Where to find a project boat?

[belke]

I have been looking around the area and on the internet and I can't seem to find a boat that I could fix up for the summer. I'm looking for a pontoon boat, or a deck boat. Something that has a LOT of room. Any ideas where to find one? I live in central Illinois but could travel a couple hours to pick one up.

 

[BLLDOGG]

Re: Where to find a project boat?

start driving around and looking for boats sitting in peoples yards. you can tell if they actually use it or not and go offer them some money.

 

[hoytultratec]

Re: Where to find a project boat?

theres one on the classifieds on www.lake-link.com its a trihull no motor for 25 bucks i guess that would be project. but not as big as you mentioned you wanted.

hoyt

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Where to find a project boat?

I find that if you start talking it up at work or among your circle of friends, the boats will find you! Also, try placing an ad on your local Craigslist server...
- Scott

 

[belke]

Re: Where to find a project boat?

start driving around and looking for boats sitting in peoples yards. you can tell if they actually use it or not and go offer them some money.

that's what I've been doing, and continue too. Although with gas as high as it is it's become difficult unless im headed in to town

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Where to find a project boat?

i find mine when i least expect too. watch ebay sometimes some really choice one show up. i paid $200 for this hull. put a '58 35 johnson on it. clik on pics to enlarge

 

[drewmitch44]

Re: Where to find a project boat?

i do the talk it up at work and friends. I told a couple of my neighbors i was looking and the next day a guy with 3 boats in his yard and a nagging wife sold me a sea ray for 60 bucks. Like it was said above i least expected it. It was a friday night and at 5 oclock i was cleaning out my shed and all the suddon an hour later i was backing the boat up in the driveway. had no idea i was going to buy a boat that nite but i love it!! Im trying to find a picture server so i can post some pics. There used to be a forum tacked to the top of the page but i cant find it now.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Where to find a project boat?

clik the blue 'post reply' it will take you to the reply lower down it say manage attachments, clik it and you can upload directly from your computer. i just did the pics above while you were typing. i also have over 100 pics on photobucket.com it's free.

 

[burroak]

Re: Where to find a project boat?

These things show up in non-profit auctions. Salvation Army has one in Waukegan, boat angels have boats all over the US, the Rawhide ranch (Bart Starr's charity0 in New London, Wi, boats4kids is in Chicago. There are others and usually go for a song.

Never take the same route to anywhere twice. Find a different way to get where you are going and look for those unloved diamonds in the rough sitting behind an out building or in a field with 2 yrs or more of growth around them. Spread the word through friends and relatives, especially the "procurers", you know the type who dabbles in the goofy stuff. Once the word is out, you'll have lots to chose from.

P.S. Try the Ma and Pa boat storage facilities; they always have an inventory of forfeited stuff. Remember the hunt is where the fun is.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Where to find a project boat?

Check the bulletin boards at every grocery store in town. There is usually one of everything for sale cheap or to give away.

 

[beerfilter]

Re: Where to find a project boat?

I got a neighbor 2 doors down from me that has a pontoon boat just sitting there on the trailer.
It hasn't moved in the year I have been here,and,the motor,an old Johnny,is laying on the ground behind it.

I have little interest in ponton boats,but,he might want it gone if someone floated him an offer.
I'm ~3 hours drive from you,in north-central Tenessee,and old pontoon boats are a dime a dozen.
Pm me if you are interested,and ,I'll see if the man needs it gone for cheap/free/reasonable/or,deluded.

2 doors in the other direction are 2 boats that also haven't been moved in years.
I got quite a "ghost navy" on my street,not counting my own craft.

I got a deal once on a 15' canoe,plus,a kayak,3 paddles,2 spray skirts,for $50!
All I did was ask the gentleman about the old canoe sitting by the shed while I fixed his cable.
He no longer used them,and,needed the space.
The canoe has a small hole in the port side,midships,just below the gunnel,where someone laid a shop light on it.
I might patch it someday,but in 100+ outings,it has had water come through maybe twice! I got no worries.

You can also find your local freecycle website( www.freecycle.org ).
Somebody has a boat listed somewhere.

 

[belke]

Re: Where to find a project boat?

If anyone else has any info on where to look on the internet, any help is appreciated!

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Where to find a project boat?

This is kind of a cool old deck boat,not sure if its large enough..
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1979...0QQihZ009QQcategoryZ63684QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[belke]

Re: Where to find a project boat?

Thanks for the help, I'm still waiting on a reply from Beerfilter hopefully that goes through. If not my search continues! If anyone knows of a pontoon boat in the midwest area I would love to know. Thanks

 

[freelunch]

Re: Where to find a project boat?

hey also try www.boattrader.com select the pontoon boat class, browse them, then sort by ascending price range. I love to get on there and check out old wrecks and dream about fixing them up. Also Lanier Marine Liquidators has tons of boats in the shape your looking for, however, they are located in Georgia. http://www.laniermarine.net/

 

[johnson1989]

Re: Where to find a project boat?

Try this site http://www.boats.com/. I am from WI and found my deckboat just outside of Minneapolis. Used nice deck boats are hard to come by but I absolutly love mine. I can use for just putting up the river or pulling skiers and tubers. I love the room they offer. I picked it up in January and worked on it throughout the winter. 1989 SKi Deck with a 110HP Johnson. I had to replace two seat bottoms, rewire, re pin strip, and re varnish/seal the wood. Also added a stero system and depth finder. She is as good as new now. How many people do you want to take out at a time? Pics are from the day I picked it up, I dont have the new ones on my computer yet.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Where to find a project boat?

nice find.

 

[johnson1989]

Re: Where to find a project boat?

Thanks tashasdaddy. Your restoration pics are amazing. Went from nothing to a Awesome old School Cruiser. I love the motor you put on it. It totaly matches the theme of the boat. I bet it turns heads when people see it.

 

[sanssouci]

Re: Where to find a project boat?

This long weekend coming up is usally the weekend that most northern

boaters get thier boats out of storage if they haven't already.

Go to one of the marinas that have thoses rack storage units

and ask about the ones that are still stored.

You would be surprised how many people just abandon them and the

marine opperator is willing to sell them to recoup the storage/repair or the

customer has bought a new one and the marine opperator has been told to

sell them but hasn't got a round to it yet. It's worth a try.

 

[belke]

Re: Where to find a project boat?

hey also try www.boattrader.com select the pontoon boat class, browse them, then sort by ascending price range. I love to get on there and check out old wrecks and dream about fixing them up. Also Lanier Marine Liquidators has tons of boats in the shape your looking for, however, they are located in Georgia. http://www.laniermarine.net/

Thanks, I'm searching their site as I type this. Hopefully I can find something close enough. Good work johnson the boat looks excellent. Wow that laniermarine has just the kinds of boats that I am looking for at cheap prices too. If only it wasnt an 11 hour drive does anyone know of a marine similiar to this in the midwest somewhere?