Conference vicki::boats

re                      <<< Note 591.0 by DEC103::WARDWELL >>>
>                               -< NEED ADVICE! >-
    
>    I am new to this sport (or about to be). I need to ask a few questions.

	But are you new to  "mechanical things"  ?   Are you  "handy" ?
	Do you have time and effort to invest ?

>    I have just been offered (free) a 1979 17' silverliner...fiberglass,
>    deep V with I/O. It has been out of the water a year and is sitting
>    on blocks in my in-laws yard. I am told it runs fine, needs some
>    cosmetic work and there is a problem with the out drive.......

	You need to be more specific here before we can help you, i.e. 
what KIND of cosmetic work ?  Fibre-glass ?, upholstory ?, carpeting ?,
paint ?, etc.  The answers are going to then depend a lot on how handy 
you are or can become - I'm assuming that it isn't economical to just 
have a yard do all the work for you, this assumption may be ill 
founded.  What kind of a problem with the out-drive ?  Doesn't shift ?, 
doesn't transmit power ?, is noisy ?, has side to side play, end float ?
etc.  Again, it will depend largely on how bad things are, how handy 
you are and how much time and effort you're willing to invest.

>    The in-laws have upgraded to a larger Grady-white and said I could
>    have the boat if I wanted it...just get it out of the yard.

	So, at least you know (and presumably trust) the motivation of 
the  "disposers"  ?
                           
>    Is this worth undertaking?  Worst-case..how much would a new out
>    drive cost? I also have to buy a trailer. Is this boat worth sinking
>    money into?

	I wouldn't assume that it needs a new outdrive (yet).  It may 
only need a few parts replaced, if you could do the work yourself that 
would save probably 2/3 (my rule of thumb for boats, on cars its 1/2)
of the cost.  Who knows ?, it might just be a cable adjustment.  
Anyway, from a recent  Doug Russel's  ad., heres a reference price:  
New OMC and Mercruiser outdrives from $2350, used drives from $995.  
Notice it says,  "from"  so thats the starting price, a 17ft boat 
isn't likely to need anything much bigger, beefier or expensive than 
the least expensive ones they're offering (all due respect, etc.).
	
	I'd guess a new trailer for this size of boat to be around 
$1200 list, but you could shop around for a used one.  People seem to 
keep their boats on/in their lakes and never wear out the trailer, so 
they're often available after the boat has been given up on.  Errr,
handy with oxy-acetylene torch ?   Yes ?,   GOOD !   Have at it !
Seriously, I  HAVE  built a trailer with an oxy-acetylene torch, but 
it was SLOWWWWwwww  work, unless you can get the use of a decent wire 
feed MIG outfit you'd be better to buy a used trailer, try off-shore 
and the local want ad.

	Good Luck, and welcome to fun_afloat

		Reg

PS	Where are you located ?

    
     REG,
    
    Thanks for the reply. I guess I should have waited till I had all
    the specifics down and then asked, but I was a bit excited at the
    prospect of this offer. From what he told me, the boat needs nothing
    more than a good cleaning as far as cosmetics go (no upholstory,
    carpeting or paint needed). I am not mechanically inclined, so all
    repairs would have to paid for unless I find someone to give me
    a hand doing it. I have all the time in the world to invest and
    not alot of money. He told me that "there is something wrong with
    the out drive" So I will obviously have it checked and get a price
    on fixing it. The cost of a used trailer is not that bad, so I'm
    not worried about that. 
    
    I guess I just wanted an overall feel about this, because I couldn't
    have put a monetary value on it if you asked...I know very little
    about the cost of these things. But from what you say, if it was
    worst case and I needed an out drive, that would be a little more
    expensive than I thought, but not out of my reach.
    
    Basically, I wanted to see if it was worth giving a shot, barring
    anything more than what we mentioned was needed.
    
    Thanks again,
    
    -AL-
    
    P.S.
    
    I am located in Medway Ma. But own a place in northern N.H. near
    many lakes.

	Bahh !   I dunno where Medway is.  It matters for two reasons, 
a)  I don't know if its close enough to the ocean that this is 
likely to have been a salt water boat.   b)  I don't know if its too
far for me to come take a looksee with you - ah, can't be real far if
its in Mass, right ? 

	The outdrive might be rebuildable, lets take a look at it ?
Even if it isn't, you might be able to get away with just a new  
"lower"  -  lets take a peek anyway.

	Reg

    I scanned all the replies looking for what I consider the most
    important question, but no one has asked it, yet.....What in h*ll
    do you want a boat for?  Discussions about its condition, type,
    transporting, etc., are good, but!  If you don't know whether you want
    to be in boating, the work "a labor of love", the cost (unmentionable),
    then you probably don't want this boat.  Really step back and ask
    yourself whether you have the time and the interest for boating at
    this time.  If not sure, at least try it by renting or borrowing
    somebody else's boat. (Meanwhile, tell them you will get it out of
    there "first thing in the Spring" (whenever that is!!!)                        
    
    is!!)