Restoration cold feet

[nightvision]

Hi all,<br />I've been following this forum and have learned a great deal from all the post. I value your opinion, so here it go. I bought a 1973 trihull fiberglass 15 footer a few month back. We got it for dirt cheap and the plan was for me and my son to get our hands dirty and learn how to restore a boat. The boat came with a 55 hp Seaking (Chrysler?) 2 stroke motor . The previous owner said the motor needs work. My son and I are debating if we should put money into this questionable motor or just purchase a use/new motor. We were considering a 4 stroke. We want something that is reliable and enviromently friendly. A new or use 4 stroke will run about $4,500 - $6,500. If you were in my shoe would you purchase a new motor. We figure we can always upgrade to another boat and still have a reliable engine. Thanks for help two newbies.

 

[Realgun]

Re: Restoration cold feet

Well here goes. I believe you should restore the boat. Sure you will never get your money out of selling it but what about the pleasure, memories, and fun you will have restoring it with your son?<br />As to the motor. There are lots of motors that work fine and do not cost and arm and leg. Iboats has some good deals. I will be purchasing one of them if the Force ever leaves me. LOL. If the motor you have is running or costs less than 300 to fix stay with it. BTW I drove 2800 miles roundtrip to pickup my boat. My son and daughter are working on it little at a time.<br /><br />Here is my feelings also. If you buy a new boat you pay 150 or so a month. Thats every month. Say 60 months. With my boat I put a down payment and got the boat. I dont have to spend any money this month or next if I dont want to. I cannot use it for 6 months or so however so thats the downside. After I spend around 3000 I will have a boat that will be as good if not better than new. I can always repower anytime I want if the old motor is not EPA or legal but on my terms. So 10000 dollars or more like 13000+interest. or restore. Your choice.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Restoration cold feet

I would investigate what sort of work the motor needs. I have often found with old 2 stroke outboards that people are convinced it is about to die, only for me to do minimal tuen-up work and have a great motor. Usually what happens is the motor sits for a few years, then the owner remembers he has a boat and goes to fire it up, only to have it run poorly or not at all. A carb cleaning and basic tuneup work often gets it running. All you need to do is determine that it turns, has spark, and has compression. then determine the health of the fuel delivery system. It is has a rod hanging out the side, thats one thing, but you will probably find that the motor is better than you think it is. <br /><br />It is my opinion that if a person is to spend several thousand dollars to repower a boat, he better love the boat and it better do everything he needs it to. Often times for the cost of the repower you could get a whole other used boat, and that boat may better serve your needs. If my motor ever craps out, I am not sure what I will do. Good luck..

 

[Bass Runner]

Re: Restoration cold feet

By restore do you mean just the seats, carpet, and buffing it out or is the floor, transom, ect. rotted out? I would say go for it. They are great family projects. I am totaly rebuilding my 16' and i estimate about $800 to a $1000 to do it with everything i want to put back in it. If your floor, and transom is still good it will cost you a lot less. I would check the motor out and see what it needs lots of good help here on the forum, if you arn't going to have to put a lot in it get it running and if the boat is safe take it out and see what you have, if you really like the boat then go for the restore. Jason J really redid his boat converting it from a ski boat to a fishing rig take a look at his site. Good luck with it and have fun. Boat Rebuild