Just Purchased a Fixer Upper 1996 Cajun Fish & Ski Boat

[imported_bigmike]

I had a friend that had purchased this boat new and he was towing it to the lake and a car sideswiped him on the highway. Boy, was he mad! The insurance company totaled the boat so he got a nice check. I told him that I didn't believe it would be hard fix. With all the money he got from the insurance company, he decided to buy a new boat and strip this one. I told him I would definitely want the boat, but he said that the it had a salvage title, so I purchased it off of him for a cheap price and I'm in the process of restoring it. I posted some pictures and I'm looking for any ideas for restoring it and repairing the damage. Also, I am in Arkansas and was wondering if anyone knew what the policies are for getting a boat with a salvage title registered and put on the water. I had an older boat with a 1976 135hp Evinrude in perfect working condition so I have already put the motor on this boat. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Mike.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Just Purchased a Fixer Upper 1996 Cajun Fish & Ski Boat

I don't know about the title issues, but I do know it is repairable. You'll need to access the damage from the inside, which will mean cutting the floor. The one thing I would do before spending any money would be to make sure you will be able to register it and use it. I would have done that before buying it, but now that you have it, you'll want to make sure you don't get in too deep. Once that is figured out, then its time to dive in. It should be a cool boat once its done.

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: Just Purchased a Fixer Upper 1996 Cajun Fish & Ski Boat

I don't think titling will be an issue. See if you can find brownies, he's an AK guy who seems to always be restoring all kinds of stuff. I bought a couple of cars on salvage titles when I was a teenager, fixed them up and registered them with no trouble.

 

[Purduebarry]

Re: Just Purchased a Fixer Upper 1996 Cajun Fish & Ski Boat

Call the Department of whatever they call it (DNR) in AK that registers boat and ask. They may require a Coast Guard inspection, recertification etc. Should be very do-able. Too bad he gutted it. Should have given it to you intact with that big check and all.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Just Purchased a Fixer Upper 1996 Cajun Fish & Ski Boat

agree, check with boat registration people, in Florida, they want to see all the reciepts, to make sure they collected the taxes., and if over 16' requires inspections and certifcations. very repairable, and nice boat. use the search and searchout Jason J 's 2 remodels, he has lots of experience, in cutting up a boat and making it into what he really wanted. and did a beautiful job.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Just Purchased a Fixer Upper 1996 Cajun Fish & Ski Boat

Nice project boat. Don't skimp.... do it right! I would stay with mostly epoxy for the strength considering the pounding it will be capable of.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Just Purchased a Fixer Upper 1996 Cajun Fish & Ski Boat

I was expecting to see some really bad damage, in the world of repair that's not bad. The hard part will be getting any repairs in the metal flake gel coat to look good, the rest will be easy, just do 90% of it from the inside and mostly a cosmetic repair on the outside.

Replacing all of the stuff he stripped out of it will be costly though.

 

[imported_bigmike]

Re: Just Purchased a Fixer Upper 1996 Cajun Fish & Ski Boat

Hey all. I tride to tell him to leave all the stuff on the boat but he promesed it all to his brother . He has since moved so i cant ask him anything about the boat . Is ther a place i can get a owners manual ? I know they stoped makeing cajun boats in 97 . also the metal flake paint is dull what will help bring it shine back ?.
also I said i had put the 1976 135hp evinrude motor on this boat is ther a way i could still youse the gas tank thats on this boat wright now forthe motor i have a 6 galon tank and a hand pump and the one on this boat is i think 27 gallon and the gas is mixed 50 to 1 Thanks guys i realy appreciate all the help and feedback mike