Help - Looking at a 79 18’

[El_Bull]

Hello,
I am new to this forum and this is my first post. I am looking at making an offer on a 18’ built in 79 and I need some guidance.
In my opinion it needs a lot of work to restore, but this is what I am looking to do. It needs to be stripped to the bare hull. Is anyone is familiar with a post that discusses prices / value based on conditions?

This hull has been sitting out for years and uncovered and exposed in Florida, roasting in the sun. There is mold and lichens growing on the topside. There are spider cracks and chipped gel coat. There are no soft spots on the deck. I am looking for advice, especially problems to look out for. Has anyone has already done a restoration budget they would be willing to share. Any and all information and comments are greatly appreciated. Is there an easy way to add photos from my iPhone, I tried but I am not a tech guy?
Thank you!

[wattaway2]

It’s not going to help much — but I picked up my 23’ cc I/O with small trees starting to grow in the deck 15 yrs ago for $600 with a trailer that just got it home,
That said are you going to do all the work yourself ,how is your access to fiberglass materials and supply’s?
I stopped counting after awhile what it cost and how many hrs I had in mine just a labor of love and a sickness to get it done.I found Danias marine flea market a god send for things like hinges,rod holders rope etc. in Fl. I Know there’s several other Flea markets and used marine stores for all sorts of stuff.In the end it will cost less than a new boat will have a GREAT ride and be just the way YOU want it.

[El_Bull]

wattaway, thanks for taking the time to reply. You bring up some good points
Every little tip helps. I fear there may be some sentimental value that may make my sincere offer seem ridiculous to the owner. Hopefully the owner will understand the amount of work and money required and they will appreciate this craft being saved by someone who appreciates the brand being saved from continued decay. It has a Yamaha 115 that hasn’t been used in years, a galvanized trailer with rust and needing tires. I am thinking of offering $1500.00. Any further opinions out there? After I realized this area is probably not the best for posting my topic I tried to move it to a different area on the forum after posting but I wasn’t able. Maybe someone in charge will do this. Thanks in advance for continued advice.

[FLexpat]

El Bull,
You can pretty much bet on the transom being gone or on it's way to mulch. It's a '79 - the vast majority rotted and fresh water is even worse than salt for rot. Every single hole in the transom of my 23 showed how the rot progresses and it didn't matter if epoxy or 5200 was used to seal holes; every hole was 'properly' sealed - but they all were starting points for rot. Ditto on the deck but you can patch it piecemeal until you do it all. The 18' is a great hull though. It is definitely worth bring back. Your offer plan seems ok with all the work to do, issues on the trailer, and an unknown on the motor.

[bmajvi]

Another just barely relevant "for reference" post, I bought my '75 18 footer way back in 2002 for $4k, and it was in very good original shape - solid transom, no motor, and a decent aluminum bunk trailer. I've seen some hulls needing total rehab change hands for a few hundred dollars. By the time you're "done" with a restoration, the difference between paying $1,000 vs $2,000 probably wouldn't be all that significant. Good luck!

[wattaway2]

Originally Posted by bmajvi

Another just barely relevant "for reference" post, I bought my '75 18 footer way back in 2002 for $4k, and it was in very good original shape - solid transom, no motor, and a decent aluminum bunk trailer. I've seen some hulls needing total rehab change hands for a few hundred dollars. By the time you're "done" with a restoration, the difference between paying $1,000 vs $2,000 probably wouldn't be all that significant. Good luck!

Excellent point had quite thought of it in that way! Tho it hard to break oat another thousand ( is there a pun there?) getting the boat you want and is relatively hard to find is worth a lil more $

[El_Bull]

Thanks guys!
This is the kind of help I was after. These post all have helpful information that I didn’t have before. The 1K example is an excellent point that makes me realize that I shouldn’t stand firm on my offer if it takes a little extra for me to get what I want. The seller is not providing a price and has asked me to make an offer. Flexpat mentioned a rotten transom, is there any other wood used in the 1979 construction? I have seen some post on replacing stringers, I thought because they were water logged foam. Is this correct? How do you know if they need replacing? Thanks!

[FLexpat]

The decks are cored with end grain balsa and 6" plywood squares are in areas that have attachments/penetrations. The balsa on mine was mostly ok but the plywood was toast. There is also some wood under the gunnels - glassed in plywood backing and possibly some balsa in the bow. Hatches have plywood cores.

[gofastsandman]

The 18 has the exact running surface as the 20. Potter "made" a new model
by shaving her beak 6 inches. When you really get the sickness, look at them
side by side.
Smart.

Pay for the memories.

If she checks out in this market, you will be way ahead.

You will spend more than that in sandpaper and gloves.

Cheers,
gfs

[steel686]

Originally Posted by gofastsandman

The 18 has the exact running surface as the 20. Potter "made" a new model
by shaving her beak 6 inches. When you really get the sickness, look at them
side by side.
Smart.

Pay for the memories.

If she checks out in this market, you will be way ahead.

You will spend more than that in sandpaper and gloves.

Cheers,
gfs

This is what makes this site and this community great. You get the technical archives and the practical analysis. I bought my 18 from the original owner back in 1992 for $3600. I think I just spent twice that on epoxy, cloth, and core materials. PM me, I would be happy to give you info, pictures, and tally up receipts from the rebuild. Don’t ask how many hours I put into it. Tyvek, shopvac, and sanding discs. It’s a long process. GFS hits on why we do it. I turn around and stare almost every time I walk by mine. Good luck.

And turn your iPhone 90 degrees when you take a picture.