Is it wort it restoring an old 14"runabout with an 98 40Hp Mariner ,used on

[Got a Boat]

Hello Boaties<br />I did Buy an old 14 foot (4.2meter)Runaboat 1 1/2 year ago wit an year 98 40Hp Mariner with power tilt and el.start wich was not much used. Now after very often Fishing there are some things wich need work.<br />2 New seats.<br />Steering cable did rost away.<br />Plywood floor is rotting.<br /><br />The aluminum Runabout wich is around 15 year old and used on saltwater has a few cracs wich was welded and some dents but no leaks at all, not even a dropp. It does float but its ugly.<br />The Motor starts and runs excelent but its a stinky 2 stroke.<br />I did buy a new trailer a few months ago while the old did fell apart on the way to a fishing spot.<br />So do you think its worth to spend money on some new Steering (preferbly Hydraulic because last longer) and a new Plywood and Paint and Carpet for the floor. New Battery and depthsounder and a deck ligt.<br />Al the work I am able to do by myself, its my hobby, so there wont be much other expense.<br />The cost of Parts, gadgets and Paint shold not be more than US 1500$ excluding sounder. Im an forigner in Australia. Everything is 30% more expensive than in the USA. Outbord-Motors are usually 50% more expensiv because the big shots made fuking cartelprises on their imports.<br />So would you recoment to sell it to save headache and buy an new one or fix it ? <br />Thank you for your Ideas. Sorry about my poor english.

 

[refractory148]

Re: Is it wort it restoring an old 14"runabout with an 98 40Hp Mariner ,use

Re: Is it wort it restoring an old 14"runabout with an 98 40Hp Mariner ,use

Got a Boat.... Here is my opinion. If you like the boats layout and it works for you then I would Keep it. Since everything is more expensive there it would most likely be to your advantage to keep it. As far as it being ugly.. that can be fixed. Since you can do the work yourself just fix it up. If you can do the work for 1500.00 and have a boat you like then you are in fine shape. Again I say keepit, fix it up to suit your taste and style and you will be more happy than if you get something else cause you will still have to work on it.

 

[neumanns]

Re: Is it wort it restoring an old 14"runabout with an 98 40Hp Mariner ,use

Re: Is it wort it restoring an old 14"runabout with an 98 40Hp Mariner ,use

It's not what you put into a boat that counts but what you get out of it. That being said it sounds to me like you have a good motor on a sound boat that needs some cosmetic work. If you do the work you will know exactly what you have and should look real nice if you try. Sounds like hydralic steering may be overkill though, there are far more cost effective steering systems that will easily handle that motor. I say go for it!!! Everyone here will be more than glad to help you along the way if you need it.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Is it wort it restoring an old 14"runabout with an 98 40Hp Mariner ,use

Re: Is it wort it restoring an old 14"runabout with an 98 40Hp Mariner ,use

I say keep it. You could polish out the aluminum, install fresh ply, and have a sweet rig. Hydraulic steering is not necessary for such a boat, a good cable setup will last for decades if maintained at a fraction of the cost. Good luck...

 

[Got a Boat]

Re: Is it wort it restoring an old 14"runabout with an 98 40Hp Mariner ,use

Re: Is it wort it restoring an old 14"runabout with an 98 40Hp Mariner ,use

I still need help to make a smart decision. I am living in Queensland, Australia were 3meter Krokodiles and Sharks and Marine-Stingers are killig swimming dogs and stupid people falling out of the Boat when hitting a 2meter wave.<br /><br />I found also when I did buy this Boat (my first one) we had great time and made experience wich not all People are able to to get. Some bad and luckily most good ones.<br /><br />But the thime has come to make a decision to put in Monney again and Lots of work. Or just leave it, sell the Boat and save up for a bigger safer newer and more seaworthy Boat.<br /><br />There is also the factor safty in the big deep and somtimes killing far Ocean.<br />So I need a 100% reliable Motor.<br />The 4.2m boat is to smal to go camping on some Islands wich are usually 10-15 Km from mainland away.<br />And far too smal to go 30Km ofshore visiting the Barrier reef.<br />But its good to go along with in it, the Beaches, River, safe and calm lakes etc.<br /><br />I am loking around now for somthing Bigger and dont do any work on it until I can grab a good oportunity.<br />I just think its not worth spending Money Brain and Time again and again on a older Boat, especial in saltwater were everything rosts and rots 20times faster than in freshwater. And you really cant afford it rowing 15km back to shore with frontwind because the Motor has got some electric failure.<br />I am just a marine greenhorn who needs advice, shold I work on it or should I get something else ?

 

[G DANE]

Re: Is it wort it restoring an old 14"runabout with an 98 40Hp Mariner ,use

Re: Is it wort it restoring an old 14"runabout with an 98 40Hp Mariner ,use

Well you have to make your own decision, but I dont think a 98 40Hp mariner with the correct preventive maintenance should be of more problems to you than any other motor. Is there room on the boat for a small 3 or 4 Hp kicker ?, most that goes off-shore has one on an oxiliary bracket. Guess you would want that, no matter what boat.

 

[Spidybot]

Re: Is it wort it restoring an old 14"runabout with an 98 40Hp Mariner ,use

Re: Is it wort it restoring an old 14"runabout with an 98 40Hp Mariner ,use

I think I know what you're talking about. Went to Tangalooma on Moreton Island (out of Brisbane) once, and must say that the open water on the outside was not for a 14' ! We went whale-watching on a 50' power-catamaran and that rolled quite hard on the ocean-waves <br /><br />The general focus when investing time and money in a boat is that it's value should increase at least by the money you put in it. As you're really looking for a larger boat, your investment in this one should be to improve it's sale value. No matter how much you invest in a 14' it will never get any bigger.<br /><br />Your rig sounds good for the use it was designed for so you should optimize it for exactly that. Shine her up, replace the steering cable and give her a good service/tuneup.<br />As it is, in the shape you describe, you'll have a hard time getting her true value in cash. <br /><br />Then start looking for offers on her and prepare your mind for the job of deciding on a new boat.