To fix or not to fix...thats my question

[nick.wright]

Hi all,

Ok--I';ve posted some of my boats woes here, and gotten some good responses---but I still haven't made a decision---to fix or not to fix. My boat story:

I purchased a 1980 16' Galaxy bowrider off of ebay about a year ago without seeing the boat under the premise that the boat would run and the guy would take me out before any cash exchanged hands. When I went to pick up the boat, it wouldn't crank and the fellow knocked some $$ off, so I bought it anyway. Got the boat home, called my mechanic, and spent a couple of hours trying to get it to fire off, but she would only pop. Now, the transom and floor is shot, and the hull needs some attention. I know I can fix the boat, but I think I can buy a decent boat for the $$ I'll put into this one. PLEASE HELP ME MAKE UP MY MIND!!!!!

 

[tmh]

Re: To fix or not to fix...thats my question

Your boat is worthless, or less than that! No way you can fix it up for less than you can buy a similar, but useable 16-18' boat from the mid 80's. Unless the engine just needs a simple, cheap fix, don't even bother.

Part the boat out - look on eBay and you'll see boat parts (even used) that are functional are not cheap. Maybe you can re-coup your cost and start over.

Look around for a well-maintained boat that has been in use each year, not one that's been forgotten about years ago. A boat that size and age is worth about whatever the engine is worth, with or without the floor/transom/hull/etc. problems. So get one without if you can.

Good luck.

 

[nick.wright]

Re: To fix or not to fix...thats my question

Stupid me for even buying the dern thing!!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: To fix or not to fix...thats my question

if the steering is operable, strip it out of the boat, controls, lights, and anything else that is usable. store them until you get another boat. they are expensive to replace. put the motor on ebay as a parts motor. but you will make more if you part it out, the lower unit, and power head, transom mount. etc now tow the boat to the land fill and push it off the trailer, go home and sell the trailer, or make a utility trailer out of it. i do a lot of rehab boats as a hobbie, and never made a cent doing it. al i do is cover my expenses, sometimes.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: To fix or not to fix...thats my question

Well, there are other things to consider before making your final decision. Would this boat serve your purpose? What is your fabrication and mechanical abilities? How much money do you have? Do you have the ability to save enough money to buy a reliable boat?

You would not necessarily be ahead to buy a useable boat, unless you can say with confidence that the boat doesn't have any hidden issues. People come on here having purchased what they thought was a good boat until they found out the transom and floor is rotten, AND they paid a bunch of money.

The benefit of fixing this boat yourself is that you would not have to wonder what is going on under the floor. You can set this boat up to better suit your needs. Yes, it does cost money, but all boats cost money, and unless you buy a new boat you have no guarantee that you won't go out tomorrow and spend $4000 for the honor of having to do the same work you would need to on this boat.

If you lack the ability to fix this boat and would have to have a shop do it, definately get another boat. If you can do it yourself, you can fix this boat for considerably less than buying another boat in the condition that this would end up in after your repair. Good luck...

 

[JB]

Re: To fix or not to fix...thats my question

Fixing boats is more than just spending bux. They always cost more than getting a good boat to begin with.

Fixing boats is only worth while to those who get a lot of pleasure in the fixing. The cost is the price of that pleasure.

You don't sound like a guy who gets a lot of pleasure in the fixing.

Sell it, give it away or part it out.

 

[croSSed]

Re: To fix or not to fix...thats my question

"Fixing boats is only worth while to those who get a lot of pleasure in the fixing. The cost is the price of that pleasure."

I agree with this, but there's one more thing to consider. Maybe your pleasure is not just in the fixing, but what that particular boat will be like when it is fixed. In my case I used to have a boat that needed new stringers and floor. But the thought of the work it would take to fix that particular boat was bigger than my desire to keep that boat. I sold the boat. I bought another boat that needed not only stringers and floor, but transom, cosmetic work, seats, fuel tank, re-wiring - the whole gamut! But this boat is one I've "admired from afar" for many years and I finally got one. I'm willing to put in the work on this boat, because I have a picture in my mind of what it will be like when I launch it for the first time.

In your case, it sounds like this boat has no special "place in your heart". If that is the case, get rid of it and buy a solid, boat that you can inspect before you buy. In my experience, working on fiberglass boats is a miserable job. Fiberglass dust everywhere. It just isn't worth it if the boat is "just a boat". Good luck!

TG

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: To fix or not to fix...thats my question

Another viewpoint along the lines of JasonJ's...

If you're starting out with a boat that you like - fits your intended uses, right size, right style, etc., then it certainly can be worth it to fix it up, even if it takes a fair bit of money. I have redone a couple of 15s and am in the middle of redoing an 18-footer. It's not difficult work - just takes time. The kind of time that takes an hour here, an hour there, with a few all days thrown in. If you make up your mind to stick with it, it gets done fairly quickly. On the 15s I spent maybe $1500 in materials, including epoxy, glass (eBay scraps!), carpet, plywood and new seats. I shopped around a bit and took a friend up on his offer of getting some stuff at wholesale through his catalog. My 18-footer will likely tally in around $2000. BUT, when I am done with these projects, I essentially have a NEW boat. A new boat that is probably built better, with better materials, with better attention to detail than most new boats you could buy for four times the money. Plus my little modifications here and there mean my 6'4" frame fits the boat better than it would if I just bought one that was "ready to go".

