My first boat (free)

[bluej511]

Re: My first boat (free)

you dont think its worth replacing? how much does an aluminum go for? i really like this boat though with some work it could look really classy

 

[danpemby]

Re: My first boat (free)

Work and money and it will be very classy. Adding another boat while your working on this one is not a bad idea. If the motor is good shop around for an older fibeglass or aluminum fishing boat to take out in the mean time. This project is going to take you some real time and money. Tooling around while your woking on it keeps the interest high and motivation strong to get her on the water.

If you search in the forums you will find all the info you need on transom replacement, floor repairs and etc. This place is a wealth of knowledge, use it! Read read read. I would not even start until you have read how others have done things as you may find shortcuts an gotcha avoidance as you go along.

Look at others projects as they almost always have pictures.

Oh and BTW welcome and good luck! She will be a real beauty

 

[bluej511]

Re: My first boat (free)

Well can anyone give me an estimate around how much?

Im only 21 and pay for car bills and car insurance, also got photography as a hobby. But i can put little money in it at a time just gonna take longer.

First thing i gotta buy is a canopy to cover the whole boat. If i decide to go with it im gonna go all the way.

 

[bluej511]

Re: My first boat (free)

oh and did i mention that labor and money will be a split project? Me and my buddy are planning to work on it together, money budget as well. Anything above 3grand over time and i wont attempt it so someone let me know.

Oh yea and one more question can the whole top piece, part above the hull and the whole rear piece be taken off easily? then how easy is it to put back on and make it seem like it was never taken off?

 

[strizzy]

Re: My first boat (free)

Hey bluej511, interesting enough, I am also 21. You will probably be close to the 3grand mark when completed. As far as the work goes, I would take that motor off, maybe a piece of steel in the rafters of the garage with a chain-fall or come-a-long. It weighs several hundred pounds. Disconnect all the wires and hoses, then take the entire rub rail off and then proceed to take the top deck off. The hardest part will he where the transom is, it might still be glass in there, this will take some persuading. Once that is off, grind all the rotted floor out, check that glob of foam for rot and/or water and see if the stringers are good. It is a sure thing you are probably going to need a transom from the look of that plate. So I would at this point tear the transom out from the inside as well. Then proceed on glassing in a new transom and floor. There are many threads to see on that. You are going to want to get it under some shelter as to let it dry out once you have all the rotted material out of it.

 

[bluej511]

Re: My first boat (free)

Alright i see how the top comes out, as far as the transom.Can i cut the fiberglass in front of it or can i just cut off the top and break all the wood inside?

 

[danpemby]

Re: My first boat (free)

Yes to both. Take a look here for some examples.
http://transomrepair.com/zk/transom.shtml

 

[Smig]

Re: My first boat (free)

If you haven't found them yet, look at the signatures of the people that post in this forum (not just this thread) - there are a lot of links to their projects.

A very inspiring and realistic view of the work ahead...

 

[danpemby]

Re: My first boat (free)

An exact estimate is going to be hard to give, figure A LOT! And if sharing the expense with someone else figure on Problems. More than one friendship has been affected by "Sharing" a boat.

Just a heads up.

 

[JustMrWill]

Re: My first boat (free)

Blue,

That could be a sweet looking boat. There is a TON of work to be done on it. Transom, floor and stringers....depending on materials used etc can cost from $1000 - $3000. If you look at my project (click link in my sig)....I am into it for about $600 for fiberglass, resin, foam and wood...and about 60 hours of time. I don't think I will need to buy any more materials to put it all back together...my addition expenses probably will be in the $500-600 range for seats, docklines, other harware, etc.

Where in MA are you? There are a couple of us around restoring boats and if you are local...maybe we can help out (when time permits).

Good luck!

-JMW

 

[tmh]

Re: My first boat (free)

OK, I don't see the reason to fix that boat. Not that it is "infixable", but why? You can take 1/2 the $$$ to fix it and buy a boat better than that easily. Boats with dead or missing motors and NO TRAILER sell for ....well...about nothing. Maybe a few $100 or whatever. people just want them hauled away.

If the motor works, look around until you get a cheap deal on a not-ruined boat, then spend just a few $$$ on making an OK boat a NICE boat. Going from ruined to NICE is just too expensive and for what?

That said, if it's just the fun of doing it you want, then by all means enjoy the long, costly project - you'll certainly feel planty of pride in what you've resurected. But it's not cost effective or time effective.

 

[Mark42]

Re: My first boat (free)

" Also can anyone tell me what this lump looking thing is towards the stern? "

1. From the pictures, the lump is toward the stem or bow (front).

2. The lump looks like something from Alien. Be careful. ( My guess is the lump is actually foam or maybe a fungus but you can never be too sure)

3. That boat is a rotten mess.

4. Just completely gut the interior of all wood, including the transom, floor and stringers. Clean it all out. Turn it upside down in the back yard so it doesn't collect leaves, snow, ice, water, etc.

