feedback on boat selection for first restoration

fisher91blue

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jul 23, 2014
Messages
30
Hi, am new to the forum but have heard many awesome things about it. I am really interested in restoring a boat for fishing/ tubing/ general cruising. Any suggested make/ model and range of years to look for that make for a good restoration project? Need room for 6, have vehicle that can tow up to 5,000.
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
Staff member
Joined
Jul 23, 2011
Messages
50,587
welcome aboard

what is your budget? what do you like to do on the water? what type of water do you boat in.

there are literally thousands of factors when choosing a boat, and about a thousand more when doing a restoration project.

most restoration projects are a labor of love. because the cheapest way to get into boating is buy a pristine and pampered boat.
 

fisher91blue

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jul 23, 2014
Messages
30
Thanks, budget for project not determined yet. We fish/ tube and cruise around the 1000 islands st Lawrence river. Mainly wondering if best bet would be aluminum or fiberglass, outboard or I/O.
 

sphelps

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 16, 2011
Messages
11,475
You might try renting a few different size and style boats before you buy one to restore .That would give you a good idea on what would suit your needs ..I would hate to go through the trouble of doing a lot of work on something that just doesn't work for you when you get it ready ..
 

Bwana Don

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Oct 20, 2009
Messages
1,951
Aluminum and probably an outboard. Sounds like an 18' would be better than a 16'. I would go 16' but that's just me. Try hitching a ride on 16 and 18 footers with friends and see what fits best.

Don
 

zool

Captain
Joined
Aug 19, 2012
Messages
3,432
If you want to have 6 ppl, whether adults or mixed, you need to look in the 20+ foot range.....and a bow rider would fit the bill. 6 ppl on a 16+- boat is not only really annoying, but also dangerous....4 is the max ill put on my 17br.......I took 6 out once on it, and was really tempted to come back with 4 ;)
 

sheboyganjohn

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 2, 2005
Messages
753
What type of fishing. I like to go out and drown worms and troll on occasion so for me any boat with a transom wide enough for a few down riggers works. If you want to put on the trolling motor and go for bass in the pads, then you will need something completely different. If you plan on doing a full restore, just about any boat with a good hull design will work. I would personally steer clear of anything that is two pieces, where you have to pop the top to do it correctly. It is much easier to restore a boat when you can work on everything with the top on.

I have personally become fond of sea ray boats. They tend to have very good hulls and layouts, just nagging details are odd at times which you can take care of in the restore. If you are not a gear head, I would go for an outboard boat for a first restore. If you like mechanical stuff and motors, then an I/O might be more your style since the motor is very similar to an auto motor.

As others have suggested find some boat that you can try out. If you have a marina or heavily used launch near you go hang out for a day and talk to the boaters. Most will tell you what they like and don't like about their boats. Just don't try doing it while they are launching or pulling out, rather when they are off to the side.
 

fisher91blue

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jul 23, 2014
Messages
30
Thanks for the great suggestions. Have spent time on water in family boats and have a pretty good feel for the size needed. I agree 19-20 foot is good range. One last question is what is tow weight of a 20' aluminum I/O vs. tow weight of similar size fiberglass? Thanks again all. By the way Don B, I have a 1960 ish Johnson CD something 5-1/2 in pieces in the garage. Just need to change head gasket to see if that solves my low compression.
 

Grandad

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jun 7, 2011
Messages
1,504
Hi fisher. I think that your greatest consideration for a first time restoration is the ease and success of your efforts. I've successfully done a restoration on aluminum, but I'm intimidated by the thought of a fiberglass restoration. The last thing you want is to get mired in a huge project that never gets finished. A carefully chosen aluminum boat project is far more predictable than a glass boat. You can tell a lot about an aluminum boat's integrity by looking carefully at the outer skin, but not so with glass. From what I've seen on this website, the fiberglass restores can be a nightmare you may wish you never started. - Grandad
 

jigngrub

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Mar 19, 2011
Messages
8,155
The best boat to restore is one that is cheap and rotten, the cheaper and more rotten the better.
 

jc55

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Nov 3, 2006
Messages
665
My advice for restoration is to...only restore a boat you are in love with. Restore a boat that is substantial. Restore a boat because you want to, not because you have to.
 

Watermann

Starmada Splash of the Year 2014
Joined
Jan 12, 2013
Messages
13,822
My advice for restoration is to...only restore a boat you are in love with. Restore a boat that is substantial. Restore a boat because you want to, not because you have to.


EXACTLY! That's the reason I chose to restore a Starcraft Chief, to me they are lovely boats and have everything I needed in a cruiser. Check out my restore thread when you get the time, or just look at the before and skip to the after.

Good luck in your quest!
 

fisher91blue

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jul 23, 2014
Messages
30
Thanks again all for the experiential advice. I have worked out a deal on StarCraft Holiday 18' I/O with a merc 120. My aim now is to pick it up, successfully trailer home, transfer reg's. Then I'll make a good attempt to stop the rust and assess the motor. I'll be leaning pretty heavily on the forums, especially when it comes to sterndrive maintenance. I really like the design of the holiday, classic lines. I hope the engine has some life. We will see.....
 

lckstckn2smknbrls

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Sep 18, 2008
Messages
1,114
Thanks again all for the experiential advice. I have worked out a deal on StarCraft Holiday 18' I/O with a merc 120. My aim now is to pick it up, successfully trailer home, transfer reg's. Then I'll make a good attempt to stop the rust and assess the motor. I'll be leaning pretty heavily on the forums, especially when it comes to sterndrive maintenance. I really like the design of the holiday, classic lines. I hope the engine has some life. We will see.....

What rust?
 
Top