The real cost of restoration

[Cak920]

I have a 14 ft boat that hasn't been on the water in over 8 years. It's an old boat but it means a lot to me because me and my uncle bought it at a farm auction when I was 8 years old for $50. He passed away a few years ago and my aunt has now given me the boat. I got the engine running and everything seems to work but I would like to give it a paint job and make it look nice again. I've asked a few people and the general response was don't fix up an old boat because it cost a fortune. I want your opinions on how much I could fix this boat up for. Doesn't have to be anything fancy just looks decent. It's 14 ft. (Trying to figure out how to put pictures on here but it's saying I can't upload that much)

 

[Scarborough817]

you need to resize the pics just use tiny pic and select the message board size. Personally I would take a look at tinboats.net too you may be able to find a build of the same model as your boat there 

[Crappiebasser]

Is it fiberglass or aluminum? Both can be painted but glass is a little harder and more expensive to do right. If the hull is solid it's worth painting IMO.

[KDW96]

When it comes down to it,its totally your call. I repainted a aluminum boat. I can tell you that to get good results, the time spend in prepping,is well worth the work. As it will show in the final paint job. I was told back then to sand,wire wheel on 2 drills,then wiped clean. I had to put a special primer on before the final paint. Why did i go to all that trouble some asked? Bcause it was my dads old boat.Didnt matter what it cost to me. Its held up wonderfully over the last 15yrs. Minus some scratches etc from use.

[Cak920]

 

1 hour ago, Scarborough817 said:

you need to resize the pics just use tiny pic and select the message board size. Personally I would take a look at tinboats.net too you may be able to find a build of the same model as your boat there 

Thank you for the tinypic suggestion! I'll check that site out

1 hour ago, Crappiebasser said:

Is it fiberglass or aluminum? Both can be painted but glass is a little harder and more expensive to do right. If the hull is solid it's worth painting IMO.

It is fiberglass 

[KDW96]

Looks in better condition, than i see people use today. Maybe a good hand washing,with a good cleaner and a wax job would do it. If so id be prepping an redoing the trailer.

[Cak920]

9 minutes ago, KDW96 said:

Looks in better condition, than i see people use today. Maybe a good hand washing,with a good cleaner and a wax job would do it. If so id be prepping an redoing the trailer.

It is in pretty good shape mostly I don't like the greenish blue color on top. Trailer definitely will be all fixed up. Been sitting for a long time 

[Crappiebasser]

It really doesn't look bad. A good buffing and trailer sand and paint would make it look a lot better.

[Cak920]

I was thinking about either painting or just cleaning the bottom white and painting the top black.

[slonezp]

If you are fixing it up to use it, by all means, do it. If you are fixing it up to sell it, take a pass. There's not a big market for those old runabouts restored or not.  

[Way2slow]

First and foremost, with that old style hull, almost all money spent will not be recovered if you ever decide to sell it, so you can kiss a whole bunch of time and money goodby.

 

The first thing you need to do is make sure the transom and floors are solid.  If there are any soft spots, it's extremely labor intensive to replace either or both and thousands of dollars to have it done by a professional.  It also requires a little experience replacing the floor because the cap usually has to come off and if the hull is not properly supported, you can totally ruin the whole boat. 

 

Next is the condition of the motor, if it needs rebuilt and being that old, it would probably be cheaper and better to replace it.

 

Even if everything is in great shape and all you want to do is paint the cap, you need to use something like Awlgrip products,  https://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/search.do?refineType=1&sub_attr_name=Brand&refineValue=Awlgrip&page=GRID&engine=adwords&keyword=awlgripkw&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3eSd58_41gIVywOGCh0u3gmnEAAYASAAEgLxdPD_BwE  and you will see even that's going to be expensive.

If you use automotive type paints, they don't stick and small chips grow the silver dollar size sections of paint flaking off.

 

Funny thing is, that looks almost identical to and old boat my daddy bought used back in 1967, had a white mercury motor about 40/45hp.