Is this a good deal?

[Bandit Bushman]

Hi guys! Just joined, not sure if this is right place to post this? But anyhoo, I have been looking for a boat the past winter to use this summer, and I found a two boat one trailer deal for $125. No motor, boats were abandoned.

I figure I would keep the best one and scrap the other.

two boats need a new home

The $1,000,000 question is, is this a good deal? In Ohio abandoned watercraft titles are $179 and I can get the trailer titled for free. Should I wait until I find a boat with a title? I have talked him down to $125, and will have the money next week to pick them up if its worth it.

 

[BonairII]

Re: Is this a good deal?

RUN AWAY! Those boats arent worth the trouble. Rotted inside for sure.

 

[Bandit Bushman]

Re: Is this a good deal?

I wouldn't be able to rebuild the wood if it is rotted? My job gives me a slow trickle of money every month that I can use. (I'm 16 and work at a golf course) I have worked with fiberglass and have close friends in the carpentry/construction industry. I'm willing to invest for a boat to motor around in, but can't really afford upfront cost, so long term cost is more viable for me.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Is this a good deal?

Hey bandit - welcome aboard.

You could (in theory) rebuild a boat like one of those. In the end - it would more than eat the money you make right now. It's more expensive than you think it will be.

8 months of saving $200 will give you $1,600 which would be enough to get a decent lake ready boat. I saw a couple on Columbus Craigslist that would work. It's later than you want ... but it'll be better in the long run.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Is this a good deal?

If you'd like to rebuild a boat just for the heck of it (as a hobby) go for it. If you're doing it to try and save a few bucks, listen to southkogs and BonairII.

My.02

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Is this a good deal?

Those boat will end up costing you 2000 to 5000 to get water ready and a 1000 hours of labor, the guy should give you 500 to haul them off. Yes their that bad. The man should be ashamed to try to charge you to haul off his crap.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Is this a good deal?

If you are looking to do a full restore on the better of the two. Then it would be something to consider. Those boats will probably not see water until next year. Plan on about $4-5k

also, check your state regs on salvage titles for boats, as the ad states no titles, etc.

 

[BonairII]

Re: Is this a good deal?

Buy an aluminum boat...Very easy and cheap to rebuild. Check out the Starcraft resto threads.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Is this a good deal?

Old fiberglass boats like those have wooden stringers (floor joists), transoms (rear of the boat, supports the engine), and decks (floor). On these boats, that wood is surely rotten and will need to be replaced. To be properly done, these components need to be installed with and encased with fiberglass. The products to do this are not inexpensive and will typically run you around $1000 for just the materials. There is no safe/acceptable way to skimp on this to save money. Now an aluminum hull has aluminum stringers, and the wooden decks and transoms are typically just screwed/bolted into place. Even if they are completely rotten, they can be replaced in as little as a weekend and as cheaply as the cost of plywood and you have a good safe boat. As mentioned, check out the Starcraft manufacturer section of this forum. Starcraft Boats Lots of good projects there. Some of us have picked up our project aluminum hulls for as cheap as junker glass boats.

I got this one for $200: http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w200/ezmobee/Boat Project/Before.jpg
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w200/ezmobee/Boat Project/DSCF0005.jpg

and turned it into this: http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w200/ezmobee/Boat Project/DSCF1928.jpg
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w200/ezmobee/Boat Project/DSCF1923.jpg

If one of these glass boats at least had a motor of some sort, it could be worth picking up for parts. But as it is, there's no value in what the dude it selling.

 

[Bandit Bushman]

Re: Is this a good deal?

That boat is gorgeous ezmobee! Would a aluminum hull have stringers? Or would I want a complete hull/interior? Also would a 16-18 footer be a good first boat and comfortable enough for me and one friend?

