Wondering if it is worth it to restore our 1967 O'day. It pretty much needs a complete inner cabin overhaul. Any thoughts?
Is it worth it???
- Thread starter Mkooienga
- Start date
Take a look at the web site for STUART Marine, current builder of the MARINER, they have restored several older boats..... BEAUTIFUL! But, the 1967 they had for sale was priced at a very high $20K+ (more than she looked to be worth to me!). But a bit of sweat equity can produce a pretty nice restoration for far less than a newer boat.
But, in the long run, do you still feel this Mariner meets your needs? Do you like this boat? How much of the restoration work are you confident doing (as opposed to hiring someone to do)? How good are you with fiberglassing? How bad are the current interior structures (berths, countertops, cabinetry...) can you use the original parts as patterns for the new parts? Have a nearby source for marine plywood? Or alternatively, a source of good, quaility exterior-grade plywood? Really, Marine plywood and exterior-grade are almost the same, but Marine-grade has no voids, exterior often does, usually glues are basically the same. Id the job feel doable, then yes... it is worth it. If not, well......... it might be worth it to someone else.
Being in Holland, MI there are (I think??) several wooden boat experts nearby, and I suspect quality wood sources (after all, Holland used to be the home of CHRIS-CRAFT and S2 Yachts).
If you are willing to do the work using the right materials, and intend to keep this boat for a while..... I'd say restoration is well worth it! Just look around at the price of similar boats in good condition..... if you like this boat, and can do the restoration for no more than the replacement price of the boat.... it is worth it.
If the cost/value formula doesn't look attractive, it might be better to sell hte boat "as-is" to someone looking for a Mariner and willing to invest "sweat equity" in a boat if they can get it for a good price. Then shop for and buy a newer boat, or one in need of less restoration.
But, in the long run, do you still feel this Mariner meets your needs? Do you like this boat? How much of the restoration work are you confident doing (as opposed to hiring someone to do)? How good are you with fiberglassing? How bad are the current interior structures (berths, countertops, cabinetry...) can you use the original parts as patterns for the new parts? Have a nearby source for marine plywood? Or alternatively, a source of good, quaility exterior-grade plywood? Really, Marine plywood and exterior-grade are almost the same, but Marine-grade has no voids, exterior often does, usually glues are basically the same. Id the job feel doable, then yes... it is worth it. If not, well......... it might be worth it to someone else.
Being in Holland, MI there are (I think??) several wooden boat experts nearby, and I suspect quality wood sources (after all, Holland used to be the home of CHRIS-CRAFT and S2 Yachts).
If you are willing to do the work using the right materials, and intend to keep this boat for a while..... I'd say restoration is well worth it! Just look around at the price of similar boats in good condition..... if you like this boat, and can do the restoration for no more than the replacement price of the boat.... it is worth it.
If the cost/value formula doesn't look attractive, it might be better to sell hte boat "as-is" to someone looking for a Mariner and willing to invest "sweat equity" in a boat if they can get it for a good price. Then shop for and buy a newer boat, or one in need of less restoration.
do you want a hobby, or do you want to go boating?... do you want a showpiece or do you want a NICE clean boat that you can use as often as you want without worrying about all the many little details, like the shiny finish on the gelcoat/paint and brightwork, bird droppings, crew tripping and scuffing around the deck, engine issues, interior condition, and dozens of other stuff that are not conducive to owning a showboat?....
if you want a nice clean, fun, reasonably outfitted and well sailing boat, and you want to get out on the water NOW, you can buy one that is ready to sail cheaper much cheaper than you can fix one up....
on an older boat, you can spend thousands and thousands, and still have it not be worth anything if your boat building skills are not up to par. and if your maintenance skills arent up to par, a nice, well found, new boat will eventually be run down.... but it will still be worth a little bit...
buying a fixer upper is more of an expensive and sometimes troublesome learning adventure, than it is a fun boating experience...
if you want a nice clean, fun, reasonably outfitted and well sailing boat, and you want to get out on the water NOW, you can buy one that is ready to sail cheaper much cheaper than you can fix one up....
on an older boat, you can spend thousands and thousands, and still have it not be worth anything if your boat building skills are not up to par. and if your maintenance skills arent up to par, a nice, well found, new boat will eventually be run down.... but it will still be worth a little bit...
buying a fixer upper is more of an expensive and sometimes troublesome learning adventure, than it is a fun boating experience...
This.
Its a 'value of money, cost of time' question. What's important to you?
Me, I'd rather be sailing.
I think the original post was refering to a boat he already owns, perhaps one not used for a while and thus a bit "shop worn", but still one that he already owns.
I rebuilt a couple of small boats myself, one was a 14' runabout that washed up on hte marsh near our cottage (price was "free" after a bit of paperwork with the authorities) and all that could be reused was the hull and deck plus a few fittings. It cost me about $3K to rebuild her (including a "brand new" 3 year-old 9.9hp outboard) and we now have a boat that could not be replaced new for under $10K. If I sold her would I ever get back what I spent? Probably not (well ,I sold her to my Dad for $2500 the year after I rebuilt her), but we got a boat that fit our needs. Would I do it again?? Not sure, because as much as I like rebuilding boats..... I like using them more! Also, that little powerboat showed me that a powerboat can be fun... but I prefer sailing!
I also learned the truth in hte statement "The most expensive boats around are the ones labeled as 'FREE"....!"
