Restore or junk

[Cruez]

Ok I have an 18' Steury boat that has been out in the weather for the past 4 years...(someone else had it and didn't cover it) (seats rotted out, needs carpet...etc basically needs full restore) also no engine...<br /><br />Is it worth keeping the boat, restoring over a period of time (doing the work myself)... or just junk it??<br /><br />I guess you could say it would go in the runabout or powerboat class...<br /><br />Hull is still in good condition. <br /><br />I just want some thought on if its even worth the time...

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: Restore or junk

most likely ALL the wood will need to be replaced.<br />the transom and stringers etc. a big undertaking,<br />but certainly can be done. try a search under "rot"<br />and sit back and do some reading. lot's of folks<br />have discussed the process here.<br />good luck,<br />M.Y.

 

[Cruez]

Re: Restore or junk

Ok, <br /><br />On this particular boat. The only wood that I can see that you can actually access is under the rear seats.. and it is covered in fiberglass on top of it.<br /><br />Everything else seems to be fiberglass...or covered in fiberglass. The drain plug has been out so water hasn't been standing in it..<br /><br />I don't see anyway for water to get under the small passage under the floor unless it is tilted forward. am I in luck there or what?<br /><br />When you say transom and stringers...where exactly would I be looking for damage?<br /><br />thx

 

[Solittle]

Re: Restore or junk

Cruez - You would not believe how little it takes for water to get in and run rampent with rot. Two ways to check for rot in the transom. The first is to poke it (usually from the inside) with a small screwdriver or relatively blunt ice pick. If the point goes int soft wood you got rot. The other way is to tap with a mallet or hammer of some type and listen to the sound. Rot in the stringers is not usually found untill the floor is pulled due to - bet you can guess - rot in the floor. With the floor up you can check the stringers.

 

[miloman]

Re: Restore or junk

cruez restore or junk it depends on how much time you have and how deep your pockets are. Usuallly the two dont mix. If you have the time and the $ to do it why not what can you lose

 

[f_inscreenname]

Re: Restore or junk

If you are in love with the boat then do it. If not think about how much it will be worth when finished compared on how much money you plan on putting into it (to figure your budget, take what you plan on spending and times it by 10 to get your total). Then there is your labor. I know no one that made money on a done right restored boat.

 

[JasonB]

Re: Restore or junk

F_in, we are on the same wavelength. Don't restore an old boat with the expectation of ever recouping the cost. Do it for the challenge, hobby, love of it, or just want something different. I have 2 old Glastrons that I have at least 2x to 3x what I could ever sell them for. But they are mine, they are paid for, they are unique to this area, and I enjoy tinkering with them. It does get expensive when done halfway right. We finally named our 19' boat Elbow Grease for all the work put into her engine/drive. F_in probably remembers all the posts about that one (302 Ford anout June last year).

 

[f_inscreenname]

Re: Restore or junk

I do. I am sure it was only one of many problems that you ran across and the only way to fix it was throw money at it. Mine boat preferred hundreds and fifties. I was unlucky enough to buy a 1973 J Allmand/Super Nova (there out of business) with a Chrysler 360ci and a Volvo out drive (a very rare combo except in old Donzi's). Think on how much they want for old Donzi parts. Now its done I wouldn't trade it for the world. For that matter I have a box of new stuff to install I bought over the winter and here I was done rebuilding it last spring.

 

[JasonB]

Re: Restore or junk

Mine ate a number of $50's and $100's, but unfortunately it also needed a couple $500 and $1000 denominations to get healthy again (log style manifolds aren't cheap). Was it worth it.... Yup. Had a blast and have a boat that probably doesn't have a match within 500 miles. The nearest one I know of is in Texas and I'm in TN.

 

[Cruez]

Re: Restore or junk

I think I might just junk or sell it... I think if I put a fair amount of money in it, I wont be really happy... At speeds, its pretty rough due to the fairly flat bottom of the boat...<br />I think I want one with more of a V in the hull... just for that reason...<br /><br />decisions, decisions....