Tri hull restoration

[switchbackjr.]

Hey guys,
I am new to the forum here and had a question...I know there is no magic number but I am thinking about getting an older tri hull style boat to restore and was wondering about how much it may cost me to do the structural restoration...stringers, floors, transom etc... I know that this is an odd question and realize that not all projects are the same...just wondering what yall have done in the past and what it cost to do it...thank you for your time and consideration...sorry for the long post

 

[switchbackjr.]

Re: Tri hull restoration

Bump...any information would be helpful

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Tri hull restoration

There are way too many variable in boats, hulls, stringer, transom & deck design to give you a remotely accurate #.....

Several thousand dollars & several hundred hours of labor? Roughly..?...

Full gut, no reusable parts & pcs, hull taken down to bare fiberglass, maybe get to recycle: the windshield (maybe), motor (maybe, big $ to fix some problems) and trailer (maybe, plus $ for parts, pcs & paint prep & paint), would all add more $ & time. Again roughly..?..

For my 15' FireFlite, even w/ not having to remove, rebuild, reinstall & re-glass my stringers, I'll still have $750+ in just the actual fiberglass & polyester resin (w/ hazmat shipping maybe more). And that's w/ out the buckets, containers, paint brushes, sandpaper &, &, &, & etc etc etc....

 

[switchbackjr.]

Re: Tri hull restoration

Thank you for your response...I know it is a loaded question...because you know you are going to discover something you weren't planning on with projects like these...I was just kinda wanting to see if anyone would be willing to share what they put into their projects...I haven't ever tackled a major project like this before...most of my restore projects have been on a slightly lower level and I believe that I have the skills and patience for it...just trying to feel my way around a bit before i have a 70 or 80 something tri hull sitting in my shop lol...thanks again for your time

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Tri hull restoration

No problem, wish it was clearer $-wise.

The real question is:

Do you want to restore a boat then use it?

Do you want to use a boat?

Turns out I want to do both, and so starts the 'collection' of boats, motors & trailers:facepalm:

 

[switchbackjr.]

Re: Tri hull restoration

Haha, i can see where the madness can begin..."Oh man, on my next project I could do this..."

I plan on using the boat...I am a school teacher w/ college loans and therefore can't pour a ton of money into a boat

However, I consider myself to be pretty handy when it comes to carpentry, painting, etc... and I think that is where I plan on saving some $$$ by spending time and elbow grease...and besides, what guy doesn't get a sense of accomplishment when they finish something

It's just like when I see my students' "light bulb" go off and they actually understand what I am teaching...priceless

 

[Decker83]

Re: Tri hull restoration

Hey swichbackjr,
Welcome to i-boats.
You can spend quite a bit of money on the restore. As jbcurt00 said above. The good thing about it is you can spend the money when you want to. You don't have to pay boat payments this way.

Make sure you have a safe place to work on the boat and you have all the right personal protective gear when you work.
The prep work for the glass (the joy of grinding) is very bad on your lungs.
The job is very hard to do but its a great feeling when you see what all the hard work gets you.

Good luck in your new adventure and get some pics up soon.

 

[switchbackjr.]

Re: Tri hull restoration

Decker,
Thanks for the post buddy...I am really liking this site...it reminds me a lot of ArcheryTalk (forum for archery shooters) in that everyone seems to want to help people out...I agree with you on the payment thing...after $500 or so dollars up front and then it isnt costing me a thing while it sits and i work on it...also, i couldn't agree with you more on the protective info...heard lots of stories about ppl working with glass...the stuff will eat you up from the inside out...we will see how soon i take the plunge...still in the preliminary stages right now...bump for the night

 

[Robert D]

Re: Tri hull restoration

Been there and done it......and about to do it again on another boat. Plan on gutting it out. Spread out over a year, it's not too bad expense wise. In the end, you know the boat inside-out and it's built correct. Or.....spend $20,000+ on a new boat, and tear it apart in a couple years due to water intrusion and rot issues due to lousy workmanship. Next to building your own boat from scratch, it's the most affordable way to have a quality boat, i.e.: restore an older one. I use the more expensive epoxy, less toxic fumes in the attached garage. VERY easy to do, it's just the time factor involved. Good luck! Just pick the right boat to start with, preferably with a newer engine.

