Where to find a boat I can restore?

Woodonglass

Supreme Mariner
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Dec 29, 2009
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25,929
Re: Where to find a boat I can restore?

Yeah, well I've NEVVVVVVVVER done that!!!!!! nebbber EBBBER NECCEVERE!!!!
 

backlashed

Seaman
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Feb 10, 2010
Messages
61
Re: Where to find a boat I can restore?

Now this is just my opinion, so take it for what it's worth. Unless you've got a lot of experience with fiberglass, start of with an Aluminum boat.

P.S. Check fishing forum classifieds for boats. That's where I found my Starcraft.
 

boatbeginner1

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Jun 17, 2012
Messages
311
Re: Where to find a boat I can restore?

I was thinking about an aluminum boat first but I can't find any cheap or free. Do you have any sites or aluminum?
 

Yacht Dr.

Vice Admiral
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Feb 26, 2005
Messages
5,581
Re: Where to find a boat I can restore?

I'm looking for sites or places that I can find a boat to restore. I am a first time restorer with a decent amount of free time. Please help me!

First thing is What to look for .. not Where ..

You need to be able to determine what your prospect boat is going to need to get it up to snuff kinda thing.

A few years back my bud bought an Angler with Trailer for 1500 bucks. Nothing wrong with it aside from a buff job, bottom paint and a tune up. Sweet family boat and loads of teak trim.

Patience is key. Keep an eye out on the side of the road or driveways for something that looks like its been there for a while.

Just because there isnt a for sale sign on it does not mean its not for sale ;) .. knock on the door and see if its for sale.

Good luck mate..

YD.
 

boatbeginner1

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Re: Where to find a boat I can restore?

I think an aluminum boat would be better. There is a fiberglass stern drive boat in my neighborhood that hasnt moved in years. Il stop by sometime and ask. It's faded color and the engine is probably bad. It's worth a try. We're could I find some aluminum boats?
 

jigngrub

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Re: Where to find a boat I can restore?

I was thinking about an aluminum boat first but I can't find any cheap or free. Do you have any sites or aluminum?

You'll end up spending more time and money on a "free" fiberglass boat than you will buying an aluminum boat.

If you don't have the money to buy an aluminum boat, you don't have enough money to restore a fiberglass boat either.

You will never find a cheap or free fiberglass boat that doesn't have waterlogged foam, rotten decking, stringers, and transom... people sell rotten fiberglass boats for thousands of dollars every day, just because they may look half decent and the motor runs.

... you'll see what I'm talking about.

Just out of curiosity, what kind of vehicle do you have to tow a boat and trailer with... this is another factor too.
 

boatbeginner1

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Re: Where to find a boat I can restore?

So il be better off buying an aluminum boat. I will look for some. Thanks for the advice!
 

s freud

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
May 31, 2012
Messages
143
Re: Where to find a boat I can restore?

DMV handles trailer titles in VA. They were pretty helpful on the phone when I asked some questions about getting a title on a trailer without one. Cost is around a hundred bucks and someone comes out and inspects it if your application is approved. I am going off memory on the price.
 

s freud

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
May 31, 2012
Messages
143
Re: Where to find a boat I can restore?

Also, I thought that free boat I posted was aluminum. I would not have posted a glasser for the reasons mentioned above. At any rate, it was not an endorsement, but an indication that they can be found without much looking. Now finding the right one might require a little more patience. ;) I will agree with the above on figuring out what you want before looking. My purchase was determined by cost. That gave me my size range and then it was just a matter of patience.
 

jbcurt00

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Re: Where to find a boat I can restore?

DMV handles trailer titles in VA. They were pretty helpful on the phone when I asked some questions about getting a title on a trailer without one. Cost is around a hundred bucks and someone comes out and inspects it if your application is approved. I am going off memory on the price.

How does a trailer VIN # affect that inspection?
In WV:
-No VIN# = easy, they issue 1 for @ $5 extra on top of the reg & title fee
-Evidence that there was a VIN#, but it's missing, damaged or unreadable = difficult, bordering on impossible to title & register
-VIN# that doesn't show up in WV record search = wholly dependent on inspecting officer & DMV clerk, could go either way. Or at least that's what I've heard.

If damaged, you're 'required' to contact the manufacturer & get original purchase details, then directly connect every ownership transfer w/ registrations &/or titles from original purchaser to your purchase. How are you going to do that w/out a VIN? It makes no sense.

Depending on clerk & inspecting officer, having a VIN# that doesn't show up, the clerk could request same info as for the damaged VIN#. And the officer's inspection form details/write up may make it more or less likely for the clerk to do that.
 

boatbeginner1

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Messages
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Re: Where to find a boat I can restore?

It looked aluminum. I am still waiting for the owner to get me some pictures. I may try to go take a look at it this weekend.
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
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Re: Where to find a boat I can restore?

Will this make resale value later on and finding parts for it harder?

This is the line that has me thinking. do not buy a boat assuming that there is any resale value. buy the boat that you want, need, and got to have. Many restored boats do not have any resale value.

you are already looking at aluminum which is my recommendation as well for a first boat.

If budget is tight, find a boat that is currently being used that needs little if any work. Quick math will tell you that a water-ready boat for $1500 is cheaper than a free boat that needs engine work, foam work, and a floor.
 

boatbeginner1

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Messages
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Re: Where to find a boat I can restore?

The budget is pretty tight. Do you recommend not getting te free boat that has even stripped? I do t need the engine yet. I would rather start workin on the boat and buy an engine down the road.
 

jasoutside

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 20, 2009
Messages
13,269
Re: Where to find a boat I can restore?

If you don't have the money to buy an aluminum boat, you don't have enough money to restore a fiberglass boat either.

Yup ^^^!

You gotta think out of the box too.

Check it out...

I bought a gigantic alum Starcraft for $450 only to turn around and sell the obsolete driveline and a few other things to make it a FREE boat.

I did pretty much the same thing with, well, all my other boats!

"Free" isn't always free and spending a little dough isn't necessarily paying more either. When you have a bottom feeder budget being creative is key!;)
 

boatbeginner1

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Jun 17, 2012
Messages
311
Re: Where to find a boat I can restore?

Well Il start the Aluminum Boat Search THen! DOes anyone have anygood websites and/or manufactures and boats they reccommened?
 

jasoutside

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 20, 2009
Messages
13,269
Re: Where to find a boat I can restore?

Well Il start the Aluminum Boat Search THen!

Excellent!

DOes anyone have anygood websites

Craigslist and keep your eyes peeled for old rigs sitting in the weeds along the side of the house or around ol barns with piled up junk everywhere.

and/or manufactures and boats they reccommened?

Just about anything metal is pretty good eh;) Some are higher quality than others but if we are looking for free than we ought to just grab what we can.
 

boatbeginner1

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jun 17, 2012
Messages
311
Re: Where to find a boat I can restore?

Alright. Still waiting for a reply from the owner of the boat posted in the beginning of the thred. Will keep my eyes open! Thank you for the help!
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
Staff member
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50,247
Re: Where to find a boat I can restore?

since your profile isnt complete, where are you located?
 
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