new project boat questions

[supermoix]

Hello all,<br /><br />I've been reading this forum for a while now, and i am more than impressed of the work done on old boats to bring em up to better than new (custom) standards, congratulations! After a little though and reading about all the pros and cons of restoring a boat i decided to do the same. A labour of love for sure.<br /><br />After looking around the only boat i've found that i like a little is one 18 footer you can see in the link below:<br /><br /> http://www.geocities.com/rtamburini/SFGP.html <br /><br />The manufacturers data plate says: "southern fiber glass products, Sanford, FL" But i haven't found any data on this brand whatsoever, i need help! Well, better is to post questions...<br /><br />1.- any info on the hull? it seems circa 80's<br />2.- is it worth it to restore for pleasure sake's?<br />3.- the owner wants a $1,000, i think is too much, i may be putting up no more than 600, what do you think?<br />4. It has a johnson sea horse V4 140hp. is it restorable (availability of parts i mean).<br /><br />I want to open the bow to modify it as a center console for coastal/inshore trolling and bottom fishing? any ideas?<br /><br />Sorry for this long post, but i need input from everyone.<br /><br />Thanks!!!<br /><br /> http://www.geocities.com/rtamburini/SFGP.html

 

[swire]

Re: new project boat questions

It's all a personal preference. If you really like the boat then it will be worth it. I noticed you listed how much you were willing to spend to buy the boat but have you thought of how much you are willing to spend to fix it the way you like it?<br /><br />You need to check the following things that could end up costing quite a bit to replace:<br />The motor, does it run or not. It looks like you should be able to find parts.<br />The floor<br />The transom<br />The steering<br />The motor control cables.<br /><br />Have you checked out eBay for a boat? You'll have a lot more options to chose from.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: new project boat questions

Couldn't see the pics, got the "site temporarily unavailable" deal. I can only assume you have checked my site (click the link below) to see my center console conversion. It can certainly be done, but it does cost money. I went at my project in super cheap mode and still have burned $3000+, but it has been over time and has given me a rig that does exactly what I need it to do. Which is exactly why I am looking for an aluminum hull to do the same exact thing to again because I like aluminum and I have serious issues...Good luck.

 

[Winger Ed.]

Re: new project boat questions

Once a boat gets to that stage, it's value is pretty much whatever the engine is worth.<br /><br />A new engine costs about $100 per horsepower. A used one about 12-20 years old that runs, is worth about $10 a horsepower.<br /><br />Worn out hulls & trailers in need of restoration are free. <br /><br />I'm not a Johnson guy, but if that's a 140 horse hanging on the back of that boat, and you can put a battery to it and listen to to it start-- even for a few seconds by spraying WD-40 (not startting fluid) down its carbs., its a good deal to get & restore for $1,000. <br /><br />But; even if you're fairly handy at doing that sort of thing, you've got a year's worth of work there, and plan to spend somwhere around 3-5 thousand dollars to really do it right, provided the engine only needs a carb. re-build job and a major tune up.<br /><br /><br />You burn money pretty fast on these projects.<br />I just spent around $600 for steering gear and control cables on my project boat. That put me over $7,000-so far. And nobody can do this sort of thing as chaep as I can.<br /><br />Ed.

 

[supermoix]

Re: new project boat questions

thanks for the info, i'm keeping note on your posts. yes, i definitely like to rebuild one, i normally like to know where all the bolts and cables are in the machines i own.<br /><br />my shopping list for that project boat is running into around 3,500 dollars jut to put it in fully functional and seaworthy conditions... so we are talking about 4,500 easy counting on my bad math habilities... plus as jason says, is investment over time and no payments later.<br /><br />in your homepages i see a beautiful boat and a proud owner, and thats what i want to do. plus my kid will learn a little hard work and have fun at the same time...

