1968 Chrysler Boat: Rebuild, Ride it out, or Trash it?

[ShawnQ]

I've got a 1968 Chrysler Commando. It's a pretty cool little boat, 15ft, with a 1995 nissan 90hp on it (maxed out hp rating), and it moves VERY well.<br /><br />Is it worth rebuilding one of these? It will need a floor and a transom at least, sooner or later. I would probably go ahead and do the stringers while I was there, and re-paint the whole thing as well. It could easily be a whole season project, which cuts down on my fishing time.<br /><br />I bought the bought for $500, and I am definitely not going to keep it forever. I want a 19-20ft flats boat, and this is just a temporary fix until the college student budget increases. <br /><br />Would you recommend just riding this one out until I can afford a larger one (or until it finally gives way), or would you recommend rebuilding it, and possibly making some money off of it when I'm done?<br /><br />Here is the boat, in it's current state:<br /><br />

 

[G DANE]

Re: 1968 Chrysler Boat: Rebuild, Ride it out, or Trash it?

Hi ShawsQ<br /><br />Glad to hear you got rid of your motor problems and had some fishing time ! Rebuilding a boat is best do do when you like it and want to keep it. Look at some of the rebuild projects here, like JasonJ´s and you will know. the chrysler boats were a fine design, and known to be ahead of their time in many ways. I like your boat and the design of the center console. Have you ever seen thechryslercrew´s website - http://www.geocities.com/thechryslercrew/

 

[bubbakat]

Re: 1968 Chrysler Boat: Rebuild, Ride it out, or Trash it?

Now that would be a fine looking boat to rebuild. But of course on rebuilding it only you know if you want to tackle it. I would in a heart beat because I like the design got one 15 ft bass boat I just finished and fixing to start on another one here in a few days.

 

[catfish1]

Re: 1968 Chrysler Boat: Rebuild, Ride it out, or Trash it?

only you would know whether you should keep it or sell it. but i must say thats a cool set up, i'd keep it!<br />i wish i could run up on deals like that!

 

[Knightgang]

Re: 1968 Chrysler Boat: Rebuild, Ride it out, or Trash it?

I would rebuild it to be sure that I had a safe boat, and then try to make a little cash on it when you decide to look for a replacement rig. Use this boat to gain your experience, then when you get the rig you want, you will be able to fix anything on it and keep it forever. That's what I am going to do.<br /><br />Knightgang

 

[catfish1]

Re: 1968 Chrysler Boat: Rebuild, Ride it out, or Trash it?

if you do decide to sell it, you should be able to triple your money on the motor alone! but as i said before, i would keep it.

 

[ShawnQ]

Re: 1968 Chrysler Boat: Rebuild, Ride it out, or Trash it?

Catfish,<br /><br />I actually bought the boat with a 1972 65hp Johnson that had a bad cylinder for $500. Sold it for parts for $200, so I had a total of $300 into the boat. I then got the Nissan from a friend who lives on the TX coast, for $400, ready to bolt up. The only problem was/is a frozen tilt tube (steering wont work).<br /><br />Well, the steering that the boat came with didn't require a tilt tube style system. It is a transom mount cable, so it connects straight to the tiller arm on the engine. problem solved! <br /><br />So, I have a total of $700 and some change for tags/etc into it, still not a bad buy.<br /><br />The only things I dont like about the boat is the fact that the console connects to one side, and that it is too deep to get into the flats. It is like a center console, but you can only walk around one side of it...which limits fishing room. It is a little narrower then I would like, but I can't complain for the money. I wonder if I went to rebuild it, if I could cut the console so that I could walk around both sides? I couldn't picture it being structural...all I would lose is a little storage, no big deal.<br /><br />Thanks for the replies. There is one boat I am looking at this weekend. If financing fails, I'll probably rebuild this one. Either way, I'm content with it, but could be happier! (couldn't we all?)<br /><br />Shawn