am i in over my head

[pruchad]

hi my name is chad i am new to i boats i have been reading posts for a couple months and have learned alot you ppl are great on here. i bought a 1988 20ft bliner cuddy capri i got a great price on boat and trailer almost free, but here is my problem the guy took the engine out and put it in a pick up he was rebuilding and sold the outdrive and all parts. i want to mount an outboard on the boat. the boat is very solid and only needs seats relined on the inside. so can i close the hole where the outdrive used to come through and make outboard brackets out of wood, stainless stell and fiberglass? any help or advice would be very helpful
thanks
chad

 

[Andy in NY]

Re: am i in over my head

hi my name is chad i am new to i boats i have been reading posts for a couple months and have learned alot you ppl are great on here. i bought a 1988 bliner cuddy capri i got a great price on boat and trailer almost free, but here is my problem the guy took the engine out and put it in a pick up he was rebuilding and sold the outdrive and all parts. i want to mount an outboard on the boat. the boat is very solid and only needs seats relined on the inside. so can i close the hole where the outdrive used to come through and make outboard brackets out of wood, stainless stell and fiberglass? any help or advice would be very helpful
thanks
chad

this may be blunt, but thats a big project for a beginner. you can find decent outboard hulls a dime a dozen, then just find an outboard to hang on it. if this is something taht really tickles your fancy because you WANT to do it, not because it's free... then search the forums. its been done, but is a bit of work.

 

[pruchad]

Re: am i in over my head

it is something i really want to do i want to challenge my self i know it will be tough but i think it will look good once it is done i can picture it thanks for the advice

 

[geedubcpa]

Re: am i in over my head

Basically we are all in over our heads - but I love the challenge - I am already thinking about the next boat even though I haven't quite finished the one I am working on now.

Its really up to you - how much time do you have, do you mind learning alot of new things, do you have the $$ to finish once started.....

Good luck with your project, and it is true that there are many good hulls out there waiting to get restored, and lots of them are cheap.

 

[CBGale2]

Re: am i in over my head

Your empty wallet will also serve as a floatation device and will keep your head above water.

 

[solar7647]

Re: am i in over my head

Not to be mean but .... If you need to ask if your over your head the answer is yes. Plus it would be cheaper to buy a boat with an outboard already on it. Thats going to need a big motor, new out board big enough is about $10,000 a good used one will be around $5000.

But do what you want..Just take your time and do your research!

 

[Boss Hawg]

Re: am i in over my head

Boats are cheap
Motors are exspensive
I would not put that much money & labor into a boat that was not built for a OB to install a OB -
But- I'm not you

 

[bigredinohio]

Re: am i in over my head

Boats are cheap
Motors are exspensive
I would not put that much money & labor into a boat that was not built for a OB to install a OB -
But- I'm not you

I completely agree with Boss

 

[what the]

Re: am i in over my head

used Boats are cheaper than used motors (supply and !#@^ing demand) the resale vaule of your boat will not be much with a OB installed. You can buy a used runabout with a I/O and bad seats and paint for 500 - 1400 if you shop. Ebay has a few. wait till the season ends and there cheap also a OB on a cudy will use alot of fuel

 

[jakebrake]

Re: am i in over my head

i'll be real blunt. for what you will spend to do this, you can buy a decent (not perfect, but waterworthy) vessel. hte bracket for the outboard will set you back about $3000 for my understanding.

a big motor is not always better if the transom cant handle it, and decides to file for divorce from the rest of the vessel.

any idea what kind of drive she had before?

 

[wca_tim]

Re: am i in over my head

used boats that need work and come without engine(s), are pretty much always more expensive than buying a running boat with an engine - even if the "project boat" was "free"...