General Question...$$$

[Islandtrader]

If I bought a 23' Sceptre hull for a $900. What do you think it would cost to bring it to "like new" condition?

No outside labor just, your own sweat equity. Leave all mechanical out.(I have a good handle on power, seats, tanks,paint, etc.).

Just make the assumption, that this is not a basket case but the normal 30 year old stuff (if there is such a thing) that I see here on this link.

I am really torn between buying a nice restored, and doing it myself. Time is not a factor, however being retired, do you think a project like this could be finished in a year or less?

Thanks for the input.

[strick]

Tough question that depends on a lot. Transom condition, deck condition etc....Are you leaving it original? Any mods will prolong the project. Alot depends on skill level as well. If you have done this kinda thing before. A retired person working on it every day with good skill level then plan on at least 6 months and thats working very hard. A year to a year and a half would be more realistic.

As far as Cost... THE SKYS THE LIMIT. How bout 10k in glass, paint, and supplies. Dont worry about cost just dive into it. It will be cheaper then buying a new boat and your boat when finished will likely be of better quality then a new boat plus you will know it inside and out.

Strick

[GradySailfish]

Well like Strick said its a tough question. You can make a simply no-frills boat for relatively cheap...or you can go all out and spend lots of $$$. Since you expect to do the work yourself that will save you lots of money as well.

Two things to point out. One, when figuring out expenses, make sure to figure in costs regarding disposables such as grinding disks, sandpaper, brushes, etc ,etc. On my current Sea Craft I must have spend $ 200 in sandpaper alone!

Another thing is that as a rule of thumb, when you figure out your costs and time requirements to complete a project....take that figure and add 50% to it. If you figure a project will cost 10K and take 400 hours....figure it will in actuality cost 15K and take 600 hours.

One more thing...its a labor of love....do it when you feel like working on it, spend what you want to spend. When your tired, stop and go fishing on your friends boat or whatnot. Enjoy the build.

Thats a great deal you gotyourself there. I think I'm going to pick up a nice 23 CC or Scepter and just park it for a future project.

-Alex

[bigeasy1]

I'm doing over a 74 Tsunami,that i bought last november for $1,000.00.I thought that i could complete this project for around 15,000.I think that i'll end up with a finished cost of 15 to 18 grand finished.This includes the electronics,and kicker motor.

The only way i'm able to come in at this cost,is because i was lucky enough to come across an engine and outdrive in excellent condition for 1,500 dollars.Originally,i thought about a new engine and drive package,but that would have made my finished cost easily exceed $25,000.00.

I'm also fortunate enough to have a couple friends in the fiberglass supply business,and another in the marine supply and mechanic business,so i get great advice,lessons,and a discount on glass supplies, and likewise on mechanicals.

I thought that i could finish this project in a year,but it looks more likely that it will be closer to two.I did have to do a complete transom replacement,along with engine beds.The deck is in decent shape so i kind of lucked out there,but all the hatches were rotted and have to be recored.
Then there's all the countless other stuff that has to be done, it's fun, and i enjoy it, but sometimes i have to take a break from it.New england winters don't help either.I just keep dreaming of the day i get to launch it,and that keeps me going.

I think cost and time also depend on what level of finish you want at completion.I want my project to look great and be seaworthy.I also take great pride in my work,so all work is done correctly with good fit and finish, but i'm not interested in restoring it to the level of a Barrett-Jackson classic car.I want to fish out of it.I don't want to have to worry about getting fish blood on it.

I only wish that i was as talented as mr.Strick, i'm in awe of his work. I've done a few boats in my lifetime,but i feel like a rookie when i see the work he does,it's awesome.

Good luck if you attempt to do the restoration,and as strick said, it's a lot of work,and it may take a year or two to finish it,but it's a whole lot cheaper than buying a new boat of comparable quality.

I thought the the quote by another CSC member (i think it was abl1111) was perfect.In reply to a question about cost, he said "Screw the economics,they never make sense".

As the Nike add says,Just do it.you'll be glad you did.

[CaptLloyd]

Everyone is right, the sky is the limit!

When I did my project in 2003, I didn't have lots of extra funds laying around (two babies in the house), but got forced into it by a rotted out fuel tank and a questionable motor. So I did all the work myself, and scimped on the cosmetics. My project included the transom, bracket, motor, fuel tank, wiring, steering, and a simple roll/tip paint job on the hull (no interior painting), this took 6 months and just over $16K.

For the record, my boat is not in the class of Trayder's, Capt Chuck's, Strick's, Bonefish's and the many other beautiful Seacrafts the members have masterfully restored. But "Seadog" is a fully functional workhorse, which has gotten blood on the decks, fish in the box, scuba tanks dragged over the gunwales, and lots of smiles on my kid's faces!

My advice to you is if you enjoy this kind of work, and have the time/resources, jump in with both feet. You can decide during the project what level you want to achieve, but DO NOT cut corners on the wiring and the power. Most of all, enjoy the process, and the end result!

Good Luck!

Lloyd

[doug7488]

If I was looking, I'd jump on that tan Sceptre (listed here) for$5000 - Things don't get much better than that!

[Islandtrader]

All of you have given sage advice. My own thought patterns equal your written prose. Having built a few street rods in the past, I know one thing, it takes longer than you expect.

I am trying to get out and look at the boat for 5k. Captllyod gave it a good review, and that is good enough to warrant a second look.

Don't worry no matter what I do, the forum will be the first to know when I pull the trigger.

Thanks

[Islandtrader]

Well I looked at a $900 hull. You only get what you pay for. I will leave it at that. The other thing that was a little funny was when I saw the picture, it was advertised as a 23 Sceptre. There was something that didn't look right at the 3/4 front view. Well it turns out to be a 20 footer.

Still looking.

[NoBones]

Sorry that it did not pan out for you..

On the otherside there maybe someone from CSC that might
be interested. If you would please pass along the info.
to the rest of us.

Thanks, Ken

[Islandtrader]

No problem.
If any one is interested here is the link. [image]http://adcache.boattraderonline.com/6/4/6/90534246.htm[/image]