What should I expect to pay

[ciscokid]

New member here. This sight has prompted interest in starting a project of my own. A friend has offered to sell his 1977 23'scepter to me. No motor, floor is soft in some places,no trailer, and transome looks to be fine. Im looking to repair anything that is needed. I have a 98 19' grady white of my own but want a larger boat when its all said and done. How much is the average worth of this hull?

[Mark]

"...no motor, soft floor, no trailer..." I don't think we're talking much money to buy one in that kind of shape.

[John R]

Couple grand? Maybe 3?

[ciscokid]

Am I dreaming to think I can turn the scepter into a center console.

[Mark]

I agree with John R., IF you want it to look like an original CC, maybe better just to buy an original CC.

However, if you read enough posts in the archives here, a trend you start to see is how much people like how these boats ride. There is a bit less chat about the perfect setup of the original interiors.

hmmm...floors being raised by many, livewells moved, consoles changed, transoms raised or closed, level floors instead of casting platforms, the list goes on.

If you know what you are doing and are planning on doing the work yourself, go for it (if the boat is REALLY cheap). If you are hiring somebody else to turn a Sceptre into an original looking 23CC - Drive to Miami and buy a decent second hand 23CC and save yourself a bunch of money and aggrivation.

[Mark]

No, not dreaming to turn a Sceptre into a CC. Have a look at the series of images from Trayder's project.

Once you gut the boat and have just a hull, you could turn it into a schooner if you wanted.

[John R]

Consider that there are lots to change to go from cuddy to CC. If you want it to look like an original CC - don't do it. If you want something custom & can afford the time expense, well - it will take lots of time and be expensive....

If you want to keep the cuddy, lop off the windhield and put a small console in a la Savage [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] ...

[ciscokid]

I would like to make it as close as possible to the original just for the reason of maybe getting alittle more out of it if I decide to sell it down the line. I think some of the design changes would do it some good. As for changing the sceptre into a cc, I dont think there is alot of time involved in cutting out the cuddie and pulling the floor out. Im thinking a couple of hours with a saw and thats done. Its the cost and time involved in the remainder of the job Im in the dark about. I would be getting the hull for $500 and a jet ski that is probabally worth $1800 to $2000. Can you give me a very rough estimate as to time and cost in deck replacement. I would probabally leave the transome alone besides reworking the splash area. Here is what Im thinking right now:
Motor...............$14000.
gel coat hull........1500. ?
center console.......1300.
electronics..........3500.
hardware.............1500.
__________
approx. $22000

Please fill in the blanks!

[Matt1121]

For $22,000, I am sure you can find a nice used seacraft without having to do all that work and hack up a Sceptre.

Plus, as far as resale value is concerned, you more likely to get more money from a boat if it is all original.

[John R]

Cisco Kid - don't do it... Too much to do - get a boneyard CC if you want to