Here we go again… This project is to benefit a 12 year old young man that I met throught the e3 Mentoring Program at Seacoast Church’s Dream Center. He and I will be working on the boat restoration together and selling when completed to begin raising funds for his college education a few years from now. We are planning on doing one or two of these little Whalers per year toward that end.
A previous owner built a Stainless Steel jackplate of sorts to raise the transom height and put this long shaft outboard on the boat (motor now for sale for parts?)
The boat seemed a bit heavy when pulling up the hills with my little 4 cyl. Toyota so I checked the foam in the bottom of the hull with a moisture meter and this is what it read.
There are various websites including Boston Whaler which state that the foam is a closed cell foam which does not absorb the water and they recommend drilling holes both in the bottom of the boat beneath the saturated area and in the deck to provide for draining and evaporation.
The metal transom extension was removed to reveal a dry rotted spacer
It’s only been a few days since drilling the holes in the deck and raising the bow up, and the water is definitely draining from the 1/8"
I commend you for helping this young person out and teaching him skills that will be highly useful in the future. But I have a question out of curiosity. I always looked at restoring an old boat or an old Jeep/Land Cruiser as something to do to get a product that you desire but can’t afford to pay someone to do the labor. However it never seems to be to sell and make money. Is their really enough of a market for these little Whalers to actually turn a profit not counting the labor hours put in? I mean you can buy a new one for $13k, what’s the expected ROI on something like this?
“Wailord”
1979 17’ Montauk
90 Johnson
Wilderness Ride 115
I did one of these for myself last year and paid $600.00 for the boat and trailer, $1,000.00 for the motor, $260.00 for wood for seats plus epoxy, primer, paint, rub rail, hardware, nav lights etc. in addition to tons of sand paper and particle masks as well as time. I believe I have somewhere North of $3,000.00 into mine. I see them for sale on various sites for $3,500.00 and up so you’re right, the financial ROI is potentially quite thin. The real ROI is in what you already identified Geronimo, the human value part of it. Skills learned, finishing something started even though it isn’t always fun and is often tedious, seeing something ugly and used up become beautiful and useful again not to mention time just spent hanging out. If more is truly caught than taught, there should be plenty of learning going on for both of us.
Hobie Outback
WS Ride 135
‘66 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25
Nice, well done.
“Wailord”
1979 17’ Montauk
90 Johnson
Wilderness Ride 115
Based on what I have seen a refurbished classic 13 whaler with motor should yield in the range of $4k to $5k. It wont pay for college but its a decent return, assuming labor is free. I’m definitely following this thread! Please keep us updated, and make sure it’s covered for the next rainstorm 
Hate to see it fill right back up.
2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
www.ralphphillipsinshore.com
Having done a lot of restorations (not to Whalers), they are hugely labor intensive and a lot of the work is nasty, grinding, sanding… As to ROI, that really depends on your craftsmanship, your efficiency in working, your reputation for doing good work, and finding the right client who is willing to pay for that. You can make some money, but you sure won’t get rich. Got to love it 
quote:
The real ROI is in what you already identified Geronimo, the human value part of it. Skills learned, finishing something started even though it isn't always fun and is often tedious, seeing something ugly and used up become beautiful and useful again not to mention time just spent hanging out. If more is truly caught than taught, there should be plenty of learning going on for both of us.
That is richer than making money. Well said 
Capt. Larry Teuton
Swamp Worshiper
This is a cool little project. If the kid sticks with it, he will learn skills that he can use for the rest of his life.
I’ve got an old boat I was going to fix for my nephews, but they’re too concerned with video games.
Bless you for taking the time to spend with that young man and teaching him some life skills and serving as a positive influence in his life. Never know might start something.I also applaud the young man for wanting to learn some skills.This made me smile.