I have noticed 57 keeps mentioning cost on doing something like this and I have no problem saying that I am going to have nearly twenty grand in mine when its done, why on earth spend that kind of money on an old boat??
Number one, there is no way in hello that I can buy a new one that is built as heavy as this one is now for that price, at twenty grand, I am less than half the price of a new one and its rigged the way I want it with a new motor and its more HP, the old price point motor was faithful to a fault but just didnt have the oomph it needed.
You must forget the initial investment cost, I paid 6500.00 for it seven years ago, I dont think thats too bad for what I have put it thru and I love the way it handles and fishes.
I have seen a couple of rigs Scenic has done, the owners have said, it was grandpas boat and I want it the way it was when it was new and take grandpa fishing with me again whether they are still alive or have passed on to better waters.
Even though my dad passed back in 92, I take him fishing with me every time I take my boat out, I use what he taught me about fishing, and how to enjoy everything nature has to offer, thanks dad!
Some folks cannot afford new, so they buy a boat and rebuild it in stages, and they get exactly what they want and rig it to their desires and budgets.
Like someone told me years ago, there is an ass for every seat and most people dont NEED a 50K plus rig.
Value, you get more bang for your buck when you rebuild an old boat and most likely you are not going to pay interest on a 75 month loan, and again, the money you save will buy some dang nice electronics and fishing gear, and there are folks who dont give a hoot to go fishing, they just want to ride around enjoying life on the water and have a few drinks.
I have over five hundred customers who live on a private lake do just that.
Now, lets consider that a lot of boats are insurance jobs where repairs are much more affordable than replacement as value exceeds cost of repairs, I work on many of these as well, makes total sense
Does it makes sense to spend money on an "old" boat?? you bet it does in so many ways!!
And, while you are at it, you can repower with a new motor with warranty if your old motor is getting tuckered out, and finally upgrade to a bigger motor that you have always wanted, I have never heard anyone say, gee, I wish I bought a smaller motor.
I also am seeing where todays rigs after the giant social experiment are not built as well as those just five years ago, and that goes for almost anything.
I am writing this as I dont want it to come across that spending hard earned money on older rigs is a waste when it in fact it makes perfect sense, and, you are keeping more stuff out of the landfill.
Boat lives matter!!!