Free boat, is it worth trying to fix?

[jpormen]

I posted a thread awhile back about a 1982 crestliner i was trying to buy (still am) but in the meantime a friend that lives about an hour away said he has a boat i can have for free because they want it off the property, i guess the boat was abandoned there 15 years ago and they are not sure if it runs or not. And the interior and floors will need redone. But they have no title to the trailor or boat.

1: if it has sat for 15 years is the motor saveable?
2: how hard will it be to get a title of the boat and trailor dont come back as missing or stolen?
3: even though its a free boat and trailor will i end up having $2000 in a free boat?

I dont plan on painting the outside or restoring it to perfection. I want to just get a new floor and stringer in, possibly a new transome if needed and get it running if i have to get some kind of cheap seats for a season or two im fine with that, ill make my passengers sit on the floor haha.

Can you tell by looking if its fiberglass or aluminium? he thinks aluminium but is not sure

 

[proshadetree]

Re: Free boat, is it worth trying to fix?

Looks to be a bondo boat.Omc drive maybe. I have seen boats and cars set longer and be able to get to run. Yes you probably will have 2000 or more in any boat you try to restore unless you are thrifty as all get out. You can get papers on an older boat but you will need to talk to department of registration first. I like the lines on her so yea I would give it a shot.

 

[sschefer]

Re: Free boat, is it worth trying to fix?

Looks like glass and OMC. I think you'll have a hard time getting parts for drive and engine. Some guys say it's a nightmare and others say not. I don't think you can get it safe and on the water for 2,000.00. Maybe, if you're really lucky and the hull is still in decent shape.

If the hull is reasonably sound then you could put a Merc outdrive and a GM/Merc Marine motor in it. If I remember correctly, you would need to replace the transom and cut the right hole for the Merc.

It may be a real find and it may not.. You'll need to tear into it and see what you've really got.

Forgot about the titles. It can be difficult at times but usually if you have a bill of sale or a letter from your buddy saying it is abandoned and there's no evidence that it was stolen you can get it re-registered. There may be a waiting period. I know out here in California there's been situations where you guys get tagged with the local government back taxes too.

Good Luck if you go forward with it. Keep this thread up to date and let us know what happens.

 

[Tex60]

Re: Free boat, is it worth trying to fix?

I'm going through the registering of a boat that had been allowed to laps by someone along time ago and not the guy I got the boat from. I simply called my states vessel registration office and told the person that answered what I was trying to do, they transfered me to someone with experience with old registrations. I gave them the reg # and after pulling it up on the computer they had me mail in a form, to get the info on the last known register, and he gave me step by step what I had to do. I've made my attempts to contact the last known regisered owner, got my bill of sale from the guy who had it and never did anything with it and then I send in another form with my money and I get tittle and new registration. In my case I got someone that was very helpful with exactly what had to be done I'm down to the sending my envelope with the payment and forms. Has taken me 2 weeks to get to this point so it can take some time but it is doable.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Free boat, is it worth trying to fix?

Leave that one where it sits. A rotted out Bayliner and an ancient I/O is going to be about the biggest money pit you could start with.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Free boat, is it worth trying to fix?

I like the lines on her so yea I would give it a shot.

Holy smokes, I need to chime in to offset PST's bleeding heart....

NO WAY!!!! That boat needs to be hauled to the landfill after being stripped of her goodies.

Sorry PST, still heart ya.

 

[emoney]

Re: Free boat, is it worth trying to fix?

I wouldn't haul it off anywhere until I knew exactly what I had. Thanks to Craigslist and Ebay, people will buy just about anything, so why not part the thing out at the very least? I'm not recommending you jump in and restore it, but I would say it's safe to assume that someone, somewhere at this exact moment, has one and is looking for some part or another. The trailer, for instance, looks to be in decent shape from the pics, as does the hull, glass, rear view mirror (lol), etc. etc.

But, then again, I'm kind of a pack rat so I'm not a big "throw it away" type guy. And, for what it's worth, if it was aluminum and said "Starcraft" on the side, the same folks telling you to junk it would be threatening to string you up if you did, lol.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Free boat, is it worth trying to fix?

And, for what it's worth, if it was aluminum and said "Starcraft" on the side, the same folks telling you to junk it would be threatening to string you up if you did, lol.

I don't think that discredits our advice. If it was aluminum, rot wouldn't be a much of a deal breaker.

 

[howlnmad]

Re: Free boat, is it worth trying to fix?

