Advice for a newbie?

[RollTide13]

Hi guys. I'm new to the site and I've really enjoyed reading through some of the great projects y'all have done or are doing.

I wanted to get an older fairly inexpensive bowrider for my family to get our feet wet into boating (tube, kneeboard, leisure, etc). I figured if it was basically ok, then I could go ahead and put a little money into it over time to get it to where it would be a decent enough boat for weekend fun.

Well, I wish I would have found this site before I bought. I hate flying blind when purchasing stuff. I did some homework before I looked and thought I knew some of the things to look out for. Well to make an already long story short, I bought a 1994 Bayliner Capri 1850 LS with trailer for $575.00.

The interior is cracked and the vinyl will need to be replaced. The best I can tell is that it has sat out without a cover for the last year. The engine runs. The PO said he thinks it needs a head gasket and maybe some valve work. Not being a big engine guy, it looks fairly clean to me.

I've cleaned most of the dirt off of the interior and it doesn't look too bad. One of the things I looked for was whether the floor was solid. Well, it was completely solid until it thawed out after a week in the garage. Now most of it is still solid, but there is a little softness in the bow, and there is definately a little rot and softness directly over the gas tank. The transom looks good, but I haven't really cleaned out the engine compartment yet.

My dilema now is do I go any farther. I'm curious if I had all the interior redone, engine rebuilt, etc. how bad the damage ($$$) would be. I'm willing to put some effort in myself, but I'm looking for worst case scenario here. I need to decide whether to just throw it back up on Craigslist or come up with a plan to restore it.

If you are still reading this novel, thanks! I appreciate any feedback you could give this naive rookie.

 

[bayliner198819]

Re: Advice for a newbie?

I just bought a 88 bayliner bowrider and like yours it had soft spots abole the gas tank and in the bow I told myself I would only replace a small section...endend up replacing most if the floor and carpet... This us what it cost..85 carpet 40 5/8 plywood 250 fiberglass and resin 10 for foam and abot 20 hours so around 390 give or take it was really easy to do myself I'm only 21 and this was my first project as far as the motor is it outdrive? Hope so cuz it'll save you money but if you do fix it up justthink you only bought it for 575 right so if I was you Id look around for prices on better looking ones then put no more money into it than that!!! Just a thought

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Advice for a newbie?

Welcome to iboats.

Yup, you probably have a project on your hands.

What type of engine powers this boat? Your investment is not lost and before you try to flip it back on craigslist.....post a few photos...... read through the restoration section. You are either sitting on something that can be saved or make more money back in the springtime.

 

[RollTide13]

Re: Advice for a newbie?

Thanks for the responses guys.

My initial thought is that I'm going to have the engine and boat looked over by a shop. If the engine doesn't require huge dollars then I may keep the boat.

I would like to have a situation where I can maybe put $1-2K into it before the spring. Then, have it to use through the summer and then maybe put another $1-2K into in before next season. I'm just afraid that maybe I'm being too naive and that this could blow up to a $7-10K job. I'd rather put that kind of money into a much newer boat. I think Lowkee's restoration scared me a little. :redface:


I've included some pics per Bob_VT's suggestion.

Side view

Engine (Mercruiser 3.0L 135HP)

Bow cushions

Bow floor

Front view

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Advice for a newbie?

If I was you......I would take the boat to a mechanic and have motor thoroughly checked out. If fixable for not too much money, I'd get her fixed. It does not sound like the current rot issues have reached a point where they are safety hazards so I would go ahead and use it for a season. If it works out and you like the boat then maybe tackle a deck repair and reupholstery job next fall/winter. Your 3.0 Mercruiser, if repairable, is a rock solid powerplant and adequate power for that boat. I don't think you necessarily made a poor purchase. Good luck with it.

 

[jsmart]

Re: Advice for a newbie?

Well as for all the great adivce from above you can also buy Runabout Restoration. I fpound it is a good book for the most part, covers everything except for engine and electrical. But Im deep into replaceing the floor and transom , basically splitting the boat in two and so far its not that bad i have all the tools and such so its just basically material. If your engine is good the floor and anythinhg else that is wood (stringers and frames ie) it wouldn be more than 5-800. As far as redoing the interior that book can prove helpful or you can price it out from a local uphostery place.Plus youll be happy and satisfied at the work you did when your done

 

[RollTide13]

Re: Advice for a newbie?

Thanks for the book suggestion JSmart! I'll look for it tonight while I'm out.

 

[Integron]

RollTide13 was gracious enough to gift the boat to me because I have enough personal energy to take over the project. My assessment of the vessel is that it is in good shape. I have owned several older boats with working engines. This engine has the front freeze plug blown out and milky oil on dipstick. After draining oil directly underneath from oil pan overnight it produced some ugly looking stuff. The engine will still turn over so I am going to try and get the plug reinserted. Every mechanic I know has stated the same thing...internal crack on engine. Cost for replacement $2500.

 

[kjsAZ]

$2299 + shipping http://www.michiganmotorz.com/base-marine-engine-19672013-replacement-p-67.html
or $1799 remanufactured http://www.michiganmotorz.com/marine-engine-1990current-p-69.html

 

[kjsAZ]

dup

 

[jigngrub]

Ya gotta pay if you're gonna play.