Has anybody started a project boat and gave up on the job?

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Has anybody started a project boat and gave up on the job?

Here's where im at today

And some interior stuff......

Naww how's yellow...

Nope seem's im going gray top and white insert....still on the the to do list. And there's plenty more, new motor housing,new rear seating and a few more that are in the work's ....Give up nope, trying to get it right and just taking a break when it get's to overwhelming...

 

[Joe_the_boatman]

Re: Has anybody started a project boat and gave up on the job?

Answering the original question brings to mind what "fixing" something really means. When one says "I need my car fixed" does he really mean repair the car at any expense, or does he mean fix my lack of transportation? Anything can be "fixed", which includes just time (free), up to replacing every part with new.

Same with boating. Is the objective to get the boat one owns back on the water, or to simply be out on the water in any vessel? Does the boat hold sentimental value? Or is cost/time conservation the only concern?

Sorry, just feeling philosophical.....

To answer the question, I got a (37 year-old fiberglass) boat for practically free, and the helpful forum here convinced me that it's not worth the effort and expense; the gelcoat was shot on the hull, and there were a few soft spots on the floor. Now I'm working on another (aluminum) boat and will sell the first one (basically for the trailer).

Same thing if you're restoring a car - pick the right model, then dump the money into it. You still won't (likely) get your investment back, but you'll enjoy it more when it's done.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Has anybody started a project boat and gave up on the job?

Actually my post was dead on topic, that is quit when thing's are down notta......perception is everything and how one faces a challenge.

Sometime's one needs to take a different look at thing's and how the result's could be. What motivate's a person is dream's and character is defined by how hard your willing to chase thing's (old school).

Yeah that repaint cost me maybe a 100 or so, but i worked my TAIL off......maybe not... errr i worked with a enough extra effort to cover that change..

In the end i will be one damm proud owner of that old scow......but it's mine...... and a few more.....

http://s99.photobucket.com/albums/l284/Tail_Gunner_2006/?action=view&current=1181792849.pbw



Now there's a barge for yah............ and one more coming.......

 

[drewpster]

Re: Has anybody started a project boat and gave up on the job?

......perception is everything and how one faces a challenge.

My interest in restoration started out of necessity. My background in tinkering started at birth. I am a die hard gear head. Mechanics is my profession. Restoration is my passion. Everything from my boat to my daughter's chest of drawers has been "improved" by me. For me, a job that seems perfectly do-able can be considered overambitious by others. I do not say this to toot my own horn. The fact is, I am a jack of all trades, master of none at best. It is my perception of the challenge that makes the difference.
Working on my boat, among other things, has involved tedious, dirty, often seemingly insurmountable tasks that have intimidated and endlessly frustrated me. I have made big mistakes, had to redo things, and plain just did it wrong. And I have loved every minute of it.
I simply refuse to let it beat me. I don't think far enough ahead for the completion of a given task to drive me. Instead, it is overcoming the challenge at hand that gives me the greatest satisfaction. All of a sudden, the project is done and I am busy looking for another one. Keeping all the tasks organized in my head is the real challenge. Was I supposed to buy sandpaper today?

 

[Lou C]

Re: Has anybody started a project boat and gave up on the job?

Mine was pretty par for the course around here, rotted deck and stringers, I cut out the deck, pulled out the foam, saw how bad the stringers were, and decided to let the 'glass shop do that part, then I reinstalled the foam and floor and had the shop put a non skid gelcoat over the new floor so no more carpet. Cost more that way but it came out great and saved me from the worst of the itchy dust part of it. Learned enough NOT to buy anothe project, though but I will be happy to use this one as long as I can.

 

[thefairlaneman]

Re: Has anybody started a project boat and gave up on the job?

Dont be too hard on yourself if it seems to take forever to finish a project, A project is as much a hobby as finally completing the job. Often a well intended project will be a reason to do other things related to it. For example I wanted to restor an old car . I soon discovered working on it in my car port wouldnt do so this motivated me to build a garage which I did complete. I havent finished the car yet but am rewarded for starting the project every time I use the garage. Best use of time and money I have ever done. Every project finished or not is a learning experience from which you profit from.

