need advise on boat

[cuzzx]

I have found a 15.6 ash craft boat that is in some need of repair/rebuild.
First off the trailer is in good shape, the motor is an older mercury 65hp that will not start, been sitting for 4 years. the fiberglass boat has had a 4x4 piece of plywood screwed to the middle part of the deck with two seats mounted.
The side wall has flotation. where the shifter box mounts it looks to be rotted.
best I can tell the floor is ok. on the upper side walls are mounts to place your rods, there rotted off. all in all the boat looks repairable. but one never knows whats under the fiberglass floor .

what do you guys think would be a fair price to offer for this boat?
have no pictures, rig been sitting out in the weather for four years.

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: need advise on boat

Cuzz I would start at $300.00 and not go over $500.00 it is most likely going to need to be ripped apart and redone completely .


Rick

 

[ondarvr]

Re: need advise on boat

Without more info its tough to say what its worth, but if the motor can't be made to run before you buy it, then consider it trash with no value.

If the wood you can see is rotten, then assume the wood you can't see is rotten also. This rot will result in a long term project and cost a good deal of money to fix.

If the trailer is in good shape like you said, then it's the only thing of any value, but it will most likely still need new tires, bearings and lights. Plus you'll probably find rusted through areas upon closer inspection. Expect to spend a couple hundred bucks to get it in usable shape if there's no rust, with rust it may be junk also.

A non running small boat with rot is of little or no value, many people pay to have them disposed of. If the trailer is good shape it may be worth a couple hundred bucks, but worth less than that when packaged with a boat in poor condition.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: need advise on boat

When you see a plywood floor thrown down over the old one, chances are the original deck is rotted out. Even if you just have to have it, don't spend more than you can get out of the trailer if you have to junk the hull and motor and move on.

 

[cuzzx]

Re: need advise on boat

My problem is I really like the layout of this boat.
Live well and storage box in back, small platform up front. side steering, flotation all over but could be bad.

I live in south Alabama and one would think that you can find boats just about everywhere. You can jon boats and larger bost with 150 and up motors.

I just want one that one man can load, handle and use. Found a 14ft basspro, no motor,$900.

Today I ran across a Monark, motor 55evin bad,trailer patched up for $750, but can't get up with the owner, no where.

I just like this ash craft but don't want to get in to deep.

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: need advise on boat

Cuzz if its a boat you really like and think youll use for years then go for it . I still wouldnt go over $500.00 and would lean towards $200.00-$300.00 . The only thing that matters when getting in to deep is if you dont think you will keep it long but if its one you really like and think you will keep for several years then rebuilding it is worthwhile. There are several guys here who have way more into their boats than they will ever get out of them but they like their bots.


Rick

 

[jonesg]

Re: need advise on boat

Its a $200 boat.
Deck , stringers and transom are almost certain bad, I'd bet good money on all 3 being completely shot.
You might be able to make the engine go.
The whole rig is worth less than the trailer because the value of the trailer is dragged down by the junk sitting on it.

I can find boats like that all day long for free or next to free.
...never love something that can't love you back.
I'd rather find a tinny and have an enjoyable boating experience.

 

[Boss Hawg]

Re: need advise on boat

I have found a 15.6 ash craft boat that is in some need of repair/rebuild.
First off the trailer is in good shape, the motor is an older mercury 65hp that will not start, been sitting for 4 years. the fiberglass boat has had a 4x4 piece of plywood screwed to the middle part of the deck with two seats mounted.
The side wall has flotation. where the shifter box mounts it looks to be rotted.
best I can tell the floor is ok. on the upper side walls are mounts to place your rods, there rotted off. all in all the boat looks repairable. but one never knows whats under the fiberglass floor .

what do you guys think would be a fair price to offer for this boat?
have no pictures, rig been sitting out in the weather for four years.

Unless your really into restoring i'd look for another boat -----

 

[ondarvr]

Re: need advise on boat

It can be difficult to find parts for older mercs and combined with the supplies to fix the boat, plan on spending $1,500 to $2,000 , then add at least a few months to do the work. If the motor doesn't run then another grand for a runner, now your into it for $3,000 and it still may have a shakey trailer.

You should be able to find a running boat for less than that amount of money and be on the water tomorrow.

 

[cuzzx]

Re: need advise on boat

True , True , True .
But I stiull like this boat.
Today I went by a empty house. Noticed a guy cutting the real tall grass. Saw a trihull with a walk thru windshield sitting on the ground. From what I can tell it looked ok. The guy said that I might could get it free just to get it out of the yard. To call carl at #.

Ok, my question.
If I get the tri , can the front set section be cut out and a casting platform be built there ok? I think it would work.

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: need advise on boat

Cuzz with the trihull you dont even need to cut the front seting area out just build a flat platform to drop right down into the front of the boat right over the seating area . The plus to this is you can still put cushions up there and use it for additional seating if needed .


Rick

 

[Numlaar]

Re: need advise on boat

True , True , True .
But I stiull like this boat.
Today I went by a empty house. Noticed a guy cutting the real tall grass. Saw a trihull with a walk thru windshield sitting on the ground. From what I can tell it looked ok. The guy said that I might could get it free just to get it out of the yard. To call carl at #.

Ok, my question.
If I get the tri , can the front set section be cut out and a casting platform be built there ok? I think it would work.

I did the exact thing to my tri-hull... was an old bowrider where the two seats up front were basically worthless, I cut them out, and decked it across as a fishing/casting platform. (I cut out the old seat bases because I used the under bow area for storage).

Boats almost done, so I'll let you know how it rides once its on the water

 

[redfury]

Re: need advise on boat

Once I get to that stage, same thing. I'm going to build a two piece casting deck ( maybe one if it will work better ) that will replace the removable cushions. Then I can put the cushions back in when we take the boat out for recreation instead of fishing.