5. Go look for a cheap boat to put your motor on and trailer under.

6. Go fishing and think about how you want to restore the boat that is upside down in the back yard.

 

[strizzy]

Re: My first boat (free)

The boat is in rough shape. It really depends on what you want to do. I know me and my buds are always looking for a project, in fact I think we found a camaro for our 383 project.... But if you’re looking for something to do, that is original, and that you will get a lot of satisfaction out of when you’re complete, then this might be the project for you. If you feel overwhelmed, then maybe not. In that case I would do as others suggested, find a boat for that motor (if it runs ok, be careful, if it’s been sitting for awhile, that water pump might be dry rotted) and trailer.

I personal would love to do a neat project like that, having an older boat in nice shape is got to be an easy way to get comments. It will take some time, and as we know, time is money... No one person is going to be able to tell you what you should do; only what you can do. Also just for thought, how hard will it be to find a windshield for that bad boy?


Mark42, love the alien comment!

 

[bluej511]

Re: My first boat (free)

Hey MrWill im in Worcester, ask for my address and you guys are more then welcomed to stop by.

Why fix a boat? Thats like saying why fix a 67 Hemi Cuda lol.The more people throw away classics the less there are and the less people have something to be impressed with and enjoy.

Its like preserving a part of boating history, i mean how many of these are there still around floating? Sure i can go out and get a loan and get a brand new 16foot sleeper but why?

Personally i enjoy using things ive built or paid for myself and put labor into.

 

[i386]

Re: My first boat (free)

Take a look at the mess I have in my restoration pics. I've enjoyed every minute of it so far. I've always wanted to fix up an old boat (and build one) and this thing just kinda fell in my lap one day. For me, it's not about getting from point A to point B so I can have a boat. It's about all the stuff between point A and B that I'm interested in. There's all sorts of challenges/problems/options to work out. So many things to plan and research before actually doing anything. I work in the IT field. Coming home and using some power tools, breaking a sweat, and getting my hands dirty is a nice change for me. If all this sounds good to you, I'd say go for it. If you're just wanting a boat, you may want to reconsider.

 

[bluej511]

Re: My first boat (free)

Well im a mechanic and hobbiest photographer so i get my hands dirty all the time but i love it.

"Some of the happiest people come home from work with dirt all over there hands."

"Coming home and using some power tools, breaking a sweat, and getting my hands dirty is a nice change for me."

haha i dont think ive ever heard that one before, people with clean jobs getting there hands dirty, your one of a kind man let me tell u that.

I think i might take this on.

 

[i386]

Re: My first boat (free)

I just wish I had better workspace. That little shed you see in my pics it more fit for storage than a workshop. I've got a small workbench in there with a vice on it. I have to take the lawnmower out to have any room. Heh, I'd probably die from exhaust fumes if I tried to work on the 'rude in there. Soon, it'll be about dark when I get home from work.

I haven't always been in IT. I've worked some dirty jobs. Printing ink plant, print shop, textile mill, even worked on a shrimp boat in the summers when I was a teen. I have a lot of respect for people who work with their hands.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: My first boat (free)

i'm retired, and could move to a condo at the marina, play golf, yada,yada,yada. NOT. i like being able to walk out the back door and get dirty, rotten wood, smelly foam, vinyl the UV rays have killed. a little grease off the engines, the previous owner neglected. then look over a the projects i have finished. what pride. going to the ramp in a oldie, start on the first turn of the engine, while the guys with those big payments, crank and grind to get theres started. i love to tow one of those high $ boats back to the dock. just last week towed and 24' pontoon back to the dock. the guy had replaced his primer bulb, on the 4 stroke Merc w fuel injection, forgot the bleed the injectors. he launched and just drifted away. ( this was with my little 1960 Lonestar with 1955 15hp rude. it's a matter out what you like and want. being proud of your work.

 

[Tacklewasher]

Re: My first boat (free)

"Coming home and using some power tools, breaking a sweat, and getting my hands dirty is a nice change for me."

haha i dont think ive ever heard that one before, people with clean jobs getting there hands dirty, your one of a kind man let me tell u that.

Uhhh.

I'm an accountant and sit on my @$$ all day. I also have a shop full of tools, a welder and all kinds of stuff that gets my hands dirty.

I would not want to do it for a living, but I sure do like getting my hands dirty on weekends.

Tat's one reason I'm tearing the floor out of my Starcraft this winter. I could afford to buy nicer, but don't need to and can make this boat nice enough for fishing.

 

[croSSed]

Re: My first boat (free)

You got this thing free??? Where I'm located that trailer is worth at LEAST $500! Nice find!!!

TG