Is This Worth It?

[jhoffman]

I have a 2006 Suzuki grand vitara 2wd v6 to pull it with. My friends is like a 2004 Chevy s10 v6 2wd. No flatbeds. :-(

I pull a 17ft tracker with a 25hp motor, awd and putting glass behind it.... yeah no

[5 Dollar Fishing Game]

So you don't think my SUV can handle the trip?

[5 Dollar Fishing Game]

I saw a dodge caravan around town pulling a bass tracker the other day. If it is local and not too heavy, staying out of 4wd situations, some 2wd 6 cylinders are okay. My next vehicle will be an SUV again. This time 4wd.

[Sun Fish]

So you don't think my SUV can handle the trip?

It depends on how heavy the boat/trailer are.

[5 Dollar Fishing Game]

Boat and trailer together about 1500. My truck is rated at 3500. However I will be driving through the mountains.

[Long Mike]

Personally, I wouldn't touch that boat.  It looks as if it's been setting on the ground uncovered, for years.  Why isn't it on its trailer?  As said above,  I believe that every piece of wood  and carpet in the boat is rotten, including the transom.  Since the boat is setting on the ground, it has very probably been invaded by critters who enjoy gnawing on cabling and wiring.  Throttle and shift calling are probably  seized up.  As for the motor, it's anybody's guess.  If the motor was prepared for long term storage it may be OK.  If it wasn't, then the motor may be frozen up  The carbs would have to be rebuilt at the very least.  IMHO that boat isn't worth the money you would spend for gasoline to go pick it up.  With the money it would cost you to restore it, you could find a much nicer boat in much better condition closer to home.

[5 Dollar Fishing Game]

Thanks mike. Makes sense too. When I had my canoe I couldn't leave it on the belly because it would loose its "form". Are fiberglass boats the same principle?

[Long Mike]

Thanks mike. Makes sense too. When I had my canoe I couldn't leave it on the belly because it would loose its "form". Are fiberglass boats the same principle?

 

Yes.

.

[Fishin24/7]

I wouldn't take it if he delivered it. You can buy a newer ready to fish boat for what you will end up having in this boat.

[BassnChris]

I don't think anyone mentioned it yet, but I'd bet every inch of wood in that boat is rotten, including the transom.  That's a mighty long trip to take to pick up a rotten log.

 

 

Personally, I wouldn't touch that boat.  It looks as if it's been setting on the ground uncovered, for years.  Why isn't it on its trailer?  As said above,  I believe that every piece of wood  and carpet in the boat is rotten, including the transom.  Since the boat is setting on the ground, it has very probably been invaded by critters who enjoy gnawing on cabling and wiring.  Throttle and shift calling are probably  seized up.  As for the motor, it's anybody's guess.  If the motor was prepared for long term storage it may be OK.  If it wasn't, then the motor may be frozen up  The carbs would have to be rebuilt at the very least.  IMHO that boat isn't worth the money you would spend for gasoline to go pick it up.  With the money it would cost you to restore it, you could find a much nicer boat in much better condition closer to home.

 

 

Both of these guys have an excellent point concerning the condition of the wood.....and the critters.

[Dylcook91]

Coming from a fellow auto mechanic, and someone who is currently(3 years now lol) restoring a 79 Z28 camaro you are the only one who can decide if its worth it at whatever the cost may be. I purchased my car knowing it would need a ground up restoration, meaning I will put more money into it then it will ever be worth. With the money I have put into it so far I could have purchased a same year, make, and model running/ready to go vehicle. But I chose to go with something I knew I could tinker with in my down time. When I am finished(not really ever gonna happen haha) I will have the pride that I know the car inside out and that it is my creation.

 

Know that if you take that boat you may sink crazy amounts of money into it before its even "sea worthy" vs. you could go buy a new or used boat...modify it and still have less money put into it. So you have to ask yourself, are you looking for a project boat and all the headaches it will come with or something you can just throw on your tow rig and put in the water?

 

Lots of people start projects(cars, boats, houses) not really giving thought to what its gonna take to get from it what it is, to what they envision in their heads. This causes people to get overwhelmed and lose hope in the project, which in turn ends up being one expensive paper weight.

[jhoffman]

I think that boat is going to be heavier than you think with a trailer yes. Mine has enough strain with aluminum, same vehicle

[S Hovanec]

Boat and trailer together about 1500

 

 

I think you underestimate the weight of that boat.  My 17' tin weighs 1350 dry (without the motor) and another 600 for the trailer.  That 20' glass has to be pushing a ton alone.

[Nitrofreak]

One big factor here that no one has mentioned yet, that is net worth, if you think about what the boat is worth vs. how much you will need to invest to make it worth something and then try to turn around and sell the thing for a proffit, it's not going to happen, it's just that simple.

 

As the above post has stated, I too am in the automotive/marine industry, have been for 40 years, both the automotive and marine industry are very simular, neither the boat nor the car in the same shape as the boat you are looking at is worth much of anything, but as a person who can take that project and do something with it point of view, we can see the finished product, we know what it's already going to take to get it where it needs to be, if this was a 69 Shelby, it would already be at my house, instead this I would consider to be a 69 VW bug, not worth anything near what I would get a return investment on, knowing that,  the project would have to be for myself, something I could at least get some use out of for the money I am getting ready to spend.

 

My first concern for this project, safety, not just for myself but for others, looking at this project, it would not be safe for you nor your crew, fiberglass is a funny thing when it has been resting on grass and dirt, the structural integrity of the hull I am sure has been comprimised to some degree, of what degree I can not be sure unless I can see the craft up close, but once you take it out of that enviroment and put it to use in it's intended enviroment, you will find sooner or later, it's gonna give up, the stress from wakes and thrust will eventually make the hull give up, be it from the stern, the rotting wood from within, or from the soiled areas the hull has been resting on, your best bet if you want a project to fix up is to walk away from this one and find one that has been taken care of a little bit better.

 

There is nothing wrong with wanting to fix or build something with your own two hands and have it be an extention of your own personal self that you can enjoy for years to come, but, you have to be more senseable about the project you choose, if you want a boat that you don't want to have to work on yourself, then save your money and do so, if you want a project you can build and shape it into something you can stand back and call your own, pick something that is not outside of the rehlm of plauseability, something you can work on and not spend your life savings with, but most of all safe for all of you that intend on using it.   

[5 Dollar Fishing Game]

Yeah, might be a heavy beast!!! Again, the condition of the boat is my concern. I never have much thought into the wood and other rotted parts too.

[5 Dollar Fishing Game]

Well put nitro freak. Good points there. Plenty of options to consider here too. Sounds and looks like a big project. I need to weigh out cost and time of the boat listed here and a newer one. Thanks man! :-)