BIG Project Boat...Lots of pictures

M

m2736185

New Member
Apr 20, 2008
4
I want to get a boat this year and I came upon a project boat for sale goin for $800...let me start of by saying I dont know much about boats, BUT I am handy and have done a lot of work to cars. The boat is a 1988 Searay..it looks like it has been sitting out without a cover for 3 years. But hey, im just looking for something to fish off. Looks like I may need to do some rewiring and perhaps get a cluster guage. Exacly how much wiring and electronic components does it have on this boat? Are the wires easy to get to? WHERE is the battery located? The hull looks like its in decent shape and just needs a bottom coat. I guess the main concern would be the engine! The previous owner doesnt seem like she knows anything about the boat maybe it was her husbands. But anyways ha according to her all it needs is a new battery. She said the engine has already been rebuilt that was all she knew. I believe the engine in this is a 100 HB Merc? Well here are some pics ( alot of pics) let me know what you guys think.

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That boat is in REALLY rough shape!!!

I have the 1989 I/O version of that boat (160BR); I can tell you that the wiring/electrical is pretty accessible, it all runs along next to the helm to the rear. There is virtually no electronics (actually, it's not virtually, there IS no electronics).

Does the engine run? If not, I wouldn't pay more than maybe $400 for that boat; it needs WAY too much work to be paying nearly a grand for it. Mine is in pristine condition (trust me, this is not an exaggeration... it's perfect) and I paid about $4000 for it with trailer.

I'd estimate, doing the work yourself... with new gauges, carpet, vinyl and seats you'd be looking at somewhere in the ball park of $1500-$2000 to get it back to good condition... this doesn't include an possible mechanical work or the obvious trailer work needed. Add the asking cost of the boat to it and you're starting to climb up to the $3000 range.

Were I you, I'd look into either getting the boat for as close to free as you can, or look for a different boat which will only require a little bit of clean up as opposed to a full-on restoration.
 
It looks like all you need is some gasoline....................






and matches......................





to burn it!:thumbsup:
 
I think you over paid by at least $800.
 
I'd guess all the wood is probably rotten as well. Was the plug out of the bottom so the water could drain or did it sink on the trailer too? That's pretty rough and there is a lot of corrosion that is evident too.
 
yea, its sad to see a boat in that condition especially when all it needed was a $20 tarp to prevent most of the water damage. Well the seller is willing to go down to $400...I mean there is no way I would try to fully restore a boat in that condition as it wouldnt be worth it. I just really want something that floats and moves with a few seats for fishing...But i would have to make sure the engine starts and i odnt think there is anyway to get that engine to start unless it is taken apart first.
 
On the bright side, I think the engine vines were oem but the beehive, DEFINITELY after market. :grin::grin::lol::grin::grin: If the motor runs, $200. for the grieving widow.
 
Well, thank God they put towel in between the bow roller and the hull. RUN. RUN. RUN. Did someone say $2k to get back into good condition? $2k in boat dollars MAYBE. I've taken on my fair share of project boats in my time and, without fail, whether it is 8' or 80', if you do it ALL yourself, you will spend slightly more than what a new one costs in parts. If you have the $$ to fix this one, then you have the $$ to buy one in decent shape. There are no shortcuts.
 
The skis and the washing machine is worth more than the boat.
Save your $...something better will come your way, especially with the
way gas prices are going!
 
That looks like a lot of work. There are a lot of great deals out there these days. I would hold off for something better if you can.
I just wound up going partners on a 17 foot Whaler today. It was donated to a friend of mine several years ago on a trailer because the motor was bad. I found a 90 HP Merc that runs real good for $400 on Craigslist. My friend and I agreed to go partners on the Whaler. He has the boat and trailer and has already bought new steering and steering wheel and a couple of other odds and ends and I'm supplying the motor I just paid $400 for. We both have bigger boats. I have a 300 Sundancer and he has a 93 24 foot Sea Ray. We just want this one to go crabbing and clamming with and general horsing around. The Whaler is rough by our standards, but it is still in a lot nicer shape than the boat you're looking at.
This same friend just bought his 93 24ft Sea Ray for $2000. The motor went on it two years ago and it has just been sitting on the original owners driveway since then. The guy was happy to get rid of it. The boat is really nice with a perfect interior and canvas. It was always covered when not in use. He even got a complete camper back set up with it that is brand new. The motor is no problem for my friend. He owns an auto repair shop and has an extra motor for the boat already. Changing the motor is all in a days work for him.
There are plenty of deals like that out there if you are lookng to save a few dollars with a project boat. Personally, I would only take that boat if I got it for free, and even then it might not be worth it. You are better off holding out for a boat with a good motor that needs an interior or other cosmetic work, or a boat that is really clean but needs a motor.
 
Pirate said:
Well, thank God they put towel in between the bow roller and the hull. RUN. RUN. RUN. Did someone say $2k to get back into good condition? $2k in boat dollars MAYBE. I've taken on my fair share of project boats in my time and, without fail, whether it is 8' or 80', if you do it ALL yourself, you will spend slightly more than what a new one costs in parts. If you have the $$ to fix this one, then you have the $$ to buy one in decent shape. There are no shortcuts.
Click to expand...


It was me that said ball-park $2k to get it into good condition... cosmetically... I wasn't talking engine work, controls, trailer or anything of that nature.

Your statement was my point exactly... Once you buy the boat, put in new carpet, seats, repair any rott, put in new gauges, rebuild the trailer, and possibly repair the engine... you're easily up to the cost of a boat in excellent condition... and didn't have to put the time into it!

Further, if a fishing boat is what is desired... buy a fishing boat; not a run-about! It's another story if you want multi-purpose, but when just looking for a boat to fish from... you'll be much better off to pick up an early 90's alum. fishing boat in good condition. It's better to spend your time on the water than trying to breath life back into a boat that has obviously been deceased for several years
 
I agree there is too much work there to really consider it a viable project. Yes, you can get it for $400, strip it and make a fishing boat out of it if the motor runs. You'll spend at least another grand to get it to that point + $300-$600 on the trailer(tires) and have an ugly SeaRay fishing boat that you may be able to sell for $1000-$2000.

Like others have said, look around some more for boats that are in better shape for a little more money. They are out there and now's the time of year people are looking to sell them.

Trust the advice here it will save you some headaches and $$$$$
 
You get what you pay for, that's a lot of work. Do you want to boat or fix something for the next 3 years? Plus would you ever make any of your money back?
 
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