My First Boat and Restore

[Paul Ryan]

Well, the time has come that I give back to this forum what it has given me. Following is the storyline and pic's of what I have been up too.

About 5 years ago (at 35) I decided to get my first boat. I have always had the water in my life, but rode my Harley in my twenties. Then moved and started a new carrer in my early thirties. Got things alittle settled at 35 and here we go.

Started thinking about what I wanted and what I could afford. I looked, read and studied for almost a year. Here is what I got. These are the pics of the boat I found on-line. She was in the same shape when I bought her.

1983 Bayliner 195 Cuddy Cabin, Volvo AQ125/270

She was in rough shape. Engine ran but had a knock. Sole had a big patch, and plenty of rotting wood that could be seen. The biggest thing I got out of this was everything was there. I've been a DIY all my life and I knew I could tackle all the repairs...How little did I know!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Paid 1200$ for the hole package. That was more than I wanted to pay, and more than the package was worth but the guy wouldn't move. It started at 14 and 12 is where we finished.

For all those people out there that are seeing this and thinking about doing what I did, stay with me. I'm going to show and explain things I found out AFTER I got home. Some of the things I knew about and some I didn't. Biggest thing is I paid to much!!! I should have walked away but she is what I wanted and the boat gods had bite me, so I pulled her home.

For those that have seen this happen to other people, hang around as well. It has a happy ending.

 

[drewpster]

Re: My First Boat and Restore

Don't get the idea that you are the only one that bought something "you probably should'nt have". Welcome to the funny farm boat owner!
enjoy
drewp

 

[Paul Ryan]

Re: My First Boat and Restore

Don't get the idea that you are the only one that bought something "you probably should'nt have". Welcome to the funny farm boat owner!
enjoy
drewp

Happen drewp!...Your restore and others have played a major part of my good progress. The works your getting done look great! Thanks for stopping by.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: My First Boat and Restore

Paul, at least you knew you were you getting a project. It's a real bummer when someone shells out thousands more than you did and unknowingly ends up in the same position. I paid $1000 for my 18' with a 90HP with no interior. Sure mine will be an easier restore but I still wouldn't lose too much sleep over what you paid. That will be a real nice boat when you're done.

Hope you've seen this thread for inspiration: http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=359704

 

[Paul Ryan]

Re: My First Boat and Restore

Paul, at least you knew you were you getting a project. It's a real bummer when someone shells out thousands more than you did and unknowingly ends up in the same position.

Yeah Ez I agree 100% and thats why I wanted to share. I did know I was getting a project, but for those that are looking for something that is in good shape I'm going to show and point out some things to look at before you buy. If I can help atleast one then it's all worth it.

I went the project route because of money. With what I wanted out of a boat I did not have the 7 or 8 thousand to spend on a good order boat, but what I did have was about 5 thousand, alittle comman sence, and time. End result would be a Good order boat worth 7 to 8, functional and safe.

Here's a pic of me and my first mate. RIP He did not make it to the maden launch.

 

[Paul Ryan]

Re: My First Boat and Restore

And some more pic's of the boat.

As you can see I have much works in front of me. The upholstery is crudely patched, mis matched, faded, cracked, hard, ripped and gone...lol...Engine cover rotted. And this is only the begining...lol...

 

[Paul Ryan]

Re: My First Boat and Restore

Thou the hours of rework are adding up to be bigger and bigger, I'm still having a great time poking around my first boat. Just a really great feeling to know I was commited to a path of getting on the water. Which brings me to this next pic. And for all the new pre owner guys out there get up on the wheel and look at this really close.

If you are wanting to get on the water soon and see something like this STOP!!!! Get off the boat and move on to something else!!! That is a plywood patch screwed on with comman wood screws. This is a HUGE sign that bad things are being hidden.

Also, if you see this, preform the same above directions!!!

Don't see what I'm talking about. Look again. Look at the carpert around the sole (floor) and up the walls. Do you see a line? Dark carpet on the bottom, light carpet on top? Thats a water line!!! My boat was either flooded or flat out sunk! And for it to stain the carpet it had water in it for awhile!!!

 

[superpop]

Re: My First Boat and Restore

Bringing that one back from grim death. I wonder what the sub floor and stringers look like. http://forums.iboats.com/images/icons/icon5.gif

 

[Paul Ryan]

Re: My First Boat and Restore

So as we moved deeper.....Attention!!! This is not for the faint at heart.

The patch on the deck that was screwed down with comman wood screws, patch half heartly sealed only on one side with comman clear RTV, heres what we found.

Gold!!! Black Gold!!!

Clear evidence that the boat and been flooded and stayed that way for a period of time. I would find other clues later in the tare down.

 

[Paul Ryan]

Re: My First Boat and Restore

Bringing that one back from grim death. I wonder what the sub floor and stringers look like. http://forums.iboats.com/images/icons/icon5.gif

Hi supperprop. Your answer is above...lol...Thanks for stopping by.

 

[tinkeringwackyone]

Re: My First Boat and Restore

I feel your pain, I have an 87 sea ray seville, that was flooded, the drain plug was plugged and got flooded up to the front seats, i paid to much as well but love the boat. Right now I'm recovering from back surgery so my work is on hold for a couple of months. good luck to you.

 

[prolinews]

Re: My First Boat and Restore

Money spent is money gone don't worry about it. I've spent more on project boats. I'm in to proline and aquasport flatbacks and they are getting harder and more expensive to find.

 

[prolinews]

Re: My First Boat and Restore

 

[prolinews]

Re: My First Boat and Restore

In case you were wondering what a flat back was. I'll be glad when I can post pics and type in the same block.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: My First Boat and Restore

prolinews would you mind resizing your pic? It's much too large. 640x480 is preferrable.

 

[Paul Ryan]

Re: My First Boat and Restore

Thanks for all those stopping by. The support and enthusiasm is really great from everyone with this hobbie. Is there something wrong with us???

OK, so the Enviromental Clean-up Team fianlly arrived.

It's amazing what a little Dawn and warm water will do. Not only did it cleanup about 90% of the oil but it also showed me this.

Rotted all the way into the cuddy. How nice...lol...

 

[83vert]

Re: My First Boat and Restore

Is that a pvc pipe for some sort of drain?

 

[jcsercsa]

Re: My First Boat and Restore

Hi Paul , Welcome

Yea this one is looking like a total rebuild !! your i the right place were all here to help all we can !!

From your last pic there it looks like the glass is pulling away from the stringers there in the corner ??? I will bet that your stringers are shot , have you taken core samples yet ??

She will be a sweet ride when you done !! keep them pics comming John

 

[Paul Ryan]

Re: My First Boat and Restore

Is that a pvc pipe for some sort of drain?

Yep, I belive it was 1/2 thin wall. I answered this on one of your threads. Thou I have been coming here for years reading and learning, these are being my first post and I'm still getting use to posting to the correct threads etc... I'll get out there looking around and forget all about where I am at and post on a thread that has nothing to do with the subject manner Ahhh the newbies

 

[Paul Ryan]

Re: My First Boat and Restore

Hi Paul , Welcome

Yea this one is looking like a total rebuild !! your i the right place were all here to help all we can !!

From your last pic there it looks like the glass is pulling away from the stringers there in the corner ??? I will bet that your stringers are shot , have you taken core samples yet ??

She will be a sweet ride when you done !! keep them pics comming John

Hi John. Thanks for stopping by. To answer you question, yes the glass was pulling away. But what I found you would not call stringers What I found was more like a drift wood...lol...Core sample pic's to come.