Is my boat worth anything? (rot)...

[SS194]

Hello, I'm having a hard time dealing with the fact that my boat my have reached the end of it's life. It's in wonderful shape except for the rot in the floor and the beams. I know someone would have to put the boat in a rig, cut the entire floor out, replace the beams, glass it all in and replace the floor. I'm sure if I paid someone to do it would be probably close to $4000.

So, for all of you guys out there who do this kind of stuff, what's the boat worth? I'm asking here because people in this forum will know what it takes and if a boat of this age is totaled or not. I'm considering parting it out, but I would absolutely hate to do that to such a beautiful classic looking boat. I just wish I had the time to do it myself.

It's a 1976 Slickcraft SS194. 17' w/ a Merc 302. Engine only has two seasons on it and is in excellent shape. Here are a few pictures.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Is my boat worth anything? (rot)...

Hi SS194,
If you really like the boat, and it sounds like you do, think of it this way: Can you buy a new boat that looks that nice, with those classic lines, for $4000? I think not. Your interior looks good and the motor has low hours, so you're already set in those areas. A new 19-foot runabout with V8 power will likely run you more than $25,000. Redone right, your boat will be every bit as 'new' as a new boat. You can buy a lot of gas for $21,000...
- Scott

 

[gcboat]

Re: Is my boat worth anything? (rot)...

You're in a predicament that is almost a daily occurrence. Love the boat, no time for repairs and too many $$$$$$$$ to have someone fix it.
A boat of that age is a labor of love. Hell, for that matter all of them are!!!!!!
It's a tough call on what to do. If you just can't live without her then either fix it yourself ( you'll find the time ), save some $$$$$$$$ and have someone do it ( it won't cost 4K either) or ugh - part it out. Parting it out really hurts because you look at the boat just being destroyed piece by piece, little by little. It's a very slow boating death to me.
OR - you could sell it with a disclaimer noting the wood damage, etc.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Is my boat worth anything? (rot)...

i agree the boat looks to be in good condition, except for the deck and stringers. it is well worth fixing, compared to the cost of replacing. presently, i would not give you over $1,000, even with the low houred drive system. it is not a boat that someone can take, refurbish, and make any money on it. money could be made parting out the engine and outdrive, and misc parts. but never enough to make a good down payment on a new boat.

as said if the boat has been a good runner, you like it. bite the bullet, repair her, and run it another 30 years.

here are several threads for good reading, and contemplation.
http://forums.iboats.com/forumdisplay.php?f=407

 

[Robj]

Re: Is my boat worth anything? (rot)...

As she sits now, with the rott, it is not worth much. You have to remember a 30+ year old boat with rott won't be an easy sell. If you fix it yourself, you could probably get the $$ out of it if you were to sell. But if you really like the boat and intend on keeping it, fix it. My guess when all the repairs are done, floor, stringers and probably transom, a shop would probably charge $4k, you could do it yourself for probably $1 to 1.5 k.

Have a great day,

Rob.

 

[new_boater]

Re: Is my boat worth anything? (rot)...

i say put the money into it and you will be further ahead in the long run.
you already know that the drive system is good and the rest of boat looks GREAT.
i may be partial though as i love my 72 ss195 slickcraft

 

[TheCamel]

Re: Is my boat worth anything? (rot)...

I agree with Chinewalker, You have to weigh the cost of replacement, and possibly learning a new drivetrain, vs. what you know about the boat now, and how long it will take to get it accomplished. Also you will know that the job was done to your standards, if you do it yourself. The decision can be a tough one, but you have a lot of choices to make.

 

[fixb52s]

Re: Is my boat worth anything? (rot)...

That is a sharp boat that looks great. It would be a shame to put it out to pasture due to a rotten deck. It would not hurt to find someone to fix it and get some estimates. It might help on the $ if you strip the powertrain and interior for them, and reassemble it yourself.

As stated before, the boat itself complete would not bring more than $1K and parting it out would bring more. I guess it would be an easy choice to part it out if it was ugly.​

 

[SS194]

Re: Is my boat worth anything? (rot)...

Thanks for all of the opinions. I didn't realize that its only a thousand dollar boat as it sits. That's sad. I would love to tackle the project myself, but the problem is that I have cars, motorcycles, and the boat. I just moved and am not as close to the water as I would like to be and I now have absolutely no where to put the boat. It just makes sense for me to sell the boat.

Out of curiosity, lets say I had someone fix the rot and it was now a sound hull. With what you guys know about it, what would it most likely sell for? I know there are a lot of variables, but I'm just trying to figure out if it'd be worth it for me to have it fixed, then sell it.

But even still, I doubt even if it was in perfect shape that I could get more than $4-5K for it.

At that rate, I might as well just dump it for $1K.

Thanks again guys,
Steve

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Is my boat worth anything? (rot)...

here is an example, the listing say $400 he has dropped it to $300. the Cobia was and still is a very popular boat in this area.
http://jacksonville.craigslist.org/boa/706882060.html

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Is my boat worth anything? (rot)...

I think you'd be lucky to get $1000 for it. As noted, it'd be a shame to part that boat out, as it really is sharp and the "other" stuff is in good shape. I'd sell it as a project boat, being up front about the issues included. Hopefully the next owner will be willing to put the time and money into it to make it right...

FYI, I paid $250 for my 18-foot Starcraft, no motor. Details of the rebuild in my sig line...
- Scott

 

[Ingalls]

Re: Is my boat worth anything? (rot)...

Im in the same predicament with my boat, although its in MUCH worse shape. I was told that the mold to my boat may have been sold and is being built under a different name. If you really like the lines of your old boat, do some research and maybe youll find something that gives you that same feel.

 

[fixb52s]

Re: Is my boat worth anything? (rot)...

It it was all done, someone might pay $3-$4K for it. It depends on the market and how much someone thinks it is worth.

As far as making a profit if you had it fixed, no, that will probably will not happen. You would not even break even.

If you were to keep it for some years, Then yes, fix it up. If you want to part your ways with it, then selling it now as a project makes more sense. Even though you might get $1K for it now, you would be better off than sinking the cash into it, then taking a greater loss then.​

 

[oops!]

Re: Is my boat worth anything? (rot)...

hes gonna sell it guys.......


someone get in there and....SAVE THAT BABY !




oops

 

[SS194]

Re: Is my boat worth anything? (rot)...

Unfortunately I have to sell it. Hopefully I can find a buyer who is willing to put some effort into it and keep it alive.

Thanks guys for the help,
Steve
By the way, if you know someone who's looking for a project...

 

[Bigdaveaz]

Re: Is my boat worth anything? (rot)...

I paid $500 for my 88' 19' glastron on a Good trailor, have not checked floor yet!

 

[new_boater]

Re: Is my boat worth anything? (rot)...

Unfortunately I have to sell it. Hopefully I can find a buyer who is willing to put some effort into it and keep it alive.

Thanks guys for the help,
Steve
By the way, if you know someone who's looking for a project...

what are you asking

 

[SS194]

Re: Is my boat worth anything? (rot)...

Ha, make me an offer!

 

[TheWoodCrafter]

Re: Is my boat worth anything? (rot)...

PM sent.

 

[SS194]

Re: Is my boat worth anything? (rot)...

Hey guys, I just wanted to give everyone an update. I sold the boat last night. He was a really nice guy who loves old stuff (cars, boat, whatever). He loved the boat and gave me $2000 for it. He's planning on running it for the rest of the season then probably tearing into the floor this winter.

I'm going to stay in touch with him so I can't wait to see how it turns out.

I'm lucky to have found this guy...otherwise I would have had to probably part the boat out.

Thanks for your help.

Steve