Seen a project boat

[kashurst]

I have been rummaging about boat sales websites, looking for a river/lake boat. I don't want to spend a huge amount of money as it won't get a lot of use. Lots of older Princesses and Birchwoods around. But spotted a few US made boats with big knackered petrol engines, which on a river are expensive and no-body wants - hence the prices. It doesn't look too difficult to pull them out, bung up the relevant holes and bolt an outboard onto what would be a suitably reinforced transom for say max 8 - 9 knots speed.

I have never done this, has anyone on here done it and what do the inurance companies think????

 

[Alicatt]

Seen a few that use a small "kicker" engine on the bathing platform for slow speed. Was looking at a Sundancer 220DA last weekend, the original Mercruiser 5.7 V8 had been replaced with a Yamaha ME422 245hp which is basically the same engine as was fitted to the Landcruiser.
This is another one but in better condition than the one I looked at
Sea Ray 220 DA

Edit: this is the one I looked at, it says built in 2006 and the owner confirmed that, on checking the HIN it was built in Jan 1990, there are no papers for it and there is quite bad leaks from the hatches on the foredeck inside is soaking wet and the bilge is half full of water, along with the point that the engine is mated to the original Alpha one Gen1 drive leg so is a bit under geared. the trailer is not a road trailer and I think it weighs more than the boat!

Sea Ray SUNDANCER 220 DA for sale

 

[Stingo]

Don't project boats end up costing more that a brand new one?

 

[kashurst]

The one I am looking at is a VERY low price and I havent haggled yet.

 

[dunedin]

The one I am looking at is a VERY low price and I havent haggled yet.

An otherwise great boat with a knackered engine for inland waterways use does sound like might be one category of project boat that could work (provided the rest of the boat is not a project).
Slightly more ambitious if a really worthwhile boat, could even be replace the motor with a cheap electric motor - plus a big chunk of cheap second hand lead acid batteries to balance the weight removed.

 

[Wansworth]

Wayne’s world is the man ……

 

[Mr Googler]

Ignore the nay sayers! Project boats can be very profitable!

I don’t think glassing up an outdrive hole is hard at all. Not sure on the outboard option. That will proper devalue the boat. Perhaps….a smaller diesel inboard with existing drive could be a nicer option. OE looks……putt putt engine. Will need a bit of thinking about but not that difficult. Alternatively……..hybrid it!

 

[kashurst]

I want an outboard driven boat for use on rivers as experience has shown me the props get bent sooner or later. Shaft drives are usually too exposed, and if you bend something it's a lift out and wait weeks for repaired or new props/shafts etc.

Outdrives are better as you can lift them up into beach mode in shallow/unknown water, and the skeg provides some protection. But old outdrives are not the most reliable things. I had a quick look on eBay etc for second hand and rebuilt legs and you can buy good complete outboards for similar money.

So project aside what 30 ish foot boots are there with outboards as original design?

 

[Alicatt]

Ignore the nay sayers! Project boats can be very profitable!

I don’t think glassing up an outdrive hole is hard at all. Not sure on the outboard option. That will proper devalue the boat. Perhaps….a smaller diesel inboard with existing drive could be a nicer option. OE looks……putt putt engine. Will need a bit of thinking about but not that difficult. Alternatively……..hybrid it!

The one problem with using the original outdrive is the gearing, there is usually a good bit of reduction on the drive 1.47:1, 1.50:1, right up to 2.0:1 for petrol engines, diesel engines usually use a lower reduction.

That boat I linked above they quoted a top speed of 30km/h, with that turbo diesel it should be around 37 knots

 

[PowerYachtBlog]

Don't project boats end up costing more that a brand new one?

Considering the price of new boats, that is near to impossible. I think it all depends on the important three Hs.

1. How much you buy it
2. How hands on you are
3. How broken she is

Last but not least never to over do it, and learn about the original design and dos or don'ts of the model.

 

[Time Out]

If you are taking about the Thames there are more and more ‘interesting’ conversations of older craft.

I say conversions, some have not even removed the shaft or outdrive and simply bolted a bracket to the stern.

Good luck …..

 

[Alicatt]

This is what I see on a lot of boats used in the canals around here, a small outboard with the course keeper type of rudder attachment or the same fitted to the outdrive leg as was on the boat I was looking at, it's a very common fitment in The Netherlands.

 

[Time Out]

Ahh yes. That’s a very neat solution! Nothing like that on the Thames

 

[PalmaTarga]

As is always the way. You start off with a 'small' project, and then....

 

[Seastoke]

You need a T50

 

[stelican]

I want an outboard driven boat for use on rivers as experience has shown me the props get bent sooner or later. Shaft drives are usually too exposed, and if you bend something it's a lift out and wait weeks for repaired or new props/shafts etc.

Outdrives are better as you can lift them up into beach mode in shallow/unknown water, and the skeg provides some protection. But old outdrives are not the most reliable things. I had a quick look on eBay etc for second hand and rebuilt legs and you can buy good complete outboards for similar money.

So project aside what 30 ish foot boots are there with outboards as original design?

Viking 27 or 30 outboard propelled British built will go into the narrowest of canals
But do remember that canal narrow boats are shaft drive.

 

[Time Out]

Really depends on your cruising ground. Canal or river ? If so which one and where !

There are many large twin screw ( shaft) on the Thames as well as outdrive and of course outboard.

I run a 22ft shaft drive open day boat with zero issues on the Thames.

Perhaps start looking for one made for the job ? Will likely end up cheaper in the end.

 

[Mr Googler]

20ft Electric Slipper Launch

Ive never meet Mr Kashurst but he has always struck me as a gentleman so he needs one of these for wafting in

 

[Seastoke]

He must be a gentleman, he once owned a Sealine.

 

[kashurst]

You need a T50

I still have nightmares about that boat - never again!

He must be a gentleman, he once owned a Sealine.

I have owned two. One was brilliant,- 410/F43. The other one a T50 was, let's just say my language about it would not be very gentlemanly!!!!!