Restoration begins.... well, maybe...

[76Raven200]

So, after a few months of searching and reading, I finally signed up and started asking questions. First off, compliments to all the fine folks that make this a great place to learn from.

Now, on to the project? either demolition or restoration... final decision yet to be determined. As the name implies, it is a 30+ y. o., 19' runabout w/ an OMC 190 electric shift stern drive. I?m discussing the motor in the appropriate forum and figured a a thread w/ a few pictures in this f would provoke discussion and opinions relative to my sanity.

Here's the link to my Picasa (Google) web album.

Thanks in advance for the feedback!
JPM

 

[Stoutcat]

Re: Restoration begins.... well, maybe...

Hi JPM,

This question comes up a lot on this forum, and what follows will be a typical answer...

* It all is going to boil down to how much you like the boat. Obviously, the deck, stringers, and transom are shot... If you really like the boat, then go for it. But...

* Understand that any boat can be salvaged... The wife and I build them (wood/glass) from scratch. Any boat can be rebuilt. But...

* You're probably looking at a multi-year project, and...

* Depending on the engine and fate, the cost will probably be 5k to 15k. For that kind of money, you can find something else that won't require nearly the work.

But if you love that boat, I'd say go for it. Life is not a dress rehearsal.

One other thing... If you go forward, use this forum! There are guys here who really, really know their stuff...

Good luck!

Alan

 

[jcsercsa]

Re: Restoration begins.... well, maybe...

Hi JPM,

This question comes up a lot on this forum, and what follows will be a typical answer...

* It all is going to boil down to how much you like the boat. Obviously, the deck, stringers, and transom are shot... If you really like the boat, then go for it. But...

* Understand that any boat can be salvaged... The wife and I build them (wood/glass) from scratch. Any boat can be rebuilt. But...

* You're probably looking at a multi-year project, and...

* Depending on the engine and fate, the cost will probably be 5k to 15k. For that kind of money, you can find something else that won't require nearly the work.

But if you love that boat, I'd say go for it. Life is not a dress rehearsal.

One other thing... If you go forward, use this forum! There are guys here who really, really know their stuff...

Good luck!

Alan

Well said !! its up to you if you love it then its a go if not part her out !! which ever it is were here to help !! John

 

[redfury]

Re: Restoration begins.... well, maybe...

Hi JPM,

This question comes up a lot on this forum, and what follows will be a typical answer...

* It all is going to boil down to how much you like the boat. Obviously, the deck, stringers, and transom are shot... If you really like the boat, then go for it. But...

* Understand that any boat can be salvaged... The wife and I build them (wood/glass) from scratch. Any boat can be rebuilt. But...

* You're probably looking at a multi-year project, and...

* Depending on the engine and fate, the cost will probably be 5k to 15k. For that kind of money, you can find something else that won't require nearly the work.

But if you love that boat, I'd say go for it. Life is not a dress rehearsal.

One other thing... If you go forward, use this forum! There are guys here who really, really know their stuff...

Good luck!

Alan

You can Cut and Paste that right into the first response of just about every new poster to this forums first question... 'Nuff said.

 

[jcsercsa]

Re: Restoration begins.... well, maybe...

should get the Mods to make that a sticky !! john

 

[waterwezl]

Re: Restoration begins.... well, maybe...

Listen to 'em Raven. I have to say that I love my boat but was unsure if I was capable of making such extensive repairs myself. These guys are awesome! There's nothing they can't figure out or haven't run into themselves. If they don't know they'll find the info for ya.

So I guess the question is: Is this the boat I want? Do I have time to make the appropriate repairs? Is it within my budget? If you answer yes to these then...go for it! You'll end up with something to be proud of and when folks ask....I rebuilt it myself!!

Jason.

 

[jonesg]

Re: Restoration begins.... well, maybe...

I think it looks fine,
talking about the trailer right?

You can fix that, the engine, if its shot, can be replaced with a jackplate and outboard or stay original. The rest is just gut and replace.
It only looks complicated, once you put a sawzall to it everything gets simple.

 

[colobiker]

Re: Restoration begins.... well, maybe...

76raven200,

looks like a nice boat.. yea needs a bit of work.. but all older boats do.
does it run?? if it does then your doing better than I.. mine doesnt run but looks like it should.....

best of luck to you. as stated before, this site is great.. no matter what you decide to do. these guys will support you.

If you proceed, I know I will be watching closely.

 

[Tacklewasher]

Re: Restoration begins.... well, maybe...

I've read both your threads.

I guess I think you should look for the boat you want.

I had a similar motor (120hp Stringer) in a Starcraft and spent far too much trying to get it working, only to have it break again. Very hard to get parts for and really meant I had to pay to get work done. Plus the drive is a poor design to start with. Ended up pulling it and putting an outboard on instead. Never did work right and ended up hooking the hull. Bought a similar year Starcraft built for an OB and am much happier with the result. I should have started there. Now I have a boat I can rebuild how I want it.

Having said all of that, if you really love the boat (and it doesn't sound like you do), take your time and rebuild it right. If you want to build a boat from scratch (that would be a fun project to follow), then I would part this one out, especially the engine and outdrive, as I think you can find a better inboard setup for less money than converting this one. Because it is a stringer drive, you will likely have to modify it to fit a transmission (I'd imagine a new flywheel at least) and do a fair bit of work to get it to fit as an inboard.

But if you choose to do this, there will be lots of help here.

 

[oops!]

Re: Restoration begins.... well, maybe...

it would be a shame to rebuild that boat....and hang that omc drive off the back of it...

include the cost of a new/used alpha for the proj