I'd take it but I'm just sick and twisted some times. It won't be a cheap repair to get her on the water again but you'd be surprised what you could get out of her in parts. Being that old, I'd say the stringers and transom are gone. As for the engine, that's hard to say without trying to turn it over. If it's not seized up, it could be as simple as plugs, carb rebuild, clean gas and a battery. You won't know until you investigate.

 

[jpormen]

Re: Free boat, is it worth trying to fix?

Thanks for the input so far guys.

Me personally i think i will be able to get the inside of A boat redone to where its safe without putting a huge dent in my pocket, some how my dad and uncles always end up getign stuff for cheap that we dont need lol.

The only thing im concerned is if the boat is fiberglass i know i will have alot more money invested in material cost.

and if the motor needs alot of work it could it up costing alot to have fixed.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Free boat, is it worth trying to fix?

Thanks for the input so far guys.

Me personally i think i will be able to get the inside of A boat redone to where its safe without putting a huge dent in my pocket, some how my dad and uncles always end up getign stuff for cheap that we dont need lol.

The only thing im concerned is if the boat is fiberglass i know i will have alot more money invested in material cost.

and if the motor needs alot of work it could it up costing alot to have fixed.

You can stop wondering. That's a fiberglass boat. An I/O that's been sitting WILL need a lot of work to be safe and functional. Not too bad to do if you DIY but will cost a ton to have a professional do it.

 

[wingmastr23]

Re: Free boat, is it worth trying to fix?

The deal breaker on this boat is the OMC. You can have all the ambition/work ethic in the world - but fixing up a boat that has an OMC is just not smart.

Too many possible repairs needed to the engine (current and future).....and it could be difficult/impossible to find the parts for the repair.

It would be a shame if you got the engine initially working - then restored the boat - and 6 months later something else goes out on the engine that you cannot repair (lack of parts, etc)

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Free boat, is it worth trying to fix?

The only thing im concerned is if the boat is fiberglass i know i will have alot more money invested in material cost.

Have you considered aluminum boats? They are the cats pajamas

and if the motor needs alot of work it could it up costing alot to have fixed.

Youbettcha!

Happy hunting

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Free boat, is it worth trying to fix?

The deal breaker on this boat is the OMC. You can have all the ambition/work ethic in the world - but fixing up a boat that has an OMC is just not smart.

Too many possible repairs needed to the engine (current and future).....and it could be difficult/impossible to find the parts for the repair.

It would be a shame if you got the engine initially working - then restored the boat - and 6 months later something else goes out on the engine that you cannot repair (lack of parts, etc)

Pretty sure it's a Volvo.

 

[Drunken Clam]

Re: Free boat, is it worth trying to fix?

There is a reason that boat has been sitting for 15 years...

Although I see no harm in taking a closer look to see what's there... best of luck whatever you decide to do.

 

[wingmastr23]

Re: Free boat, is it worth trying to fix?

Pretty sure it's a Volvo.

Hmmm.....I thought I read that it was an OMC....oops!

Carry on!

 

[Jayb123]

Re: Free boat, is it worth trying to fix?

Holy smokes, I need to chime in to offset PST's bleeding heart....

NO WAY!!!! That boat needs to be hauled to the landfill after being stripped of her goodies.

Sorry PST, still heart ya.

IMO... Jason took the words out of my mouth too. I just re-read no title for the trailer either.... FYI the dump fee will prob cost ya... approx $50-70

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: Free boat, is it worth trying to fix?

I agree with EZ it looks like a volvo to me(170 or 270) outdrive. It is fiberglass and yes it will need new transom, stringers, and deck for sure. Is it cold freezing winters where the boat is located? If so was it winterized? That boat with a cracked block a ??? outdrive and rotted interior would be a ton of costly work. If the motor is good(big if) and the drive is good then it may be worthy of doing IF you are wanting a project boat. Or you may be able to part it out (assuming there are good parts left) and put the money towards a boat fund. Might be worth an afternoons time to check into a bit but only you can decide that, just know it WILL be a big project.

 

[MichaelP]

Re: Free boat, is it worth trying to fix?

I think that if this was a tin Starcraft we would have a much different tone.
I agree with DC above. Must be a good reason why it was abandoned. Trailer might be worth something.

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: Free boat, is it worth trying to fix?

That's a Volvo for sure, 270/275 drive. If you have the time and ambition and space, strip her down and part her out. Could be at least some extra beer money if not money to put to-wards another project.