Project Boats

[Tim]

Hey fellas

I know a few of you would have bought older boats in the past and done them up for yourselves. Just wondering if it's a very cost effective way of going about getting what you want?

I've been toying with the idea this week of buying a cheap 2nd hand hull without a motor that I could tidy up, add in the mod cons & whack a new outboard on the back. It seems to me that it would be pretty cost effective and that the end result could end up saving me a few dollars.

What are people's thoughts on doing this?

Cheers

Tim

[Bashir]

It is not cost efective to repower an old rig and bring it back to what it once was. It can be cost effective to repower and old rig and give it a good decent tidy up however. Don't go overboard and you will do fine. Make sure the hull you pick up is a genuine bargain, take your time finding one. I suppose it depends why you want to do it. Its a bit like restoring old cars, most people do it as passion and don't care if they spend 60 grand on a car and sell it for 15. However you will find others that will buy an old wreck and give it a new lease of life and save themselves some money.

[Guest fishrunner]

If your up for the time you can end up with a very good boat, I bought a old quiny cent console for 3200, traded the trailer in, sold the old 35hp and got a good 40 3cylnder yammy, cut and carpeted rear, front and middle floors. Then added minnkota rt55ap, 6 gang switch board and livewell and now have a boat I couldn't have afforded to buy.

Will fish inshore and eastury easily, couldn't have asked for more.

It all comes down to time you have available to spend doin up the boat.

Just make sure it's a good straight hull as that's your base and it counts.

good luck

brad

[Grantm]

I think it can also depend what size boat it is. Boats under 4 meters I cant see being worth it unless you get a really good deal on a second hand one, and dont go overboard on the upgrade. $5000.00 to $5500.00 can get a a brand new boat of this size on a trailer with safety gear as a general rule.

The best chance would be a 4 to 5 meter boat where the prices for used and new can jump up a lot and the opportunity to do up a boat in this range would perhaps give you the most value.

Depends on you circumstances but boats over 5 meters are just a damn big job.

Personally I would like to do it, but moreso for the project value and for a bit of fun.

You will be suprised how much it will actually cost to do this. My advice is to work backwards from the finished product you want including eveything. Rego, safety gear, trailer, motor, accessories, everything. Add this up including what your time is worth perhaps, and see how much it leaves you to buy a hull with compared to a new or second hand boat of the same calibre. This will give you your answer.

Hope this helps

[mark_s]

Dont forget the costs of tools as well if you don't already have them.

[Guest iain]

I am half way through my renovation. See my BLOG for more details.

Like hotting up a car, you won't make money out of this BUT there's no doubt you can get into a boat you'd never be able to afford by putting in some hard work. It makes great financial sense if you are doing up a boat you intend keeping for a while.

Basically a renovation is a HUGE job so you absolutely have to be up for it. It's dirty, dusty, smelly and time consuming. Luckily I like projects and I am loving every minute of this. No kidding I think about it during the day and (I kid you not) dream about it at night. On the bus to and from work I sit and work out solutions to problems and how to best proceed.

If you are not going to be passionate about a restoration DON'T do it. All you will end up with is a half demolished wreck in your back yard.

As mentioned you need to buy a boat that:

a) Is a genuine bargain. There's no point paying full ticket for a reno.

Is fundamentally a good boat. Theres no point fixing up something that will still be crap when you've finished.

c) Has fixtures and fittings that are in reasonable nick. Fittings are a killer. For example replacing steering could cost you $800

As mentioned you'll need tools and will need to budget for them BUT the tools required are hardly specialised and you will have them when you've finished.

Do plenty of reading if you are contemplating taking this on. Scour the Internet and buy the books & DVD's on my Blog. Spending $100 on gaining knowledge will save you $3000 worth of mistakes down the track.

Good luck.

[Livie]

Also, Choose a boat that is liked in your area, IE; Formula or edan craft in VIC,

Quintrex in NSW, Mustang in QLD. There are many others and some interlude.

Just keep your head adjusted to what the "Massess" might buy if you wanted to sell it.

Avoid old, Odd boats.

Having said that , I bought entirely for structual quality, And Bought a near new second hand platey that I knew I could improve. Im very happy and hope to keep it

[oldpony]

Tim

listen to iain

the oldpony

paul

[Guest iain]

Thanks Pony!!!!!!