Who here has done a flip boat.

[SigSaurP229]

Considering doing a flip boat. I think I have just about got the admiral talked into letting me give it a go.


A few questions.


Was it profitable?

Was it enjoyable? I know this sounds silly I have really enjoyed working on my SuperSport, but its different knowing that I am doing it for myself.

I think most people in here are kind of like myself and are perfectionist, how does that obsessiveness play into doing a flip boat.

Would you do it again?

 

[idonthaveaname]

Re: Who here has done a flip boat.

Some have made a few bucks others...not so much. The answer is, it depends. On the other hand, I met a guy that makes his own boats from scratch...yeah...gel coated mold and fiberglass and then put it together like a big toy. He does it in his yard in his spare time and it takes about 2 to 4 years to complete it and then he sells. He's done about 4 of them. Pretty impressive stuff.

 

[dozerII]

Re: Who here has done a flip boat.

Hey Sig, I have flipped 4 four tinnies and one glasser, I made money on all except my first tinnie, and that was cuz I paid too much for it to begin with. Now I do live in the GWN in a part of the country where boats bring a good price, but I have enjoyed redoing and selling each one.

 

[SigSaurP229]

Re: Who here has done a flip boat.

In tennessee the market is extremely full. But if you could get an old Starcraft Tinny with a Decent 1976 75hp Johnnyrude for $500.00 needing the plywood replaced and such Would it be profitable?

Would an old jet or falcon be worth it at that price to do a flip?

 

[odyssey350kc]

Re: Who here has done a flip boat.

I have thought of doing the same thing. It was really a thought after someone offered me $5,000 for my boat, which i could never sell for sentimental reasons, but I think you could make some good money, I feel like the hard part is learning the basics the first time, the second and third should be much easier.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Who here has done a flip boat.

Nothing substantive to add, but tagging along..............
BTW: If I had a hand in this, please apologize to your Admiral for me. :facepalm: Don't want any interstate frying pans headed my way :fish:

Good luck, all the same.

I think some of the key to success is getting parts & pieces inexpensively, flipping donor boats for some cash, and having the room to stockpile parts & pieces from 1 donor for possibly the flip boat after the current flip boat........

Fortunately, after the SS gets done, there is going to be some room in the Tennessee Starcraft hanger

 

[SigSaurP229]

Re: Who here has done a flip boat.

Luckily, I still have half a bay in the shop open big enough for one to work on one to scavenge for parts.


I don't actually park my cars in the garage so technically I have a two car garage to fit boats into as well if needed.

Not saying you did or didn't have a hand in this man, I have actually been considering this for quite some time.



P.s The admiral used to throw frying pans since the SS restoration she has been throwing measuring cups (not really sure why).

Come spring the Toon is moving.

 

[dozerII]

Re: Who here has done a flip boat.

Like I said the market up here is quite different than down there, you can buy the boats and the supplies a lot cheaper than I can, now more than ever our dollars is down almost 15%. A fully restored 18SS can go for 8-9K , a 16 for 6-7k. I have been making some money at it, not a living by any means but it is fun and funds my next project.
The best ones for making some coin on are the real clean well looked after ones with a bad motor, Ole Blue 16SS we picked up for $800. put a $1200 O/B on it, polished the heck out of the paint and Armoraled the interior and flipped it real fast for $3200

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Who here has done a flip boat.

Never attempt to turn a hobby into a cash making business. you will no longer enjoy the hobby. Just my $0.02

However if you watch for a diamond in the rough and can make a few dollars with a bit of elbow grease, then go for it.

I used to restore cars and trucks. Loved working on them. usually sold them when I was done to fund the next project. I kept log books, reciepts, and made parts manuals for each one so they could be repaired. Never really got out of the vehicles what I put in them.

I made the mistake on my last two boat rehabs on keeping the reciepts.:facepalm:

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Who here has done a flip boat.

Considering doing a flip boat.

I really think it depends on what your goals are.

If you are looking to "make" money, forget it. You should no doubt cover the cost of your materials and still make a "profit" over that. But, when you factor in your man hours to build it, you'd "make" more money collecting soda cans along the highway.

