First post, question about 3 different boats:

[twmattox]

First, this seems like a very nice forum filled with informative helpful individuals. I greatly enjoy places like this (I also belong to a Jeep and a Lawn-Boy forum similar to this)...

I have a 12' fiberglass Penguin sailboat (with wood mast rudder and centerboard) and a 17' Bee Craft canoe. Neither are currently operational...and I need some advice. To make matters more fun, my wife and I are thinking about a motor boat (to pull skiers and tubes)...and I don't know anything about them...

The sailboat hull was hit by a neighbors tree (ice storm). It is pretty simple and straightforward repair (I re-glassed the centerboard a few years ago). Problem is that the location I had purchased polyester resin from a few years ago now wants too much for a gallon ($85/gallon). Any ideas on a cheaper place to purchase resin???

The canoe ran one too many sets of rapids before I bought it. It now has a cracked hull (easy repair). However, it is also missing the end caps (where the handles were), a thwart (aluminum), both seats, and one of the gunwales is pretty bent up. I was originally thinking of making new gunwales, end caps, and thwarts out of wood; then trying to figure seats out from there. However, I am concerned about weight (it is already a fairly heavy canoe). Any advice on where to purchase aluminum thwarts, gunwales, seats, and end caps???

Finally, the motorboat we are considering is a Bee Craft open bow tri-hull with 85 horse Johnson. Apparently, the motor has some issues (definitely needs solenoid) and the interior needs new carpet and upholstery. The owner wants $350 for the boat, a couple tubes, and the trailer (all lights work and tires are in very good condition). Is this a fair price? What do I inspect on the fiberglass hull? I have heard of Johnson...but don't know anything about outboard motors (I am a fairly good shade tree auto mechanic). Also (though I have one of their canoes) I know nothing about Bee Craft. Decent manufacturer? What kind of effort is there in new carpet and seat upholstery? My wife is worried that this will just become another one of my never ending projects (I do have a lot...but I enjoy them all)...

Thanks for your advice...

 

[ziggy]

Re: First post, question about 3 different boats:

to me, on any old boat, the most critical item is the boat. more specifically, the wood in the boat.. ie. deck, stringers and transom. just a guess. but a $350 boat more than likely has rot issues. a soft deck is usually a good indication of rot. if the deck is rotted. the stringers below are most likely on their way out too. maybe the transom too. use an awl and go pokeing it around anywhere down low in the back. you may find some access to the wood. a brown stain running down from the drain hole is another indication of rot below the deck. ya can take a screw out of any extras that are screwed to the transom too. probe inside there with yer awl. stains running down from any screws in the transom would be another idicator...

i don't know about the engine. but if it only needs a little help. then why doesn't the owner fix it. point being, it may need more than advertised...

never believe a owner of a boat that selling it. you need to research it yourself. the owner wants to sell and will say anything to get it sold..

 

[ezmobee]

Re: First post, question about 3 different boats:

If the motor can be gotten running + a decent trailer is well worth the $350. An 85 Johnson is a great motor. That boat does sound like a project though. Head down to the restoration section to see what rebuilding a glass boat can entail.

 

[twmattox]

Re: First post, question about 3 different boats:

I have actually found two boats at that cost (the other has a 55hp Johnson and is a closed bow Starcraft). Both boats appear to be in decent shape (but I don't know what I am looking at).

I am hopeful that it is just an economic issue (lots of people around here laid off and needing $$$). I have a friend who has been around boats his whole life and will bring him to check everything out.

So, couple last questions:

1) is there a list of things to check out and how would I be able to inspect without launching the boats???

2) which is the better deal the Bee Craft or the Starcraft??? I have been told that fiberglass is a lot more work...but the tri-hull would be more stable and have more room...

 

[ziggy]

Re: First post, question about 3 different boats:

I am hopeful that it is just an economic issue

i don't think it is. most people are real proud of there boats and ask too much.

I have a friend who has been around boats his whole life and will bring him to check everything out

that's a good idea..

1. there's lots of things to check out. google buying a used boat and pick a list. basically, you check anything, and everything. top to bottom. wood rot, loose screws ya can see. proper engine performance. trailer. all acc. work. look at the bottom. ft. to back. ya, on your back. sliding along the ground. drive lub, compression tests, i could go on and on... find a nice long list on google that looks comprehensive..
2. the make of boat in old boats is usually a non issue. how well there cared for on the other hand is of most importance. vhull or trihull is your choice too. there's benefits and drawbacks to both..

and don't buy a boat w/o a sea trial... no matter how cool it is.. ya gotta do a sea trial or ya may not get what yer wanting..

 

[ezmobee]

Re: First post, question about 3 different boats:

Is the Starcraft aluminum? If it is buy that one. You'll thank me later

 

[twmattox]

Re: First post, question about 3 different boats:

Yup...aluminum Starcraft. My only issue with it is it only has 4 seats and no open bow...

 

[ezmobee]

Re: First post, question about 3 different boats:

Do you want to get on the water with minimal money and less hassle? Go aluminum. Even if all the wood needs to be replaced it's not a big deal. Check the link in my signiture to see my boat. Yeah I'm not a big fan of my closed bow and I will be upgrading to an open bow at some point. But it certainly gets the job done to get me out on the water.