1987 Bayliner Capri Restore

[Boatingfanatic]

hello, i'm looking into starting a project boat. it is a 1987 Bayliner Capri open bow with a 3.0L OMC Cobra Engine (i/o motor). overall the boat is in very sad shape...

the interior has to be completely stripped and new floor put down, all the upholstry has to be replaced, the 2 lounge seats are no good, and the motor is not running and in sad shape...

the drive appears sound and surprisingly has little damage. the motor its self
is rusty, all the belts are broken or shot, i was going to replace all the hoses and exaust manifolds as a precaution (better to be safe than sorry), both batteries have to be replaced, and everything electric on the boat has to be re-wired...

luckily the hull is sound with almost no scratching or damages & there are no patches. the windshield is also in surprisingly in good shape

as this is my 1st project boat, i was looking for any advice out there. i was looking to do as much of the work as i can myself, and with the current economy i'm looking for some cost efficient methods...

any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[maxum247]

Re: 1987 Bayliner Capri Restore

Before you go any futher check that the engine is to the full mark with oil, next check the engine compression and see that you have a sound engine to work with. Wether the engine is sound may make a difference as to wether you will want to continue the rebuild or find something different.

max

 

[slasmith1]

Re: 1987 Bayliner Capri Restore

since you mentioned cost effectiveness as a reason for doing this you can find a running condition boat of the exact same type for less than 2k and it would be far less then the 3-5k minimum you will spend on materials to do this project so if cost is a serious factor find another project.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1987 Bayliner Capri Restore

I gotta agree with maxum247. You need to make sure you can get the engine running well before you tackle the boat. Parts for OMC's are getting harder to come by (so I hear) so I just don't want you to have this completed shiny boat that can't get on the water because of some engine part you can't find.

 

[proshadetree]

Re: 1987 Bayliner Capri Restore

If it needs floors its going to need stringers and a transom too.Make it run first then core check all before you start

 

[lowkee]

Re: 1987 Bayliner Capri Restore

Mega ditto from ^^^. If the engine is shot, it will like be better to get a different boat, one with a running engine. I'm doing a similar restore to a '90 Capri and the costs have balooned well beyond what I was hoping, and I'm doing it all myself with a working engine and outdrive to start. I know it is not the news you want to hear, but please take this advice to heart, as the worst thing to happen is to run out of money and have a 1/2 fixed boat. Overall, I expect a base rebuild on mine (just including deck, stringers, transom, seats, vinyl, paint) to cost roughly $2,000, and that is with some serious deal searching. Add on new gauges, wiring, stereo, tools, safety equipment and replacement items I didn't anticipate you can easily add another 1-2K onto that cost.

In the end, if you REALLY like that specific boat and have no intention of selling it for the next 10+ years, go for it. If not, make sure you have something to work with beyond a hull, as it is the stuff inside the hull that is pricey.