What would you look for when buying a renovated boat?

[el toro]

Just wondering what some of you fine folks who have rebuilt your own boats would suggest one looks for when purchasing a rebuilt boat?

The boat in question is a 18' Double Eagle (B.C. built) I'm not sure the year yet but I'm guessing the '70's. It has a I/O mercruiser which I also don't know much about yet except that it hasn't been run for a few years.

The current owner says he has replaced the deck with 2 layers of 3/4 inch plywood. To me that seems overkill but anyway... then fibreglassed over that. He also installed a new fuel tank under the floor and fixed a stringer at the same time.

He said underneath, the keel was rebuilt and new gelcoat applied. Topside has new paint and the deck has new carpet. No seats yet.

I haven't been to look at the boat yet but was wondering if there are some specific things I should check for in his workmanship. Thanks in advance.

 

[Bondo]

Re: What would you look for when buying a renovated boat?

The current owner says he has replaced the deck with 2 layers of 3/4 inch plywood.

Ayuh,... That's reason enough for Me to look elsewhere...

 

[mthieme]

Re: What would you look for when buying a renovated boat?

An inch and a half of flooring????
Does this guy weigh tip the scales at 500# or what?
This scares me too....lot of added weight there.
Agree with 20K Bond-o.
(Bond-o, ....just trying out different new names for ya to see how they look in print)
There is an ad on iBoats for a 2006 - $34K (I assume Canadian). I think that comes out to around $25K USD +/-. These puppies are expensive!

 

[jserb]

Re: What would you look for when buying a renovated boat?

here is what you look for.... what does the guys house look like? if you saw his shop and garage how clean and organized is it? This will tell you something about his workmanship and pride in his work. Next, why did he put two layers of 3/4 if the stringers were fixed(seems to me like he may have skipped a step and went with two layers of 3/4 to make up for the bad ROTTED stringers). This could still be ok, however that is something that needs to be price relative. Now back to what to look for. Ask him why he thought adding additional 3/4 would be good, see if he is BSing his way through the answer. You need to go over the boat with a careful eye and if you come accost something you can tell he tampered with ( or something that is soft, weak, or broken) you then need to ask him about the issue, if he has a long story and explanation for that issue then i say you have a problem and NOT buy. Reason being that an honest seller who did a good job, stands by his work, and feels like he did the best him or anyone else could do on a project will sit there and tell you what was done to the boat, why it was done, and what ISSUES or unfinished items have not been addressed. If he is keeping his mouth shut on a few items that you then run accrost and are forced to get an explanation for then i say you have a seller who is selling a rotted boat with a double think floor and is trying to get rid of it before he starts having issues. AND the fact that it will only last you 2 years with shot stringers and drink gas. Think about what your getting into. with that said ANYTHING is a buy for the right price.....he may be wanting to sell and if you can flaunt those "issues" or "problems" out to him, you then have a bargaining chip. Good luck!

 

[Mark42]

Re: What would you look for when buying a renovated boat?

I would skip it. Two layers of 3/4 sounds like he skipped the stringer work.

If he was a real boat enthusiast, he would have been on this website, and know how to fix it properly.

 

[Mark_VTfisherman]

Re: What would you look for when buying a renovated boat?

I would skip it. Two layers of 3/4 sounds like he skipped the stringer work...

The first thing to note is if something looks really good- good workmanship. If they took the time to do good work (esthetically), they probably did the rest right.

But 2 layers of 3/4" plywood in a boat when one layer's enough for the floor in your house, well.....

That's not good workmanship.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: What would you look for when buying a renovated boat?

Now that

is one loaded question......boy could i have some fun with this one..

Just like the spacing i just did with one finger...:redface:

Have a marine survey done...get a good one and trust them..

 

[sschefer]

Re: What would you look for when buying a renovated boat?

Run away, that boat hasn't been restored it's been patched up and by someone that didn't know didly about boats.

Read through jsut a couple of the resto's that have been done here. That will tell you what a resto is and when you're done you'll be able to tell a patch job from a resto in a heartbeat.

 

[jonesg]

Re: What would you look for when buying a renovated boat?

Thats not renovated, its patched up the wrong way.

Given what you have been told by the seller.
What more do you possibly need to know?

 

[el toro]

Re: What would you look for when buying a renovated boat?

Thanks for the responses guys.
Ya the doubled up floor has me kinda freaked too, He said on the phone he is a heavy guy and wanted to make sure he didn't go thru the floor when jumping into the boat. He must be one BIG guy!
Anyway I'll probably skip it. I'm just at the point where I've either got to fix the floor and transom in my boat (a 1974 Kencraft built in PoCo. BC.) or sell it and buy one that's already done.

 

[sschefer]

Re: What would you look for when buying a renovated boat?

Thanks for the responses guys.
Ya the doubled up floor has me kinda freaked too, He said on the phone he is a heavy guy and wanted to make sure he didn't go thru the floor when jumping into the boat. He must be one BIG guy!
Anyway I'll probably skip it. I'm just at the point where I've either got to fix the floor and transom in my boat (a 1974 Kencraft built in PoCo. BC.) or sell it and buy one that's already done.

Smart move.

 

[92excel]

Re: What would you look for when buying a renovated boat?

Thanks for the responses guys.
Ya the doubled up floor has me kinda freaked too, He said on the phone he is a heavy guy and wanted to make sure he didn't go thru the floor when jumping into the boat. He must be one BIG guy!
Anyway I'll probably skip it. I'm just at the point where I've either got to fix the floor and transom in my boat (a 1974 Kencraft built in PoCo. BC.) or sell it and buy one that's already done.

i would suggest doing your transom and deck. Then you will know exactly where you are at. If you buy one thats already done you are just going on the word of someone else.. which above can show you that its hard to get what you think you are getting.

 

[chicknwing]

Re: What would you look for when buying a renovated boat?

I would go ahead and do the decks, stringers, and transom in the boat you all ready own. As, stated you will know it is done right. Use the forum, tons of information to guide you in every step, and some really knowledgeable people to answer the questions you are going to have. Good Luck and keep us posted on the repairs.

TC