advice, Salvage everything you can off the boat. Send the hull to a crusher.

Find a boat like this. 18 ft. Starcraft

Or maybe an I/O version with a bad motor.

You will spend thousands less and have hundreds of less hours invested. My .02

 

[GT1000000]

Re: There's no such thing as a free boat: My '96 Bayliner Capri 1750 Adventure

Just a note on flotation foam...

It is a USCG requirement/mandate for Boat Manufacturers, not DIY'ers...aka; backyard boat builders/restorers...

That being said, it is a great safety feature to incorporate into your boat in the event of massive water intake...

 

[carribbean soul]

Re: There's no such thing as a free boat: My '96 Bayliner Capri 1750 Adventure

I live on Merritt isl, a couple of local suppliers; for fiberglass, Fiberglass Florida in rockledge. for marine odd and ends Sea Ray-Parts.com your source for original equipment boat parts for all brands of boats. Latches, locks, hardware lighting, stainless, gauges, panels, fiberglass parts, fabrics, propellers, running gear and more a starboard floor is no good there is no strength in it plus you will need frames every 16" to support it. As for a fishing boat its too small for offshore and drafts too much to fish the river.

 

[carribbean soul]

Re: There's no such thing as a free boat: My '96 Bayliner Capri 1750 Adventure

forgot to add the marine flea market next month at harbor town marina, there are some deals there.

 

[trendsetter240]

Re: There's no such thing as a free boat: My '96 Bayliner Capri 1750 Adventure

Man have you got some work ahead of you but you've come to the right place.

Looks like a fun project; itchy, expensive and back breaking but can be rewarding (not financially). If you really like to fish I might suggestion looking around for a different hull and swapping in the motor and outdrive from this boat. The bayliner is more of a ski / watersport type model and not the greatest to fish out of.

Whatever you decided, I look forward to seeing your updates.

Cheers

 

[tpenfield]

Re: There's no such thing as a free boat: My '96 Bayliner Capri 1750 Adventure

Go for the flotation . . . it can save your boat and possible lives. If you ever decide to sell the boat, you will have peace of mind that it complies with all of the regulations.

Even though the regulations apply to boat manufacturers, they may also equally apply to those who repair or restore boats. . . (not quite sure).

 

[mwe-maxxowner]

Re: There's no such thing as a free boat: My '96 Bayliner Capri 1750 Adventure

I have a friend with that exact boat. We put a wake tower on it and have a blast wakeboarding and kneeboarding behind It. Occasional fishing would be fine. Strictly as a fishing boat though, it would leave a lot to be desired.

 

[coolbri70]

Re: There's no such thing as a free boat: My '96 Bayliner Capri 1750 Adventure

I have to agree, before doing all this work at all this expense, unless you have some attachment to this hull, your labor and money, could go into something better designed for fishing. Fishing boat hulls can be had cheap or free if the wood is rotted.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: There's no such thing as a free boat: My '96 Bayliner Capri 1750 Adventure

Sell the drivetrain and scrap the rest. Look for an aluminum hull to rebuild. You will have $1-2k into this one before you're through and it still won't be a great fishing boat.

 

[madatthe]

Re: There's no such thing as a free boat: My '96 Bayliner Capri 1750 Adventure

I'm taking all of this under advisement. I'm not a serious fisherman, I'm more so a wannabe that got a great deal on a bunch of poles that still has a lot to learn.

While I want this boat to be a fishing boat, I won't be disappointed if I keep it for a couple years, learn more about fishing AND boating and never catch a thing.

As for the expense, maybe I'm crazy, but I'm seeing the entire rebuild clock in at far less than $1000 considering that looks aren't really a concern and anything that I bolt on can be transferred to a future boat.

I've got the Wednesday jitters, though, I really want to get back to work on the boat and I still have HALF A WEEK to go!

 

[laurentide]

Re: There's no such thing as a free boat: My '96 Bayliner Capri 1750 Adventure

My advice, Salvage everything you can off the boat. Send the hull to a crusher.

Find a boat like this. 18 ft. Starcraft

Or maybe an I/O version with a bad motor.

You will spend thousands less and have hundreds of less hours invested. My .02

Sell the drivetrain and scrap the rest. Look for an aluminum hull to rebuild. You will have $1-2k into this one before you're through and it still won't be a great fishing boat.

