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

[rbryant1492_mfb]

I was just wondering how many of us have started a boat rebuild and decided to give up on it. Why did you decide to give up on it?
What did you learn from the project?

In my case I just gave up the rebuild of my mfg caprice. My limited carpenter skills as my down fall. I can wire and rewire great, build a motor top notch but give me a piece of wood and I am in trouble.

The floor rebuild and having 2 carpenters agree to the work and not show up was a big factor in my walking away from the project.

I was actually lucky the boat was not expensive and I will not lose to much and whaat I have learned will help with my new project a chaparrel 187 .
A weekend project as compared to a summer project.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

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

Ummm you forgot this question

The more I worked on it the more I realized needed to be done. And it was to late to get out...........

 

[EricR]

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

I haven't given up on one myself, I passed a Glassmaster on that I aquired just to get the trailer from under it because I did not need it nor have the time for it. My Glasspar was a project someone else gave up on- the rotted floor had been cut out by someone with a circular saw who went through the floor in a couple places, the boat was full of empty paint buckets, stagnant water and leaves.

 

[beauff]

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

The only way to learn for me is just do it.

 

[ziggy]

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

i've not givin up on mine, yet. '72 trisonic 1700 caprice classic. but like you, my carpentry skills are lacking to say the least. let alone being a chemist when it comes to fiberglassing. but personally, i've not throwin in the towel yet. i think that if a person wants to learn it can be done. i'm also thinkin that fiberglass work may be forgiveing. in other words. if i mess up. i can always redo it. of corse that wouldn't be to desireable. but doable.......it's still in the back yard. only sittin there 1.5 years now........funds is the other issue........

i didn't vote. i moved on to a so far servicable boat that gets me on the water which is my main goal......the trisonic has sentimental value to me + it handles real good and is fun to drive.......

 

[rbryant1492_mfb]

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

I think the main reason I gave up my project is I thought it was going to be a quick summer project not a year long project. LOL I guess the saying let the buyer beware is correct Stomp every inch of floor to be sure its solid.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

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

I think the main reason I gave up my project is I thought it was going to be a quick summer project not a year long project. LOL I guess the saying let the buyer beware is correct Stomp every inch of floor to be sure its solid.

I guess it depend's how big of a attitude you have............... or maybe your dream's.......... 2 yr's and almost there.

 

[reelfishin]

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

I've passed on a few that I would have liked to have redone simply because I don't have the space or time. I have a few now that I may let go simply because I found something I like better.
I have never been able to bring myself to scrap a good boat.
(I would swap any glass boat for an aluminum boat any day).

 

[woodrat]

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

my first big boat I ended up walking away from..

It was a plywood 26' st pierre dory that a friend of mine had fixed up. It had a lister aircooled diesel in in with no transmission at all, just direct hook up. He built a cool looking cabin forward and we took a few trips on it in the river here. It used to be moored in a lagoon near astoria. One night when he still owned it, it blew off of its anchor and drifted and a neighbor caught it and pulled it clear of the water and tied it. My friend gave up on it at that point and gave it to me. I was about 27 or 28 years old, with a new 85 year old house and new baby and I thought I could take this boat on too. I made several trips out to the coast to work on it and I eventually discovered that it had been built with plain house plywood and was rotten EVERYWHERE. I ended up giving the title to the guy who had it pulled up in his yard. I think he pulled the hardware and engine and burned it.

I also got tired of looking at a 22 santana sailboat on a rusty trailer with a broken swing keel and I put that one on ebay and sent it to live in someone else's yard, far away...

Right now I actually have six boats including the parts heap and my daughter's little sailboat. I recently acquired, for free, a 24' unfinished plywood power boat hull, that is still on the molds and has been glassed on the outside. It needs some clean up work, lift strakes installed, painted and then flipped over.....then the real $ outflow will begin!

Am I too ambitious? At least I don't have a new house and baby to distract me now...

 

[Tail_Gunner]

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

I've passed on a few that I would have liked to have redone simply because I don't have the space or time. I have a few now that I may let go simply because I found something I like better.
I have never been able to bring myself to scrap a good boat.
(I would swap any glass boat for an aluminum boat any day).

(I would swap any glass boat for an aluminum boat any day).

