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

[jigngrub]

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

Let's see what you get for your 1K$:

1. You get a like new hull that is both safe and sea worthy.

2. You get boat restoration experience.

3. You get a boat you can enjoy and be proud of because you did the job yourself.

4. You'll get most if not all of your money back on resale.

That 1K$ is pretty dang cheap if you ask me.

 

[madatthe]

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

You sound like you're up for a challenge, that's good. Do you want to boat this summer?

1968 Starcraft Aluminum Runabout 18' I/O

With my objection to "out of pocket" costs fully disclosed, I'm not so set in my ways that I was prevented from sending that seller a message asking him if the trailer would make it to Orlando...

 

[jigngrub]

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

With my objection to "out of pocket" costs fully disclosed, I'm not so set in my ways that I was prevented from sending that seller a message asking him if the trailer would make it to Orlando...

You need to inquire as to what kind of outdrive it has too, if it's an OMC you'll be better off sticking with what you have... much better off.

A free for nothing I/O is ok... purchasing a 45 yr. old I/O for $1000 is quite another.

 

[ezmobee]

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

A free for nothing I/O is ok... purchasing a 45 yr. old I/O for $1000 is quite another.

I just confirmed that this is CheapBoatKev's old boat. You probably don't want it.

 

[CheapboatKev]

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

Ouch...
That boat has been through hellll and back and still ran. I dont know what this guy has done other than clean her up and maybe carpet the deck. If he just carpeted the deck it will need to be torn out.
The outdrive is good, I see he never hooked up the rams for tilting the OD.
The motor did purr like a kitten the last time I had it on the water..Heck I am kinda tempted to give him some of his money back myself.
Compared to the SS I have, the Holiday has much higher gunnels and just feels better to me.
That is not the huge double axle trailer it had when I sold it, so I cant comment on it going to Orlando.
That boats history is in my sig thread..

 

[mwe-maxxowner]

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

Yes, but that puts me at a total out of pocket expense of $1000 over a few weeks for a boat that, hopefully, works when I'm done with it.

My boat budget is limited to the fairly small amount of money I can spend every week on a project before my wife's foot is put down. In my current position, I'd rather do what I'm doing now than spend hundreds (or more) up front for a boat, even if it's a nicer boat with an aluminum hull and less work to do, and take just as long (if not longer) to get it in the water. Waiting for my wife's "HOW much are you spending on this boat?" reflex to be reset would surely prevent me from being able to fund the repairs quickly on any of the aluminum options presented above.

A hundred to a couple hundred bucks a weekend and a few hours of doing something that I truly enjoy is what I have in front of me now.

I don't think I need to mention that it's FRIDAY and I'll be picking up my boat this afternoon! More details tomorrow when I get to jump back into my project!

This is sort of how I've done it. I've ordered my glass supplies in 3 installments of 3-400$ as money allowed. And the tools/grinding discs wood etc I'm just buying as needed since I'm 10 min away from Wally world/home depot.

I paid 2000$ for my boat tho :/. I have a decent interior seats and trim wise, but my boat wasn't much better shape otherwise.

 

[madatthe]

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

I just confirmed that this is CheapBoatKev's old boat. You probably don't want it.

Are there any threads about his experience? I probably don't want that boat, true, and I probably won't be buying a boat any time soon. I would, however, consider an 18 foot aluminum antique in the future, especially if it's one with a missing or tired i/o that could accept my boat's power plant.

The anticipation of getting on the water is probably more fun for me than actually getting out there so if boat ownership turns out to be something I really enjoy, I'll be itching for the next project as soon as my boat gets wet!

Two years ago, I wanted a project car and stumbled upon a 1982 Alfa Romeo Spider in a garage for $1200 that didn't run right and had been parked for years. Flash forward to today, it runs fine but I'm not as excited by driving it as I am hunting down bugs and troubleshooting it. My short attention span for trouble-free experiences and my gluttony for punishment have sent me down plenty of rough roads, believe me!

 

[madatthe]

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

Ouch...
Heck I am kinda tempted to give him some of his money back myself.

If you do, I'll trade ya' even for a cute little Bayliner that just needs some interior TLC...

 

[CheapboatKev]

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

If you do, I'll trade ya' even for a cute little Bayliner that just needs some interior TLC...

Yeahhhh..I don't do glass, no fence

 

[CheapboatKev]

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

I did read it and checked out the website you linked to. I'll absolutely check it out when I'm comparison shopping!

Are you familiar with any self-service marine parts boneyards in Central Florida or the Space Coast? My boat-buildin' uncle was telling me about an awesome marine pick & pull type facility in Clearwater that I should check out before buying anything new. Hopefully he and I will be able to take a trip out there in the next few weeks after I've cleared a few hurdles with my boat.

I think the yard he meant was near CW, in Hudson.
Closed now I believe

 

[mnypitboat]

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

Yes, but that puts me at a total out of pocket expense of $1000 over a few weeks for a boat that, hopefully, works when I'm done with it.