I have to agree, before doing all this work at all this expense, unless you have some attachment to this hull, your labor and money, could go into something better designed for fishing. Fishing boat hulls can be had cheap or free if the wood is rotted.

+4. I started a project very similar to yours (http://forums.iboats.com/boat-restoration-building-hull-repair/82-bomber-backyard-rebuild-582086.html) on a boat that I had used for a few years. After much work and deliberation, I scrapped the project and got an aluminum hull after doing the math and realizing that it wasn't the boat for me. My glass boat was similar in construction quality to a Bayliner. This looks like a lot of work for something that won't be what you want in the end. I've been there, but got out before dumping money into it.

Good luck with whatever you choose to do.

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: There's no such thing as a free boat: My '96 Bayliner Capri 1750 Adventure

In perfect condition that boat is worth about $1500. If the drivetrain is good, and it runs and goes in the water, my advice would be to do a quick plywood floor, make sure it isnt going to sink, and use it a season or 2. Get some experiance and then look for something nice. It doesnt need to be perfect to learn boating and fishing. My first boat was an old Caravelle with no floors and no interior. I threw some plywood over the soft floor, a couple used seats, bought some cheap marine carpet off ebay, and was on the water for less than $500. I used it for a season, then sold it for $1500. Bought a perfect condition 21ft Chap bowrider for $6500, and so on and so on.

 

[mwe-maxxowner]

Re: There's no such thing as a free boat: My '96 Bayliner Capri 1750 Adventure

I'm taking all of this under advisement. I'm not a serious fisherman, I'm more so a wannabe that got a great deal on a bunch of poles that still has a lot to learn.

While I want this boat to be a fishing boat, I won't be disappointed if I keep it for a couple years, learn more about fishing AND boating and never catch a thing.

As for the expense, maybe I'm crazy, but I'm seeing the entire rebuild clock in at far less than $1000 considering that looks aren't really a concern and anything that I bolt on can be transferred to a future boat.

I've got the Wednesday jitters, though, I really want to get back to work on the boat and I still have HALF A WEEK to go!

I'm doing a full on stringer, foam, transom, and deck restore, and you need serious interior work too. My boat is about the same size and shape. Fiberglass supplies alone will easily be 1000$

 

[Pmccraney]

Re: There's no such thing as a free boat: My '96 Bayliner Capri 1750 Adventure

Yeah, just because the boat was free/gift, don't feel obligated to restore it. Its not fair the donor to leave it out in the elements and then get pissed at you for selling it or parting at it out. If you are a fisherman at heart, get a fishing boat... I bought a vintage (fiberglass) chris craft lancer that was a "go fast" pleasure boat... I thought I would restore it because it was a cool boat, had the "Chris Craft" name on it, and I got it for really cheap. After spending about a year and more money than I should have, I realized I was putting a lot of work and money into a boat that wasn't going to be truly what I wanted in a boat at the end of the day...

So, I sold it, sold the drive line, sold the trailer, etc... and bought a fishing boat with an outboard... (restore thread is below). To each his own: Some folks on here love restoring glass boats and have done a great job at: Fiscoboater, archbuilder, Trooper82, GT1000000, sphelps (just to name a few that come to mind) have full blown restore threads you should check out before getting into this.

Others are hard core metal boat guys: Jasoutside, ezmobee, etc..

Personally, I like to "use and enjoy" fiberglass boats. However, for a person new to restoring boats (that primarily wants to fish), the restore costs, durability and ease of maintenance on a metal boat with an outboard motor is hard to beat...

 

[mwe-maxxowner]

Re: There's no such thing as a free boat: My '96 Bayliner Capri 1750 Adventure

http://forums.iboats.com/boat-restoration-building-hull-repair/dixie-hustler-deck-job-turned-full-rebuild-589241.html

Here is my restore thread. Somewhere between pages 5 and 7 I listed my glassing supplies and cost. I have since bought 10 more gal of resin and another 16lb foam kit and a few rollers in another order that was about 450.

If it does indeed run well, and you want more of a tubing/skiing/boarding boat, that uou can leisurely fish from, it would be a Great boat when you are done for about 3000$. Not gonna find a boat in like new shape for that price. Maybe turn the bow area into a casting deck of sorts as a compromise between the two types of boats. IF you aren't dead set on hardcore fishing.