What to look for in a rebuild boat

[SkaterRace]

I'm again looking to buy a boat that I will rebuild, I found one 4 years ago but sold it because found a better one I never bothered to restore because it was 'good enough for now'. Ended up selling that boat to my dad.

I'm curious what everyone here looks for when they are boat shopping for something to rebuild. I'm just starting to play with the idea so don't even have a type of boat in mind yet. Maybe a speed boat or maybe a cabin cruiser though that seems like it could get super expensive and something I should avoid both money and skill wise.

My DIY skill level is almost 0 so I would have to learn everything. Way better at working on AI for my day job than repairing or rebuilding things.

What are some things I should be looking for both in a positive and negative view, I was thinking maybe try avoiding rotten transom/stringers though I would just be giving it a facelift at that point.

 

[sphelps]

Buy new or an aluminum fixer upper ....
Really depends on what you want to do on the water ...

 

[gm280]

If you have any type ambition, you can learn to do most anything. However, factor in the time and cost before jumping into something that would be way over your head for a starter project. Yes, like sphelps suggested, buy an aluminium hull boat and rebuild it first. The skills you will pick up doing that will transfer to other hulls when you are ready. JMHO

 

[matt167]

Starcraft Chieftan/ Islander would be about the best boat to possibly restore. They were/ are excellent rough water boats. They are rough on occupants in rough water but very sea worthy and have large decks. That makes them desirable for fishermen. The cabins are pretty spacious especially in the Chiefs making them desirable as overnighters. being aluminum they are easier to restore.

My dad had a '73 Chief in the 1990's A tree had fallen on it before he purchased, but he jacked up the cabin, installed new windows and reworked the interior. Except for one rail on top you couldn't tell it had been crushed. a glasser would not have fared as well