My boat budget is limited to the fairly small amount of money I can spend every week on a project before my wife's foot is put down. In my current position, I'd rather do what I'm doing now than spend hundreds (or more) up front for a boat, even if it's a nicer boat with an aluminum hull and less work to do, and take just as long (if not longer) to get it in the water. Waiting for my wife's "HOW much are you spending on this boat?" reflex to be reset would surely prevent me from being able to fund the repairs quickly on any of the aluminum options presented above.

A hundred to a couple hundred bucks a weekend and a few hours of doing something that I truly enjoy is what I have in front of me now.

I don't think I need to mention that it's FRIDAY and I'll be picking up my boat this afternoon! More details tomorrow when I get to jump back into my project!

That total out of pocket $1000 kinda made me laugh a little. I bought a boat that had 55 hours on it, but had been left out in the weather for a couple years. It had solid floors. When I sold it I had over $4000 in it on top of what I paid for the boat origionally, and it was completely running and able to be used when I got it. The differance was that it was only an 01 and was worth about $6500 and I got most of my money back out selling it.

Plan to be out of pocket a whole lot more than you expect. Items that are working now many not be working when you finish the floors etc. For that out of pocket you will gain knowlege, satisfaction, and a whole lot of frustration.

I have been there. If I was in that position again, without a boat, and came across one like this I would probably jump on it. Personally I got tired of working on the baot more than I was able to use it and bought a nearly new one. Now I live vicariously through those that take on the projects here.

 

[ezmobee]

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

So true. I stopped counting when my project hit about $7k. Granted that included the original purchase price of the boat ($1k) and 6 brand new seats ($1k). Wood, epoxy, flotation, electrical, steering, paint, consumables, etc etc really add up. Now this is not an argument against a restore project. Quite the opposite in fact. I was able to get the boat I wanted and I don't think anyone would have been real interested in selling a water-ready one to me for irregular payments of $50-$250 However, I was working on literally THE EXACT hull I wanted which was determined after owning a smaller closed bow runabout for a number of seasons who's layout I was not fan of.

 

[64osby]

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

^^^ You also ended up with an awesome boat. ^^^

The proposed project will end up selling for half the material investment or less when all is said and done. Yes he should be able to use it for a couple years or more. It would be a very aggressive rebuild to finish it for this years boating season. At least the Northern season.

For the money that will be tossed into this you could buy a boat that is ready to float, maybe it would need a repower which you already have.

My .02 and I'll be sitting on the sidelines watching.

 

[jigngrub]

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

For the money that will be tossed into this you could buy a boat that is ready to float,

Ha! Good luck with that!

The search alone for one of those would take more time and gas money than the restore would.

 

[Teamster]

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

^^^ You also ended up with an awesome boat. ^^^

The proposed project will end up selling for half the material investment or less when all is said and done. Yes he should be able to use it for a couple years or more. It would be a very aggressive rebuild to finish it for this years boating season. At least the Northern season.

For the money that will be tossed into this you could buy a boat that is ready to float, maybe it would need a repower which you already have.

My .02 and I'll be sitting on the sidelines watching.

The OP is in Florida, He's season is year around!!!!

 

[mnypitboat]

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

The OP is in Florida, He's season is year around!!!!

Yes it is. Which is another reason to get it on the water quick. Nothing irritates me more than losing a weekend on the water. You will notice I am here and not on the water today!! GRRRRR. Boat is ready to go, but we have another obligation this afternoon, thanks to other people voting to ruin a Saturday rather than do it Friday after school. GRRRRRRR. Yeah, my daughter's in band and the rest of the band folks voted to do this thing in the middle of a Saturday, so 87 degrees, a little overcast, but beautifyl, and my boat is sitting on the trailer. UGH!! Sorry, had to vent. Carry on iboaters!

 

[Teamster]

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

If everyone only bought "water ready" boats these I-Boats forums wouldn't exist,....

I think the most rewarding part of boating is being in something the owner brought back to life,.....

 

[mnypitboat]

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

If everyone only bought "water ready" boats these I-Boats forums wouldn't exist,....

I think the most rewarding part of boating is being in something the owner brought back to life,.....

You are absolutely right. I just enjoy being on the water so much that I would have to have a functioning boat, no matter how bad it is, and another one to restore. Maybe someday I will have the time and the money to do that. For me, its probably gonna be a 40 footer in a few years. Hopefully..

 

[madatthe]

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

I couldn't agree more. Last week it was nice and windy, about 65-70 degrees and I wanted nothing more than to work on this boat. Today it's in the mid 80s, not a breeze to speak of and I hate this stupid boat because its just sitting here mocking me.

The good news in that the stringers are pretty much solid except for a few pieces that were around the forward end of the fuel tank. The transom feels fairly solid as well when I hit it with a mallet on the stern. I'm leaning towards some quick and dirty sealing with peanut butter around the stringers and some exterior plywood as a new deck might ultimately be the way to go with this.

I'm going to take my previously discussed couple hundred bucks a month and set it aside. A few months from now or when my foot goes through the new deck (whichever comes first) I should have enough saved to get something made of metal...

 

[rickryder]

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

Lets get some pics of what your working with.... You will need to drill some core samples in your stringers and transom to really check for rot.....the mallet thing really won't tell you the truth.....