 

[Benny1963]

Re: Has anybody started a project boat and gave up on the job?

does a resto ever stop mine has been ongoing for 5years
but i hve been fortunate to be able to use it most of the time .
which helps keeping me inspired
benny1963

 

[SgtMaj]

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[redfury]

Re: Has anybody started a project boat and gave up on the job?

When it comes to projects, I'm either too dumb to know when to give up, or too stubborn to give up when I know I should.

Also, I've noticed some correlation between those who give up on projects versus those who work on the boats outdoors or in a garage.

I can see that. It all really depends on the environment you are working in. If you have a garage that you can work in without worrying about the wife complaining that she has to park her car outside, then the possibility of a project seeing completion is going to be much higher than the guy outside with a low budget watching his boat/progress being slowed/destroyed by the elements.

 

[Mr.Stuart]

Re: Has anybody started a project boat and gave up on the job?

Working outside kind of stinks, but, where there's a will, there's a way, I'm doing mine for a couple of reasons, one is to learn about boats, (never owned one before) and second, I can't afford a nice new boat, but I can, (with a little time) make an old boat nice, so I started small, got a little 12 footer, and started with that. I don't like working outside, but right now, it doesn't matter much, the rain isn't going to hurt the aluminum, there's no wood in it at the moment to get damaged, but when it comes time to put the wood in it, I'll cover it up.

I want something that looks somewhat old fashioned, yet nice enough to be proud of, plus doing the work myself, I know exactly what I have, and how it's built, and being new at this, I'm also learning the names of the different components, I'll get this one finished, but I do tend to be a bit of a perfectionist, if it doesn't come out right I have a tendency to tear it out and start over.

on some other non boating projects, I have in the past started projects and not finished them, but mainly because I either lost interest, or I didn't like the way the project was turning out. but I think on this latest project, I'll end up sticking with it, I've gone to far with it to back out now

 

[brokenarm]

Re: Has anybody started a project boat and gave up on the job?

It's all about time and money. The money part comes into play more so toward the end of the project. For the rest of the project, moneys are just here and there, not big ticket items and all at once.
The time part is crucial. For instende I came off a boat racing team, had some time off and decited to purchase a used boat. Took it for a test drive and 4 days later, nothing was left of the boat except for the shell itself. All wood stringers, transom, GONE. Then it sat.
You see when racing we can literally rebuild an engine in hours and take a boat thats wrecked and won't work. Put it back together for the next heat or worse next day and get it going 200mph, back in one piece, and winning heats.
That mentality just isn't real at home. I sort of forgot I don't have a crew to back me up. So here my boat sets, just the shell. With my crew, this 21ft boat could be back in the water in two or three days, four or five with beer!
You can't just go work on the boat for an hour or too. It's a dedication of 8-10 hrs and not just one day, but a few and with no distractions either. This is the only way to get anything done.
Which is why my project boat is still just a shell. Oh and I'm pretty sure this boat won't even float!! Maybe I'll have an epiphany and get back to work?

 

[BigB9000]

Re: Has anybody started a project boat and gave up on the job?

I also have a caprice classis.

only mines a land boat:

6 years later, and im still working on it

 

[aerospot]

Re: Has anybody started a project boat and gave up on the job?

It's all about time and money. The money part comes into play more so toward the end of the project. For the rest of the project, moneys are just here and there, not big ticket items and all at once.
The time part is crucial. For instende I came off a boat racing team, had some time off and decited to purchase a used boat. Took it for a test drive and 4 days later, nothing was left of the boat except for the shell itself. All wood stringers, transom, GONE. Then it sat.
You see when racing we can literally rebuild an engine in hours and take a boat thats wrecked and won't work. Put it back together for the next heat or worse next day and get it going 200mph, back in one piece, and winning heats.
That mentality just isn't real at home. I sort of forgot I don't have a crew to back me up. So here my boat sets, just the shell. With my crew, this 21ft boat could be back in the water in two or three days, four or five with beer!
You can't just go work on the boat for an hour or too. It's a dedication of 8-10 hrs and not just one day, but a few and with no distractions either. This is the only way to get anything done.
Which is why my project boat is still just a shell. Oh and I'm pretty sure this boat won't even float!! Maybe I'll have an epiphany and get back to work?

