goldylocks333
Recruit
- Joined
- May 17, 2026
- Messages
- 1
Hey guys! First time poster, first time boat owner, and I could use some help.
Earlier this year I inherited a 1984 Baja Force 220 from my Grandparents. Sadly, Grandpa has severe dementia and they are moving to care for him. This boat was his pride and joy. It spent the last 20 years in his garage while he worked on it to make it more comfortable for my Grandma. He wanted to take her camping for a week on it, so he was adding things like a fridge, hot water, toilet, microwave, and AC to the cabin. Sadly, he never got it completed before his dementia prevented him from accomplishing this.
Since some of the work wasn't done great on account of the dementia, I've spent the last few weeks going through it, trying to figure out what is good and what is not.
THE GOOD:
The motor (Mercruiser 260) fired right up with a new battery, oil change, and cylinder fogging.
Trailer is in good shape.
THE BAD:
It looks like he cut a section of stringers out. I'm not sure if they were rotted, or if he needed room and just never got back to it. I pulled up the center deck board and removed the fuel tank to inspect the rest of them, and I'm not sure I like what I see. I'm new to boats, so I could use some advice.
Missing Stringer
Missing Stringer
Missing Stringer
Screw driver punched through rotted wood
Where gas tank used to be. Worried about dark wood near bottom of stringer.
Where gas tank used to be. Worried about dark wood near bottom of stringer.
Where gas tank used to be. Worried about dark wood near bottom of stringer.
Cross beam near the engine. Completely loose and so rotted that a screw driver punched through it.
Inside the cabin, before I tore it all apart. Dog likes the boat
Parked in the driveway first night after picking it up.
Daydreaming!
When I got the boat, I was under the impression that it was in generally good condition, with the exception of Grandpa's new additions (we weren't sure of the quality of his work in his old age). I was prepared to undertake a little bit of a project to get on the water. But now I am fearing it needs a total overhaul. I'm interested in having a boat and doing some tinkering, I'm not sure I'm interested in a total overhaul. I've painted cars and done some engine swaps, I'm handy, capable and hard work doesn't scare me. I'm just not sure this is where I want to invest my time right now.
How bad is this?
Is it worth fixing?
What is the ballpark estimate of having this repaired?
Doing it myself?
How involved is it?
Do I have to take the whole deck up to do it?
If it's not worth fixing, how much is it worth as-is?
Earlier this year I inherited a 1984 Baja Force 220 from my Grandparents. Sadly, Grandpa has severe dementia and they are moving to care for him. This boat was his pride and joy. It spent the last 20 years in his garage while he worked on it to make it more comfortable for my Grandma. He wanted to take her camping for a week on it, so he was adding things like a fridge, hot water, toilet, microwave, and AC to the cabin. Sadly, he never got it completed before his dementia prevented him from accomplishing this.
Since some of the work wasn't done great on account of the dementia, I've spent the last few weeks going through it, trying to figure out what is good and what is not.
THE GOOD:
The motor (Mercruiser 260) fired right up with a new battery, oil change, and cylinder fogging.
Trailer is in good shape.
THE BAD:
It looks like he cut a section of stringers out. I'm not sure if they were rotted, or if he needed room and just never got back to it. I pulled up the center deck board and removed the fuel tank to inspect the rest of them, and I'm not sure I like what I see. I'm new to boats, so I could use some advice.
Missing Stringer
Missing Stringer
Missing Stringer
Screw driver punched through rotted wood
Where gas tank used to be. Worried about dark wood near bottom of stringer.
Where gas tank used to be. Worried about dark wood near bottom of stringer.
Where gas tank used to be. Worried about dark wood near bottom of stringer.
Cross beam near the engine. Completely loose and so rotted that a screw driver punched through it.
Inside the cabin, before I tore it all apart. Dog likes the boat
Parked in the driveway first night after picking it up.
Daydreaming!
When I got the boat, I was under the impression that it was in generally good condition, with the exception of Grandpa's new additions (we weren't sure of the quality of his work in his old age). I was prepared to undertake a little bit of a project to get on the water. But now I am fearing it needs a total overhaul. I'm interested in having a boat and doing some tinkering, I'm not sure I'm interested in a total overhaul. I've painted cars and done some engine swaps, I'm handy, capable and hard work doesn't scare me. I'm just not sure this is where I want to invest my time right now.
How bad is this?
Is it worth fixing?
What is the ballpark estimate of having this repaired?
Doing it myself?
How involved is it?
Do I have to take the whole deck up to do it?
If it's not worth fixing, how much is it worth as-is?
