what should I do with my dad's old boat?

[RuyiseKatakari]

My dad's had this motorboat for ages, since before I was born. About 15 years ago, something happened involving him sending it to a disreputable shop to be repaired, the shop going out of business with his half-repaired boat getting stolen and then recovered by the police in an unusuable state. Ever since then the boat has been sitting out in the elements in a storage lot.

My dad is really attached to the boat, and he is loath to get rid of it but it's been costing us money to store it for far too long and he's never going to get it repaired, assuming it's still reparable. So it's fallen to me to get rid of it. I would like to sell it, I think my dad would feel a bit better about the whole thing if he at least got some money for the boat. That said, I know nothing about boating, and I don't know if the boat is worth anything to anyone. Maybe someone would want to buy it for a very cheap price to restore it themselves? I don't know what constitutes a cheap price for this kind of boat anyway.

So I guess what I'm asking is, is it a laughable idea to try to sell this boat, or should I try to donate it to some organization that takes old boats?

Here are the pictures :

http://mechanopanda.com/images/img_0762.jpg
http://mechanopanda.com/images/img_0763.jpg
http://mechanopanda.com/images/img_0764.jpg
http://mechanopanda.com/images/img_0765.jpg
http://mechanopanda.com/images/img_0766.jpg

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: what should I do with my dad's old boat?

Not knowing what type of motor or the condition of the motor...... I'm assuming it is just the boat hull that needs work or is it both?

That boat would be an easy fix compared to some other boats but it will still take some cash even if you were to fix it up yourself. Looks like it needs deck work, seats, might need a transom, and stringers (underneath the deck).

The trailer could be spruced up and sold, the motor depending on the year hp and condition, can be taken off the hull and sold for maybe some good money. If the motor doesn't run then your looking at a lower sales price of coarse. The hull might have a few parts that could be taken and sold. Depending on how bad you want to get rid of it, there are people that are always out looking to buy a project boat or buy the boat, motor, and trailer combo just for the motor or trailer.

Or you could have it fixed up for your father.

 

[Cptkid570]

Re: what should I do with my dad's old boat?

Definitely. That's a cool boat and someone would love to restore that.

In order to advertise it properly, post it on the Boat Restoration and Rebuilding section of Iboats and find out as much information on it as you can.

You can always put it on ebay with no reserve and see what someone is willing to give you.

 

[Cptkid570]

Re: what should I do with my dad's old boat?

Wild - good point. If you have a place to keep it, restore it for your father. You'll learn tons about boats and will come to really appreciate it.

 

[gcboat]

Re: what should I do with my dad's old boat?

Since this is just an inquiry I guess it's safe. There is no outright buying or selling allowed on this forum.
Now, for anyone here to possibly give you any type of a straight answer you'll need to let us know what type motor ( obviously outboard ) and how really crappy it might be. There are folks out there that do collect older boats for restoration but that it definately a ski / cruising around type of thing. Kinda' limits your field.
Throw it on Craigslist and see what you get. Ebay is another option. Shoot for the stars and ask $2,500.00 - see where it goes. Nothing ventured - nothing gained.

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: what should I do with my dad's old boat?

Wild - good point. If you have a place to keep it, restore it for your father. You'll learn tons about boats and will come to really appreciate it.

Thanks Cptkid . It must have alot of sentimental value to your father and maybe you as well. Not knowing your father or his condition/age, he might be willing to restore it with you. If he's not in the condition to worry with restoring the boat it might make him proud to see it back in working order and you might have some fun with the boat.

If you were playing with the idea of taking the boat to have the hull fixed, it seriously wouldn't be worth the cash. Some of these boat repair shops are outrageouse on their labor and prices on repair. I had somebody quote me $500 to repair a small hole in my boat, I fixed it with $15 worth of marinetex patching product.

 

[Mark42]

Re: what should I do with my dad's old boat?

.... About 15 years ago, something happened involving him sending it to a disreputable shop to be repaired, the shop going out of business with his half-repaired boat getting stolen and then recovered by the police in an unusuable state. Ever since then the boat has been sitting out in the elements in a storage lot.

Those two facts I highlited in bold pretty much sum up the condition of the boat. Its been sitting uncovered or partially covered or leaky cover for 15 years. It most likely has rot in the deck, stringers and transom. The motor may have been stripped by the thieves, and is still in need of repair from the original shop.

Seeing as the son is now in possession of the boat and is trying to dispose of it, my guess is that the father is not in good health.

I suggest that it be sold on craigs list (ebay is too much hassle, and too many scams involving boats). Start at 2500 and take the best offer.

 

[noah4009]

Re: what should I do with my dad's old boat?

HI
I noticed all your pictures have the aft side covered. Why not take pictures and show the whole boat. It would give someone a better idea of what they are dealing with.

 

[kaferhaus]

Re: what should I do with my dad's old boat?

The market is different depending on where you live also.

There would likely be NO market for that boat here. You'd have to sell the motor for "parts" and maybe give the trailer away if someone would fix it and haul the boat to the dump for you.

There's a boat "bone yard" here and it's full of small run about/ski boats similar to what you have. The owner pays nothing for them. He has a truck with a tilting flat bed on it and he'll go pick them up and remove them. He then will remove any salvagalbe parts. Couple times a year he takes the chainsaw to the stripped hulls and hauls the rest to the landfill.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: what should I do with my dad's old boat?

it looks to be a hydra sport type boat, it can be a very desirable restore for some one. need more info on the motor, air up the tires.

 

[haskindm]

Re: what should I do with my dad's old boat?

You are not going to get enough money for this boat for it to be worth the hassel. Unless you are really desperate for cash, the best move would be to donate it to some charitable organization. If you try to sell it you will need to deal with the questions, the low offers, the people that will ask you to give them the boat, and the possibility that some crazy person will buy it and then try to sue you because it won't run or is going to cost too much to restore - it happens. To me, the few hundred dollars you MIGHT get by trying to sell it would not be worth the hassle. By donating it, you and your Dad will know that it is going to a good cause, and your Dad will be able to deduct some value from his taxes as a charitable contribution. That way it is also gone and forgotten, not sitting around for weeks while you field phone calls and sort through offers. It's done and gone and everyone can get on with life.