I'm also a bit of a wrench, so I do my own motor work, too. I rebuilt my 90hp Johnson for about $600 total outlay, including the purchase price at a local auction. You can save money in lots of areas with a little wheeling and dealing. If the motor you have is a lost cause, part it out as was suggested and put that money towards another motor.

Also, don't just dump the boat if you find it more than you want to get into. Often a For Sale sign on it by the side of the road will net you a couple-three hundred bucks from someone looking for just such a project. A low price beats paying someone to take it... especially if you have a clean title, etc.

Good luck whichever direction you go!
- Scott

 

[nick.wright]

Re: To fix or not to fix...thats my question

doing the work is no prob for me. I have been fabricating airplane parts out of kevlar and carbon fiber for several years now. I just don't know if I have enough love for this particular boat or not. I'm not expecting a whole lot out of the boat, just want it to float the wife, 2 kids and myself during the summer weekends. My 18' is in a little better shape, and wouldn't take anything in the world for it. I'll attach a pic or 2 tomorrow or the next day.

 

[Nova II 260]

Re: To fix or not to fix...thats my question

Since you own a great working boat already; Part this one out or dump her. croSSed mentioned a great attribute and necessity in restoring a boat that he "really wanted". IF you must have a project boat get the type/style/model that you been yearning for. Labor and expenses will be the same, but, at least you are spending it on a boat you always really wanted.

 

[nick.wright]

Re: To fix or not to fix...thats my question

Well, I've made my mind up---- I'll FIX HER UP!!!! I sat outside for a few minutes last just staring at the boat, and kinda fell in love with it. Funny how things like that happen.....

I'm sure that i will have some questions and will ask them here. YOU GUYS ARE GREAT!!!!!!

 

[JasonJ]

Re: To fix or not to fix...thats my question

Well, you know what that means......PICTURES!

 

[Saskatoon2005]

Re: To fix or not to fix...thats my question

I love to watch the profects unfold in pictures as they make there transformations from junk to beauty. Yes, please post pictures as you do your work, I love projects with pictures.....just love 'em.

 

[tmh]

Re: To fix or not to fix...thats my question

Well, I've made my mind up---- I'll FIX HER UP!!!! I sat outside for a few minutes last just staring at the boat, and kinda fell in love with it.

Well, you just made a costly decision that will never pay off! Tons of dirty, nasty work, backaches, itching all over fron fiberglass, Mistakes, motor problems, wife yelling, Oh...and the money...way more than you budgeted - way more than it will be worth when done!

What a stupid decision!!!!!!!

..hmmmm...wait a minute.....I just re-read my tirade above.....that describes MY boat restore!!! (and most all of ours). I can't WAIT until spring to spend more, have more backaches, make more dumb mistakes, and MAYBE, get mine in the water.

Good luck. I was just kidding above. most of us have made the same "bad" decision and will do so again. Mine is a Mark twain 19' BR. Saw it for sale, ran good. THEN I noticed soft floor spots, bolts/screws lose, etc. It was TOO LATE. I already dreamed of my nice, fixed up Mark Twain being the only one like it at the marina! i was hooked, so I bought it, warts and all.

 

[nick.wright]

Re: To fix or not to fix...thats my question

Ok, got my first question. I know that I need to remove the top deck to get to all of the floor, and i know that the rub rail holds the top to the hull, BUT, should I have to do any cut any glass to remove the topdeck? I've removed part of the rubrail, and noticed that the topdeck and the hull (transom) appear to be 1 piece. i'll attach pics.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: To fix or not to fix...thats my question

get Jason J to send you a link to his SkankyBeast. that's a project. he's redone it twice. glutton for punishment. he knows redoing fiberglass, i'm now more tin boats.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: To fix or not to fix...thats my question

On my Starcraft the deck and the hull are two pieces. Most fiberglass runabouts are built this way. HOW they join them is where many of them differ. Mine was fairly simply attached with a backing board at the overlap and screws running through both laps and the backing board, with some sealant between the laps. I've got a GW Invader in the shop that is glassed at the seam on the INSIDE, under the gunwales. That's gonna be a bugger to seperate as it needs transom and floor.
- Scott

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: To fix or not to fix...thats my question

here's the way i do it. i picture the finished product, then make an outline backwards of what has to be done. keep the projects small enough that when done you have accomplished a goal., keeps you motivated. be sure to get any wiring (deck & courtesy lights) and plumbing in under the floor if need be. like is said keep the projects simple. get it to a safe reliable boat, then put the lipstick on it.

after gutting this boat, i sat in it for 3 days, with a pad. i did sketch after sketch, a case or 2 of beer. came up with the final plan, searched out and engine, and 3 weeks it was in the Florida Keys for vacation.

http://forums.iboats.com/bbBoard.cgi?a=viewthread;fid=151;gtid=1186254

 

[nick.wright]

Re: To fix or not to fix...thats my question

Well, the rest of the hull appears to be held on only by the rub rail. It appears that the hull and top deck start to become one at the transition from the side to the transom. I'll attach pics over the weekend.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: To fix or not to fix...thats my question

i was typing while you were.