Sanity check me please?

[CCrew]

Ok, I know anyone here that's had a "project" boat has probably had this thought. <br /><br />First.. The boat. It's a 1987 Bayliner. Yes, honestly, everything you've probably heard about their construction I'll probably agree is true. That said, just about eveything wood is shot. Deck is mulch, stringers should probably be replaced, and I'm dreading drilling into the transom, although so far it appears solid. So did a few other parts initially, so there's that waffle factor there. <br /><br />I have a 5.7 liter engine with less than 75 hours on it that runs fantastic. I have a Cobra outdrive that's just been totally rebuilt top to bottom. A decent trailer. Lots of great shape components. <br /><br />Would it make more sense just to give up, sell the parts, and recoup my money? Buy a dead boat that needs repowered? I have about $4600 invested total, and you all know that the foam, resin, cloth, wood, is going to add to that. The boat books at $4600. I owe nothing. <br /><br />I bought the boat to enjoy boating. I could afford a new one, but I'd rather not. This isn't really about the money, but more the sanity of a choice to rebuild a boat that is still what it is when it's done. <br /><br />Thoughts and opinions appreciated. Thanks!<br />Roger

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Sanity check me please?

There is nothing insane about what you are pondering. When I did my project I went through the same thing. I seriously considered looking for another hull. In the end I decided to do my project because I was doing a conversion rather than a restoration, and was able to use my rotted out hulk for the boat I wanted. Everything turned out fine, and I have no regrets. In your case, if your heart or will isn't completely there, you should probably look for another hull. I see them around all over the place, for free. Usually stripped. The downside is you still stand the chance of having to rebuild it. People do not get rid of boats that are in good shape for nothing. Like I have said before, rebuilding a boat for value or resale potential is a waste of time. You never get you money back, ever. It has to be because you enjoy the suffering of rebuilding something of this scale and expense or you just love the boat. A nasty ol' Bayliner doesn't often bring the love or the loot, but you could rebuild this boat to the standard you want, and more importantly, you will know the condition of everything. Peace of mind has tremendous value. You could get another hull and it could have all sorts of hidden problems that even a surveyer can't find. In the end, the only way to really be sure is to rebuild or buy a new boat. Anything else is always a crapshoot. Good luck....

 

[JB]

Re: Sanity check me please?

Howdy, CCrew.<br /><br />First: People who buy a boat to enjoy boating should not buy any project boat, especially not a Bayliner. Only people who enjoy creating a boat from junk should do that.<br /><br />Yes, sell it all and buy a boat that you can go boating in.<br /><br />Sanity check diagnosis: Yep, you were nuts but you are clearly recovering.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Sanity check me please?

JB,<br /> You've got it so Right......<br /><br />CCrew,<br /> Sell Off the Parts......<br />Then go buy a Boat that Doesn't say OMC or Bilgeliner AnyWhere on It.....

 

[Ralph 123]

Re: Sanity check me please?

The world is full of good hulls (i.e., structurally sound) needing a repower/rewire, etc. They are everywhere and dirt cheap or even FREE.<br /><br />I totally rebuilt my 79 Formula w/twin 350s - however, there wasn't a single hull/structural related issue. It was a very rewarding experience. IO enjoy it a lot more than if I had purchased a turn-key boat. I would never take on a project that required major hull work. IMHO, it's just not worth it in time, money or risk. You can go get a really high quality hull from any of the great manufacturers for dirt cheap.<br /><br />I'd go find another hull and use the parts you have now for the repower.

 

[CCrew]

Re: Sanity check me please?

