onenastyz Posted July 16, 2015 Posted July 16, 2015 Okay guys so I picked up my first boat the other day and from what ive figured out its a 1990 fibertron 15' bass boat with a 60hp suzuki outboard I was at a buddys grad party and saw it across the road with a FREE sign on it I jumped on it figured that eather the boat was free or the trailer was free walked across the street and talked to the guy he was pretty cool and he said yeah I want it off my property and he gave me the registration to the trailer and the boat its definitely rough around the edges before it hits the water I need a lower unit bilge pump a fuel tank and one lower carb and im going to replace the floor aswell I think its was a pretty awesome boat but for the price how can I complain it needs some love but id like some advice from some more experienced people then myself im 20 and until the other day didnt know a single thing about boats but I need to compression test the motor it seems very good but im not spending any money on it until I know the motors worth saving I was planning to put a 90hp merc motor on it but this seems like a more cost effective route and also I have a guy that will install the lower unit but hes asking about $400-$500 to do it I dont have a problem with that but does it seem like a reasonable price for that type of job everything else im doing myself including the floor replacement thanks in advanced also if anyone knows anymore info about the boat that would be awesome I really cant seem to find much at all other then it was a manufacturer out of Brooklyn Canada that closed down in the early 1990s Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted July 16, 2015 Super User Posted July 16, 2015 Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ Good Luck with your project and you're already finding out that there's no such think as a free boat. A-Jay Quote
onenastyz Posted July 16, 2015 Author Posted July 16, 2015 Unfortunately yes but im a glutton for punishment I know its going to be a fun project it will be nice when its done also the price I was quoted for the lower unit includes the part and labor Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted July 16, 2015 Super User Posted July 16, 2015 A Twenty-five or so year old anything will need to be gone over with a fine tooth comb. Check everything - attention to detail will be important. You'll have to expect that virtually anything & everything on the boat, motor and trailer can or will need replacement. Start slow and build up speed; could be a marathon . . . . A-Jay 1 Quote
onenastyz Posted July 16, 2015 Author Posted July 16, 2015 Oh I have figured that out I blew a tire on the way back to our fishing property about 300 acres where its stored right now and It didnt sink in how deep I had gotten myself in but I definitely do now and I expected to have to repair and or replace everything I restored my 79z28 camaro from the frame up so Id like to think I have a pretty good attention to detail what really sold me on it being my new project its gonna sound kinda stupid but the color of the gelcoat its a deep dark blue with metal flakes and it needs a good buff and shine but when the sun hits it just right it looks amazing thank you for the warm welcome jay 2 Quote
Thornback Posted July 16, 2015 Posted July 16, 2015 Do a detailed cost list on all the parts, material, labor, etc., and then compare that cost to a new boat or a running used boat. You might be surprised. On the other hand it sounds like you love the challenge so the cost is a secondary consideration -- in that case "just go for it". 1 Quote
onenastyz Posted July 16, 2015 Author Posted July 16, 2015 I keep telling myself im going to sell it if it becomes too much work ive already been offered 2300 for the boat and thats in the condition its in but its so unique ive never seen another one in my life my buddys dad had 74 stinger we used to ride up north Ill always remember that boat it was metal flake yellow and it was fast Quote
onenastyz Posted July 16, 2015 Author Posted July 16, 2015 But I know im not going to sell it I really dont know why I like it but I love the challenge and I love taking something and putting my own touch on it if I do something im going to do it right the first time or why do it at all 1 Quote
Thornback Posted July 16, 2015 Posted July 16, 2015 Take photos of all the stages of your work and share them with us. We all love "before and after" photos. I can tell your adrenalin is surging at the thought of all the fun you'll have. Quote
thomas15 Posted July 16, 2015 Posted July 16, 2015 I wash you the best of luck with this project. Allow me to say this, getting the motor to run is only the beginning. You should do a detailed examination of the hull. Fiberglass boats have some major structural components that are wood covered with fiberglass/resin. Also, most boats have some sort of foam in the inner hull that gives the hull strength and flotation. The deck that is generally covered with carpet is wood or glass covered wood. If you have soft spots in the deck, replacing the plywood deck generally solves only part of the problem. IF the deck has soft spots then underneath the deck the foam is most likely waterlogged and the stringers perhaps rotted. Also, the transom core is wood and of there is rot there it will not support the motor over the long haul. You may be able to get a look at the stringers or the condition of the hull when you inspect the fuel tank bay. You may also get an idea of the condition of the transom by checking for flex or cracks in the glass in the transom. Core samples may be required to confirm. The main thing though is all of this can be repaired, it just depends on how much of a project you want. I'm not trying to discourage you, just trying to let you know that a lot of problems MIGHT be hiding in the cold dark nooks that are not easy to get to. 1 Quote
