New Boat Project NEED HELP!

[boatbeginner1]

I'm thinkging about taking on my first boat restoration but not sure if its a good idea. It would be a cboia boat, around 1973 and it has screw holes and a decent scratch (will post pictures). It looks like the feul tank is topside in direct sunlight(will need to change that) and the engine is not working. This would be my first restoration. I would like to add new seats and add an itegrated fish tank under the platform by the transom. Let me know of your ideas! I will post more pictures

 

[boatbeginner1]

Re: New Boat Project NEED HELP!

 

[boatbeginner1]

Re: New Boat Project NEED HELP!

 

[GT1000000]

Re: New Boat Project NEED HELP!

Hi and welcome,

You are in the best place to get all the info you will need to restore this boat to better than new condition...

But are you really ready for what you are getting into???

I am asking this for a couple of reasons...the first is the one of your pictures below...is that a crack in the hull?

And, are you ready for some eye-opening truth...it is my experience that a boat that looks like this, is very possibly in need of a full restoration...that involves a ton of work, dedication, and quite a bit of money...

If you decide that you want to really do this, we will help any way we can...But I would suggest that you do some serious, deep down inspecting of the structural condition of this boat, realize that an engine can cost quite a lot, and read through the experiences of some of the guys that have gone and are going through their own restorations...

Here are two of the most read restorations because of the amount of information, techniques, and work they have done...

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=234392

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=510077

Like I said, if you decide to tackle this project, we can help get you through it.

Best Regards,
GT1M

 

[boatbeginner1]

Re: New Boat Project NEED HELP!

Yes that is a crack. I have not yet purchased the boat yet but am wondering if I should. I would really like to restore a boat and call it my own as opposed to buy a new one. I dont want to spend over $1000 as the boat is priced at $500. I would like an outboard with steering capablities instead of a tiller and I dont want to pay over $1000 if its gonna take a whole lot of work.


Thanks!

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: New Boat Project NEED HELP!

If this boat is $500, and you don't want to spend over $1000 total, this is not the boat for you.

The work to put this back together will very likely run more then twice your whole budget, if you already owned the boat, and the motor runs.....

But the iboats crew will help you get it torn down, prepped & put back....

Welcome to dry dock

 

[JStrom]

Re: New Boat Project NEED HELP!

Surely that's not a crack in the hull. It looks like the floor just needs replacing to me, not the hull...at least from the photo.

 

[boatbeginner1]

Re: New Boat Project NEED HELP!

I am willing to spend $1500 on the boat, $100 for renovations. If the motor runs, would it be decent or would I still need to get another motor?
@JStorm - If you say thats not a crack and its just the floor. do you know a rough estimate of how much it will be to fix it? I thought it was a crack...

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: New Boat Project NEED HELP!

Boats do not have floors - they have decks.

Cracks in a deck are normally caused by rotting wood below deck. That crack might be the tip of the iceberg and you might need a deck, stringers and transom which will set you back about $1500+ depending on the materials

 

[boatbeginner1]

Re: New Boat Project NEED HELP!

Sorry for mixing up the two. Il check the boat out. Would I be better off looking for a different boat to restore?

 

[sqbtr]

Re: New Boat Project NEED HELP!

With the budget you have an aluminum boat with a running outboard would be what I would look for. Did I just say that out loud

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: New Boat Project NEED HELP!

Based on your statements, I think you should look for a Fishing rig with built in live wells, a running motor and one requiring less work in the $2000 range. They're out there on Craigslist. Make sure you get in the boat and stomp around on the deck to ensure there are NO soft spots, Get UNDER the boat and check the hull for damage, check the back of the boat where the motor attaches (Transom) and check for cracks and discoloration which indicates water penetration and damage. Ask for a test ride Ask if the trailer axles have bearing buddies ask when the last time the impeller on the motor was changed. If you have patience and perseverance you can find a good boat for 2 to 2.5 K.

 

[boatbeginner1]

Re: New Boat Project NEED HELP!

I was hoping to be able to get a fiberglass boat...@woodonglass thanks for the advice. I will use that!

 

[GT1000000]

Re: New Boat Project NEED HELP!

With the budget you have an aluminum boat with a running outboard would be what I would look for. Did I just say that out loud

Yes, you did...:facepalm:

Based on your statements, I think you should look for a Fishing rig with built in live wells, a running motor and one requiring less work in the $2000 range. They're out there on Craigslist. Make sure you get in the boat and stomp around on the deck to ensure there are NO soft spots, Get UNDER the boat and check the hull for damage, check the back of the boat where the motor attaches (Transom) and check for cracks and discoloration which indicates water penetration and damage. Ask for a test ride Ask if the trailer axles have bearing buddies ask when the last time the impeller on the motor was changed. If you have patience and perseverance you can find a good boat for 2 to 2.5 K.

I was hoping to be able to get a fiberglass boat...@woodonglass thanks for the advice. I will use that!

I completely agree with all of the above statements, as well as the possibility of you finding a fiberglass boat for that range of price...

Keep an open mind, heed the advice given, take your time searching...you may find what you are looking for, it may be a little further away in a community where boats are more common and possibly less expensive...but just make sure whatever you decide on, to scrutinize it really well, and if at you are really interested in it, as "woodonglass" said...ask for a sea trial...

Best of luck and have fun!
GT1M

 

[JStrom]

Re: New Boat Project NEED HELP!

Boats do not have floors - they have decks.

Cracks in a deck are normally caused by rotting wood below deck. That crack might be the tip of the iceberg and you might need a deck, stringers and transom which will set you back about $1500+ depending on the materials

It's a floor and it's also a deck. A boat has a front and it has a bow; a back and a stern; right side/left side, outside, inside. One of the most poignant lessons I ever had was in college. After spending so many years so worried about punctuation and grammar and spelling, a very highly and accomplished (world-wide) professor (now retired and emeritus) asked me what the purpose of language was. I responded that it is for communication. He told me that if I had effectively communicated, how right or wrong my language was on paper had become irrelevant. If you wish to call it a deck, I have no problem with that. If you infer from my floor to mean your deck, I will presume that all is well in the world.

 

[JStrom]

Re: New Boat Project NEED HELP!

@JStorm - If you say thats not a crack and its just the floor. do you know a rough estimate of how much it will be to fix it? I thought it was a crack...

JSt-RO-m, not storm