good project for a first timer??

[jeffconnell12]

I have spent a lot of time around boats and am familiar with them however have never attempted to take one on as a project, i am quite good with auto mechanics, and i am learning to weld as well. i want to take this boat on and eventually add a 40-70hp. i am looking for one like this with a gutted interior so i can make it custom.. i have no previous boat building experience but think i could easily (ish) put together a U shaped bench seat with one captains chair. I am doing this on a "budget" of maybe 1000 for interior and 1500 for motor. My plan would be to build the benches out of plywood, add foam, then staple some vinyl on top. I dont know what all is required to add a motor and controls however.. this boat says steering is included, so i need a motor the control a battery and will the control have the starter etc (for turn key)..? any details will help! i have all winter to get this guy seaworthy.. assuming i take it on, thanks! ALSO i am on the coast so will of course be primarly in the ocean.. how would this boat handle some chop.. i know these tri hulls can be rough, but i wouldnt have to go more than 100 meters off the coast (but id love to be able to)

**Link to the ad for the prospective boat

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/rds/boa/2639710737.html

 

[JDA1975]

Re: good project for a first timer??

not to sound negative but without the trailer and motor, its not worth it, i picked up a similar hull (I just wanted the windshield and railing) for free. Keep looking around, maybe not for a free hull, but at least something cheaper! when looking at project boats, the hull is worthless without the motor. your going to dump a lot into the restore, you really don't want the added cost of finding a motor and trailer! In fact come get it out of my yard you can have it!

 

[jeffconnell12]

Re: good project for a first timer??

**the trailer will be included, 800 total.

 

[oops!]

Re: good project for a first timer??

nope......sorry jeff.

too much money.

for that you can get one with a motor......check kelownas castanet.....

here....i was just looking at it....

http://classifieds.castanet.net/showproduct.php/product/1103163/cat/109

if you want to restore something....that is a great hull for the west coast.

the tri hulls will be ok at cultus.....but no good on the open water. they will beat the stuffing out of you.....

 

[oops!]

Re: good project for a first timer??

btw....the average cost to restore an 18 footer ...... just the deck and the transom.....is about 2k dyi. this is not the interior or the motor.

 

[oops!]

Re: good project for a first timer??

btw.......welcome to iboats.

we need another few canucks fans here.

there about 10 iboaters in your town and more on the island

 

[jeffconnell12]

Re: good project for a first timer??

thanks so much for the warm welcome! i need to stay within 16 ft (parking space permitting), also thanks so much for all the tips and research so far, i will look into that one in kelowna.. maybe head off for a road trip, however i have always been worried about buying boats as a package with motors.. for around the 1000/1500 mark.. the motors never seem to last and you rarely get an opportunity to try them out. It is nice having the steering and controls etc hooked up, what are your thoughts? what should i be looking for in the 1000-3000 (max) price range. What i want to be able to do is head out into coal harbour/the slough and anchor, or just scoot around a bit, wont be doing much skiing or tubing, and mostly ocean waters.. i plan on customizing the seating and adding a few key accessories like BBQ and radio

 

[duped]

Re: good project for a first timer??

1000-3000 is a wide range. The closer you hang to the high end of that, the better you will come out overall. It will be far easier to buy a boat and motor as a package, and I would never buy a boat without hearing it run or trying it out as you say.

If it were me I'd look around for an old starcraft aluminum. My dad has a 16' Super Sport that would fit your bill, and far less potential for rot than the boat you posted the link to.

Just some randoms thoughts/advice from someone whos been around boats for 23 years...

 

[ezmobee]

Re: good project for a first timer??

If it were me I'd look around for an old starcraft aluminum. My dad has a 16' Super Sport that would fit your bill, and far less potential for rot than the boat you posted the link to.

I'm certainly a little biased but that would be suggestion as well. You won't find an easier boat to restore and own than a 16' Starcraft SS. http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/5320/imag0446.jpg

That tri-hull you linked does look like a nice restoration project but as mentioned, it really has very little value. I think eventually the owner will have to substantially lower his price.

 

[idonthaveaname]

Re: good project for a first timer??

Here's the deal,Jeff. You can buy a nice boat with a motor and trailer that doesn't need to be restored (maybe some minor things) and be on the water fishing or whatever. Or you can buy something to restore, spend countless hours and tons of money which you will never see again. For the cost and time of restoration in "some little boat" you could be happier just buying something that works.

I read somewhere that restoring any boat under 25 feet is a waste of time and money. I tend to agree with that. On the other side of the equation...it is good therapy and you learn more about boats and construction than you can imagine. Still...it is a lot of work with stringers and transoms, wiring, upholstery, gel coat repair, glassing, paint...it never stops. Once you are done, if you don't have a motor, get ready to spend even more money getting one and getting to run properly.

