Fix the old or buy new?????

Its coming to the point where I need to make a decision on my boat.

I have a 1986 2001. The hull is probably a 8.5/10. It has around 1700 hours on it, with excellent maintenance its whole life. The steering cable was replaced in 2007. This spring (spring 2008) I had the tranny rebuilt, put a new shaft, coupler, and strut bearings. The engine runs excellent and all of the gauges work. The original interior needs some work but is functional.

The stringers are going to need some work. I have no doubt they can make it another summer but it seems like this fall/early winter would be the ideal time to do them along with the floor.

My wife and I use the boat for mainly skiing, for entertaining we have the pontoon. Typically we ski about 4-5 days a week splitting the time with our friends boats. No kids (yet)...so plenty of time to ski.

Here is the question....

1. Put new floor/stringers in. I'm figuring $2500 and two-three months of spare time to do it. I have the tools and I'm not mechanically challenged so the work is not a big deal....its the time issue.

2. Sell the boat as is. I figure I can easily get $7500 out of it. Find a 196 or something with a TSC hull for around $15-$18K.

So thats the decision for this fall.

Tim

Hollywood wrote: Didn't you just rebuild the engine?

No it turned out to be the distributor cap arcing between cylinders causing the knock. New cap and wires and it runs like new again.

you gonna finance or pay cash?

Don't dump any more money into the old one, trade up to a TSC1. They can be had for less than $15K right now. There was a 99 in Denver for $14500 a little while ago, the guy couldn't give it away and it was a very decent boat. Biggest issue I see for you is getting $7500 out of a 86 with 1700 hours that needs stringers, I think thats a stretch in this buyers market.

I figure I can easily get $7500 out of it.
I wonder how easy that's gonna be. A year ago: yes. Right now: I doubt it.

slalomjunky wrote: If you go 94 and newer you will not have the stringer problems(all composite).

Wasn't 93' was the first year of all composite construction?

behindpropeller wrote: Cash.

81nautique wrote:    Biggest issue I see for you is getting $7500 out of a 86 with 1700 hours that needs stringers, I think thats a stretch in this buyers market.

1700 hours is not as much of a deal as the stringers that need replacement.

A prospective buyer would get quotes that may be 4-5k to do the stringers. That would prompt them to talk you down a lot or walk away.

When I bought my '78 in like 01 or 02 from a CC dealer(I cannot remember without pulling my file)I paid 4500 for it knowing it needed an interior redo, and the floor was soft in a few spots. It only had a little over 200 hours on it at the time. I did not even expect to have to pull the floor to get the wet foam out. So someone that would know that the floor, stringers, and at least the carpeting redone would really want to talk you down.
JM2pennies.

I've had a few of these boats. 1998=best model built/best I've ever owned. 2001 is great for boarding but if you are gonna ski you will not be sorry with the post '97 hull.
plus no wood=no rot ever.

john

Probably a real good plan.

Have fun and a safe trip...wish I was gonna be there to see you guys and that new boat.

But I'll still like yours, Gary's Orange one, mine...well all the old ones better!

john

Alan, im a little slow, i just caught that you are picking up those heads, when are you coming?

Man, I should buy that boat! Looks sweet.

I think 93 is the first year for fiberglass encapsulated stringers. Am I right?

I am in the same situation of whether to upgrade or spend some money on my old one. We have trailer issues and are looking to have a custom trailer made. If I can get a good deal on a newer boat with a good trailer, I'd have to strongly consider. I looked real hard at that Colorado boat and should have bought it. My problem was trying to sell our boat during this soft market. That is the issue. You can buy them cheap, but you will probably sit on yours for a little while.

Todd

My vote is for the upgrade. Buy the newest, best boat you can afford. Sell the old one and dont look back. If kids are in the future, then consider a SNOB. My 95 is 13 years old, and most people think it is a new boat. I see it it lasting a long, long time. It has plenty of modern features, to make for comfortable boating. IMO, CC built a lot better boat in the 90's than the 80's. Not knocking the 2001 hull, as I still have one, and love it for what it was.

I'm in the same situation as you with my 79 SN I bought last year. Every time I go out I end up with little pieces of foam in my bilge. My boat has about 1300 hrs. on it now. It runs great and has been pretty reliable. I really hate to get rid of it because of that, but by the time I get done restoring the boat and trailer, I may as well buy newer. I only use my boat about once a week from late May through the end of September. If you ski that much I'd say definately buy newer. I know that I have decided to go that route. I really hate to see mine go, but I can't justify the cost to restore. If anyone's interested mine will be for sale in the spring cheap. I'll probably want around $2800 for it just to see it go quick. It's a great starting point for someone to restore as it's all original even the interior with no rips or dry rot. Brian