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Why mess with junk when you can buy a running boat so cheap right now?

That guy with the burnt TG has sunk tons of time/money into that boat and still hasn't had one hour of good boating yet. How about the guy Jay who bought a running 41 Apache only to disassemble it and never see water again after about 3-4 outings.

Summer is short, learn from others and spend your money on the nicest running boat you can afford........
 
Can you elaborate?

Nothing major that I knew of wrong with it. The pics never made it look very good. The transom always had rust stains and the dry exhaust looked to have dulled the powdercoating on the boxes and drives.

It was a salt water boat for much of its life. 525SC's were at 360hrs and were going to need some attention soon. 525SC intakes don't like salt and if the exhaust is original, then that would need replaced soon as well.
 
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I agree with Jupiter. Buy something already running. In the end, you'll have less money in it and you could boat this summer.

Thats right. I have been working on one for 3+years now. Its crazy how fast the money piles up when re-doing one.:ack2:
 
Well some of us including myself can't get the big $$$$$$ right off and a project like this could be my way back in. I don't think it is all that bad and I can do all the work that it appears it needs so I just keep looking for something.
 
Well some of us including myself can't get the big $$$$$$ right off and a project like this could be my way back in. I don't think it is all that bad and I can do all the work that it appears it needs so I just keep looking for something.

I can see your idea and I did buy my 32 new but I am not ordering a new Nortech anytime soon either..... I looked a restoring a Boston Whaler for my kids. In the end I bought a restored one from a super anal guy. 97 15 Whaler, 06 trailer, 06 Mills bimini/ cushions, 06 Yamaha 4 stroke 60/ shifter/gauges (with 6 years warranty) all on a mint 97 hull/ no bottom paint/original gel for 10K. He handed me $8600 in receipts on all the new parts. So even if he got the hull for free he made no money and to date we have put 110 hours on the boat (meter had 24 on it when I bought it) with the 100 hour service being my sole expense outside of fuel/insurance.



I would rather buy a clean 25 Baja Outlaw (even with a small payment book) than attack a project like this with a limited budget. Atleast the Outlaw could be used all summer with the fuel, payment and insurance as my only main concerns. With a project it is the unknown that can hurt you. Older power, burnt interior/wiring. You could sink 10K into that cockpit without even any paint and still not have a running boat in 09. Staring at that hulk of a project sitting in a barn/ side of house can be even more depressing when you have sunk a few bucks into it you become married to the bad decision. Then have a spouse ****ed about your dream eating all the family finances that even when it is done she won't even want to ride on it since it has become such a sore spot.

Someone had a great line....figure what it needs dollarwise and double it and throw another 10K in and you should be close to what it will cost........
 
Well some of us including myself can't get the big $$$$$$ right off and a project like this could be my way back in. I don't think it is all that bad and I can do all the work that it appears it needs so I just keep looking for something.
Yeah. There's that. Then there's how bad you want to save one of those (insert model here) boats. I mean... at some point... what will happen if the manufacturers are reduced because of the changing times at the viable inventory of great boats starts to decline?
Maybe a burnt one is a bad example... but I can see the rationale for saving a classic or very cool offshore. To an AT Cult member... this could be a daring rescue of a beloved friend. To me, it's a burnt boat... just for starters.
At some point... we may need to start saving them to have them, and I was willing in the case of my old boat to take that trouble on just to be able to save one, and own one. But I have a fondness for the brand and the size is right. You like ATs... so I can see the appeal to you.
 
I see and I compeletly understand all points made. I have been there and done that more times than I can count. I spent the better part of 10 yrs doing restoreations on old british cars and have won more than a few concours 1st place showings and a few amercian as well. I was chopping tops and building customs way before it was cool,, around here anyway. I also have many years experience in the boat bis and probly have forgotten more than a lot of people know or think they know.
I am not saying that it is perfect for a project but it may be close I don't know I haven't seen it and I probly won't.
Fund you got it correct, I have a very soft spot for A.T.s.
My main problem is that I have NO...NONE NAADDA any desire for a newer step bottom boat nore can I aford one, I guess I am to old. If and when I can aford to do anything there really is only 4 boats on my list------38- gun 35--cafe 36--Apache (oh man did I say the A word) or a 32 Thunder. Sorry guys, end of rant ---------- its been a tough week.
 
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I think there will be a lot of hidden damage between the cockpit liner and hull. There is damage from the helm all the way to the bilge.
 
I see and I compeletly understand all points made. I have been there and done that more times than I can count. I spent the better part of 10 yrs doing restoreations on old british cars and have won more than a few concours 1st place showings and a few amercian as well. I was chopping tops and building customs way before it was cool,, around here anyway. I also have many years experience in the boat bis and probly have forgotten more than a lot of people know or think they know.
I am not saying that it is perfect for a project but it may be close I don't know I haven't seen it and I probly won't.
Fund you got it correct, I have a very soft spot for A.T.s.
My main problem is that I have NO...NONE NAADDA any desire for a newer step bottom boat nore can I aford one, I guess I am to old. If and when I can aford to do anything there really is only 4 boats on my list------38- gun 35--cafe 36--Apache (oh man did I say the A word) or a 32 Thunder. Sorry guys, end of rant ---------- its been a tough week.


I have a feeling that there is another boat restoration in this man's future. :D
 
Restoration projects are fun if you enjoy them, some don't. I do. The big thing, you can't be in a hurry and you have to know what you're buying is break even for value when you're all done.

I'd find out where it's at in Houston and get one of the guys down there to look and see if has any major structural damage. If so, then it's worth the parts only in my opinion. If not, a real nice boat when completed.
 
I have a feeling that there is another boat restoration in this man's future. :D

Again you are correct, (Boat rescuer LOL) If I could aford it I would have Pat build me a NON-STEP 496 HO 33 but that won't happen so my search goe's on. I don't mind the work or the nickel and dime (ok $100.00s and $500,00s) I should have bought the 24 Chris got last year.
 
Restoration projects are fun if you enjoy them, some don't. I do. The big thing, you can't be in a hurry and you have to know what you're buying is break even for value when you're all done.

I'd find out where it's at in Houston and get one of the guys down there to look and see if has any major structural damage. If so, then it's worth the parts only in my opinion. If not, a real nice boat when completed.

We think alot alike, That is already in the works.:)
 
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