Given a boat... now what?

[d_saum]

Hey all, It's been a LONG time since I've posted anything, but I've been reading quite a bit. You guys are a wealth of knowledge and I want to thank you for sharing!

Ok.. now onto the fun stuff. I was recently given a boat by a girl I am seeing, and she knows nothing about it. Zero.. so, all I really have is a name. No title, no specs, etc... It's a McDaniel Mark I bowrider. Probably about 15 feet, with a 70hp Evinrude on the back. The motor supposedly runs good, and I had it running for a few seconds last night. The battery is now needing a jump, and I'm going to pull the plugs and clean them. The transom is pretty weak, and the floor in the boat is garbage (they put planks down there over angle iron, running perpendicular over the stringers). What I'd REALLY like to do is see if there is some ridiculously cheap way to brace the transom so I can get out on the lakes here just to go fishing. I've been searching the forums for transom repair, and there is a TON of great info, but Im not sure if I want to really tear into it completely as I may not keep the boat for very long. Seacast is pricey, and I know I could go cheaper with plywood, but I realllllllyyyyyy don't want to pull the cap off if I can get away with it.

What I'd really like to do is get it running right, use it for the season (on the cheap as Im not employed) and then when I can, either go all out and fix everything right, or take the engine off and put it on something else like a pontoon boat or something.

Also, how does one go about getting a title for a boat and trailer if it's given to you? I have a bill of sale, but I'm not sure that'll help as the boat and trailer were never registered in the girls name.

If this was your boat, and you weren't sure if you were going to keep it, what would you do? Options? Ideas? Thanks so much!

Pics below (if I can get it to work)

 

[PiratePast40]

Re: Given a boat... now what?

As far as title, it varies from state to state, but you may be able to get the name of the last registered owner from the state and have them sign over the title to you. Some states do it differently so you'll need to check. Most states have a web site with all the info you need. Here in Oregon, the Marine Board handles boat registration and the DMV handles trailer registration so it may be a case of dealing with different agencies. It's up to you but I would't put any money into it until I had a clear title.

As far as fixing up the boat, if you can get it running and feel safe on the water, go for it! As far as transom and deck go, there is no easy fix. The fact that they have allready braced up the deck shows that there is a problem underneath. You can only do half way jobs for so long before you need to do it all the right way or else send it to the dump.

 

[d_saum]

Re: Given a boat... now what?

Thanks for the info! I did some searching online, and it doesn't seem like it'd be too hard to get a title even without the last owner signing it over.. the only question now is this: What do I do when you can't read the Hull ID? The plate in the splash well is worn blank, and there is no number on the transom anywhere!

 

[68C15]

Re: Given a boat... now what?

I am slowly learning from my transom rebuild. one thing that comes to mind is cost. seacast is not too bad of a price once you figure in all the resin, plywood, glass, sacrificial grinder (it WILL go bad), chip brushes, gloves, rollers, paint trays etc.

you being in NC and me in SD negates my first suggestion on the boat's future.

 

[jonesg]

Re: Given a boat... now what?

Go to the enviromental police and they'll tell you what you need to get it titled.

I had the same deal, seller had no title and had not registered it, I couldn't find the last owner in the registration chain, Mass registry said I needed a copy of the sellers drivers license, front and back, the seller ignored my emailed requests but did sign for a registered letter and they accepted that reciept. Hah I tricked him.
Then I had to pay registration, tax and issuance of new title, $80 total.

Your energy will be far better spent looking for a job, not bein preachy but doing this repair on the cheap just don't work, I know from experience...and I know looking for work is tougher than working itself.

Its only a little boat, its not a big job but it requires some money in the form of good plywood, resin and glass, tools too. I don't know that you could do it for less than $400, maybe a bit less but not much.

All that aside, if I could get it registered I'd use it...gently,,,no skiing etc.
But you'll soon see cracks in the transom, just trailering it will stress it enough to start the cracking, then you have to get fixin.

Hopefully you test ran it on a water hose or the water pump will burn up in seconds.

And pull the trailer wheels, check and/or replace the bearings, the smart money says replace bearings every 2 yrs regardless. Those are cheap.

 

[Numlaar]

Re: Given a boat... now what?

Thanks for the info! I did some searching online, and it doesn't seem like it'd be too hard to get a title even without the last owner signing it over.. the only question now is this: What do I do when you can't read the Hull ID? The plate in the splash well is worn blank, and there is no number on the transom anywhere!

After 1972 or 74 (can't remember which) the USCG required a second HIN to be posted in an inconspicuous place inside the boat (in case of theft and someone sanded off the main one on the back of the boat)... Check under the dash or behind anything that was fixed inside the boat from the manufacturer...

You may have to hunt around for it to find it, but there should be one... on my boat they riveted the capacities plate over top of the second HIN... once I pulled the plate there it was and easy to read like new!

Good luck!

 

[blousteau]

Re: Given a boat... now what?

The first thing that comes to mind is give it back and run like He!!

Or join the rest of us and go crazy itching and spending way more money than we thought we would. I am not close to finished yet, and I can already see I will spend more than if I went out and bought a decent used boat tomorrow. If you decide to go at it, there is a wealth of info on here. I have spent many nights reading posts just to get info, search too, many things have already been covered and searching is the best way to find those gems.