My new project, is it worth it???

[onemeanfisher]

I joined this site and am looking forward to getting information and hopefully giving information, however I not very knowledgeable about boats but if you want information on how to catch a limit of Speckle Trout in the Gulf Coast surf I'm your man......lol (did it yesterday biggest was 23" about 3.5 pounds)

Ok on to the purpose of this thread!!!! I inherited a 1986 Bayliner Trophy W/ 125 Force it hadn't been tagged since 1988. Took the top off the motor was very clean boat has hardly any rust on it (so probably hadn't been used in saltwater) I hooked a battery up and cleaned out the carburator bowls and filter got a new gas can with new gas. The motor turned over easly but I wasn't getting gas to motor. I've decided to take it to a local boat shop and pay 100.00 for them to test the motor and see if it's a runnig motor. I have 0 dollars in this boat so far. Question # 1 How much money should drop into this boat before it's a lost cause?? Is this a solid boat?

The lights, the trim, the horn or the steering wheel wouldn't work, the wheel turns maybe 10%, so does that mean the hydraulics are out?? It may also mean the wiring needs to be rewired. Since I have 0 dollarts invested I can spend some money to get it running, I was thinking a 1000.00 the limit, any thoughts?? I love the shape, dept & and overall feel of this boat. But I don't want a bottomless pit here either. This would also be a 1st boat for me so it's got be reliable and forgiving of beginner mistakes I might make. Thanks in advance for any advise, you guys are old pros at boating and I'm fresh to the sport anything will help!!!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: My new project, is it worth it???

'80s Bayliners (and many other fiberglass boats for that matter) are prone to rot. If your boat was stored primarily indoors you may have a diamond in the rough there. If it was exposed to the elements, it is likely rotted through and through. The Force outboard was a low end motor and are getting more and more difficult to find parts and service for since they are no longer made. However they are simple motors and get the job done. I wouldn't throw a ton of money at it but a grand or 2 to get you in the water wouldn't be bad. With any boat restoration project you're lucky to even be able to sell it for what you have in it so don't go hog wild.

 

[LIQUID PROZAC]

Re: My new project, is it worth it???

welcome--would do a compression test and fuel pressure test first--about the steering--is it cable or hydraulic? my 87 bayliner had seized up steering and being cable operated i broke loose the nut and sprayed pb blaster in there and after working back and forth, i used marine grease to lube it with--works fine now. would not spend over couple of thousand to repair-- if you can do alot of the work yourself it will save a bunch of money--good luck and let us know how it goes

 

[QC]

Re: My new project, is it worth it???

Just to clarify what ezmobee mentions . . . the biggest concerns are rotted wood. The sole (floor) stringers (wood 2x4s that are under the sole) and wood inside the transom are the biggees that can cause a lot of bucks and/or time. Take a look at the restoration section vvvvvvvv and you'll find a lot of info. What model are we talking about here?

 

[onemeanfisher]

Re: My new project, is it worth it???

Wow never thought a rotting!!! It has been exposed to the elements least last 5 yrs. The deck before you step up on the bow is abit spongy, I wander if that could be the problem.

I think the steering is Hydraulic it has a pump looking thing to the right of the motor (looking at it) I'll take it apart and see if I can get movement.

I think a grand is about all I want to spend but if it comes back from mechanic and he says it is in great running shape I might be motivated to put more into it. The mechanic should do all that's nessesary to get it running and I'll have a much clearer picture of what I'm dealing with once he evaluates it. I hope it works out BECAUSE I love the price.................lol

 

[QC]

Re: My new project, is it worth it???

The deck before you step up on the bow is abit spongy, I wander if that could be the problem.

All over but the cryin' . . . Check out the restore forum and you'll get the whole story.

 

[BWR1953]

Re: My new project, is it worth it???

There's no such thing as a free boat. If it's rotted and needs stringers, transom, etc. then you could be looking at $2,000 in materials alone.

Of course, that doesn't include any other problems on the boat such as wiring, lighting, gauges, hydraulics, seating, etc. Nor does that include refurbishing an old motor.

Check online for complete running boats in the $2,000 - $2,500 range and I believe that you'll be surprised at how many decent ones there are... compared to the time, expense and frustration of a restoration job.

Best of luck.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: My new project, is it worth it???

You NEED to go down into the restoration to see what you're getting into. There are a number of Bayliner projects going on. Properly replacing the stringers and transom in a fiberglass boat is a messy, time consuming project and the materials (glass & resin) are somewhat expensive. However it is imperative that these issues be addressed in order for you to have a safe boat. With an obsolete motor on the back that could be one NLA part away from the scrapper, I'd think twice about putting much money into that rig. I'm not at all saying you absolutely shouldn't do it. Many of those old Bayliners are nice looking hulls and a proper reconstruction will be much better than the factory did it originally. Many people find the work to be rewarding and done right the boat could outlive you. I just want you to go into it with your eyes open.

If you want to get on the water cheaply....start looking for an aluminum hull.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: My new project, is it worth it???

I think the steering is Hydraulic it has a pump looking thing to the right of the motor (looking at it) I'll take it apart and see if I can get movement.

It is HIGHLY unlikely that that boat has hydraulic steering. That pump is probably the pump for your power tilt & trim.

 

[jonesg]

Re: My new project, is it worth it???

I would drill a hole in the lower part of the transom, 1/4 inch max, go in half inch and see if water pours out, if not I'd get the engine running and go boating, no jumping waves.!

Seal the hole with 3M 5200.
The stringers are very likely shot, deck will soon follow but its useable if you take it easy, see if you like boating and gather info on how to fix it up.

My transom was mush, I got a season out of it , taking it easy, before the splashwell started to crack. The wood in the transom was like black soil with splinters of old ply.

 

[onemeanfisher]

Re: My new project, is it worth it???

Well it is at the shop now I'll know more next week.

 

[This_lil_fishy]

Re: My new project, is it worth it???

Scrap it, if you can't get it started on your own without taking it to a shop you're already in over your head. Even a motor with low compression will start (poorly) with a bit of determination and know how. A spongy floor and a motor and controls that aren't working? So..uh..how much money do you have in the bank?

Ian

 

[onemeanfisher]

Re: My new project, is it worth it???

The boat shop said the motor was clean and wires looked good the compression test and fuel pressure test will be the real deciding factors. I'll spend 100 bucks to get a professional opinion, if i spend 500 bucks and it last a year before it turnng into dollar bills it was worth it for me.


Question; Is there a way to look at the wood inside the boat without taking the boat apart. The only area that is spongy is up front everywhere else feels solid??

 

[wademcarthur]

Re: My new project, is it worth it???

I'm wondering about this too. I just got pretty much the same boat for nothing. I keep thinking that it's my prime chance to customize a fishing boat exactly the way I want, but the front is spongy. Also, engine won't crank, starter is shot and power tilt and trim is not functional.