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: Is this a good deal?


this 1957 LoneStar El Dorado was given to me in 1990. It was in rough shape, had a 1964 motor on it that I spent hundreds trying to get in reliable condition. In 1994 I spent $8400 on a brand new motor, steering ,and controls & gages. I never spent more than $200 on the floors and interior. I ran the crap out of it for about 20 years and got a much bigger,faster, better, boat. I still wish I had it but I'm a one boat guy and am happy with what I got now.
What I'm trying to say is even free boats cost $$$ . New boats cost a ton of $$$.
Chose wisely , go Aluminum !

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Is this a good deal?

That boat is gorgeous ezmobee! Would a aluminum hull have stringers? Or would I want a complete hull/interior? Also would a 16-18 footer be a good first boat and comfortable enough for me and one friend?

Thanks! My 2nd project is even gorgeous-er Aluminum hulls do typically have stringers but they are aluminum. You can see mine here in this pic of my current boat stripped out http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w200/ezmobee/New Boat/DSCF2251.jpg I didn't take much in the way of progress photos of my work on my 16' but I took a ton of the 18' if you want to check it out to see how these boats are put together: New Boat Photos by ezmobee | Photobucket A 16-18 is a great size for a first boat. If you want to see if there are any good aluminum project hulls in your area, search craigslist for Starcraft, Sylvan, Smokercraft, Mirrocraft, Sea Nymph, Lund etc. (keep in mind some of these manufacturers did make both fiberglass AND aluminum hulls). We've got a Starcrafts on craigslist thread going down in the Starcraft section of this forum that we post nice deals we find and advice.

 

[Bandit Bushman]

Re: Is this a good deal?

Boat trailer has 17' hull on it

Is this aluminum?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Is this a good deal?

Boat trailer has 17' hull on it

Is this aluminum?

Nope.

 

[idonthaveaname]

Re: Is this a good deal?

I am with everyone else...run away. Personal story.... I bought a 15 foot bass boat not understanding what I was getting into. Everything needed to be replaced, deck, stringers, transom, etc. The more I dug the worse it got. The only thing salvageable was the steering wheel, cable and the hull (fiberglass) was solid but I will have to paint it. It's been a great experience with rebuilding but very expensive and I could have just bought a boat (which I finally did). This "little eagle" is a work in progress, BUT...I have the expendable cash to waste (which I shouldn't). The payoff was the education and the friends I made here--not the boat. Not telling you how to live, but IMHO, you should save your money and buy a fixer upper, but not a restore project.

Best of luck and be patient. Trust me...the one you want will be there. Low ball the offer, you have nothing to lose and you could be very surprised. I have learned through all the buying and selling I do on Craigslist that there is always a deal somewhere and if I have the slightest doubt or the guy can't meet MY price, I walk away. Patience is the key to a really good deal (that and cash)

Come back here for any advice on what you are looking at.

 

[Bandit Bushman]

Re: Is this a good deal?

How hard is it to find decent outboards? Should I buy a boat that comes with one? Or should I be ok with finding one?

 

[carribbean soul]

Re: Is this a good deal?

How hard is it to find decent outboards? Should I buy a boat that comes with one? Or should I be ok with finding one?

very hard! why would some one sell a good outboard without a boat? a new 70hp outboard is going to be north of $7k
Used Mercury 9.9 hp 15 hp 20 hp and 25 hp Outboard Motor Mercury Outboards

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Is this a good deal?

How hard is it to find decent outboards? Should I buy a boat that comes with one? Or should I be ok with finding one?

The best deals on used outboards are usually the ones hanging on the back of old rotted out boats.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Is this a good deal?

How hard is it to find decent outboards? Should I buy a boat that comes with one? Or should I be ok with finding one?

You should be able to locate one relatively easily. It might take some time, but they're out there.

 

[idonthaveaname]

Re: Is this a good deal?

I just sold an excellent 70HP. A 2001 in perfect condition, mechanic verified, bought for $1100 (without a boat) and sold for $1800 without a boat. There are plenty of lonely outboards out there for sale in south FLA and some really good deals.