It finally won me over, "Dave's Boat" is now Daves

A year and 1/2 ago while fishing Lake Erie with my neighbor, I spotted a 27 ft Sportcraft Sport fisherman for sale, 454 full inboard on a latemodel trailer... an older one (1972? I think) but in reasonble condition, but like always I didn't have any money... or at least enough to negatiate around the $6500 she was asking. Anything in the 10-40k average range for these sized used boats are for people with more money than I (more power to ya if you can, and I could have at one time too). So an older one is the only possibility. So all last summer I'd eyeball and drewl... and it effectionately became known as "Dave's Boat" with my freinds. Tom knew and fished with the previous owner (now deceased) and also new it had a fresh rebuild on the 454. I've talked to the repair shop that did it ($2400 worth). It has one season on it. But with no money to put behind my mouth... I didn't do anything (other than some minor cussing and razzing from my friends). Besides operating at cruise (27 kts by Sportcraft spec, not to mention anything near its 41 kt max) calculates to about $1.70/minute... Sorta dismissed it.

Well, "Dave's Boat" was still there this spring... and again I had to wipe away the drewl all summer... What can I say... I just like the old girl... and its a full indoard (leary of older I/Os). Its now been stiing there (tarped) for 4 years... on a brand new trailer with maybe 800 miles on it. Talked to the marine repair shop again... he was thinking of offering her $2500... to get the engine,tranny, and trailer to separate and resale.

So when I got back from the third fishing trip out on Tom's boat this year (last week) I asked my wife if we could come up with 3k... surprisingly my wife said yes. So I made an offer for 3k. I was going to offer 2800 until during the discussion I learned she'd paid 3k alone for the new trailer. She was also already aware of the repair outfit's plan (which bothered her as her late husband loved the boat and had spent alot of time taking care of it, to which I promptly stated that my intent was to retore it and use it)... she came back saying she'd hate to take that kind of loss on it and wondered if I'd up it any... I said maybe a little, expecting her to come back with say 4500 or so... which I simply don't have... but she came back with 3500 and we met in the middle at 3250.

So basically I bought an almost new $3000 trailer with a $250 repowered 27ft 9.5ft beamed sportcraft on it. Now its not perfect... mostly cosmetic, its not a 30k boat, but she's straight and true, new bottom paint and comes with a recent fitted canvas. I do suspect it will need new stringers. Yea I'll need a permit to tow it... but I pulled 48 and 53 x102s all around the country ... could care less how wide or long it is. My heavy 3/4 ton will handle it.

Going up to get it this weekend. It'll be a while to be able to get the money to restore it... but I'll put it in the shed under cover... she won't eat anything in there. Besides there are several other projects around here that need finsihing first. But I finally got a real boat. Been wanting to get into this size class for a long time, and my wife even congratulated me.

Now to pay my wifes loan back... Anyone need a 1958 Ford 961 tractor?... its now for sale... about a 40 hp 4 cyl diesel, selecto-matic, wide front. Runs decent, and everthing works... although its certainly not new (5000 hours) could stand some paint although its always been sheded. I'll even throw in paint. Believe she's worth about 3500 to 4000. I'll take 3200. Located in SW Ohio.

Dave
Hillsboro, OH

 

You go guy! I like to see a fellow dreamer. Or should I really say misery likes company. I bought my first project 5 years ago - thought it was the dream come true. A 27 ft sail boat for $800. I did a "frame-off" rebuild that took 3 years. I sold it and now I'm doing the same with a 38 foot "keeper". I have been offered $30,000 for it and I'm not done, so I figure I have at least a $30,000 boat that I paid $800. (and I'm still married!). Enjoy your new boat. We all deserve one.

 

Way to go, Dave!!

Sounds like a great buy. Sure, there'll be a ton of work, but all worth it.

I have no idea what the tractor is, but there must be many forums dedicated to tractors, farming, small estates/ranches, etc., so try listing it there. Ebay and Craig's List also come to mind. Watch out for Ebay, though, everyone is looking for a bargain, so they'll try hard to buy low.

