Re: Is it worth it?
'Course not!
Never is!
This comes down to your own decision, maybe accented by our coloring.
Most of these guys are dead on,.....
However;..... and here it starts.
I would be interested in it as long as I could certify for myself that the engine runs or, for my experience level, at least turns over. I have my own reasons for accepting it that way.
-The out drive is in serviceable condition, I would look for cracks, broken off parts or any other signs of abuse. If so, you are looking at a potential cost of anywhere from to 12-1300 bucks for a refurb leg. Bottom end (foot) 7-800 bucks.
-Don't forget that engine, it may turn over but cost you 4-600 bucks for top end (rings gaskets and or valve job.)
-Never mind the boat cause it will have problems, and that can go from just cleaning it out (sure!) to a total rebuild including floors, transom, and paraphernalia.
The wood doors and trim alone will cost 200 bucks to get back to reasonable shape.
By the looks of this well maintained boat in the pictures, I would without a doubt pay 200 300 dollars to hook on to it and drag it home, my reasons?
I sofar have collected three 4 cylinder chevys with outdrives that are lonely for Aluminum boats, may as well have spares for the spares.
The boat would be inspected, and a weeks worth of beers later, IF it passed MY standards, I would be cleaned, floated, scared into running, then sold for more.
Its gonna fail!...., back to salvaging motor and leg, and anything else that's immediately usable. The boat goes to heaven.
Now you....,
You like it obviously, so you are going to have some part of your mind made up that says, "well I think it is ok!"
Maybe not.
End analysis,.... boat as is (knowing it was maintained well) is worth anywhere from free to 300 bucks depending on how things look after you have paid for it and are finding out.
Advice?
If you are adept at fixing cars, farm equipment, planes or know carpentry, again, you can decide yes or no on your own.
If you are not (that's why you are here to ask), you are looking at an absolute minimum of about 2000 dollars to get that thing looking old and working ok.
If you are like some of us here though, you WILL succeed because of impeccable characters here on Iboats who will go sleepless to help out with very good advice, guidance and knowledge, but you'll be broke for 3 years after.
Budgets are created only to learn how to overcome the limits. (learned that from my government
)
Don't do it to have a nice boat cheap. That won't work well.
Do it because you want an adventure in nautical engineering and have a yearning to wrench that bugger into submission, it can be a blast, but education costs can be trying.
Good luck, take care,
PH.