Now, if you want to build a boat, as a hobby sort of thing, run it for a couple/three years, then sell it off for something bigger/better.... That would be all right.

There are a couple of major challenges you face with such a venture.

#1 You can build a boat to brand spankin new, everything, every square inch, better than factory, but the first question will always be the same from a potential buyer...

"What year is it?"

You'll never get brand new boat pricing on a boat that's titled at 30 years old, not even close unfortunately.

#2 You'll no doubt be listing this brand newish (really old) boat on craigslist/eBay since you aren't a dealer. Guys there (me included) are looking for gear dirt cheap. Selling stuff for profit rarely works through craigslist/eBay. I do it all the time and technically make a profit almost always. But sometimes, it just isn't worth it.

Knowhattamean

 

[SigSaurP229]

Re: Who here has done a flip boat.

honestly guys not really considering it to make a living. Considering doing it becsause i seriously enjoy doing it and doing it to fund the SS and if I can make a little money to put gas in the outboard and go fishing id be very happy. i just cant afford to take a serious loss doing it.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Who here has done a flip boat.

Yah, you should be all right then.

You just need to know how to handle clist knuckleheads is all That can be a real pain sometimes.

 

[SigSaurP229]

Re: Who here has done a flip boat.

Yeah Jas Ive dealt with that in the past. Ive actually had to physically remove one from my property before. Over a 150 rotten glass boat and it was advertised as such.

 

[dozerII]

Re: Who here has done a flip boat.

That is exactly why I do it Sig, enjoyment and a little profit, just don't include your labour.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Who here has done a flip boat.

Yup, you know full well then!

Yah, the time wasters are what bother me.

I can pretty well spot most time wasters, tire kickers, low ballers, no showeres, weirdos, psychos, and just general losers from a long way off. These days my clist transactions are almost always quick and easy after I weed out all those guys.

 

[idonthaveaname]

Re: Who here has done a flip boat.

Well...my 2 cents. A while back I had bought a 12ft glass jon boat and trailer. Paid $200. I didn't want it anymore but figure I'd fix her up. A little elbow grease, some paint and since it didn't have floor I cut some plywood and sealed and carpeted it. Maybe about $100 in stuff. I had bought a 9.9 OB for cheap and put it on the back. Listed it for $1200. Wouldn't ya know...this fella calls and says he wants to come by. He does and loves the boat (it was very neat) but said, "I don't need the motor but I'll still give you the $1200. Just shows to go ya...never can tell what will happen.

You CAN make a few bucks doing this but I wouldn't count on it. Get the boat cheap (free) and do a nice job. Someone will buy it and hopefully you will make some money at it. If not...at least it's a lot of fun.

 

[classiccat]

Re: Who here has done a flip boat.

BII's quick flip.

I was hoping that he posted a picture of what he invested....a partially used Clorox bottle :lol:

 

[Watermann]

Re: Who here has done a flip boat.

I've fixed up a few boats in the past and funny thing is I've been buying parts from iboats since 2002 and reading the forum but never signed up until last year. Anyway, I've always been happy to just get out of a boat what I spent on it, not including my labor time.

I've decided that I would like a larger fishing boat set up with casting decks and livewells so I will be looking for an 18'er to replace the 16'er that I will sell since I don't need 2 fishing boats. I plan to restore the 18' and then sell the 16' to recoup on the costs.

Another thought is I wonder about the local boat shops and how much of a demand they have for people wanting the inside of the boats restored and or transoms rebuilt. That could be a source of work and income as well, maybe even sub contracting the work for the boat shops.

 

[InMotion]

Re: Who here has done a flip boat.

+1 to what others have said! I flipped the last boat to completely pay for my current build. If I were to account for labor time... not gonna be much in the way of profit dollars per hour. Factor in burden (shop expenses, heating etc)... and ya it goes a bit sideways.

So for what you are planning on doing Sig, go for it! Keeps it fun and funds the hobby! As I tell the Admiral, its a hobby business that pays for the hobby!

Enjoy!

Jim

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Who here has done a flip boat.

Sig, you may want to also check with bruceb58. I believe he has flipped a few boats.