I'm reading forums because first I blew my back lifting a battery in to 1961 Larson Sea Lion. When that recovered enough that I could go back to work on the boat, I wrecked a knee working on it.. Yesterday I had knee surgery. I'm in pain but here's true story that, for me, answers the question, is it worth it.
My son got the boat free with a broken motor. He had no time or money to restore it so he gave it to me. (I mostly have time.) I bought a motor for it (90 hp Merc 6). Shop said that was $500 wasted so I sold it on eBay for $35. Bought a 4 cylinder 650 Merc. Was told it had never been in salt and it ran and pumped water. There went another $500. Two weeks ago, with some help from my wife, son and his wife, we put the boat in the water. It ran great. However, when I checked the lower unit after three days in the lake, it was full of water. I'm old, clumsy and not too talented so I called the shop and told them perhaps I needed a reseal job. The estimated it at around $600!
Okay, I'm over $3,000 in this free boat so far (new upholstery, two motors, trailer, new canvas). So, do I torch the whole thing?
Nope. Talked to the second owner a couple of nights ago. He told me his dad, no longer alive, bought it from a lot new in 1961 and messed with fixing it up for 35 years. His dad passed away and he got the boat. He didn't have a working motor for it (and neither had his dad ever had one). He tried to sell it and no one was interested. He gave it to his nephew who messed with the motor for several years before giving up and giving the boat to my son. So, 45 years after it was purchased new, we put it in the water for the first time ever!
Is it worth it? Dam tootin'!
My son got the boat free with a broken motor. He had no time or money to restore it so he gave it to me. (I mostly have time.) I bought a motor for it (90 hp Merc 6). Shop said that was $500 wasted so I sold it on eBay for $35. Bought a 4 cylinder 650 Merc. Was told it had never been in salt and it ran and pumped water. There went another $500. Two weeks ago, with some help from my wife, son and his wife, we put the boat in the water. It ran great. However, when I checked the lower unit after three days in the lake, it was full of water. I'm old, clumsy and not too talented so I called the shop and told them perhaps I needed a reseal job. The estimated it at around $600!
Okay, I'm over $3,000 in this free boat so far (new upholstery, two motors, trailer, new canvas). So, do I torch the whole thing?
Nope. Talked to the second owner a couple of nights ago. He told me his dad, no longer alive, bought it from a lot new in 1961 and messed with fixing it up for 35 years. His dad passed away and he got the boat. He didn't have a working motor for it (and neither had his dad ever had one). He tried to sell it and no one was interested. He gave it to his nephew who messed with the motor for several years before giving up and giving the boat to my son. So, 45 years after it was purchased new, we put it in the water for the first time ever!
Is it worth it? Dam tootin'!
