First post, first boat restore...

[Thelonghull]

Hello! Recently, my sister got a free boat, the previous owner paid her $200 to burn it on her burn pile out in the country. I stepped in and took it off her hands so I could restore it. There is no title for the boat or the trailer, the previous owner bought some land and the boat was on it. He didn't want the boat so he gave it to my sister. My first question is how do I get a title for the trailer, and boat. The second question i have is the boat is BADLY oxidized. I wet sanded the slug line on the side of the boat with a high grit sand paper. Im keep going back and forth in my mind on if its too far gone to polish back to a shine or if i should spend more money and paint it. Take a look at the pics of the boat and let me know what you think. This is my first boat restore, my father (who passed when i was 8) Had a boat same year, color and model might even be the same boat as my dad sold it to someone in the area (Rochester, MN) Any help would be very appreciated, Thanks in advance.

 

[Thelonghull]

Re: First post, first boat restore...

The boat is a 1979 glass master, Patriot?

 

[JDA1975]

Re: First post, first boat restore...

good find for free...Honestly wouldn't put that much effort into the shining of it, before doing the hard part and figuring out how badly rotted the structure inside is. If you end up having to do a lot of work on the structure, you wont want to worry about scratching your newly polished boat. That trailer has some nice equipment on it...swivel rollers and such. so is worth restoring and selling if nothing else is. There are a lot of parts on that boat as well that could be sold..windshields are not cheap and people look for used ones a lot. It looks like a good project, but will become expensive fast. Get your mind set around being broke, and frustrated all the time and enjoy!

 

[oops!]

Re: First post, first boat restore...

hi.
welcome to iboats !

first off, your gelcoat is never too far gone to be brought back.

sanding is an option....but i would try a rubbing compound polish with a vary speed polisher. before i went the sanding route.

as far as the title.....that is tricky in the states. do a search in the general forum about titles.
if i remember correctly, you can title the boat in another state and it is fairly easy.
as far as the trailer, i make changes to mine and title it as a you built. dont know if that will work in the states

 

[JDA1975]

Re: First post, first boat restore...

Ohh sorry lost track of the answer I meant to give... Titling a trailer as home-made is easier, and at least in Arkansas, the preferred method. What state do you live in, because here in Arkansas boats do not have, nor do they require titles. check with your revenue office to find out your states rules on that

 

[zopperman]

Re: First post, first boat restore...

Yep, a boat without a title isn't worth restoring.. I'd look into that first and get a legal title. I know you can buy them online worst case, but that's $$$.
Congrats on your project and we're all here to help.
Welcome aboard

 

[GT1000000]

Re: First post, first boat restore...

Welcome aboard Thelonghull...

I'm just a newb here, but already involved neck deep in my own restore...

The guys here are excellent coaches, teachers and cheerleaders, [not exactly the sexy, skimpily dressed kind, but cheerleaders, none the less...]

You will do well if you heed their advice.

Oh and nice catch on the boat, make sure it is worth restoring, First and SECOND, make sure you have legal title to it...Check your state's DMV, on how to obtain a title...

Best regards,
GT1M

 

[oops!]

Re: First post, first boat restore...

one of the rules of thumb we use here to determine if a restoration. is if the motor is in good running condition.

understand......you can do a total restoration on the hull ....make it beautiful....new transom, stringers. foam...deck....but with out a motor....its worth nothing.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: First post, first boat restore...

Welcome to the World's Best & Largest Boat Restoration Forum!!!!

Title First, Motor Second, Restore Third. Rough Guess - Ti - Mate for Rebuild Costs...

Used Motor 70 - 100 HP. $1,000
Trailer Restore - $300
Boat Restore - $3,500

Time Investement 1 - 2 Years unless you REALLY work on her in a dedicated no-nonsense manner.

By the time you're done you'll have close to $5,000 in her, BUT...
Shel'll be better than new, and will last for Decades.
We're here to help you with every aspect of the restoration!!!

 

[Thelonghull]

Re: First post, first boat restore...