onenastyz Posted July 16, 2015 Author Posted July 16, 2015 It has tags froms last year on it this boat was in the water not very long ago Quote
onenastyz Posted July 16, 2015 Author Posted July 16, 2015 you definitely discouraged me im trying to be positive about this and I know there could be terrible things wrong with this boat it sat outside for 2 or more years uncovered and not winterized but crap man really killed my buzz Quote
Allen Der Posted July 16, 2015 Posted July 16, 2015 flipping it for a $2300 profit seems like the thing to do. on the other hand it sounds like you like a good restoration project, so go for it if you think you'll love the boat long term Quote
onenastyz Posted July 16, 2015 Author Posted July 16, 2015 Well I have a place to keep it up north inside and it would stay there forever and Im feeling good about it so im gonna pull the deck up and see what it looks like and go from there and it has awesome potential Quote
Super User flyfisher Posted July 16, 2015 Super User Posted July 16, 2015 i would have sold it for the 2300 and not thought twice about it....instant 2300 profit lol Quote
thomas15 Posted July 17, 2015 Posted July 17, 2015 you definitely discouraged me im trying to be positive about this and I know there could be terrible things wrong with this boat it sat outside for 2 or more years uncovered and not winterized but crap man really killed my buzz If you are referring to anything I said then please know that my intention was not to burst your bubble but rather to make you aware of what might be wrong and to make it clear that problems can be fixed. It really comes down to making an honest evaluation of what you have to start with and how much you are willing to commit. In your opening post you made mention of upsizing the motor. What you have is plenty of HP. But the real issue is finding out if the boat is seaworthy. Few things in life on this earth suck worse than planning a day on the water with your new boat only to have the motor quit or the transom split when you are miles from the launch ramp. Most people that do a boat rehab work on the hull during the spring, summer and fall and leave the motor for a winter project. If the motor was left outside and neglected for two years than it would be a good idea to put some time and money into it. A great place to find answers to the literally one million questions that will come up is: iboats (dot) com. This is a commercial website that has fantastic user forums. The two forums that would be of interest to you are the restoration and repair forum and the Yamaha and Suzuki outboard forum. Lots of knowledge and encouragement on these forums. I highly recommend that you browse the 100s of threads showing restorations and you really should join that forum and let them know what you have and what you plan to make of it. OK, again, I'm not trying to discourage you at all, infact I hope you make something out of this. If it were me I would have sold the boat if I had an offer but also in a year or two I'm going to take on a full resortation project myself. BUT, not knowing the situation (so no offense to anyone), having an offer to buy for $2300.00 something you got for free and actually having the money placed in your hands are two different things. So don't feel bad about not taking that offer. What I have in mind for my future restoration is something in the 19-21' range, fiberglass, with with a I/O drive. Something that I can fish off shore but still pull with a half ton pickup truck. I would consider myself very lucky to get my project boat for free so you have that going for you. Right now you have nothing invested so you have lost nothing. BTW, I have no financial interests in iboats in particular or the boat industry in general. Probably the best place to find parts for outboard motors is: boats (dot) net. Again I really hope that you do something with this boat. Quote
onenastyz Posted July 17, 2015 Author Posted July 17, 2015 Thank you for the good wishes and I have gotten in contact with the previous owner and he has told me he has the lower unit in storage and that I can have it and im going to talk to him about why the boat was taken out of service and he wants to meet up with me this weekend hopefully he can tell me more about and why it was free and not sold on craigslist thats one of my biggest questions right there Quote
S. Sass Posted July 18, 2015 Posted July 18, 2015 Congrats on the boat. Free is a dang good start. i would have sold it for the 2300 and not thought twice about it....instant 2300 profit lol ^^^ I couldn't have helped myself. I would have done the same thing. If I had been confused as to sell or not. I think I would tell the guy $2500.00 cash, and celebrate on the $200 bonus or you get to keep the boat no loss. Quote
Scorchx1245 Posted July 18, 2015 Posted July 18, 2015 I've seen 16 foot trackers go for 3000. I would of sold for 2300 use the money to repair the boat you got and spend on a 3-3500 dollar boat, but if you got offered money it might be worth fixing. I like iboats, but boat means bust out another thousand. Lower unit seems expensive and you're going to have to balance out the carbs. Bilge pumps are cheap. I'd be wary of any wiring also, does the motor turn over? How is the compression test, you may have adopted a headache. But if you're OK with marathons then go vfor it! Quote
Super User slonezp Posted July 18, 2015 Super User Posted July 18, 2015 A Twenty-five or so year old anything will need to be gone over with a fine tooth comb. Check everything - attention to detail will be important. You'll have to expect that virtually anything & everything Start slow and build up speed; could be a marathon . . . . A-Jay Sounds like advice from "The Love Doctor" 1 Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted July 18, 2015 Super User Posted July 18, 2015 Sounds like advice from "The Love Doctor" Or the Old Boat Refurbishment Monkey. A-Jay 1 Quote
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