What's this home made boat worth?

[Buh-Bye]

Hi All,

First off, I've been a long time reader of the forums and have found tons of useful information on this site. However, this is my first time posting. I have a SeaRay 180 Sport I enjoy taking on the local lakes with friends and family but in the last year I decided to try and build a smaller boat I could use for fishing.

I've attached a few pictures. I have done some minor wood working in the past and found some plans online to help me get started. It is 12 feet in length, so a good size for just a fishing boat (and first project boat). I fiberglassed the entire bottom and all major joints. Has a bench seat in the middle that also serves as a storage compartment. The entire thing was designed so that all of the seats are removable and the "floating" floor is removable as well.

Being as it was my "first" attempt, I've done further research on various boat building methods and am considering getting ready for the next project. That being said, if I was to put this one up for sale I was wondering what I could realistically get out of it. I know I may not get much more than I put into it or even that much, but I enjoy the hobby of working with things in my spare time and am just looking for other opinions.

Thanks in advance.

 

[airshot]

Re: What's this home made boat worth?

Depends on what type of wood is used, type of connectors ( screws etc) that are used etc. Materials are a big item on wood boats and can make them long or short term boats. I see it is a flat bottom and would make a stable fishing platform but will take a lot of power to push it when compared to a V bottom boat. As far as a price tag......could not say, however it does look quite nice and I will bet it was a very interesting project to build.

 

[phillyg]

Re: What's this home made boat worth?

That's a nice boat you've built and what you got for it was the satisfaction of a job well-done. Unfortunately, I think most people aren't willing to pay much for your project.

 

[pckeen]

Re: What's this home made boat worth?

Ditto on the above comment. There are collectors of wooden boats, but the boats they collect are professionally manufactured, and look quite different.

By way of example, you can pick up a new 12' aluminum boat for between $1300 and $2000, and a used one that doesn't leak can be as little as $300.

Your boat looks like it was fun to build. Enjoy it!

 

[redneck joe]

Re: What's this home made boat worth?

like the railing on that.

 

[greenbush future]

Re: What's this home made boat worth?

Nice craftsmanship on your hobby, it's so difficult to put a value on one of a kind boats like this. Can you share what you have invested on materials? and maybe how many man hours you have logged on the project?

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: What's this home made boat worth?

I'm gonna estimate it at "Free to $300" depending on who you can find that might be interested in a one off first time home made boat.

 

[robert graham]

Re: What's this home made boat worth?

darn nice looking boat!....stick a price on it and see what happens....maybe $1500 with trailer?....

 

[JimS123]

Re: What's this home made boat worth?

Having done the same thing myself I can identify with your feelings. It looks like a beautiful boat and your workmanship is first rate. If you have room for it, I'd say keep it. Its an heirloom that can be passed down.

Today a wooden boat has low demand, unless it's a classic or an antique. Even those have taken a hit in recent years, with our current economy. Any person that wants a 12' fishing boat will logically go for low maintenance aluminum, and they can be had in reasonable shape for $300. Your is a niche item, and would be something only a craftsman would appreciate.

Long way around giving you a price.....LOL.

If I were to sell it I would ask $500 but settle for $300.

 

[Buh-Bye]

Re: What's this home made boat worth?

Nice craftsmanship on your hobby, it's so difficult to put a value on one of a kind boats like this. Can you share what you have invested on materials? and maybe how many man hours you have logged on the project?

Tough to say without going through my receipts but betw/ 1K and 1500 (including trailer). That includes the wood, fiberglass cloth, marine paint, cleats, etc. In terms of man hours, not even sure where to begin. My job keeps me fairly busy and so usually if I had a few hours on the weekend (or late at night) I would put some time into it. I would say it took me about six months but that is way longer than it should be if I could have focused my time.

I think a lot of the other comments are spot on. Some very good points and I agree that a basic fishing boat could be found for relatively cheap (300 on the low end would be easy to find). Nice to have other people's perspective though and keep my expectations in check.

 

[southkogs]

Re: What's this home made boat worth?

... so, can we see more photos? I'd like to see what your storage in the forward bench looks like.

Nice job. It's a pretty boat.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: What's this home made boat worth?

Yah, very nice looking boat!

Unfortunately, the guys who who would likely be interested in and appreciate such a boat would also be the ones who would rather build one than buy one already built. If that makes any sense.

For a boat like this, it's more about the process, the project, than the end result really.

For a wood boat to have any real value, we'd be talking about a Chris Craft, and a showroom perfect one at that.

I'm thinking keep it, it's really cool. What you'd sell it for wouldn't even cover your materials ya know.

Cheers!:joyous:

 

[Ned L]

Re: What's this home made boat worth?

I think Jim123 is the closest to reality. (Unfortunately, in reality what you have invested in her has nothing to do with her value.)

 

[Buh-Bye]

Re: What's this home made boat worth?

... so, can we see more photos? I'd like to see what your storage in the forward bench looks like.

Nice job. It's a pretty boat.

Thanks! I have lots of pictures I could share. Here are some of the forward bench as I was building it out. I have one shot showing where I tested out how some fishing gear would fit. It was very important that I had space for a cooler

Given the feedback I've seen so far. I may lean towards keeping her. My only reason for thinking of selling was to have space to try another one using what I learned (was thinking a little bigger and go v-bottom next). But some very good points received and mine as well keep her around for a little bit while I have the space.

 

[southkogs]

Re: What's this home made boat worth?

NICE! I have a boat up at our family cottage that I may be working on this summer. If so, I've gotta rebuild benches and I'm looking for some ideas. I like how you did that.

Keep the boat, bro.

 

[sphelps]

Re: What's this home made boat worth?

Do you have a motor for it ? Would be interesting how it would handle ..
Nice Job !