question of cost for stringer, floor and transom replacement

[River_Lizard]

I'm looking at some older boats in the 70's to pick one up fairly cheap that might need some repair work done to it and I'd like to hear some rough estimates on cost so I can put that into the overall cost of the project.

16-18 ft. boat with outboard and a closed bow design.

Questions:
1. If the stringers need to be replaced and all the foam what's a rough ballpark of cost for that less labor since I would be doing it myself? (let's just say that there's 4 stringers)
2. If the floor needs to be replace along with the stringers how much are we talking for cost (less labor)?
3. If the transom also needs to be replace (less labor)?

Just trying to get a feel for just how much additional bottomline cost that I would have to come up with other than things I can look up online (seats, vinyl, carpet, etc..) I've done some fiberglassing ages ago but not enough to know cost for such a big job to replace the above items. Figured some of you restorers could give me a standard ballpark figure within a few 100.00's or so.

I hope I've provided you with enough info, just let me know if there's something I'm leaving out that might help to get a figure.

Thanks for the help in advance.

 

[Bondo]

Re: question of cost for stringer, floor and transom replacement

Figured some of you restorers could give me a standard ballpark figure within a few 100.00's or so.

Ayuh,.... Generally speakin', the bottom line usually comes in at 3 to 10 Times what was budgeted....

We all know, but refuse to acknowledge that the $pending continues til we $ell the danm thing....

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: question of cost for stringer, floor and transom replacement

This is My standard Guess-ti-mate for a boat your size. It is ONLY a Guess-ti_mate, but it should get you close. Buying local will save shipping but...Not always possible to find glassing supplies locally. A good online resource is www.uscomposites.com They're in West Palm Beach Florida so for you, the shipping should not be that bad.

435 Resin 15gallons(with MEKP)
5 qts of Cabosil
1lb of 1/4" chopped strand
2 qts q-Cells (to make your own fairing filler)
25 yards (1 Roll) of 1.5 oz CSM Chopped Strand Mat)
10 yds of 1708 Biaxial cloth
Fiberglass Roller


Cost for all of the above excluding shipping $550.00

4 sheets of Plywood @ $40 - 60 per sheet $160 - $240

Miscellaneous supplies etc $200 (


Total.....

$1,000.00

Add 50% fudge factor and for $1,500 bucks you can turn almost any "Gut Job" boat into one that will look like almost a new one and WILL be built better than the factory.

This assumes you have the Personal Protection Equipment, Tools etc. to get the job done. If not add another $500.

If you have Motor issues double all of the above. BUT...

For an investment of approx. $4000 - $5000 (worse case scenario) and your initial purchase cost you WILL have a boat that is built better than the factory and will last for decades. And you will KNOW what you have for a certainty. Buying a so-called "Lake Ready" boat guarntees you NOTHING!!! Where can you buy a "New Boat" for that amount of money today? When you're done this boat will be like NEW!

If you have the time, and don't mind the work and the "Itchin", I think it's a good investment. Especially if you like the design and looks of the boat and want to keep her for a long time. You will prolly NOT get your money back except in "Enjoyment"!!!

OK that's my 2? worth.

 

[R Socey]

Re: question of cost for stringer, floor and transom replacement

Dont forget the hardner for the resin.
It depends on what materials you ultimately decide to use. That would make a big differance ie. poly vs. epoxy, and how you go about doing it - ie. under built to way over built. If I had to hazzard a guess, I would say $3k. The learning
process, intimate knowledge you will gain about your boat, pride, add enjoyment would far out weigh that though.

 

[River_Lizard]

Re: question of cost for stringer, floor and transom replacement

Thanks guys. I can live with 1000-1500.00 and I have grinders, full filter mask, tyvek suits, skill saw, table saw, jig saw, compressor, spray gun, etc.. I'm missing a "cherry picker"(motor lift) and a outboard stand (I can probably weld one up). I can borrow an A frame lift w/chain hoist if I need to pull the cap. What I don't have right now is a enclosed shop ( I've got a 4 stall carport but the walls are not enclosed yet) I could probably tape up thick plastic sheeting to close it off when I'm ready to apply paint or grinding the fiberglass.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: question of cost for stringer, floor and transom replacement

Sounds to me like, If you can find one with a good runnig motor, you'll be all set. I found my 1961 Closed bow with a running 40 hp evinrude, Boat motor and Trailer for $250 bucks. You can check it out in the My Flamingo link in my signature below.

