to restore or not

[cafishing]

A friend of mine gave me this boat and I would like other boaters advise on restoring it . i usually fish from the shores but now that I have this new toy I would like to fix it if it's not to expensive. here are some pics of the boat the outboard it came with. I live in CA

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j35/tealjdmcrx/IMG_0109.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j35/tealjdmcrx/IMG_0110.jpg

[Skwerl]

IMO I wouldn't trust either of those motors. Even if you get it running, will you be able to trust that old antique motor to keep running and get you home safely? Last registration is '03 so it's been sitting at least 3-4 years, I'd say don't even consider trying to salvage the motor(s).

The boat itself looks like it might be decent. Is the transom solid? Stand on the fin of the outboard and gently bounce up and down on it. Does the transom flex? If it's solid with no soft spots then you might have a decent fixer-upper there. You can count on spending a fair amount of money though, all your electrical wiring and rigging will probably need replacement. You will need to repower it (which will also involve new throttle controls and possibly new steering controls). The hull looks like it needs a bit of TLC to bring it back. But it's got nice lines and could turn out to be a nice restoration. I'd budget about $2K plus whatever you spend on a motor.

Don't forget the triler also. If the frame is not rusted out then wheel bearings (or even replacement hubs) aren't too expensive. New lights, tires, figure $200-$400 on the trailer.

On the other hand, if you just want to go fishing then I'd pass on the antique restoration project and find a fishing boat. You can pick up a reliable, solid, running boat for less than it will cost you to fix up that boat.

[cafishing]

There is no flex on the fin and some part have been updated, such as the throtle controls. The steering is still original equipment to the boat. Ill have to find a 25-30 hp motor for it, at a reasonable price. Thanks for your input.

[cart7t]

For what you'll spend fixing that thing up you could go out and buy a decent fishing boat.  Not to mention the time involved. Unless you're into fixing up boats that one's going to be more time and work than it's worth.  Chainsaw the boat up.  Try and get what you can for the parts, motors and trailer on Ebay and get a decent boat.

[Skwerl]

With a solid hull it can be feasable IF you can find a good motor at a decent price. Find your motor first, there's lots of cheap (or free) boats out there.

I bought a 'project' boat once, paid $500 for a bass boat hull with no motor. It sat in my back yard for 2 years and I dumped many days as well as several hundred dollars in it before finally giving up and hauling it to the dump. That was a tough day, but I was still thousands of dollars away from getting it on the water (electrical was completely trashed)  and I was no longer willing to keep dumping time and money into it.

[Madhouse27]

I agree with Skwerl and Cart. I think you'd end up paying more fixing this one up than just going out and buying a cheap fishing boat. The costs on projects like this one escalate quickly and even if you see if through to completion you end up with a boat that is worth far less than you have in it. I like Cart's idea about ebay. There seems to be a good secondary market for older outboards and individual outboard parts. If the serial numbers are still on the outboards you'll be able to find out exactly what year they are and maybe make some cash selling them or parting them out.

[cafishing]

aLL THE NUMBER ARE THERE i WILL LOOK INTO BUYING A NEW OR USED BOAT tHANKS TO ALL THAT HAVE GIVEN ADVISE