72' Thunderbird Project Estimate

[oceanpotion]

I found a free boat... it is a 27' Thunderbird Tr-Hull. What could I expect, just ballpark, for refurbishing deck, stringers, and transom? A variety of opinions would be great

 

[Coors]

Re: 72' Thunderbird Project Estimate

Honestly? doing it yourself?

If you already have the grinders, saws, etc.

And have to replace it all.

160 hours, $2500.

But I'm an optimist.

But do it; It is an experience. That you will never forget.

Don't get me wrong- that is 1/3 of what the pro's will charge.

If you like the boat, do it- help is in here, and it will last till you die, done correctly.

 

[i386]

Re: 72' Thunderbird Project Estimate

Which idea appeals to you more, having a boat or fixing it?

It won't cost anything but time to gut it and do some grinding. I think you'll know after a few days of that if you want to continue. So far, I find it enjoyable but it is hard, nasty, itchy work. I wanted to experience the process of building a boat. This is the next best thing. I will probably take what I've learned on this project to build a small skiff and go from there. Boats are very much part of my family history and I want to keep that alive.

 

[fixb52s]

Re: 72' Thunderbird Project Estimate

Spread it out over time. $100 here, $300 there. Before long, you will be done.

I agree with folks here. It might run you around 2K, but how much will a new boat cost? And you would know it will last for years if done correctly.​

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 72' Thunderbird Project Estimate

a 27' t-bird is a big heavy boat. lots to rot, i'm saying closer to 4-5,000.

 

[oceanpotion]

Re: 72' Thunderbird Project Estimate

Thank you guys so much for the thought food.

Basically it could be anywhere from 2,000-5,000.

Next question... does anyone know anything about these hulls and how they perform? It is a tri-hull

BTW, I am located in Southeast Florida and I will be using this boat for fishing, looks like it has nice open deck to fish out the back which I like. Im just curious as to how this hull will hold in some nastier stuff.

 

[oops!]

Re: 72' Thunderbird Project Estimate

im not framilliar with the hull

but if its a big heavy one....with lots of freeboard youll be fine.....


and if td says 4-5k.....count on it

imho...its worth it

cheers
oops

 

[Coors]

Re: 72' Thunderbird Project Estimate

yep, TD has the most experience.

I'm always optimistic until the 3rd day of any project.....

 

[oops!]

Re: 72' Thunderbird Project Estimate

I'm always optimistic until the 3rd day of any project.....

lol

 

[jcsercsa]

Re: 72' Thunderbird Project Estimate

Hi and welcome oceanpotion, If its a tri-hull on flat water she will run with the best , I am working on a little 16 foot tri-hull , had a 20 before this it was a tri-hull also !! love them , but when you get in ruffer water they will beat the Heck out of you !!! 27 footer is a big tri-hull would love to see a pic of her !!! what do you have for a motor in it ? and if TD say 5000 you had better count on it !! lot of it depends on if you got to do it all stringer, transom , if you use poly, or go with the more expensive epoxy??

I really like it , well till i fell last week !!! lol but really i am having fun !! and learned so much from these guys . cant say enought about that !!!!!!! They are some of the best !!

Ok well keep us posted on how its going ... John

 

[rockyrude]

Re: 72' Thunderbird Project Estimate

If your tri-hull resembles my 70 apache and the middle hull is deeper than the two outer hulls, this is called an airslot design and is the best of both worlds. They ride great at plane and have excellent stability at rest.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 72' Thunderbird Project Estimate

the old Tbirds were air slots, they handle long swells much better than short chop. short chop they ride rough. like i said a 27' Tbird is a big, heavy boat. and will ride much better than a 17' of the same design.

what is this monster power by??? the earliest i could find was a 1977 26' express, weighed 6900 lbs.

 

[sreiner]

Re: 72' Thunderbird Project Estimate

Your Thunderbird model is a Cherokee - the biggest of the cathedral hulls and not seen too often. I have never seen one in person, but have a brochure page on it and an ad. It lists the weight at 6560 lbs., 430 max. HP, offered with soft top, hard top or hard top/flybridge. Looks like sweet boat! I have been on most of the other Thunderbird cathedral hulls (have a small collection in my family) and can say they are great boats - built very solid and stable on the water, but ride as described by the others.

 

[sreiner]

Re: 72' Thunderbird Project Estimate

The 25' Navajo, 27' Cherokee and later model 21' Arapaho were something in between the traditional cathedral hull and the Wellcraft Airslot. They had a much pointier (is that a word?) bow and did not have the self-bailing decks, but they look like the other Thunderbirds from the side. I believe these models were not introduced until 1970 or so. These were probably a transition into the Wellcraft Airslot hull since they were all designed by Richard Cole.