 

[switchbackjr.]

Re: Tri hull restoration

Thanks Robert,
I know what you mean because when I do a job I am going to try and do it right...no half way crap...And like you said, once you dive into something like that you know every inch of the boat...I am not going to lie...the first thing that jumped out at me in your post was that $20,000+ and it kinda scared me to read the post haha...I also agree with the newer engine part...I like the older boats but I may have to update the hardware/engine

Thanks again and keep the posts coming

 

[switchbackjr.]

Re: Tri hull restoration

bump

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Tri hull restoration

Hey guys,
I am new to the forum here and had a question...I know there is no magic number but I am thinking about getting an older tri hull style boat to restore and was wondering about how much it may cost me to do the structural restoration...stringers, floors, transom etc... I know that this is an odd question and realize that not all projects are the same...just wondering what yall have done in the past and what it cost to do it...thank you for your time and consideration...sorry for the long post

Welcome to Iboats Switchbackjr ..

For a tri-hull complete gut job ( stringers,bulks and trans .. not including the ETC. part of it ) will probably cost you about a grand in materials. This Does NOT include tools. This is also based on a simple tri-hull about 18'ish. This is also based on upper brand materials and not CDX kinda rebuild.

Super structure can cost much more..carpeting or good coatings can cost more.

But if you can rip out good old carpet and save it .. grind/saw/glass you might break even on your flipper. If you want it for yourself then your ahead of the game on $ in the long run ( if your efficient ).

YD.

 

[switchbackjr.]

Re: Tri hull restoration

Thanks Yacht Dr.
I am not sure what you mean by CDX kinda rebuild and "super structure"...thank you for your post and yes i do plan on keeping the boat for a while...also, I have my own tools for the job...good drills, grinders, recip and circ saws etc...just need to beef up my protective gear for the glassing

Thanks again...keep the posts rolling

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Tri hull restoration

CDX is cheap plywood .. Super structure is anything above the deck ( consoles, windows .. etc ).

YD.

 

[TruckDrivingFool]

Re: Tri hull restoration

Welcome to Iboats Swithcbackjr!

I'll add that unless you are truly set on an "old trihull" and want to learn to do FG you should consider looking for a tinny(aluminum boat) to rebuild. They're usually easier to resto.

Admittedly there are some trade off's between the two build materials, so I guess I'm really just saying keep an open mind on what you're looking for.

 

[switchbackjr.]

Re: Tri hull restoration

Yacht Dr.
Thanks for the post...I know what you are talking about with the CD grade ply...and thanks for clearing up the super structures for me

TruckDrivingFool,
Thank you for your post as well...I understand what you are saying and I still may end up going with my old plan of getting a used bass tracker or skiff boat...I am just kinda getting an idea of what's out there...you wouldn't have any input on refinishing the aluminum boats would? I have seen some repainted and sometimes it looks pretty bad...like you said, that can be a trade off between the materials

Thanks for all the posts...I am open to anything so chime on it

 

[switchbackjr.]

Re: Tri hull restoration

Bump for the day

 

[switchbackjr.]

Re: Tri hull restoration

Bump

 

[TruckDrivingFool]

Re: Tri hull restoration

I have yet to paint a boat so I'm not much help on that other than to send you to search here as it's a common topic. I can tell you the better the job you do on the prep stage the better the results.
The trade offs I was talking about lie in ride, durability, ease of repair,ect. These too are oft discussed here and a search will yield much food for thought.
In my opinion for a first restore I'd consider a tinny as they are less labor intense and seem to go faster and are easier to get good results for a first timer.

 

[switchbackjr.]

Re: Tri hull restoration

TruckDrivingFool,
Thanks for the post...I will definitely keep looking around and keep all options open...I do agree that a tinny would probably be a little easier and may lean more towards that route...

Again, if anyone else would be willing to share a ballpark figure as to the cost of materials for the structural aspect of a resto i would appreciate it