 

[River_Lizard]

Re: question of cost for stringer, floor and transom replacement

Very impressive work by all of you that are restoring boats. I've read through a bunch (still have pages more to read through) and I can't believe the dedication some of you put forth to your projects and the end results are just beautiful. And for those who turn around and sell the restored ones, I just can't imagine how you could part with one after putting all that work into it and how it turned out in the end, it must be heartbreaking to see a new owner drive off with the boat.

 

[River_Lizard]

Re: question of cost for stringer, floor and transom replacement

Woodonglass,

I have limited motor skills and tools for working on drives, so yes I'm looking for a boat that has a running drive setup. I can do the basic stuff like water impellers, plugs, fuel filters, etc... but tearing a motor apart and rebuilding it isn't in my life plan! LOL I just got done sending my 90 Johnson out for a rebuild for my 24 ft. Harris, that set me back a few $$$. Put it's part of boating "throw another thousand at it"! I just hope it doesn't happen too often.
I'm looking at a boat mid-70's that runs and doesn't "look" like it will take much to fix up.....I know, it never turns out that way, that's why I was asking for estimates on those repairs above so I won't freak out when I find water damage and I have to pull the cap.

 

[idonthaveaname]

Re: question of cost for stringer, floor and transom replacement

Woodonglass...you are such a downer. I ain't never bringin you to a party. ;-)

And, you forgot the beer factor!!!!

Truth is, if you look at this hobby(?) from a monetary perspective, you'd never start it. If you look at it from a time perspective, you'd never start it. If you could only imagine how much you are going to itch and how many of your clothes will be ruined, or the time you will spend away from family and friends...alone...in your shop...with your boat. If you had an ounce of sense, you'd never even think about starting this. Just remember...all the time you spend in your workshop, you could be fishing.

I'll stop now cuz I have to get back to my restore project. ;-)

Cheers everyone.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: question of cost for stringer, floor and transom replacement

This ^^^ B True BUT.... Your remember'r quits workin and you fergit all that negative stuff when you pull up to the ramp and every one says" WOW, where did you get that KOOL OLD BOAT in such GREAT condition!" And then your chest puffs out and you say "I restored it ALL BY MYSELF!" Well me and Mr Budweiser!!!!!

 

[River_Lizard]

Re: question of cost for stringer, floor and transom replacement

Funny thing about spending time working on this project vs fishing is, the best time to fish for catfish is the winter months, which is probably not the best time to be working on a boat project with no garage. I'm hoping it works out that I can work on the boat project when the fishin' is slow ( spawn (May) and mid-summer). I also want to surprise my wife and daughter with a boat that will allow them to ski behind it. I know my daughter is pretty good at it but it's been years for my wife, so I'm not sure if she'd put on a set of skis at her age but I bet she'll enjoy watching her daughter water ski. Plus she would like to just go out boating in something that isn't covered in slime! Like my pontoon is.

 

[64osby]

Re: question of cost for stringer, floor and transom replacement

R L - you only talk about fiberglass boats, have you considered Aluminum hulls, like Blue Fin or Starcraft, they made some nice boats that can work for fish & ski. It might be a different option.

 

[Friscoboater]

Re: question of cost for stringer, floor and transom replacement

I thing WOG is close, but things always go over. My 22ft Sea Ray took WAY more than I thought.

I think I am somewhere around 3k, but then again I over build everything

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: question of cost for stringer, floor and transom replacement

My post, as it states, is a starting Guess-ti-mate. Things like waste due to the learning curve on how much resin to mix and how much you really need to apply as opposed to how much you actually lay down etc... always affect the final tally. But ordering based on my list will get you a good start on your project and allow you to get past the initial stages and then be able to probably order the remaining supplies to finish the project. As Frisco states, more than likely it is not going to be your final order.

 

[oops!]

Re: question of cost for stringer, floor and transom replacement

And, you forgot the beer factor!!!!

Truth is, if you look at this hobby(?) from a monetary perspective, you'd never start it. If you look at it from a time perspective, you'd never start it. If you could only imagine how much you are going to itch and how many of your clothes will be ruined, or the time you will spend away from family and friends...alone...in your shop...with your boat. If you had an ounce of sense, you'd never even think about starting this. Just remember...all the time you spend in your workshop, you could be fishing.

I'll stop now cuz I have to get back to my restore project. ;-)

Cheers everyone.

lol.....this is all true.....

but what isnt mentioned as the fact that this is a really rewarding hobby (or occupation to some)

after the first 20 or so boats you dont get as sore, and you learn to stop the itch....then its just fun!

 

[idonthaveaname]

Re: question of cost for stringer, floor and transom replacement

"after the first 20 or so boats"

LOL -- if i do this again, my wife will leave me. i cannot imagine restoring 20+ more boats. then again, even though far from done with my first project, i was looking at an old 17 foot covered bow hull from the 70's thinking how cool it would be to gut it and create a center console fishing machine.

sure am gonna miss my wife.

