Need 2nd, 3rd, 4th, .... opinion

[scarr105]

New member first post.

I'm thinking of buying this used boat, it will be a project boat since it as work that needs done to it. It will also be my first boat ever, it's a 1972 Winner Piranha with a 1969 9.5HP Johnson motor with trailer, the price is $300. The motor ran fine about 2 years ago but hasn't been tested since, the transom needs to be replaced ( I should said added). The hull appears to be solid and in good shape, the trailer looks to be heavy duty and great shape expect lights.

I'm a DIYer and don't mind getting dirty working on a project but I've never worked on a boat before and was hoping someone could give me advice on this boat, so here are my questions:

Do you think it's worth $300?
Is the transom worth trying to fix (cost wise)?
Is this something you think a 1st timer could do?
What do you think the boat would be worth if rebuild with 9.5HP motor? (for the purpose to know how much money I want to sink into this project)

Picture here:

http://i764.photobucket.com/albums/xx282/scarr105/IMG00067-20090728-1304.jpg

http://i764.photobucket.com/albums/xx282/scarr105/IMG00068-20090728-1304.jpg

http://i764.photobucket.com/albums/xx282/scarr105/IMG00069-20090728-1304.jpg

http://i764.photobucket.com/albums/xx282/scarr105/DSCF4425.jpg

thanks for any feedback,

Shane

 

[floatingwoody2006]

Re: Need 2nd, 3rd, 4th, .... opinion

trailer and motor are worth the 300, but i would not even attempt to repair that hull if it were me. Keep the trailer, motor, and look for a 14' aluminum on CL. Good Luck.

 

[bustermin]

Re: Need 2nd, 3rd, 4th, .... opinion

By the looks of it from all the decomposing vegetation and trash, you can bet it needs alot more than just a transom. I'd say if you like projects go for it, but keep in mind it could get costly and time consuming and you more than likely will not get your money back out of it, but you would get one heck of a learning experience out of it.

 

[scarr105]

Re: Need 2nd, 3rd, 4th, .... opinion

Thanks for the opinions, they got me thinking about another question to add to the mix. If I buy this for the motor and trailer, how do I go about junking the boat? Is it as simple as driving it to a junk yard?

thakns, Shane

 

[Thad]

Re: Need 2nd, 3rd, 4th, .... opinion

Thanks for the opinions, they got me thinking about another question to add to the mix. If I buy this for the motor and trailer, how do I go about junking the boat? Is it as simple as driving it to a junk yard?

thakns, Shane

I have boat two boats in the past to part out. The first one, I took a sawsall to it and loaded it my carhauler and took it to the landfill. Upon arrival I was informed that I could have brought the boat in WHOLE and just pushed it off of the trailer. So, the next one, after stripping it, I filled with everyones trash and took it in. For the same price!
So, I would call a couple of land fills and see what they say.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Need 2nd, 3rd, 4th, .... opinion

I actually think fixed up that looks like it could be a nice fishing rig. Have you been down to the restoration section? There are at least 2-3 projects going on right now of similar hulls. Here are 2 of them:

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=322024
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=297741

A little sweat and fiberglass and you could set it up however you want it. That trailer looks pretty decent and you can't go wrong with a Johnson 9.5. I'd go for it.

 

[scarr105]

Re: Need 2nd, 3rd, 4th, .... opinion

Ezmobee,

Thanks for the links, they were very encouraging, I plan on really looking the boat over on Sunday, clean out all the leaves and other stuff inthe boat. At that point I will be able to look over the flooring and get a better look at that transom. I'll take more pictures and post them and maybe people will have a better idea if this is a good project boat or waste of time.

Like others have already said the trailer and motor are with $300 and I already found a recycling center that will take the boat if I want to scrap it.

