disposing of a hull/ what's worth saving?

[matt167]

I just picked up a free boat from a customer today. It's not really worth bringing back and I don't have the title anyway. It's about a 1999ish Smokercraft Allante 196. At one time was a nice boat last stickered in 2012. But someone has scavanged quite a bit. the leg is gone, exhaust manifolds, controls, the blowers, carburator. I have not tried to spin it over but it might be free. I plan to take the steering system as it is still in good shape, and since my outboard boat is an outboard, my uses stop there
Is the gimball housing worth taking? It was a 4.3 Vortec.The windows are in good shape as well

Now the reason I got it is because it sits on a 2001 EZ loader/ starcraft branded trailer and it can fit my boat project really easy, and I DO have title to that. As I understand it, Smokercraft and Starcraft are the same company, so it might be the original trailer to the boat. Either way boats junk

 

[matt167]

[No message]

 

[matt167]

Plot thickens.. How about converting this thing to outboard by cutting off the swim deck and rebuilding the transom? Just glass it flat. Then building a cabin in the bow so that this boat becomes my boat I've been building. Floor and stringers have got to be trash as well but I can budget accordingly

The guy is also selling me a 2001 Merc 125 saltwater series from his nice boat, which he just does not like the 2+2 setup and says it creates a power surge. He has a Nissan from another boat he is refitting to it. I'm getting it, too cheap to pass up.. I could make this work

 

[wahlejim]

Just my .02...

Check the boat carefully. Drill some holes in the stingers and transom and completely eliminate any water logging and rot issues from the equation. If water or rot exists, you are looking at a complete restore.

The boat was designed for an i/o. This means structure and weight distribution. Even with a Merc 125, you are downgrading the power in the hull from the 4.3. It may not perform as anticipated. If you are looking for a fun project, have at it.

I personally would take a look at that 4.3 engine. See if you can get it spinning and pressure test the block. That boat would be a really nice ride if there is no rot and a rebuilt 4.3 vortec engine in there. Selling the 125 would cover a pretty nice chunk of expenses for rebuilding the engine properly and replacing the lower leg or entire outdrive if needed.

 

[Old Ironmaker]

How about you scrap it and keep the trailer and be done with it.

 

[matt167]

Well. The 125 is running me a little over $1 per horsepower under the condition I don't sell it. And it's a mint freshwater engine. I'm kind of thinking outboard pod on the back. Under the swim platform. Use the 125. The boat design I'm building won't support a 125 or anything close to that.. but I could use what I have built now to complete a cabin in the front. If all else fails I have a chainsaw and a compact tractor. But this Hull would be more seaworthy than what I'm building as well

 

[matt167]

Well, upon some investigation, the floor seems solid. No bounce whatsoever . But I have to pull the ski locker cover and all the bow cushions and remove the seats, and then drill some core samples to figure out if it is really worth saving.. The boat was regged in NH all it's life, so as I understand it, was never titled, but I might have a solution