 

[River_Lizard]

Re: question of cost for stringer, floor and transom replacement

LOL funny stuff.

I understand that it's just a baseline estimate on cost but it gives me an idea when I'm searching for a project. If I know a boat has floor/transom issues/etc....then I can weigh-in that baseline cost into whether I want to spend the money of that boat or pass on it. Ideally, I'd love to find a cheap, perfectly sound mid-seventies boat that doesn't need to be torn apart and rebuilt but who am I kidding? Unless it's been sitting in a warehouse most of it's life covered up and the owner just wants to dump it asap...probably not going to find one of those around. I just don't want to find structural issues after I purchase it and then have it cost 3-4K just to repair those issues not counting the rest of the restoration (carpet, seats, wiring, etc..)
As far as aluminum boats go, I like the looks of a few of them (especially the I/O Starcrafts) only concern I have is that every aluminum open boat I've rode in was loud while motoring (wakes hitting the hull) maybe the foamed pours quiet it down some. I haven't seen a lot of aluminum 18 ft. boats around the VA area, of course I haven't been looking really hard for that style. I know there a lot of aluminum boats up North, saw plenty when I use to go to my uncle's cabin in MN growing up.

Here's my cheap price range: 0 to 500.00 must include a trailer and hopefully an engine. See I'm cheap, plus I own another boat that has to have it's own funds every year so I can't tap into that account at all. Will aluminum prices the way their are these days, you could probably get 500.00 just cashin' it in at a metal yard.
I like the Starcraft mid-seventies design in glass and would love to find one that was an I/O w/ a merc drive but I have to be realistic about what I can afford on my budget plans and I doubt I could find one for 500.00

I might be interested in a Starcraft SS if they made them with an I/O.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: question of cost for stringer, floor and transom replacement

Welcome, pending your stint in the dry dock here.

I did a quick search here and found a few boats that might fit the bill, although most are not closed bow...At the top of the page click BROWSE & choose the catagory boats. Then set how big a circle you want to search @Richmond, and if you like to haggle set search price at $750-800. If your not in a hurry, maybe even higher. Unless you find something you LOVE, most of these 'cheap' boats will sit for awhile around here, esp as the weather continues to be cold & snowy. I'm camping on a Century Raven that's been for sale for over a year. Owner flaked on me the last time I could go look at it. & No reply to phone msg. Maybe sold, but I doubt it. I can wait, & will treat the wait as a price drop opportunity!

Don't be concerned if you find a good motor on a junk boat or trailer. If the price is 'right' grab it, strip the boat & junk the hull. Maybe check Richmond, VA dump rules/regs. You may find a 'perfect' hull but the motor is toast or the trailer. We all end up looking for parts & pieces to fit w/ our project & often trailers & motors come w/ boats we don't need, want or have any hope of saving, they're just too far gone.

I use a craigslist searchbot that emails me search results based on the criteria I set up. It's an Android app. Several other people on iBoats use others that generate lots of 'hits' for whatever their looking for.

Check ebay & go see 'em if your close, and don't forget the ebay classifieds.

Be suspicious of any food & beverage provided by the tin crowd. They will swing through and try to drag you into serf-dom in the Starmada:facepalm: Tread carefully, and if the mob rears it's ugly mug, sound the call to arms........
Spend some time on iBoats & this ^^^ will all make more sense. Cutting up a 'junk' 'glass boat is a right of passage & required for initiation into the Tinny club.
​

There is lots of info across the iBoats forums, and here, if you find something from the 50's 60's that you might be interested in. The iBoats owners groups are good for info, it's at the bottom of the main forum page. Glastron's have a classics forum. Others may have forum groups too.

Happy boat hunting!

 

[River_Lizard]

Re: question of cost for stringer, floor and transom replacement

Thanks for the info JB. I've read about those Tinny dudes, seems glassers talk about them all the time!!

I've got one I'm looking at...but I think I've got to be sniffin' acetone......it's 7.5 hrs away from me. 15 to 16 hour road trip at my age...might push me over the cliff!!!

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: question of cost for stringer, floor and transom replacement

1st: Happy to help.
2nd: Well, what is she?
3rd: Of course where?

You can always see if there's somebody close to lay an eyeball on her before you make the drive. Unless the pix are dated, a lot of CL pix are from last season if your lucky.

If your headed to NY, feel like dragging a '63 650 Merc back w/ you? I know a guy in West By God Virginia that 'might' have a need...