Restoring a 1988 27 ft Daytona?

[vznevada60]

This is a pretty large boat. The cabin is huge. The price seems fair for the way that the boat looks...HORRIBLE inside and under...but I'm a first time boat buyer and I have NO Idea whether I should even begin to do this...

The outside of the boat is fair, with small problems, like torn screens around the glass port holes etc. The bottom of the boat is entirely rusted. The propeller is loaded with small shells stuck to it. We were told the motor may and may not be shot. It was in the water for two years. My husband climbed inside, and said it's loaded with mold...and that the entire inside of the boat is wall to floor rugs. He feels this entire boat will need a complete cleaning inside and out.

Cleaning isn't the problem. We can clean. We're wondering if we should even take on this project at all. Is it worth it? Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

I almost forgot...big and important... My husband said there's a panel inside the cabin's bathroom, and the panel has the wiring from above where the driver sits and operates the boat. The wiring is exposed and rusted. This sounds very bad to me.

The asking price is $1,500.00. But is it even worth starting this?

Carol

 

[Agare]

Re: Restoring a 1988 27 ft Daytona?

Got any pics?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Restoring a 1988 27 ft Daytona?

Based on your experience level stated in your other posts...... my first thought is to walk away. You stated you are close to retirement age and you do not need a deep money pit as you described.

Even the most experienced boaters here would back away based on your description.

My concern would be mold is dangerous...... all the wiring needs replacement and that is a huge boat if you are thinking of moving it.

In my opinion it is not an enjoyable project to start.

 

[PiratePast40]

Re: Restoring a 1988 27 ft Daytona?

If you're not sure what to look for then you should probably hire a marine surveyor to give you the basics as to what the boat is worth. You could easily find yourself in the insulting and embarassing position of paying quite a bit of money to dispose of your $1500 purchase.

Cleaning is a totally different skill set from marine mechanics and shipbuilding.

Look at prices for the same type of boat that is running and in decent shape. Let that be a beginning of what you might be paying.

 

[keepNitreel]

Re: Restoring a 1988 27 ft Daytona?

I would make sure that the motor is in good working order not two cranks from broke. Also you will not know how bad the rusted bottom is until you start working on it, could have pitting all over. The up front price seems good but you may be buying a 27 ft money pit.

Bob_VT has given you some sound advice, take that advice & start looking for something else a lot more manageable. Post your finds for advice and remember if you here a seller say "it was working last time it was out" RUN

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Restoring a 1988 27 ft Daytona?

Hello Carol..

I agree that this might not be the boat for you..

First time buyer.. I suggest getting a smaller boat in good condition. For the same price as an estimated restore boat, you could get a fairly nice one. IMO.

Getting it surveyed will cost money.

1500 bucks sounds WAY too cheap to sell.. suggesting something fishy with it. ( but not allways )

YD.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Restoring a 1988 27 ft Daytona?

I would suggest that you continue to look for the pontoon boat that you had mentioned in your other posts...... it will allow you the time to play with the grandchildren that as grandparents WE deserve!

 

[vznevada60]

Re: Restoring a 1988 27 ft Daytona?

Thank you everyone for replying. It helped a lot.

No...I don't have picture of it. I should have taken them just to show you all how bad the bottom is. I didn't see the inside, but my husband did. He said it's a disaster area. Perhaps this guy should consider giving it to the owner of the marina, who really would love to have it. He's a man in his late 60's. He's very knowledgeable about boats and would love this project.

Thanks again to all. I'm back to the drawing board, but I'm having a good time looking as well.

Carol