Sorry to bother, but I need help with IDing this boat - Page 2

SomeSailor · 05-13-2012, 11:59 AM

I sale go for it. It's free, it's not truly a trawler, etc... but at worst you are looking parting it out and junking it. They actually look like they hold their value well in any event. Maybe you could get her running, cleaned up and on a nice lake somewhere. It looks like it'd make someone a great party barge, and if you kept your equity low, you might be able to trade up.

I wouldn't recommend it as a true open water trawler though. I was sitting at anchor yesterday taking wake rollers on the bow that would have swamped ya. (and yesterday was a beautiful sunny calm day in the Puget Sound)

Put a slide or two on that and you might have yourself a money-maker.

Papa Charlie · 05-13-2012, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SomeSailor

I sale go for it. It's free, it's not truly a trawler, etc... but at worst you are looking parting it out and junking it. They actually look like they hold their value well in any event. Maybe you could get her running, cleaned up and on a nice lake somewhere. It looks like it'd make someone a great party barge, and if you kept your equity low, you might be able to trade up.

I wouldn't recommend it as a true open water trawler though. I was sitting at anchor yesterday taking wake rollers on the bow that would have swamped ya. (and yesterday was a beautiful sunny calm day in the Puget Sound)

Put a slide or two on that and you might have yourself a money-maker.

Now that has possibilities as long as you don't have to do any major work and can turn it around. It would depend on the actual condition of the boat.

As far as parting the boat out, most times the cost of disposing of the hull will far exceed the value of the items you sell. He also need to have the boat hauled away from its present location.

A survey would be the best option and cheapest too. That way he would know if there is anything to consider and what it may take. The survey will also tell him what it would be worth after he spent all his time and money.

rjwilliams11741 · 05-13-2012, 03:40 PM

Definitely not a substitute for a Trawler. I currently own a Hatteras 48 LRC and a 1975 Cruise-a-Home houseboat. I would not even consider taking the Cruise-a Home off shore. We live on the LRC in the winter crusing the central and southern Mexican coast and the Sea of Cortes. The Cruise-a-Home is used in the summer on the California Delta. The Cruise-a-Home was somewhat of a project boat and although it looked like @#$%^# it had old but strong Mercruiser 160's that ran well. A survey identified some problems that were easily manageable to my wife and I - dry rot in the swim platform core, some dry rot around the doors and windows, one of the two 50 gallon fuel tanks had a leak, and one of the carbs needed rebuilding. All were relatively easy fixes that I could do myself. No other immediate problems we found.

First and formost get a qualified surveyor to look at the boat. A boat that old expecially one sitting on the hard for a period of time will have problems. If the problems identified by the surveyor are within your budget and personal ability range to fix you may have a good deal but don't take it off shore, as it's not made for those kinds of conditions. Gibson is a fairly good quality houseboat that I believe is still made so parts would not be all that outrageous in price (just remember that BOAT stands for "Bring Out Another Thousand").

psneeld · 05-13-2012, 09:58 PM

the hull alone can be worth it (read free)...my last boss took an identical hull...beefed up the decking...got it inspected...reregistered it as a barge and has made tens of thousands of dallars leasing it out over the last 15 years or so...

Art · 05-13-2012, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by psneeld

the hull alone can be worth it (read free)...my last boss took an identical hull...beefed up the decking...got it inspected...reregistered it as a barge and has made tens of thousands of dallars leasing it out over the last 15 years or so...

PSN - - > Now... that sounds to be a cool and smartly profitable use for a "free" junker houseboat that this fellow is asking if it will perform like a Trawler on coastal water cruises. If he can turn it into a rentable unit, as you did, then great for him!

But... in answer to his original question - IMHO and as My Recommendation - - NO, Do Not Use That Boat for Coastal Cruises! I've experienced huge waves in sudden coastal storms. Waves that I guarantee would quickly swamp that or any other houseboat. Chances are all aboard would drown!

psneeld · 05-14-2012, 05:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Art

PSN - - > Now... that sounds to be a cool and smartly profitable use for a "free" junker houseboat that this fellow is asking if it will perform like a Trawler on coastal water cruises. If he can turn it into a rentable unit, as you did, then great for him!

But... in answer to his original question - IMHO and as My Recommendation - - NO, Do Not Use That Boat for Coastal Cruises! I've experienced huge waves in sudden coastal storms. Waves that I guarantee would quickly swamp that or any other houseboat. Chances are all aboard would drown!

Are you talking West coast coastal cruising or East coast?

There are thousands and thousands of houseboats cruising the Atlantic Intracoastal waterway every day...

Art · 05-14-2012, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by psneeld

Are you talking West coast coastal cruising or East coast?

There are thousands and thousands of houseboats cruising the Atlantic Intracoastal waterway every day...

Yo, PSN!

