Thread 2941416

Not sure which board to really ask this in, but I've been recently looking for a boat to restore. I have a short list of boats, but a HydroStream Vector 17' outboard is pretty much the top of the list with various other period (70s-80s) hot boats with outboards, v-drive v8 ski boats, and one instance of a jet drive variant of one of the outboards. Loved growing up around this era of boats even in their twilight years and don't mind getting my hands dirty or maintenance woes as a mechanic by trade since they can be bought for pennies.

Was hoping some anons might have some insight into what it takes to actually do this past the mechanical bits. I also have a few outboards picked out if I end up with an outboard versus a marine V8 model, mainly being the Mercury 115 Tower of Power, Mercury Black Max 150, Mercury Black Max 175, and Mercury Racing 2.5 EFI 200.

I really don't know anyone who owns any of these so I feel completely out of my depth.

>>2941416 (OP)
B.O.A.T=
Bust
Out
Another
Thousand

>>2941418
"Constant Sorrow" is up there on my list of names for the boat when I get it. I don't mind, most of those costs come from people who can't wrench.

>>2941416 (OP)
Any IO V8's are the cheaper and easier option overall to wrench on since they're pretty much all just Chev small blocks or 302s and you can buy engine related stuff off rockauto without the boat tax. If you go with an inboard, Mercruiser and OMC drives are pretty bulletproof. Generally avoid Volvo drives, parts are mostly expensive and hard to get.
Older outboard parts (generally) will cost more and be harder to find. There's a little bit of a learning curve to wrenching on them if you only wrench on cars, but they're usually pretty simple and easy.

>>2941418
Boats are only big bucks if you're a filthy wrenchlet

>>2941423
Yeah, that's what I figured but it really just cuts down my options to vintage or retro ski boats with 351s or 302s, Jet drag boats, and some various IO V8s or jet boats like a Cobra Jet. I have plenty of experience working on various small blocks so that seems like a no brainer, but I grew up around a lot of vintage outboard race boats so I've been kind of torn on what to buy even if they're all within ~2,500-5,000 of each other. IIRC you could get Cobra Jets in IO or Jet drive.

>>2941416 (OP)
Just go to scream and fly forums..I build much larger offshore race boats but more on the lamination/moldmaking side than rigging or mechanical but have cursory knowledge of it. I was just daydreaming about a hydrostream v-king for sale locally but I have no time for a project.

Bix
Ot
Again
Tony

Also check out craigslist/FB marketplace free section to at least save the initial investment

>>2941734
Not sure where you're at OP but this looks like it could be speedy, it's in Georgia

https://macon.craigslist.org/boa/d/forsyth-free-boat/7875129353.html

>>2941737
>free boat
>bring your own trailer tho!!
What he going to do with a boat trailer but no boat?

If it rolls, floats or shits it’ll be a pain in the ass
.
Boats, horses, motorcycles, women
Why make the payment on one, when you can ride the neighbors

having lived with various boats for some time these retarded
>lol its a hole in the water you throw money into
boomer sayings really highlight how completely braindead some people are

yes, large yachts built in the 70's-90's are generally shitboxes that have zero redeeming factors due to owners letting them rot, very similar to old shitbox RV's
but anything smaller? if you can do basic engine work and learn to do very simple fiberglass work it really covers 90% of what people complain about
if you can put it under a roof during the offseason and are capable of not ignoring basic maintenence a small boat will cost less to own than any car

>>2941941
Not that nigger but I have several utility trailers made from old boat trailers

>>2941416 (OP)
You're in the united states aren't you?

>>2942149
Yes, why?

>>2942157
Okay I'd have a boat for you but I'm in Australia