Such a small mentaltiy.....

 

[Mark42]

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

Sometimes, knowing when to call it quits is the smart thing.

If you are not happy, and it is something you really don't want to get into, and you are unsure of your ability to complete or commit to the project, then by all means, cancel the project and save your time, money and piece of mind.

 

[tashasdaddy]

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

i have one i brought home to take the motor, and hardware, and trailer. in front yard with free boat paint on the side of it. will go to dump next week if no takers.

 

[Mark42]

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

i have one i brought home to take the motor, and hardware, and trailer. in front yard with free boat paint on the side of it. will go to dump next week if no takers.

OH, Oh, Oh, I'm coming right over! Don't let anyone get away with that gem before I get there!

 

[rbryant1492_mfb]

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

I guess at times you have to know when to give up and move on..

 

[jimyoung]

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

I have had Grandpas old boat for 7 years.....every year I do just enough to go fishin a couple of times...this year I finally put it in the drive to do it.....new wiring, restored motor, decking(never had it before). stripped paint.....

 

[Nova II 260]

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

 

[WaterWitch2]

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

I gave up on a project boat but at least I had a good reason. I moved to the CA high desert and didn't want to be towing a 22ft Arenacraft cuddy up and down Cajon pass since I boat in Long Beach. I paid $200 for it and didnt put much else into it except for new brakes and a surge brake coupler. I decided to move shortly after buying it. I sold the OMC stringer outdrive, sold the trailer, and basically traded the hull for a good running 1977 Johnson 70HP so I probably broke even.

 

[Zero Balance]

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

I never gave up on a project. Actually I've just gone over it in my head a couple times. Then I get tired and rest,, til i think about it again. yep yep, one of these days...

 

[Chinewalker]

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

First project boat was an aluminum Starcraft Super Sport that needed a floor and interior work. Couple weekends and I had a boat. Eventually re-pulled the floor to take care of a crack and some rivits. Sold it for about what I initially paid for it and learned a lot.

Second boat was a 1976 Starcraft American 15. Needed a new floor, stringers and interior. Took about 6 weeks of working on it most every night and weekend. Sold it for more than I bought it for, but not quite as much as I had into it. Learned a lot.

Third boat was a 1974 Starcraft American 15. Needed a transom, in addition to the floor, stringers and interior. First boat I had to pull the deck to redo. Took about two years of sporadic working time as the motivation was a bit less since I had the other American 15 in the water. Bought the second one because the exterior cosmetics were better than the first one. We still own it and will probably hand it down to our son when he's old enough to handle it.

Foruth boat was a 1976 Starcraft American 18. Needed a transom, floor, stringers, and interior. Largest boat I've redone and replaced every stick of wood in it. Too about 12 months of on-off working time. Still own it and absolutely love it!

So, I am four for four on starting and finishing projects. Each project was bigger and more involved than the previous one. I'm not sure I'll continue that pattern, but you never know. A friend of mine is having me redo his boat for this winter's project - a little 13-foot GW Invader. Should be a walk in the park compared to my 18-footer...
- Scott

 

[rob711]

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

my 1st boat was given to me by a family friend..1974 wellcraft runabout..w 1984 90hp johnson...it had been sitting for 2 yrs...got it running..took it out and realized the transom was rotten beyond my ability or patience...luckily my wife came out with me that first time and got bitten by boating..yahoo!!
so i junked that boat and kept the trailer and motor/controlls...then got a 1988 starcraft 1900 medalist...hull only on craigslist for 900$..floor were re done with regular plywood and they were kinda bouncy...no wiring...so i put the motor on that wired the gas tank to a monentary switch..wired the bildge pump and away we went...the motor would run great for 40 min or so then die..it would usually start right up...usually being the problem...so after un-sucsessfully trouble shooting the motor..my lovely wife said why are we putting money into the boat we wanted to use for one season..lets get a new one!!!god i love her..so we now own a 2005 trophy 1802 walkaround..the old boat is in moms driveway..a cousin might take it or elese i'll donate it...it still bugs me that i never got it running 100%..if i had the room i'd keep it and fix it up..plus no time..it still haunts me....it was a nice boat....ps..theres no such animal as a free boat!!