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Considering a boat project, is it worth it?
Posted on 3/27/14 at 12:16 pm
Posted on 3/27/14 at 12:16 pm
I'm tossing around the idea of buying a bare aluminum hull, probably center console in the neighborhood of 20ft. From there I would rig it out from the ground up. Steering, electrical, hang the power, etc...
Digging on the internet makes it sound like a bad idea for two reasons. First off, the work is really tricky and frick-ups will happen, adding to cost and time. Second, boat builders get whole-sale discounts and by the time I'm finished I'll have spent more than I would have just buying new. The consensus is that your time and money is better spent waiting for a deal on something used. Here and there though, there's a guy who says he did it and now knows his boat inside and out, and it was worth it.
On my end, I have pretty good mechanical skills (but very little experience working on boats) and time wouldn't be an issue. This wouldn't be something I'd expect to happen quickly, more like a project I could do after work and weekends until it's done. Has anyone attempted something like this?
Digging on the internet makes it sound like a bad idea for two reasons. First off, the work is really tricky and frick-ups will happen, adding to cost and time. Second, boat builders get whole-sale discounts and by the time I'm finished I'll have spent more than I would have just buying new. The consensus is that your time and money is better spent waiting for a deal on something used. Here and there though, there's a guy who says he did it and now knows his boat inside and out, and it was worth it.
On my end, I have pretty good mechanical skills (but very little experience working on boats) and time wouldn't be an issue. This wouldn't be something I'd expect to happen quickly, more like a project I could do after work and weekends until it's done. Has anyone attempted something like this?
7
Posted on 3/27/14 at 12:17 pm to TheDrunkenTigah
quote:
is it worth it?
Only if the satisfaction you get when its done is what's important, and not the time and money it'll take.
Posted on 3/27/14 at 12:20 pm to JPLIII
quote:
Only if the satisfaction you get when its done is what's important, and not the time and money it'll take.
Agree, sounds like you've thought it through and know what your getting into. At least as much as you can without experience. So your talking about buying one stripped new and not an older one and stripping it, correct?
Posted on 3/27/14 at 12:20 pm to TheDrunkenTigah
If I were going to do it, I'd be a (very) used hull for dirt cheap and restore it, making mods to my specs.
Also, I'd probably buy a fiberglass hull to restore before an aluminum, but that's just a personal preference I have for my own fishing techniques.
Also, I'd probably buy a fiberglass hull to restore before an aluminum, but that's just a personal preference I have for my own fishing techniques.
Posted on 3/27/14 at 12:21 pm to JPLIII
That's an important part of it, and the time doesn't matter to me, but I was really surprised to read that the cost can be worse than buying a new boat. Is it really that bad?
Posted on 3/27/14 at 12:22 pm to JPLIII
quote:
Only if the satisfaction you get when its done is what's important, and not the time and money it'll take.
All of this. Just remember it will probably be your boat for a long time, or you are going to get hit really hard on selling it. because no one wants to buy a boat built by you.
Posted on 3/27/14 at 12:23 pm to Langston
quote:
So your talking about buying one stripped new and not an older one and stripping it, correct?
Correct. I wouldn't be opposed to buying used but I have zero means to fabricate aluminum so that would scare me. I figure with a new hull if I can in over my head I can sell it as is and won't be out the entire cost.
Posted on 3/27/14 at 12:26 pm to NYCAuburn
quote:
you are going to get hit really hard on selling it
Not a huge concern, and a big reason why I want to go aluminum. If I did this I'd have no intention of selling it.
Posted on 3/27/14 at 12:27 pm to TheDrunkenTigah
quote:
That's an important part of it, and the time doesn't matter to me, but I was really surprised to read that the cost can be worse than buying a new boat. Is it really that bad?
I'm not discouraging you from doing it, but I anticipate, and it won't take long, where even though you've given it thought, you're going to say "what the hell did I get myself into?"
Posted on 3/27/14 at 12:32 pm to TheDrunkenTigah
It's fun, and expensive
Posted on 3/27/14 at 12:44 pm to MrCoachKlein
Looks like you started from scratch, what's next?
Posted on 3/27/14 at 12:46 pm to NYCAuburn
There is no money to be saved in project boats. And the project literally never ends if you are into perfection. If you would rather spend your weekends working on the boat rather than fishing/boating, then get a project boat.
If you treat a boat rough and use it as a tool, then maybe a project is OK. Make it structurally sound and functional (still will cost a bunch in the end) and go fishing.
I've done more than my fair share of project boats. I still have one of them. And the project never really ends.
If you treat a boat rough and use it as a tool, then maybe a project is OK. Make it structurally sound and functional (still will cost a bunch in the end) and go fishing.
I've done more than my fair share of project boats. I still have one of them. And the project never really ends.
Posted on 3/27/14 at 12:48 pm to TheDrunkenTigah
I just helped with it, I haven't been back down in a while so I have no idea how far along it is at the moment.
Posted on 3/27/14 at 12:52 pm to TheDrunkenTigah
I'd rather be fishing than spending time fixing/building a boat..
Posted on 3/27/14 at 12:52 pm to RingLeader
quote:
I've done more than my fair share of project boats. I still have one of them. And the project never really ends.
This, I've done older Allisons and Hydrostreams before. They consume all of your spare time and your always tinkering with them. I am now a turn key guy, when I buy something all I want to do is turn the key and enjoy.
Posted on 3/27/14 at 12:58 pm to TheDrunkenTigah
There is no such thing as a free boat. And 'fixer upppers' a lot of the time are more expensive than if you bought one that's ready to go.
Posted on 3/27/14 at 1:02 pm to RingLeader
quote:
There is no money to be saved in project boats. And the project literally never ends if you are into perfection. If you would rather spend your weekends working on the boat rather than fishing/boating, then get a project boat.
This was echoed a hundred times in what I read. Shitty thing is I'm the type that would always be fooling with it and never let it just be done. Y'all aren't doing a very good job of talking me into this...
Posted on 3/27/14 at 1:15 pm to TheDrunkenTigah
Don't mess with a bare aluminum hull. Get a 25 foot Mexican Imemsa panga in Matomoros, Mexico and get a local shop to rig a 90 hp tiller on the back. The Imemsa panga 25 hull sells for approximately $4,600. If you wanted to fancy it up you could add a floor, a console and a T-top for about $2k more. Then you'd be fishing the rigs in the tried and true drug runner and Somali pirate boat. Save you time and money.
Posted on 3/27/14 at 1:25 pm to TheDrunkenTigah
It isn't hard to rig a boat but you are right in that the dealer can get components much cheaper than you can buy them retail unless you have a company or work for one that can buy wholesale from a place like Donovan Marine in NOLA then you can save some serious $$$. Hardest part will be hanging the engine as you will need access to a fork lift or chain hoist. 12v electrical isn't hard and most things on a boat can be mounted with moderate mechanical knowledge. Much harder to built the hull than rig it.
Posted on 3/27/14 at 2:07 pm to bayoudude
quote:Can be rented for $20/day.
Hardest part will be hanging the engine as you will need access to a fork lift or chain hoist.
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