Snaresamn - - > A quote from his/her post # 1 on this thread (UL – mine!):

“I was wondering if anyone on this forum could tell from a few photos whether or not it would be capable of performing as a trawler does. In short, do you think the boat in these pictures is comparable to a trawler? I always vaguely wanted something like a trawler but this restoration would take quite a lot of time and effort (which I'm willing to put in if I could use this boat in coastal areas as well as large rivers).”

To the following excerpts (questions), from a person with no marine experience other than paddling or rowing - - > my answer is conclusively 1) NO! 2) NO! and 3) NOOOO!

Excerpts: 1) “... would be capable of performing as a trawler does.” / 2) “...do you think the boat in these pictures is comparable to a trawler?” / 3) “... if I could use this boat in coastal areas as well as large rivers ...”

“Coastal”... to me connotes off shore of a coast, i.e. in an ocean. “Intracoastal” connotes in shore water ways.

Maybe Snaresamn, this thread’s originator, should clarify! Haven heard from him/her since 5/11, Post # 10.What up Snaresamn... Got Any Other Thoughts to Share??Plenty of input from us boat nuts so far!

refugio · 05-14-2012, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snaresamn

I know almost nothing about boats...

If you managed to get this into the water and functional, you would end up knowing somewhat more about boats. But the expense of getting it _to_ (either) coast would dwarf the investment, and as others have pointed out it would not be suitable anway.

Quote:

Originally Posted by snaresamn

...capable of performing as a trawler does.

With tongue planted firmly in cheek, I'll say "yes" - since most boats (trawlers included) spend the vast majority of their time tied to the pier, I think this boat would be very capable of being tied up. You cold even remove the engine and put in a wine cellar. (cf. "Boatniks")

Fotoman · 05-14-2012, 08:57 PM

Have someone with experience look at it and try to come up with a ballpark estimate of how much it would cost to get it in the shape that would satisfy you. Then double that estimate. If you are still comfortable with that number, then go for it. If you are motivated enough, you will learn what you need to know to fix it along the way, just like most of us did. This boat has plenty of living space and would make a great floating cottage on a calm river. If that is what you are looking for.

Papa Charlie · 05-14-2012, 11:37 PM

Somehow I think we are talking to ourselves. I haven't seen the OP for some time. Maybe our comments scared him off. I hope not.

markpierce · 05-14-2012, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Papa Charlie

Somehow I think we are talking to ourselves. I haven't seen the OP for some time. Maybe our comments scared him off. I hope not.

I imagine him considering other options. Regardless, it's all a matter of informing/entertainting each other.

refugio · 05-15-2012, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markpierce

Regardless, it's all a matter of informing/entertainting each other.

Plus it adds to the "body of knowledge" hoovered into search engines so that the next potential owner with a similar situation can bask in our wisdom.

Art · 05-15-2012, 12:41 PM

Last eve I sent this thread's OP Snaresamn a friendly PM asking him to post again.

We shall see.

BTW - Nothing wrong with talking to ourselves... jst mite lrn somtin!

snaresamn · 05-16-2012, 10:27 PM

Yeah, for the most part I've been looking into other options, but in my area there just aren't that many. It seems like I'd be better off moving if I want to find a good deal on a decent boat because around here people only seem to own pontoons, fishing boats and ski-doos.

Just as a note by the way, when I asked about whether it would be able to perform in coastal waters I meant very close to shore around the gulf of Mexico or along the Atlantic coast most likely. However, if I ever did restore the boat to working condition, I would most likely sell it a few years later and try to upgrade. I guess I'm just still really undecided. All of your posts have been very helpful and surprisingly non-condescending so thank you very much everyone.

Art · 05-16-2012, 11:50 PM

Thanks for posting again Snaresamn.

Good that we/I didn't make you feel too uncomfortable. Many pro and cons were posted. I believe we try to tell it like we see it... I lean on the side of caution re using any boats and some others don't. I think honest personal experience and input comes from the vast majority on this Forum. There may be one or two screw balls... but in general they only provide thoughtless one liners. Pay them no heed.

If you get that house boat, fix her, use her and then sell her for eventual up grade... all the more power to ya!

In my considered, experienced opinion you should stay well in shore and not on the shore or off shore in an ocean, even with that boat in great condition... you and passengers only die once, and in an ocean storm it does not take too long ot drown if a boat fails and sinks. In any ocean a sudden storm can occur or waves from an off shore storm can suddenly appear... seemingly out of nowhere, I know I've seen that happen in New England's Atlantic waters. IMHO that craft is not in the condition or of the general hull design to handle ANY truly rough waters... sooo it should not be put in areas where that might suddenly happen She simply does not have the seafaring capabilities of a well designed Trawler hull.

Again, I say welcome to this Forum and your future Boating Daze!! Get It On!

- Art