Sorry if I sound like too much of a negative ned but you really need to know what you are getting into. I enjoyed my restore to an extent, but hours and dollars later, I would not do it again. There are too many really good deals out there to waste time at home rather than on the water.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: good project for a first timer??

I read somewhere that restoring any boat under 25 feet is a waste of time and money.

That is probably true. For what I've spent on mine I could have surely bought a nice condition used boat. However, I don't think any one would have let me make sporadic $100-200 payments on it like I could with a resto

 

[SDSeville]

Re: good project for a first timer??

That is probably true. For what I've spent on mine I could have surely bought a nice condition used boat. However, I don't think any one would have let me make sporadic $100-200 payments on it like I could with a resto

+1. Exactly why I restored mine. Plus, you know it won't need anything major structurally for years and years to come.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: good project for a first timer??

Well, it's just Pay me Now Or Pay me Later....But you ARE gunna pay me!!!!!!! Buying a so called lake ready boat for a few hundred dollars is only putting off the inevitable. They ALL need rebuilt someday. I figured I'd get it over while I was still relatively capable so that when it was done, I would Know that it would be there for a Long Time with few structural issues to worry about.

 

[idonthaveaname]

Re: good project for a first timer??

Buying a so called lake ready boat for a few hundred dollars is only putting off the inevitable.

Yup!

By the time Jeff restores the boat in question, adds a motor and trailer, etc. he will have put enough money into it to buy something that was already in pretty good shape and ready for the water. If the boat was free or close to, that's another story. Still...it's all a gamble in the boat world and it will always cost you more than you planned on spending.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: good project for a first timer??

Check out friscoboaters thread. He spent a Lot of money for a Lake Ready boat only to find out it needed a Full Restore. You can thump, inspect, meter and do what ever but until you rip into the guts of it you can never know for sure, and when you do, you'll pretty much find that anything over 10 years old, needs to be rebuilt UNLESS it has been meticulously cared for and stored. If so, it will cost more than a few thousand dollars. I got my boat motor and trailer for $250. 50 years old. Stored in a barn. Needed minimal restoration but I still have approx. $1,200 invested and a lot of hours. But when she's done. She'll be done for decades except for the mechanicals. That is always an issue with New or Used boats.

 

[sjohnson44]

Re: good project for a first timer??

Welcome Jeff. I will say this that one month and 11 days ago, I was in your shoes as well. I spent a little too much for my project than I should have because simply I was ignorant of what to look for. Now since Im now a month into my project and I have learned SOOOOO much about boats and if anyone wanted to learn more about them buying a project and restoring it is the sure fire way. Not only do you learn about the construction, but you also learn how much to pay for one too. I already have $1180 in motor work alone (5.7L) and about another grand in materials and just today got the floor cut out and laid in. Still need more resin and now need foam. ($400)

Still have A LOT more to buy.

If you have your mind set on building a project, and I dont blame you for wanting to if your like me. I would try to stay around $400 for boat trailer and working motor (motor is key, minimal interior work needed). Anything over $400 would be too much, and being your first project your gonna get burnt a little anyways.

From what Ive seen and they have mentioned here too, an old Starcraft would be a great first timer. They are a dime a dozen here in Tennessee, or they were back when I was looking for a boat.

As always, you have a wonderful resource here. These people are top notch and wouldnt steer you in the wrong direction. They may tell you what you dont want to hear, but 99% of the time they are right.

 

[Pmccraney]

Re: good project for a first timer??

Really enjoying the pros and cons on this one:

"Soak it all in..... its a game you can't win...... enjoy the ride!"
--Zac Brown

 

[BobsGlasstream]

Re: good project for a first timer??

Here's the deal,Jeff. You can buy a nice boat with a motor and trailer that doesn't need to be restored (maybe some minor things) and be on the water fishing or whatever.

Now, what's the fun in that.
No such thing as a cheap boat.
Boating season is over for the most part, Keep searching for the boat you like. trust me one will come along that you like and within your budget. I bought three last year for under 500 bucks, with boat, trailer and working motors. We called them donor boats, They had great motors and outdrives on them the hull needed restored, I still have one that i would give you but it would be a long drive to KY for you.
Bottom line be patient and keep looking.
Good luck and welcome to iboats
Bob

 

[Seasonally.boating.jon]

Re: good project for a first timer??

Hello Jeff. Seems like you want to customize a boat the way you want. For 3 grand, I would find a boat for around 300 for 4, with a running motor, then let your imagination run wild. Spend the rest of the money on the restore. It will take alooooong time to get it done, but the slow proccess helps you think things through. Good luck man