If anyone else has an opinion please add it, I'm looking for all the advice I can get.

thanks,
Shane

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: Need 2nd, 3rd, 4th, .... opinion

I agree with most of the others on motor & trailer worth $300. that hull looks like it is ready for the landfill. you may be better off driving around looking for old neglected boats and ask about them and possibly find as good or better deal.
my brother went thru several 15ft-16ft bass boats with 65hp-75hp motors and mixed and matched boats,motors,trailers to have one good rig set up for $200-$500. It was easy to sell the bad motors for parts. Cheap used trls are in demand. but the hulls went to the dump.

check the hull for rot in the floor & bilge. poke at it with a screw driver and if it is mushy .

 

[jonesg]

Re: Need 2nd, 3rd, 4th, .... opinion

It could be brought back, stringers and deck are shot if the transom looks like that, so it would be a complete gut job, pop the cap and clear everything out. I'd say that engine is too small, maybe ok for trolling.
Exterior of transom needs power sanding with 80 grit just to see whats under the mat patching.

If you have the tools, room and like doing this sort of work..I do.

 

[Trapper55]

Re: Need 2nd, 3rd, 4th, .... opinion

I would go for it. I paid $400 for my 14' fishing boat and I think by the time I get done taking it apart I'll be down to just the hull. I'm starting to get excited about building it back the way I want it. I know it will cost me some cash to rebuild it but I will get there eventually. Good Luck!

PS: Thanks for the info you posted on my Tom Boy project.

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: Need 2nd, 3rd, 4th, .... opinion

The money you spend on that you could have bought a ready to go boat! But if this is the kind of stuff you enjoy doing then go for it. It all depends on what kind of time you want to invest on that one, people love taking on that kind of a challenge, but if you are want to go out on the water any time soon then but another boat My 2cents

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Need 2nd, 3rd, 4th, .... opinion

Its a 9.5hp OMC (hard to get parts for, many NLA)

The boat is junk.

Pass.

 

[Lion hunter]

Re: Need 2nd, 3rd, 4th, .... opinion

delete: duplicate

 

[Lion hunter]

Re: Need 2nd, 3rd, 4th, .... opinion

I think the boat is junk. Even if you decided to restore it that 9.5 is way to small for that boat. You would be trolling all the time. IMO the 9.5 are good motors. If it runs I would buy it, trash the boat and find a 12 or 14' tinny. Those things can be had for cheap when they have no motor or trailer. You could have a nice setup and probably be fishing for less than $500.00. From the looks of that transom you would have a alot of money in a restore and still need a motor. If the motor doesn't run but has good compression I'd offer $100. If compression is bad I'd walk away.

 

[Numlaar]

Re: Need 2nd, 3rd, 4th, .... opinion

I have to agree with the majority on this one....

I think maybe the motor (if compression is ok), and trailer are worth the 300, but the boat is junk. I would've considered salvaging the boat, if they hadn't cut the outer hull on the transom. It would have been a complete rebuild, but you would have had the original structural integrity of the hull to work with. As it sits now, you're looking at rebuilding not only the transom and inside, but the outer hull as well, gel coat, etc. You would never ever recoup your materials cost out of the thing, (much less make a profit from it).

Also agree that a 9.5 on that boat is waaay under powered, thats just a kicker for that thing... I would sayit would be a lot better off with something more like a 50 on it.

I think you could probably do better hunting around. If you could get the motor started, you may be able to make a smidgeon off parting it out, by selling the motor/trailer seperate, and junking the boat. (But you have to consider in the dump fee for the hull).

Good luck with your decision!

 

[scarr105]

Re: Need 2nd, 3rd, 4th, .... opinion

Thanks for all the opinions, I went to really check out the boat yesterday and decided not to buy it. Looked like more work then I wanted on that transom, guy also had trouble firing up the motor, said it's been a year since he started it. He was able to get it to turn over and by the end of our meeting he was talking about wanting to keep the motor, so then he offered the boat and trailer to me for $1.00. I said sure but the wife stepped in and say we have people who offered more for the trailer, so we decide to just part ways.

Again thanks for the advice and the search will continue for that diamond in the rough.

Shane

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