custom wooden boat...
 

...to complement my seacraft. came across a custom built wooden boat that im considering buying. its 8 years old, marine plywood (painted), white oak stringers, mahogany deck and engine box. could use a bit of cleaning up but its built soundly and rot free. the owner has all the cleats, lights, etc, it has a new rudder and prop, no engine, no transmission. i have very little experience w/ inboard engines. my question to you guys is how much will i be looking at for a motor and transmission? the boat is about 17 feet. also, how big (ballpark) of a motor does it need? lastly, considering i wont be using it much, is it a bad idea to get a used inboard? old, unreliable outboards are a nightmare (as we all know), are inboards any different? i know i can search the web and find some info but you guys are so knowledgable, it never hurts to ask. thanks in advance.

Re: custom wooden boat...
 

Got a picture?
I assume straight inboard?
How many feet forward is the stuffing box?
When you say it is painted, is it possibly skim coated in resin and glass then painted?
I would think a boat that size would have a tendency to be wet and pound with a inboard to start so I would think a 4.3 might be the best compromise.

Re: custom wooden boat...
 

If you could post a picture it would help.
What is the layout - center console? runabout?
What is the shape of the hull? What is the weight of the boat?

Re: custom wooden boat...
 

boat does not appear to be skim coated, as i can see the "filler discs?" in the plywood through the paint. i can also make out putty/bondo circles where there are screws. its light, i bent my knees and gave a lift in the bow and raised it up a few inches. "filler box" is motor enclosure i assume, farther forward than a lot ive seen. has old school bench seat in front, motor box directly behind (right in middle of boat), then another bench seat in the way back. its a simple runabout. hull is similar to an old chriscraft, not much deadrise, wide bow, nice lines where transom meets gunnels. i believe it is designed for a straight inboard, just has two exhaust ports cut into transom, like i said im no genius when it comes to motors. i got a few pics on my phone, i guess nows as good a time as ever to try and learn how to post them. thanks

Re: custom wooden boat...
 

attempt #1 at picture [image]http://http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b432/justinnat1/woodboat2.jpg?t=1277123697[/image]

Re: custom wooden boat...
 

wow, im so surprised that didnt work.

Re: custom wooden boat... *DELETED*
 

Post deleted by 224466

Re: custom wooden boat...
 

i know pictures would help but i dont see that happening this morning. if i keep trying my computer is heading out the window. ill try again this evening.

Re: custom wooden boat...
 

[image]http://http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/.../woodboat2.jpg[/image]

Re: custom wooden boat...
 

i cant beleive this worked. im 28 years old so i really have no excuse for hating computers but... [image]http://http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/.../woodboat1.jpg[/image]

Re: custom wooden boat...
 

Just a thought...if it is a no name boat you will have a very hard time selling it.

Most folks want a "Name" otherwise you better keep for a long time.

JMO

Re: custom wooden boat...
 

thats probably why its for sale so cheap. dont care about resale, im buying this as a project boat to hang onto. she'll be my holiday boat or evening harbor cruise boat. after all, i already have a seacraft to romp around in, right?

Re: custom wooden boat...
 

Small V-8...with tranny will run around 4k by the time you get done "fartin" around with all the extra stuff you don't know you need until you get there...if you know what I mean. [img]/forum/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

Re: custom wooden boat...
 

i definitely know what you mean. that is a doable price, considering im not going to be buying the motor next week. is it moronic to refinish the outside of the boat before dropping in the motor? ive already developed a plan to build an overhang off the side of my workshop to keep her weatherproof.

Re: custom wooden boat...
 

It looks like a pretty light boat - also looks like a pretty cool project!

I think an 8 might sink the thing, you may want look smaller. Measure the room under the engine cover and see what you have to work with. Check the size of the stuffing box to determine the shaft size, which may limit the size of the wheel you can turn and reverse engineer the engine size from there.

Re: custom wooden boat...
 

just got off the phone w/ current owner. hes trying to change prices and being generally evasive. turns out the price on the boat i saw yesterday when i drove by was a "weekend special" and he has some uncles friends cousins brother offering him more. im certainly not getting into a bidding war w/ an imaginary adversary over it, hopefully he sees the light and realizes cash is king when selling boats (or anything for that matter).

Re: custom wooden boat...
 

Not what I was picturing, cool project. Vintage race boat clone/kit? 4.3 v6 for sure skip the v8.

Re: custom wooden boat...
 

When the guy calls you back and says he will sell it to you at the original price...offer him less.

I have done that a few times and guess what they take it. :cool:

Re: custom wooden boat...
 

I've done that, too.

Re: custom wooden boat...
 

he told me yesterday he was "relisting the boat at a higher price" this weekend if i was still interested. have you ever heard of something so ridiculous? island trader and fr. frank, im looking forward to useing your technique if i hear back from him. the good news is if i dont get this boat, ill be able to put a new paint job on my seacraft this fall.

Re: custom wooden boat...
 

Yeah, just tell 'em, "Good luck with that. Here's my number. I like the boat, so call me when reality sets in".