I live in Minnesota, And thanks so much for all the advice! I had the floor inspected, he said its still in good shape and recommended just putting new carpet in it. As far as the hull, there are a few dings and cracks on the back and a few under the boat that i will need to fix. I just put new carpet in the back of the boat today, and I will hopefully get to the front of the boat tomorrow. I will also call the DMV and find out what to do about the titles for the trailer and boat. Thanks again for all the advice. Im sure i will need it as this project goes on...

 

[Thelonghull]

Re: First post, first boat restore...

And Ooops, I found a 115 hp engine to throw on it. Its 1,000 bucks and has been rebuilt. It doesn't have the throttle assembly, or steering column either... the only thing it came with was the shell of the boat, and the trailer... My dad had a boat exactly like this one growing up and he passed away when i was 8 years old, 30 now, so now I'm married and want to restore this one and have some memories with it as well... thanks again for the advice...

 

[Thelonghull]

Re: First post, first boat restore...

Another quick question how to I make a profile pic?

 

[Thelonghull]

Re: First post, first boat restore...

Nevermind about the profile pic, got it.

 

[JDA1975]

Re: First post, first boat restore...

And Ooops, I found a 115 hp engine to throw on it. Its 1,000 bucks and has been rebuilt. It doesn't have the throttle assembly, or steering column either... the only thing it came with was the shell of the boat, and the trailer... My dad had a boat exactly like this one growing up and he passed away when i was 8 years old, 30 now, so now I'm married and want to restore this one and have some memories with it as well... thanks again for the advice...

Memories alone can make a boat restoration worth the time and money. If it will bring you joy every time you and the kids go out in it, there is no price tag too high IMO. Enjoy the restore, and keep us posted...if your lucky your state will be like mine and not require a boat title. Trailers can always be registered as home-made so they are not a huge issue

 

[ezmobee]

Re: First post, first boat restore...

Don't spend a DIME on it till you can make sure you can title it and/or register it properly in your name.

Here's a link to a complete steering system that even comes with a wheel. Tough to beat this price: http://www.lowcostboatingstore.com/Uflex-ROTECH-Kits_c_226.html

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: First post, first boat restore...

This pretty much has everything you need to know about titling a boat in Minnesota.

http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/rlp/regulations/boatwater/boatingguide.pdf

 

[JDA1975]

Re: First post, first boat restore...

Is that boat less than 16 feet in length? I cant tell and Either I missed it, or you hadn't specified...but in MN some craft do not need a title, I only copied down to the point that could make this really easy for ya.

If your boat matches any of the descriptions
below, it DOES NOT need to be titled. My boat:
 Is registered in another state and is never used in Minnesota for over 90 days at a time.
 Was manufactured before August 1, 1979. (you said it was 1979, if so it might match here as well)
 Is 16 feet or less in length (maybe matches)

 

[Thelonghull]

Re: First post, first boat restore...

Well... This is going to be a blast. I called the DMV here in Rochester MN, They said they have the name that the boat and trailer is registered in. BUT they can't give me that information because of privacy laws but if I get the guys name I can call them back and give them the name I think its registered to and they can tell me if thats right or not. SO I have to contact the person that my sister got the boat from, I know he doesn't have the title, I have to see who he got the boat from, and see if HE has the title. And trace it all the way back (If i can) I would just get a title made for both the boat and trailer but its already in someones name, The DMV said the boat is NOT titled so I need a bill of sale for the boat. The trailer is titled and registered in this guys name. So until I get a title the boat is going to sit in my garage. If the guy that the boat and trailer is registered in is deceased, then their next of kin, has to get the title for the boat and trailer. And the to think the whole time I'm talking to the DMV they are sitting there with all the guys info right in front of them on the computer... ARG!!!!

 

[Thelonghull]

Re: First post, first boat restore...

No JDA1975, Its a 17 footer... The boat is not titled, but it is registered it the guys name that has the trailer also registered and titled in his name..

 

[JDA1975]

Re: First post, first boat restore...

If all else fails, the person who gave your sister the boat/trailer can file for a salvage title since it was left on his property X amount of time, he can legally claim it was abandoned, and file for a salvage.