 

[ThomWV]

Re: new project boat questions

I would not pay $1,000 for that boat/moror/trailer. I might go $500 on it if the trailer was in very good condition, but if not I'd reduce the offer even more. If its just the boat and motor he's selling an no one has started the engine for me to hear it run I'd offer him $200 and if he didn't want it off his lot at hat price I'd go look for another boat. <br /><br />Thom

 

[BillP]

Re: new project boat questions

Southern Fiberglass in Sanford made Cobia boats before they changed the company name to Cobia Boats. I don't know when they changed from SF to Cobia...but SF was in full production during the 1960s with that design. Cobia Boats had that same hull with various decks and lengths into the 1990s. I'm sure yours is later than 1965 because strakes were added to the forefoot in your pic. My 1965 Cobia (17') doesn't have the strakes but otherwise is the identical hull. Your hull still has the shoebox deck (no innerliner) so it is probably a late 60s vintage. I contacted (several times)Cobia a few years ago to get info on these and never received a reply. Mine had a cored bottom and 1 center and 2 offset stringers made from 2x wood. It cost me approx $600 to do replace ALL the wood and install with epoxy. Add more for seating, hardware, paint, canvas & trailer rebuild.

 

[supermoix]

Re: new project boat questions

thanks! i didnt knew that info from SFGP.. i liked the hull initially because is solidly built, even through that old gelcoat... i talked to the guy selling and offered $600 IF the engine runs... he said that he needs 1 or 2 days to get her running... we'll see... BillP: do you like how the hull rides for a 17'? can you tell me your experience? if i buy, sure i'll do the epoxy stringers in the rebuilt. thanks again all.

 

[self taut]

Re: new project boat questions

sounds to me like he is going to bite ifin he can get the motor to run.looks like you got yourself a boat.but a quick note though.whatch closely when he goes to start it. see how he does it.such as does it start with the key or did he rub a couple of wires together.never know what someone may rig up just to make a sell.

 

[supermoix]

Re: new project boat questions

well, the OB didn't start, too much excuses and the owner was delaying it... I'm walking away from this one. It seems that boat will be used as a pool insted of floating... <br /><br />So bad.

 

[Mark42]

Re: new project boat questions

I have been working on a boat since last fall. I would suggest making a list of what you want in a boat before you go shopping. I spent a lot of time looking at used boats on the net and found out what parts they usually need, then priced out the cost of replacing those parts. Knowing that the older boats I was interested in all needed steering upgrades, and probably new seats, I shopped for a boat that already had those upgrades and saved myself upwards of $1000 in parts. I sold the ancient motor that came with it for $400, and spent $600 on a new trailer. Trailers are fairly cheap and a nice new galvanized trailer meant less work and more safety. My other requirement was a late model or re-built motor. I ordered a nice rebuilt '93 Evinrude 40hp for $2000 with good used controls, VRO tank and prop. <br /><br />So make your list, decide what is important, make a cost sheet plan, and shop accordingly. It will save you hundreds if not thousands of dollars and having a plan will make the project that much more enjoyable. <br /><br />Even with all the planning, I still made a few mistakes that cost a hundred or two bucks to fly out the window. <br /><br />Hope that helps <br /><br />Mark.

 

[johnmhat]

Re: new project boat questions

I agree with checking all of the points stated in earlier posts (floor, t-som, stringers, etc)...but as a current project undertaker and someone who considered himself and his partner (brother) pretty knowledgible in the ways of boats....I suggest that you REALLY take a look at those pieces very carefully depending on how much work you are up for.<br />We checked the transom, sounded solid, wood around the holes was solid - no problem right??? WRONG...you can check out the progress on my project here: http://formula23.blogspot.com <br />you will see the rotten pieces that we found after we started cutting...not a big deal for us, b/c we had planned on redoing some of it...but sometimes it is not as turnkey as you had planned. Another GREAT resource for info is thehulltruth.net

 

[supermoix]

Re: new project boat questions

Agree with you all. Yes, i wrote a little generic checklist of things to check in my search, it has done well so far (got me out of bad deals), Plus the budget and parts list i wish or need to have. It seems that my generic budget goes around $1,700 so that means that's really $2,500 easy, (not including engine, hull and kewl electronics) at least for what i am looking for.<br /><br />Still searching...