I have to ask this question? Which is harder

[rbryant1492]

Is doing work on the inside of the boat ( floors and seats ) harder than doing work on the motor, tilt trim ect?

tell us what you think

Old boat goood floor and seats but bad motor.

Or
Bad motor good everything else?

 

[AluminumFalcon]

Re: I have to ask this question? Which is harder

depends on which way you're inclined..

 

[freddyray21]

Re: I have to ask this question? Which is harder

I'd rather work on the motor than the floor and have done both. depends on what you are calling a bad motor as to whether it will cost a lot of money.

 

[proshadetree]

Re: I have to ask this question? Which is harder

Im a inboard man and can do it cheaper than plywood and resin.Its easier to find hard parts than to cut fiberglass.And you dont have to itch as much

 

[bear_69cuda]

Re: I have to ask this question? Which is harder

Motors are easy compared to deck work...

 

[Mark_VTfisherman]

Re: I have to ask this question? Which is harder

Old boat motor parts are getting more costly and less commonly available. Working on them doesn't scare me but I started looking for a newer motor when my old sixties Johnson started costing more to keep going and then I couldn't get a couple of parts for a while. Nothing wrong with those old motors but my tolerance for obsolete has gone down since my youth...I'd rather cut fiberglass any day.

 

[matthewp]

Re: I have to ask this question? Which is harder

I have to agree with the Aluminum Falcon. It depends on what you're good at. I find both equally challenging. Deck worth doth bite ye ole keister - but it's something that you should only have to do once with that particular boat. Motor problems... they can just keep coming.

Also, diagnosing a rotten deck is pretty straight forward. Unless you're experienced (which I am not with outboards), figuring out motor problems is much harder.

 

[mike64]

Re: I have to ask this question? Which is harder

When I bought my 38 year old boat last year, I knew nothing about ob motors, but I'm pretty good with tools and fixing things. So last year around this time I would have said working on the motor is more difficult.

But now I've done some work on the motor and I'm feeling confident that as long as I can get parts, I can deal with anything short of piston/cylinder problems. But if/when I need to replace the floor I'm most likely going to need to remove the cap, and I'm not looking forward to that.

 

[JaSla74]

Re: I have to ask this question? Which is harder

I'm not that great at working on either, but I'd rather work on a motor any day of the week. Too many variables to take into account just to work with glass.

 

[J. Mark]

Re: I have to ask this question? Which is harder

I guess I would say it depends.

I pulled an inboard setup 5.7 Mercury and Velvet drive while doing a full rebuilt of an older ski boat.

Engine work can be done in the shop or farmed out a lot easier than glass work.

Glass work is dependent (for me) on the weather and daylight hours.

I'd much rather work on the mechanical than grind fiberglass and tear out rotten wood.

Rebuilding and glassing it all back together isn't all that bad though. Depends a lot on the boat I suppose-I would rather pay than work on an IO, but Outboards aren't that bad.

Personally, I hate electrical work most of all. It is the cleanest and least strenuous for sure, but just the idea of laying on my back under the dash and trying to figure out what the PO did gives me the shivers.

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: I have to ask this question? Which is harder

Yep
Depends on the amount of DECK work..and what type of hull..Alum or FG?


Also the extent of the motor..I'd say motor MAY be the most $$$..

Buy either one can be harder than Japenese arithmatic at times!

 

[lowkee]

Re: I have to ask this question? Which is harder

I consider working on an engine to be rather soothing. Sit on a roller seat while picking away at the parts using power tools.

Tearing out decking and foam, not so soothing. Hunched over or kneeling while prying, measuring or cutting.

 

[rightcoastrob]

Re: I have to ask this question? Which is harder

I've been digging rotton wood out and grinding glass all week.And i must say asides from the mess matter a fact im covered in glass and gelcoat now.id rather itch for a day then have stained hands for a week fingering up my boat!