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I just looked at a 1978 13' Boston Whaler, my biggest concern is the hull restoration, it appears to be pretty solid, but someone painted it on the inside (appears to have been with a brush) and it is flaking off bad.
The fiberglass underneath looks rough and pitted, I can handle getting the hull stripped down and sanded, put don't have a clue on the cost of prepping and gel coat.

Boat has a 1986 30 HP Johnson motor, new stick stir system,
Trailer is in good shape galvanized, brand Rocket 1993

The bottom of the boat is very stained, but no holes or repairs.

It would need new seating, batteries and etc.

Also, there would screw holes to fill on the inside were they tried to add interior storage units. I would take it back to the original standard design.

The guy wants around $1000

Any ideas of the cost involved and should this be something I run away from. LOL What do you think?

I would first look at a few boats on craigslist such as the 17 foot Kenner with a 90 Johnson, they are asking 3,800 but are willing to look at offers. Not sure if you are just set on the Whaler. Good Luck.

reelbad wrote:I would first look at a few boats on craigslist such as the 17 foot Kenner with a 90 Johnson, they are asking 3,800 but are willing to look at offers. Not sure if you are just set on the Whaler. Good Luck.

Thanks for the reply,

I have a 191 Classic Mako Center console w 150 HP Yam, this boat would be for a small bodies of water that I would keep at home in GA. I had been looking at john boats with a 10 to 15 Hp motor, but saw this one today.

here is a couple pictures that might help, but it looks much better in the picture than in person. LOL

First, let me say that I own 2 Boston Whalers, a 1964 13' Sport and a 1985 17' Montauk, and I love both of them. They are great boats, extremely versatile, and they hold their value. I too am considering restoring the 13' now that I recently purchased the 17'. My first suggestion would be to try your question on Continuous Wave, a website dedicated to classic Whaler restorations. There is a lot of good information and knowledgeable folks who live to talk everything Whaler. Check it out and let us know what you decide.

www.continuouswave.com

DeanMac, there is a Boston Whaler on craigslist this morning with a 20 horse Johnson for $2,800, Check it out, might be what you are looking for. Good Luck.

If you want to do a restoration for the fun of it and to gain some experience...go for it. If you are looking to save some big money on a boat....good luck. The price of tools and materials will probably allow you to break even at best. That does not include your time and labor, and only you can put a price on that.
There are some projects that are well worth the time, effort and expense. Some are not. Chances are you will not be able to sell the boat for what you pay for it after all is said and done. If it is a project that you are passionate about and it will have some sentimental value(giving it to a son/daughter or a family project), I say go for it.....Just be sure to have the motor checked out thoroughly. That could be the death knell of the whole thing.
Happy sanding,
FF

reelbad wrote:DeanMac, there is a Boston Whaler on craigslist this morning with a 20 horse Johnson for $2,800, Check it out, might be what you are looking for. Good Luck.

Thanks I will take a look

fishinfool wrote:If you want to do a restoration for the fun of it and to gain some experience...go for it. If you are looking to save some big money on a boat....good luck. The price of tools and materials will probably allow you to break even at best. That does not include your time and labor, and only you can put a price on that.
There are some projects that are well worth the time, effort and expense. Some are not. Chances are you will not be able to sell the boat for what you pay for it after all is said and done. If it is a project that you are passionate about and it will have some sentimental value(giving it to a son/daughter or a family project), I say go for it.....Just be sure to have the motor checked out thoroughly. That could be the death knell of the whole thing.
Happy sanding,
FF

Very good advice, I really don't need another project, I had come to many of the conclusions you had mentioned.

I grew up in a auto body shop and have most of the skills needed but not the facility to work on and paint a boat.


here is a interior picture I got this morning, up close inspection it is actually worse than the picture shows