Free boat, needs some TLC; is it worth our time?

[Beyna]

Hello! My Fiance and I were just given a boat. However, a boat is never free...

BUT. She is a 17' Bayliner Tri Hull. I am guessing she is from the 80's. Will not know for sure until I see the title. She comes with a working Evinrude 85hp (she was owned by a mechanic).

She has good bones (hull, transom, grab rails, bow rails). Brand new seats. ...We are wary of her stringers and bulkheads. Deck is soft, needs replacing. Needs a new gel coat exterior.

We are not scared of a little work. However, our ultimate goal would be to go open water (close to shore!!!, harbor to harbor) on calm days, and mostly ride down the rivers to the sandbars etc. We would be fishing off of her as well as taking her for joy rides.

Our question is this: With two eager hardworkers, a garage, and about $2000 to play with, is this small restoration worth it for what we are ultimately look to do with her for a summer? I am estimating about 5 weekends worth of work (newbies doing the build). Is it worth the time?

Here is a file of pictures of her -

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/pgpk6fb7r...nEXECrUza?dl=0

 

[52FordF2]

The Professors will be along soon. :welcome: to the iboat University.

One good read on doing a boat is by fellow iboater - friscoboater ( http://forums.iboats.com/forum/boat...nature-deck-and-stringer-restoration-splashed )

I got a free boat also, even though mine had every thing including a shade tree and small pond, with the trailer. :facepalm: Should have walked away the third time and not look back.Oh well, should be on the water this year.

Good luck cheering for you all.

 

[Beyna]

The Professors will be along soon. :welcome: to the iboat University.

One good read on doing a boat is by fellow iboater - friscoboater ( http://forums.iboats.com/forum/boat...nature-deck-and-stringer-restoration-splashed )

I got a free boat also, even though mine had every thing including a shade tree and small pond, with the trailer. :facepalm: Should have walked away the third time and not look back.Oh well, should be on the water this year.

Good luck cheering for you all.

Haha! I watched all of his videos last night! Great resto. Glad to hear the professors will be along shortly.

 

[Beyna]

We just tested the motor! Started up after a few changes!

 

[Woodonglass]

Welcome to iBoats!!!

How do you KNOW the Transom is good? Did you Bounce test it? Core sample it? What?

If the deck is soft there's a very High Likelihood that the stringers will be "Toast" as well. There may be flotation foam to deal with as well. 5 weekends of work to remove and replace a deck, flotation foam and stringers is really optimistic IMHO. IF you work 12 hour days and have ALL the Tools and Materials on hand and don't run into any unforseen issues you MIGHT get it done. $2,000 is a good Guess-ti-mate for costs. Off shore with a 17ft boat is a bit optimistic IMHO, but I guess if you stay close to shore you'd be okay.

 

[mickyryan]

it's so hard to walk away from free , go for it and learn something and have a great time! the fact you will know whats inside when you are finished makes it worth more then any other boat out there imho!

 

[redneck joe]

It will take twice as long as you think, and more money. See my sig line. I loved doing what i did and farmed out the big stuff. And i did an aluminim one too that was fun.


Now, a free working motor even if you scrap the boat is worth it imo. Find an aluminum one wothout motor, swap engine and scrap the bayliner and sell the trailer.

 

[mickyryan]

like woods said small boat for offshore "Imho".
I am in Florida so I figure I have plenty of inlets for my 17footer plus inter coastal waterway

 

[Beyna]

You guys rock! Thank you! We ripped the deck up last night (first chance) and everything is soaked. We re-evaluated and while we are willing to do the work and learn, we are NOT willing to do it on a modified tri-hull 17 footer. We plan on stripping the important items, Motor, Trailer, and selling/Scrapping the rest. THANK YOU AGAIN!

 

[Vintage Rider]

Strip everything including the rub rail, not just the important parts. You may come across a hull that you absolutely love that is missing a few (or many) items. If you have a place to store it for awhile, leave everything alone and find the hull you're willing to put the work and money into. When it's ready, THEN strip what is needed! Put the rest on Craigslist. BTW, don't cut electric wires. Unhook, label and carefully remove intact. I have two hulls that I really like that have been stripped of everything. Two doner boats like you have (and a little work) and I'll have two neat boats for less money than it would cost to buy one halfway decent one.

 

[Beyna]

Thank you!!