Rookie needs advice on io to o conversion

[willb]

Hello nautical experts.

I have a chance to aquire a 25' Searay for free.
Interior is shot, engine is shot, drive is shot,
trailer is shot. My intent is to strip it, paint it, and
refit it with outboards. Good idea?

I'm not sure of the model. It is 25', covered bow
with a head just inside of the doorway.

It has sat out uncovered for the last 6 years. Do you
think the hull framing is still good? The stern plug was
removed those years ago so it is (perhaps) not holding
water.

Anyway, what I want is a twin outboard offshore fishing
rig, on the cheap. Seems like this boat was ok new,
how 'bout refitted?

Somebody stop me.

willb

[bilgeboy]

You can get 'er for a song, you say?

You need that like a hole in the head. Hulls are free, for a reason. Some makes of some hulls retain a value, but not many.

Twin outboards are not cheap, so you are not going to save any major % by going with a cheap hull.

That's my warning. On the flip side, many folks here have cut thier teeth on some dream turned expensive reality. Who am I to judge? Its a great way to learn.

Mike

[hansp77]

What Mike said.
(with an EDIT to add, I am no 'nautical expert')

Spend some time and read through some of the numerous threads here regarding fixer-er-uppers like what you are talking about.
(here is one that didn't turn out too well http://boatdesign.net/forums/showthread.php?t=12710)

I reckon the only financial reason to go about it this way is if you are the sort of person (probably like me) who would find it hard to save up into one chunk the amount of money you will need to get a working boat of the size you want in good order.
Fixing up and refitting a boat like that will most probably cost you in the long run AT LEAST as much as what it would cost to buy a second hand one of the same type in good working order.
The only difference is that you will slowly and steadily invest (bad word) the money into the boat over months or years, rather than in one hit.
The time you invest is probably going to be a write-off.

That said,
this is the way I went about it (though my boat was in much better order than what you describe) and I wouldn't have it any other way. I could not have afforded my boat in top condition (which it now is in).
Failure was a strong possibility, and pain and suffering a daily experience.
But, being my first boat, I learned SO MUCH, and now know my boat from the ground up.

Think very carefully about this, and do all you can to find out what, and how much, this boat is going to put you in for (and what resale value you will be left with at the end).

Do you want to go boating, or do want to go boat-building?

It has been said before many a time-
There is no such thing as a free boat.

Hans.

[willb]

I don't mind paying for good engines. I know their value.
If I keep it simple I can always trash the boat and sell
the engines.

What I can't afford to do is shell out for a 25-30ft boat
with all the cute ammenities.

All I need is a sturdy hull with good engines. All the other
stuff gets put onboard over time anyway.

Do you think that this searay, with the poor description I
have provided, is a good candidate to merit all the work
you guys are warning me about?

I have been reading through the other threads but am
still wondering if there is a general type of hull that is
either the best or worst for this type of conversion (concerning
planing hulls.)

Is it just a matter of keeping the COB correct?

Does anyone know where I can get good technical drawings
of specific hull makes and construction?

Thanks for the replies, and the heartfelt warnings.

I take your advice VERY seriously.

willb