Don't forget progress photos.

 

Update

Well, "Dave's Boat" didn't become Daves after all. Went up last weekend to pay for and do a final inspection (for which my offer was contingent). Boy, tough decision...

When I did a final inspection... in good light and able to see well, I found many more issues... it wasn't just a minor transom and a single striger repair situation as I first thought.... although she looked pretty good from the outside. When it had its tarp scaffolding on it it was impossible to get really under the floor and inside things... thus the contigent status of my offer.

Upon a detailed inspection, it didn't really have a new floor like she said.... someone just layed a bunch of 3/4 plywood on top of the old floor and threw some indoor/outdoor carpet on it... likely adding a thousand pounds... and a real chicken <blank> job of it to boot. OK I could redo that... but the real clincher was the main structural hull supports... including the bulkhead. ALL the structural support for the hull was totally rotten with the glass attachments even being pulled from the outer hull in places, some previous other chicken <blank> improper repairs that didn't take... etc. Bulkhead ripped from the side attachments... lower portion of it and the berth supports all beat up from the hull smashing into it... Its a wonder the old boy that last owned it didn't split it open and sink it... not a real good idea 14 miles out on Lake Erie... and he only had one leg to boot. Lucky he didn't kill himself and anyone with him.

Engine oil was clean and no evidence of moisture inside... good...

Himmed and hulled over it for several hours... check in my pocket... but there simply was no way to do anything to this boat short of a TOTAL gutting of EVERYTHING down to the bare hull sheet itself... and a TOTAL rebuild from there.... would not be less than a two year project... likely three... especially since I'm a perfectionist to boot. Just more than I wanted to get into right now.

Rather disapointedly, I decided to walk away from it. Met with the widow of the former owner and informed her... and explianed what I'd found. Not sure she really believed me, but I tried to convince her. Went back to Tom's camper and opened a beer.

Guess it'll just have be a different boat for "Dave's Boat"... ah heck with fuel like it is... might start looking into sail again. Sail is nice and relaxing... but sure doesn't have the sound of that big block at 4200 rpm does it? Nor does it launch of the waves the same either...

Dave Mikkelson
Hillsboro, OH

 

Tell her what you think its worth and leave your phone number. She will have difficulty finding some one else that has money to burn.

The best way to buy something cheap is when you don't want it. You bid them in the balls and you look frightened that they might accept. Some how they can see it in your eyes and dammit they always say "ok".

Or send your mate round the week later and tell him to offer half of what you did. This is very cruel but we used it in the Motor trade many years ago . It was very succesfull.

I suppose it would be difficult to not feel sorry for a widower selling a boat. There you go you see Im too soft.

 

See wouldn't have gone lower... new trailer under it was worth what I was paying... not the mention the 2400 engine rebuild.

but its a done deal... I walk away as I didn't want that big a project... besides really could afford to run it more than a few times a year at its fuel cost. Looking now into something call powersailers... maybe I can find something along that line.

 

Cheap boat anyone? Daves done all the hard work. going for a song,--well the price of the trailer anyway.

Is there any water in Ohio?

 

If anyone is interested in it.... I"ll call her and ask permission to give out her phone number. Boat lis located near Port Clinton Ohio.

Frosty... Lake Erie doesn't count as water? Think there is a bunch of fisherman up there that have fought the 8-10 ft seas it produces on occasion that would likely argue the point.

 

Anyone know anything about the smaller Powersailors... ie. 27-30 ft class?. Current entertaining a 27 ft Lancer (yea is a project boat too)... so far only "entertaining" the idea.

 

If your interested in sportcrafts

If your still interested in a 27' sportcraft fishing boat, my brother actually is selling his, i think its an 87 with twin v6's IO's. Great fishing boat used on lake michigan. pretty sure he is asking 8,000. send me an email if your interested mikebitter12@hotmail.com and i will forward it to him so he can send you the details and photo's