Is it even worth the trouble?

[71caravelle]

Our 71 caravelle (4 cyl, I/O) has been passed between friends for 5 years and not even run for the last two of them. Obvious problems have been fixed but only very basic maintenance has been kept up. Im considering driving out to California to pick it up, paying him $1000.00 at my convinience. Is this a project thats even worth starting?... Im a little mechanically inclined but dont know much about boats YET. If it is worthwhile I would love to hear your opinions on what I need to do...maybe how to do it. It should run with a carb cleanup/replacement and a new battery, hopefully. I was told to replace the impeller/water pump straight away and to drain the tank... anything else? Thanks much for the input!

 

[71caravelle]

Re: Is it even worth the trouble?

This is a route I would really like to go, bc I wouldn't be able to afford anything more expensive for a while and I would like to do as much of the repairs as I can along the way.

 

[tommays]

Re: Is it even worth the trouble?

what kind of drive / none of them were all that great back then and parts may be NLA ? <br /><br />I would think even at free the cost of getting it home would be pretty high<br /><br />Ya gotta figure the trailer needs some serious maintenance to even think of a trip that long /dry rotted tires ect<br /><br /><br />tommays

 

[Bondo]

Re: Is it even worth the trouble?

Ayuh,..... I'm with Tommays,.....<br /><br />Unle$$ there'$ Awhole Lot of $entimental Value,.....<br />The Initial Co$t,+ Tran$portation Co$t$ will make it Much More Expen$ive than Precieved........<br /><br />A Cheap, Not Running, 35 Year Old Boat is Only Worth the Original $1000.......<br />And That's IF it's sitting on a Good Trailer...........

 

[71caravelle]

Re: Is it even worth the trouble?

sorry, its a mercruiser(i dont know what model) i planned to replace and lub up the bearings before the trip, the tires are suposedly still good and the electrical is okay.

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: Is it even worth the trouble?

Have a knowledgeable person look at what needs to be done and assess the costs. We have no idea just what shape it's in. <br /> <br />Or...<br />My crystal ball says: you will meet a very important person in the near future. He will have two eyes, one nose and mouth and two ears. He may have some or lots of hair and speak english. He has one wife, two children and a dog. He likes to work for a living since bananas falling from the nearest tree isn't enough to feed his kids. His favorite pastime is fixing boats and is looking for someone to help put his kid through college. You look like the type of bloke that could contribute to his improving his lifestyle... Do you get the picture? <br /><br />It's anybody's guess what the whole thing may end up costing you. Even if you plan on fixing it yourself, it will still cost you a small bundle.

 

[71caravelle]

Re: Is it even worth the trouble?

Thanks for your patience guys, Im very new to all this but I get the picture. Maybe it would be better to wait a year save up a little more and get something newer/better and with a good history.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Is it even worth the trouble?

went to north carolina to pick up boat & trailer with good tires. darn glad i took the wheels and tire off one of my trailers. i would not have pull it out of the yard with those tires.