Why did you do a re-build? (poll)

[Jerry-rigged]

I am sure you have been asked this by friends, Family and others, and I want to know too. Why did you decide that you wanted to re-build?  

I have considered a project boat many time, but have not yet bit the bullet.  Wife thinks I am Crazy.

Some of the poll questions are a bit tongue-in-cheek, but the interest in your reason is genuine.
Jerry

[Wilson]

When I bought my boat, I really didn't know what I was doing.  I had some idea that a boat that was about 30 years old would have some problems.  The guy even told me that when the floor (which was in good shape, except for the low spot around the console) was replace the guy who did it checked the stringers and they were in good shape.  

The more I learned the more I realized tha the boat had some major issues.  I love the hull so, I decided to redo it.  And here I am.

[Tabman]

Heck I don't even wax it, the gel coat is faded, but the boat is sound and I have never been a great stickler on a perfect finish.  As long as the boat is clean, orderly and safe I am good to go.

I have have had many boats over the years, some in "bristol" shape and some real ugly ones.  My Aquasport looks ok and I don't fuss over every ding  

Tom

[JimCt]

Don't have one yet, but I'll have no problem with rebuilding an old girl if that's what's needed to put her to rights.  To me it's the only way to know the boat and there's nothing like messing around with them      .

  In my situation, I'm looking at a 175 to buy.  To me, the stock tribal AS artwork currently on the topsides ruins the look of the hull and hides the effort the designer made to create a pleasing sheerline; so thats going.  I like the look of varnished mahogany; so we'll add some brightwork here & there.  More than likely I'll open her up to inspect and replace stringers if need be.  On & on it'll go.  Between projects she'll be on the water doing what she was bred to do.  Meantime, I'll be having a ball.

JimCT

[pedoyl]

There needs to be one more choice up there:

A 196 or 222 Aquasport makes an awesome "compromise" boat.  Runs very shallow, but can still get you 30 miles offshore.  All of these 50-80k custom boats are following the lead of the 222.

[Argo]

I just could not justify buying a POS flimsy boat which is what you get in any newer boat that is under 60k.  If you want the quality work of an older hull you have to spend 60+k on it and I just cant afford that right now.  My 25'er is just fine sitting in my yard with no motor for right now.  At least I can say I have one.  I bought it for 5k with a working 250 and used it for 2 years before it bit the dust.  Cant beat that.

[Seadog]

They say the two best days of boat ownership are the day you buy it and the day you sell it.  That probably applies to production boats and not to custom re-builds.  

The best days with re-builds are while you're workin' on it.  Watchin her come together, thinkin about how to approach a particular project, doin the research and takin the time to do it right. Every step of the way.

Not much buyers remorse with these old hulls.  Most of them most people wouldn't look at twice but we see the potential she has and what she could be.  We have the knowledge and  the skill and the determination to bring her back to life.

It's not for the money, won't sell her for what we put in her probably, and we may not save much re-building over buying new.  I guess its because we can.  It's the pride and the knowing of "HEY, I BUILT THAT!"

[Argo]

I have always hated that saying.  I think it will be one of the hardest things to do, selling my boat that is.  When that day comes I had better have a much bigger boat sitting around somewhere.

[RickK]

New member here.  I co-bought my 71 170 with a friend in 88.  Was in pretty good shape then.  Have had it ever since and finally bought out the other half.  I've replaced the floor, rebuilt stringers, Imron'd the outside and re-gelcoated the inside.  If it needs fixin', it's done. Labor of love - also couldn't fathom dumping gazillions into a new boat, to the chagrine of my wife.  

[Deck Daddy]

Rebuild is the only way to go, why. A) Can't stomach the price of a new boat. B) I can go to a boat show get a thousand ideas build them into my boat and call it my dream boat. C) Until I see another great deal on a boat and do it all over again. Why? Because I can......

[numlaar]

Bottom line... new boat costs are just insanely stupid. Wife and I were looking into getting a new deckboat.... well a 20' with 150-200HP outboard you are talking 45k+. You could get by a little cheaper if you go with a hurricane with just a 115.. but that would be a barge with that small of a motor, and they still use wood decks in them (why in 2014, I have no idea). Then after doing a LOT of shopping around, there was always something I didnt like... Nauticstar had the dumb flip-up seat thing you had to do everytime you got in, but had the cooler built into the swim platform, southwind had the nicest layout, but no built in cooler, and the fishwell was only in the back. Just some examples, but basically there was always at least one major glaring issue... am I going to spend 50k, and finance for 10 years for something I am not 100% happy with??? ummm no.

My Xscape cost me 800 bucks. I can rebuild it right, (coosa board, tinned wiring, etc.) all top notch quality materials, new gel, etc. and do it for around 4k. Then I have everything exactly where I want it, have the ability to do future upgrades with a little planning, and when I'm done with the rebuild, I can hang a brand new 4-stroke on the back for 15k. So essentially I will have a boat that is better than a lot of new ones, designed exactly the way I want, for under 20k. That is a no brainer.

[fitz73222]

Boats in general are about disposable income. It makes no financial sense to own one. It's a depreciating purchase that adds no value with respect to return on investment, yet we're attracted to them and throw common sense to the wind. That said, this an emotional tie. Being unique, pridefully different is good for the soul. I'm fully in the camp of owning something in the bottom of its worth curve that stands out among the status quo. Rebuilding something whether outsourced or done with your own hands is something special that sparks a feeling of pride and differentiation plus we have something unique that can't be bought with raw dollars. Plus to some degree rebuilding an old hull could be construed as a midigation off loss. I'd rather loose money on a $30k investment as a percentage than an $80k loss at the same percentage. Cause at the end of the day, boats are about negative ROI, its just about how much we choose to lose! Our boats are unique critters with an interesting pedigree that you can spot a 1/2 mile away, cause we know them. When I pull up to the ramp and people come over and say wow! There in lies the sustenance.

[fitz73222]

No where else on the planet do we have this choice to decide these things if we think about it. Dispite all  the BS we see every day, thank The Lord we live here. There's a whole bunch of people in this world that can't say the same thing. Thank God for our country.

[RickK]

[gran398]

Boats in general are about disposable income. It makes no financial sense to own one. It's a depreciating purchase that adds no value with respect to return on investment, yet we're attracted to them and throw common sense to the wind. That said, this an emotional tie. Being unique, pridefully different is good for the soul. I'm fully in the camp of owning something in the bottom of its worth curve that stands out among the status quo. Rebuilding something whether outsourced or done with your own hands is something special that sparks a feeling of pride and differentiation plus we have something unique that can't be bought with raw dollars. Plus to some degree rebuilding an old hull could be construed as a midigation off loss. I'd rather loose money on a $30k investment as a percentage than an $80k loss at the same percentage. Cause at the end of the day, boats are about negative ROI, its just about how much we choose to lose! Our boats are unique critters with an interesting pedigree that you can spot a 1/2 mile away, cause we know them. When I pull up to the ramp and people come over and say wow! There in lies the sustenance.

You're spot-on Farl, great post.  If we try to financially justify owning a boat...we'll never own one.

But since we've let emotion rule...she may as well be a head-turner.

I love the thumbs-ups and third looks every time I run her....in my mind, worth every penny. Have a ride unlike any other