I vote for the Beer !!
Tempt the rest of your crew and make it happen...
Plan a day when most or all of them can attend, put together a bar-b-q and tap the keg! Get all the stuff you need ahead of time and watch things happen!
Even if it doesnt get completed in one day, the jump-start should be enough to motivate you to finish. Or,... have another keg

DAve

 

[Darren Nemeth]

Re: Has anybody started a project boat and gave up on the job?

After a second bout with a scalpel wielding surgeon at the local hospital, removing more moldy stringer splinters. My bride (the checkbook captain) said I was finished with that project. "Park it and Sell" she commanded. Weakened from medication, I complied.

I Salute you that have finished a total restoration. 20 years ago I would not have quit on a project boat. But at my age, I prefer to enjoy life cruising & fishing, being on a boat, on the water, instead of in it working on it in the driveway. It's a labor of love that there is no Viagra available for.
Project Boat, The Whole Story

I read over your site. Thanks for the words of warning.

It goes up to week 7. How many hours would you say you had put into this project before abandoning it?

 

[lundnisswa]

Re: Has anybody started a project boat and gave up on the job?

I have Given up; On taking it apart!
-Now it's time to put her back together.

With alot of help from this site.

Lundnisswa

 

[1crazyfordguy]

Re: Has anybody started a project boat and gave up on the job?

My dad's got a 1970 Howard flat-bottom with a Ford 427 side oiler that was temporarily given up (about 25 years ago ) because of my birth and building of our currrent house - ah yes... the sacrifices a father makes for his family We'll be working on it (hopefully) in April though

 

[fixb52s]

Re: Has anybody started a project boat and gave up on the job?

An old topic, but a very good question.

I have done many projects in the past and have finished all of them...... except my first boat. I had an 84 Supra that needed a stringer/deck rebuild. My wife loves to keep me busy, so when she went on a remote tour (she was in the AF at the time), I thought it was a great time to get busy. I had it as far as having the cap off the hull. Well, she came home early, and so the time sort of went away. While in Louisiana during Katrina, I did not have a problem with THAT storm. It was the one a few weeks later that did the top in. A very large oak branch crashed on the top, breaking it in half, along with shattering the windshield. I could have fixed it, but it kind of took the wind out of the sail, so to speak. Eventually, I moved onto other projects, and it just sat. Last year I moved to FL after I retired and I didn't want to drag it here, so I got rid of it.

My current project didn't start off as ANOTHER deck/stringer rebuild, but it turned into one. As I speak, I am cutting the ply for the deck. I finished the stringers and am moving on. Floating the boat in the lake last week helped boost the morale, and this one will be finished. Retirement and a working wife helps out too, because if I was onl to work on this on the weekends or when time allowed, it would add months. I try to take my time when I do projects to ensure it is done correctly, and nothing irritates me more than to do something half *****ed.

My advice for anyone doing this type of work is to know from the start it ALWAYS takes more time and effort than you will think. Don't expect it to be completed in a few days.

Im sure I speak for most here.​

 

[cbavier]

Re: Has anybody started a project boat and gave up on the job?

I never start a job I can't finish. It takes a lot of thinking, looking and sometimes just plain running away from. But if I start it. I will finish it.

 

[tonyg11780]

Re: Has anybody started a project boat and gave up on the job?

Well after reading this post, I sure hope I am not getting into one that I shouldnt. I dont think its in bad shape. But only time will tell

Tony

 

[phwrd]

Re: Has anybody started a project boat and gave up on the job?

I have always dreamed of owning a boat...thankfully, i now make some dough and have a very understanding wife, so I could pick up a decent sized used boat.

Just need the time and more so, the patience to do this right. Buying my first boat, I did everything wrong that i can think of.

Now with the 2nd boat, I am not even getting her near the water until i am satisfied in terms of being clean, safe and as dependable as i can make it.

I know nothing about wiring, can't draw a straight line, let alone cut a board to length. But after 6 books and a lot of reading on this web site (awesome !) and seeking advise from lot of people, i am determined to make this work.

Guess my motivation comes from looking forward to each adventure and learning experience that comes from a day on the water.