can you convert from inboard to outboard?

squiffy · Post by **squiffy** » September 21st, 2005, 6:04 pm

In the summer we added a second boat to the side yard - an older 17 foot bayliner inboard - given to my son by his buddy's dad. Lead by my son, the gang of neighorhood teenagers removed the old blown out inboard with the plan of replacing it with an outboard. My wife told me to keep my mouth shut but now they have lost interest and there it sits.

But I wonder - is there a way to close up the big hole in the stern, and re-enforce the transom, so that it is outboard ready, not that we have the money? I am thinking it is not worth the effort and one weekend I make the hull quietly disappear (anyone interested?)

Post by **tin can** » September 21st, 2005, 6:16 pm

It can be done, but it ain't cheap. Fill the hole and glass it. Then, go looking for a bracket. If you do the glass work yourself, it'll cost less than $100. The cheapest bracket is about $1000. Then, you can look for a motor and controls.

Post by **Chalk** » September 21st, 2005, 7:05 pm

It's not worth it, the transom is probably not designed at all for holding a motor, so you would have to do the whole transom with plywood or a composite....This would be to fill it in...Then it's already an inboard, so odds are it doesn't have a splash well to accomodate the outboard...you could use a manual jack plate as a means to mount an outboard...It can be done but if your not into doing that kind of stuff and don't won't to spend over $800 and your time...Find another project...If your into that stuff, jump in and let it roll

Post by **T Smith** » September 21st, 2005, 7:38 pm

I guess I would say it all depends on what you want to do with the boat. I am guesing a 17 foot bayliner inboard or I/O? was probably a runabout or bowrider. If you are looking to hang and outboard on it and fish the Gulf that might not be your ideal floorplan or hull. I'm not saying you can't fish in a bowrider but it's just not ideal if thats all you plan on doing. Another main concern is the condition of the rest of the boat Stringers, Floor, Bulkheads etc. You may find that more needs replacing than just the transom. You would probably need to build a lid or hatch to cover the hole where the engine was and also patch the hole in the transom. As Chalk said the transom was probably not designed to have the weight of an outboard hanging off the back. If so you would need to make sure it was reinforced and attached to the stringers in a substantial way. As T C said an outboard bracket will run you a grand or more. If you go with Epoxy Resin a gallon will run you about $50 and fiberglass cloth $3 - $5 a yard depending on thickness and width. If you used marine plywood 3/4" will run you about $75 a sheet if I remember correctly. It can definately be done and has been done many times on offshore walkarounds and the like. One thing to consider is by the time you are done you may have enough invested to where you could of just bought a decent hull that needs minor repairs, like say $2 to 3 grand or so. I'm no expert but I only say this because I just finished building a boat and it will take twice as long and cost twice as much as you estimate. Looking back I don't know if I would of rather just bought a boat for what I have in the one I built and have been fishing the last two years. But having said that there is something special about fishing in a boat that you restored or built. I think it would be a great experience to build another one some day with my son, if I have one. That way he can do the sanding.

squiffy · Post by **squiffy** » September 22nd, 2005, 8:54 am

Given all of that I have a new question - how do I get rid of the hull? The trailer is in decent shape, most of the hardware looks good and there are some odd pieces of teak. The basic hull seems OK but I do not know about the stringers. Does the YMCA still accept boat donations (even a crippled one like this)?

Post by **Chalk** » September 22nd, 2005, 9:08 am

Landfill or http://www.chapman.org/donation/donation.htm

Post by **T Smith** » September 22nd, 2005, 9:16 am

I cut up a 20' Center Console with a sawzall and took it to the dump in a couple of trips (long story). After that somone told me from second hand that OAR the Organization of Artificial Reefs sometimes buys hulls. I can't verify but supposidly they might give you a hundred bucks or so, if not you can definately donate it.

squiffy · Post by **squiffy** » September 22nd, 2005, 9:38 am

Thank you all.

Post by **tin can** » September 22nd, 2005, 6:12 pm

I have disposed of 3 boats. Pull it to the land fill. Take a chain or strap with you. The guy on the crusher will hook to it and pull it off of the trailer. Retrieve your chain and pay as you leave.