Is this style boat any good?

[JimS123]

Re: Is this style boat any good?

Is it homemade? If so, not sure I would trust going out in it unless it was made by a very skilled craftsman of great reputation...

Yes, that trust would be needed to use it. Regarless who made it, "homemade" and "wood" add up to very little resale value. Build one brand new and you wouldn'r recoop half your investment. I see them all the time for cheap prices and the ads just run and run.

 

[minuteman62-64]

Re: Is this style boat any good?

As I recall, the Carolina Dory Skiff is 15'-6" long, with a beam of about 5'-6".

Whoops, it's about 20 ft. long - here's the Glen-L version: Carolina power dory skiff boat plans

Also, it's a John Gardner design, not Bolger.

Wasn't trying to get off topic here, just pointing out that a flat bottom doesn't mean not seaworthy. Also, off the coast of San Diego, with any small boat, you want calm conditions.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Is this style boat any good?

"Home Made" is all about the level of skill of the builder AND the quality of materials used. But a Quality builder can even make up for bad materials at times. A Home built boat many times will be better than some Manufactured boats because the Home builder will go to greater lengths to ensure the boats structural integrity. They will "Over build" it in the places that count. The problem is you may not be able to See these structural elements now and you don't know how the boat has been maintained over the years. Wooden boats need constant care an upkeep to keep the rot away. I'd be doing some thorough inspections of the transom and the stringers as best you can. The soft deck is problematic and could indicate further issues below. Don't jump to quickly but again just because it's Home Built does not mean it's not a Well Built Seaworthy craft. I've seen mfg boats that should never have been put on the water.

 

[greenbush future]

Re: Is this style boat any good?

How much does it weigh? trailer? outboard? that kind of data is very important as well. You have been offered some really valuable info above. But one final question is, how easy will it be to sell when that time comes? Is there a market in CA for this type of boat? My immediate thought is east coast, northern part too. But I really have no knowledge of this type of boat. It would not suite my needs as a run about for fishing and day boat trips. Too many others that are more standard so to speak. Please let us know when you get pictures and results. Have fun too.

 

[BlueGhost93]

Re: Is this style boat any good?

Hey thanks everyone. So I went and looked at it again. The only dry rot was on a deck lid. The entire boat is covered in west systems epoxy and a couple coats of paint. The only think I can see doing after crawling all around the thing, is on the bow where it would cut through the water and hit the bump stop on the trailer, id put a aluminum strip down the front so the fiberglass and resin never gets damaged. Then ill also coat the rest of the raised deck section (has like 4 hatches with under deck storage) with west systems 105 epoxy. And I can weld and fabricate so ill make a bow railing The guy is supper nice and isn't even trying to force the boat on me like the other guys ive meet up with while shopping around. He also says it sits well in the water and gets up on plane quickly.

His friend who built the boat kept it for himself for a good 8-10 years before selling it to the guy im possibly buying it from. It is completely over engineered which is a plus! They even put a big aluminum plate on the rear where the engine mounts so it wouldn't chew into the fiberglass and wood underneath. The outboard has been overhauled and the steering and throttle system are smooth. Plus it sits on a newer aros trailer.

Ill be sure to ask more questions and give it another once over before buying it.


Also when it comes to selling it, id give it to a younger brother or cousin because id get my moneys worth out of it so depreciation would take over.lol

 

[MikDee]

Re: Is this style boat any good?

Be ready for a bumpy ride in choppy water. That's the reason I sold one of my boats, and it was a semi-vee design.

 

[BlueGhost93]

Re: Is this style boat any good?

Be ready for a bumpy ride in choppy water. That's the reason I sold one of my boats, and it was a semi-vee design.

Yea the current owner said best time is be out all morning and come in around noon-1. But he said it handles choppy watter well but the smacking of the flat bottom on the water gets old quick so you gotta slow down to a slow speed and it works great. Being a college student the boat to me at least seems like what I can afford, serves its purpose, and it ready to go fishing. Ive looked at 5 boats this week and all were newer then this one but nothing but junk unfortunately. Bad owners not treating them right. the one im looking at has been taken well care of so it seems.

What would you guys pay for a boat like this? With trailer and outboard with all controls