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Hi all. I have that chance to buy a 1970 ish 16/17 hull with a 98 60 hp Suzuki 4 stroke & a 2004 bunk trailer in good shape. My biggest concern is the whole hull is spider cracked like I have never seen before.It also has a few gouges down to bare glass. I can catch a nail in any crack, inside or out. What would it take to fix this ? How much is too much for this package ? Would a sale price of 3k be too much ? See any problem with this combo ? Thanks !!

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/2544/boatk.jpg

[IMG]http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/2544/boatk.th.jpg[/IMG]

here is a pic

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Is there any way that you can post a few photos so we can see exactly what you are referring to? From your description it sounds a little more severe than spider cracks

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I dont have pics, sorry. Hull looks like a smashed mirror all over

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I would consider too if it has all the original parts. If you decide to restore, it could cost a fortune trying to chase parts down.

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My advice, keep looking.

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$3k is too much for that boat. Run and run fast!

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Post pics if you can. Not everyone on here has restored boats or can see the value in what you are looking at. What capabilites do you have with working on boats? What comes with the boat?. What is original? Too many questions without pics and knowing what you can do or what you want to do.

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Pic added, click on image to enlarge or past in link
thanks so much for your advice !!!!

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Would you say that the trailer is worth 1K?
And how about that Suzuky 98 four stroke 1K also?
Even though that the console is not original and that there is some spider cracks and some wider..
Is the hull worth 1K?
You can shave a bit of the price a bit
But in all, seems like a good project boat.
If you know of what you are getting into.

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I say keep looking. No oem console or rps. trying to make this pristine you will have another 2500 to 3000 just in the hull. There are nicer boats out there for just a little more money. and you will not have to tear them down to restore the entire hull as you will with this one.

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Thanks all for you help, I just decline the accepted offer to buy. If there is a lower counter offer I would reconcider but I dont think so. The search goes on !

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It's also underpowered IMHO.

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Don't walk, run.

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Is it worth 2k ?

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I feel your pain. I often get myself into these quandaries with old boats/motorcycles that seem to be a "good project". The majority of the time it becomes a lawn ornament or I sell it later at a loss just to get it out of my sight. Sometimes it is worth it. You have gotten honest feedback from a lot of highly experienced Boston Whaler folks and I will not include myself in that bunch. The majority lean towards a big no or only worth it for parts.

It looks like there is a line of grime (fouling?) several inches above what looks to be the bottom paint if my eyes serve me correctly. This could mean water in the foam to the extent that it would be nightmarish.

The ONLY reason I would pick up something like this would not be to restore it, but to just put around locally. I'm sure there is a fair share of waterlogged Boston Whalers floating around out there, I would just be concerned about safety. With severe water penetration comes separation of the unibond design from the foam. Not good.

I would probably still feel a little better floating around in an old beat up (cheap) whaler than another old beat up boat.
But now that I see what I've written, I would talk myself out of it and move on to the next "project obsession".

You missed out on a beautiful hull only deal from Tom Clarks brother in law on the Cape. (It looks like the boat is in Onset MA) Keep looking and good luck.

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I'd keep looking if I were you. There are a ton of whalers out there and the right one will make itself apparent to you in due time. $2K is probably too much as like the above post mentioned, the boat "appears" to be waterlogged.

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Buy it.

Have the engine serviced.

Strip everything else and restore.

Sell on ebay.

more than make your money back to enable you to buy a better whaler.

just my opinion.

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Here is my theory on the 2 k.
1. engine is worth 1k
2. trailer is worth 1 k

I'm new to boat restorations so even if the hull ends up being worthless I can still get my $ back ? It can be something to pratice on. Still a bad idea ?

Also, only one side of the boat has the high waterline scum, so I thought that there was something heavy there ? If it was water in the hull , would it be heavy all over and not just to one side ?

Thanks again to all for your advice, it really helps !!!!

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Used motor worth a grand used trailer not quite a grand.

It really depends on what you want. I sold a 17 cobia to guy one time for a couple of grand. He said he "could" to all sorts of great things to it. I agreed, but reminded him he "could" just go use it. He headed off with big dreams. He used the boat as he bought it for about 5 years I know of.

I posted above if you want a pristine whaler pass on this boat. If you want a cheap whaler that you can enjoy using this may be the one. Do not let anyone fool you into thinking you can get it back in great shape and make a bundle of money. You will not.

I am currently restoring my second whaler. Both of which were in pretty bad shape. so much so I never considered trying to restore them to OEM finish. Having a boat in such bad condition gives you a blank canvas to do with as you please. My 15 turned out to be the prettiest 15 I have ever seen My current project will be a one and only when I am done. That will not make it worth a mint but it will give me a lot of pride and satisfaction.

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No dice on this boat. Thanks for all your input. Hopefully you guys can help with the next find.

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Don't give up the search............It will surface and you'll find the one that is perfect for you...........PATIENCE!

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Your Better off without her !! The right one will come along.