Thanks guys for the responses. I appreciate it. <br /><br />Though I tend to lean strongly toward Ralph's line of thinking, there's one thing that comes to mind... <br /><br />Sure it's a Bayliner. I didn't buy it as an investment, or I'd never have bought a boat at all. Should I choose to rebuild it, aren't I redoing most all about it that makes it the POS that it is? What is it about (insert boat brand here) that would make it heads or tails above what I would have in the end? I mean, take the existing hull, new everything from the hull shell up, and I effectively have an almost new boat, and as Jason said, I know exactly what I have Sure, I can go buy a Crownline, or a 4Winns, or another brand, but to get the V-8 and amenities that I'll have when I'm done I'll be spending $25k or so.. <br /><br />And in the meantime, just buying another hull, I could be buying into a whole boatload (no pun intended!) of problems that are effectively just trading one nightmare for another?<br /><br />I know full well that anymore "new" doesn't mean better. I also RV, and am having to take mine out to Indiana in 2 weeks so the factory can fix issues that two dealers can't. I paid good money for that priviledge, and darned if it isn't the second one that I've had to do it with. I can't imagine that new boats are that much different. Seems to me anything anymore is slap/slap rush it out the door. Maybe that's not the case, but there are enough threads on this board and others that lead me to believe that there certainly are some QC issues out there, even with top name brand boats..<br /><br />Just thinking out loud. Thanks again. <br /><br />-Roger

 

[G DANE]

Re: Sanity check me please?

CCCrew<br /><br />This is a question you are only able to answer yourselves. But right at the state of wanting to give up everything, it looks like a too big job. Bayliners have a good hull design, and in you add the structure quality you want, you will have a great and good looking boat. Try to look at it in steps !

 

[Ralph 123]

Re: Sanity check me please?

Roger,<br /><br />If you interested in the challenge of a refurb project spend a couple of weeks looking for a really good hull just to get a sense of what is out there. Concentrate on really high-end hulls like Formula, SeaRay, Wellcraft, etc. After that, you'll have a good sense of what direction you want to go in.

 

[SeaMasterZ@aol.com]

Re: Sanity check me please?

well, it IS winter comin pretty fast, and va isnt all that far south to escape the grip of Old Man Winter<br /><br />bayliner - pretty boat, decent lines, including underwater, shoddily built<br /><br />YOU rebuild it, over the next few months, hopefully you have a garage, pretty boat, decent lines, including underwater, and the shoddily built factor is negated cause YOU rebuilt it<br /><br />or bolt the outdrive into a blown grady white, but I think that a hand rebuilt bayliner is better built than a grady white

 

[Realgun]

Re: Sanity check me please?

CCrew got me an 88 1700 Capri Bowrider and good thing you post pictures. What are you using to get the plywood parts out? Fiberglass what fiberglass? I like the looks and performace of the Bayliner. Yes I took it out with no seats and the middle of the floor in the bilge. Will write it up for all to see. Besides I cannot afford a new boat but can rebuild. I have the technology, got it right here from these boards. Anyone have 6 million to lend me!

 

[DJ]

Re: Sanity check me please?

CCrew,<br /><br />I believe your Cobra engine/drive will fit anywhere a MerCruiser was.<br /><br />It might not be that difficult to find a nice boat with a bad powerplant/drive.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Sanity check me please?

Realgun, if you get that 6 million, I will gladly rebuild that Bayliner for ya. I'll do it cheap, how does $200,000 sound. It'll float real good....

 

[CCrew]

Re: Sanity check me please?

Realgun..<br /><br />I'm using a 4 1/2 angle grinder with a sanding disc for some areas, and cutoff wheels for others. Tight spots I have a 2 1/2" air die grinder with cutoff wheels.<br /><br />Jason.. Just $200k? What a bargain! <br /><br />Djohns19, is the transom cutout the same between a mercruiser and a cobra? Thanks!<br /><br />I'm looking at the possibility for other hulls, but proceeding with prepping mine still as it's only the time investment. That way if I decide to go with what I have I haven't just sat and looked at it forlornly for weeks <br /><br />Roger

 

[Realgun]

Re: Sanity check me please?

OK just got back with a Rotozip and the angle grinder attachment wish me luck.<br /><br />Jason I would not buy a boat that costs 200,000.<br />Just think of the restore job on that fixer upper.