I rebuilt a couple of small boats myself, one was a 14' runabout that washed up on hte marsh near our cottage (price was "free" after a bit of paperwork with the authorities) and all that could be reused was the hull and deck plus a few fittings. It cost me about $3K to rebuild her (including a "brand new" 3 year-old 9.9hp outboard) and we now have a boat that could not be replaced new for under $10K. If I sold her would I ever get back what I spent? Probably not (well ,I sold her to my Dad for $2500 the year after I rebuilt her), but we got a boat that fit our needs. Would I do it again?? Not sure, because as much as I like rebuilding boats..... I like using them more! Also, that little powerboat showed me that a powerboat can be fun... but I prefer sailing!
I also learned the truth in hte statement "The most expensive boats around are the ones labeled as 'FREE"....!"
I agree... it makes a difference on what size of boat we are referring to also.... a smaller boat that can be fixed up for 1500 or less and then be used to learn to sail on it, is a much better option than is fixing up an old decrepit 30'+ boat..... so that you can learn to sail.
"The most expensive boats around are the ones labeled as 'FREE"....! this is one of the most accurate sayings relating to used boats. and an inexperienced non-boat person has such a time comprehending the meaning of it, until its too late
Well.... Here's one guy who thinks it's worth it: http://www.pearsonariel.org/discussion/showthread.php?1972-Commander-147
there was a man with money.... that knew exactly what he wanted, built a trailer for it, and went out and got it. then spent lots of dollars to fix it up how he wanted it....
he has less money now but a nice boat....
this should NOT be done with just any old random run down boat that is setting around and someone wants to sell it cheap or give it to you free of charge.... unless you have money to squander on needless junk
Thank you for all of the input. It is not a purchase, it is a restoration "thought" that I have for a boat that I have owned for about 10 years. I have the knowledge to sail it, raced on Lake Michigan to gain that knowledge, but it has been sitting in a barn for a few years untouched and the barn leaked, it will need a new skeleton. It has no holes, very sound, but I am thinking that now that my step daughter is old enough that I might want to have it be a family project that we can enjoy for many years after restoration. It's a 19' daysailer, cushions in the cabin area, no counters or anything like that. Sails are in great shape, almost mint condition, it's just interior that needs the help. I do appreciate the information, food for thought. Thank you!!!
thanks
Thank you for this information, after seeing the '65 that was restored, and it looks just like our boat on the inside, restoration it is!!!
Ok I hate to beat this dead horse but I too am thinking of getting a fixer-upper. There is a 1983 39' O'day in my marina that has not moved off the stands in 15 years +. I currently have a 1983 Hunter 31' and have been looking to upgrade. I am very handy and my father used to produce custom (32 & 36') cats. It has standing water above the water in the back cabins. I do not have 40K plus to purchase a boat this size in good condition, however can apply sweat and money over a period of three years. I know most of the rigging and woodwork will need to be replaced along with electrical, lines and anything else rotted and all the black mold cleaned. The hull looks in good condition and the mast has roller furling Main. I just hate to see such a nice boat rot away and worried come this winter when everything freezes again. What are your thoughts?
Mr. Carlson, that is a disaster waiting to happen. Even if you're good with all the other stuff, can you tear down a diesel engine?
Project boats have been known to kill dreams, and it takes altogether too many years and $s to find it out.
Do you want to go sailing or do you want to keep banging your knuckles?
Project boats have been known to kill dreams, and it takes altogether too many years and $s to find it out.
Do you want to go sailing or do you want to keep banging your knuckles?
Stu,
yes I can and have rebuilt diesels. But something tells me you are correct. Even if I get it free or at least close, by the time I haul it back to house to work on it I may change my heart. I can still sail my Hunter until this one ready but....My mind says don't even waste your time yet my heart says do it.
Wife is in love with the boat which is a bonus.
yes I can and have rebuilt diesels. But something tells me you are correct. Even if I get it free or at least close, by the time I haul it back to house to work on it I may change my heart. I can still sail my Hunter until this one ready but....My mind says don't even waste your time yet my heart says do it.
Wife is in love with the boat which is a bonus.
I'd have that 39 surveyed before firmly committing to a purchase. I think most of the interior may be fiberglass molded structure, but if I recall, the 39 was the only O'DAY model (except, MAYBE the 40, which was a re-tooled 39) that had a cored hull, balsa core if I recall correctly....... not sure how much dampness might have migrated into that core from any water standing in the bilges.
Just my $0.02 worth.
Just my $0.02 worth.
It's important to balance your skills and available time with your aspirations to be sailing. You seem to have the technical skills. I personally enjoy the rebuilding process as much as sailing. Since you have another boat to sail today, the process of "gutting and rebuilding" may be worth it to you - especially if you can get the boat for almost nothing.
One thing I find is that it never really ends with a boat. I am constantly upgrading, thinking about upgrades, looking at other newer and classic boats for new ideas, etc... Personally I don't like to get into too deep into one single project, so I like to do things in stages so that I can still sail while I work. That idea did get shot out the window this last year after taking my boat out of storage after 5 years and needed a major refit. The one good thing about fiberglass boats is that the base boat is pretty indestructible, unlike a wood boat that could rot and get completely remanufactured from the inside out. I say, if you like the boat go for it. It's much easier to fix the boat you have than to sell and then buy another boat with all kinds of unknown issues.
If you have to ask the answer is "no". This is a labor of love not a way to save money or recoup losses. You will not get your money back. You will spend more than the boat will be worth when it is completed. However, if you enjoy this kind of thing then do it.
Great thread about a guy that completely restored a Oday 27. Almost everyone thought he was nuts, including myself. When you start pricing out new boats the guy that restored the 27 was smarter than the average bear. The project was a success and he has a new boat.
I would suggest reading that thread and see if your up to the task.
I would suggest reading that thread and see if your up to the task.