Re: Staring at this vessel in my yard... Is she worth fixing?
Re: Staring at this vessel in my yard... Is she worth fixing?
Hey, Gator. Congrats on the upcoming addition. Nothing, I mean nothing, beats being a father. 'Nuff said.
Not that you even asked for my opinion, but I'm throwing my $.02 in anyway, I reckon. Were it me, and I'm lucky enough to have hindsight (course that means unlucky enough to be old I guess) in similar situation such as this, I'd sell the old boat AND motor and take that $4k and buy a "new-to-me" boat. There are TONS on the market down here. If you haven't looked lately, check you P'cola Craigslist and if they don't have it, search down my ways Tampa or even Ocala (closer to you of course). Lots and lots of guys still out of work, and as depressing as that is, it makes for a good time to be a buyer. That way, you and your wife will be able to enjoy the water that surrounds us before she gets to the point that it's just to uncomfortable to go out. Buy a boat with higher gunwhales and take the baby out next year (both my kids were in a boatseat in infant life jackets, on the water, only months after they came into this world).
Living in Florida and being around boats, you know that ALL OF THEM are projects, so you'll still be able to satisfy that "restoration itch" (should you have it) by prettying up the next one. If you have to rebuild the motor and the hull all the way down to the stringers, at some point it's no longer financially logical unless, of course, this boat has a HUGE sentimental value and then all bets are off. Whatever you decide, of course, is the right decision and I look forward to watching whatever direction that is develop. Good luck.