Gee Ferret ...........I think there's too many variables to consider for an outsider to offer advise !

BUT

If you spend 12k on the boat you have now .......will you be happy with it ?

yeh i guess its abit hard to explain i guess it just shows how confused i am on wht to do...i hear stories of people project boats taking 3-4yrs and trebling the budget.im just looking to hear from people that have been through project boats i guess and whether they think its worth it

On whether you want to get out there and fish or stay home and work on it.

Just spent 2 years on a project boat (Swiftcraft) and spent more time working on it than using it. Didn't really bother me as I enjoy standing back and looking at the end result when finished.

Decided that now was the time to start getting out there and relaxing so ended up buying a "newish" boat and just sold the swifty a couple of weeks ago. If the $'s allowed I would have liked to keep it and finish it off completely..... Cosmetic work only left to do on it.

Just be a Deckie and forget about doing up a boat for a while. Let someone else spend the money on the initial cost, storage fees, servicing and general expences. If the Greens hold the balance of power and create no fishing zones, there could be a whole lot of cheap boats comming onto the market.

I think you have already had two boats and sounds as though they have been dissapointing purchases. Join a fishing club/s and use other peoples boats much much cheaper.

Agree with all of the above but there is something special with sitting back after completing the work on your own boat. While doing the work on your boat make friends with someone who has a working boat. spread the job out and you will not notice the money disappear from the wallet, neither will the wife, how do you think I got away with spending so much on my rebuild.

if you have the knowledge to do the job and not going to rush it just to get it in the water do the rebuild but just make sure there is no rot anywhere on the hull you have , presuming its fibro. also get the price of the motor first so you know how much more you can afford or hide away. good luck with the rebuild. maybe you could do as others have done and shown us all a work in progress

I guess $12,000 would get you on the water and catching some fish .It would depend on your tastes you would get the basics eather way you go ,I guess a good safe motor would be your first thing .Mate you never stop spending I could spend another $10-15000 on my rig.

Whats the story with the Douglascraft 5.3. Maybe more (but smaller size) pictures - floor, transom, hull etc etc. Do you have a motor for it? Going by the different colours on the hull, there has been some damage/repairs done. Depending on the condition of that hull, 12 grand may see you on the water.

I will get onto some photos on the weekend,the hull seam stuctually sound the bloke i brought it off has redone the floor and stringers so i was planning to neaten it up give it a coat of paint and put a motor on the back, I dont hav a motor for it as yet i had planned to put my motor off of my old boat but found the leg to be to short.

All the input is greatly appreciated

Ferret  , you need to cost it all out before you decide to proceed .

Outboard ,steering ram , fuel tanks, batteries , change over switch , stainless work , bimini ,covers, safetygear ,sounder , plotter, vhf  , 2 pack paint job , carpet  , anchor winch , anchors , rewiring , seats etc etc etc .

You will go through 12k without blinking , depending on what bits you can do yourself.

Ferret if you require an idea of the price each rebuild part will cost I still have my costs listed

If you sit down and look at it can the Douglascraft do the job you want it to if you spend the money on it? If it "might "do the job forget it and buy something else that satisfies your needs or you will keep pouring money in and still not getting a good result.

Do your homework well and have a definite goal of what you want in mind and stick to it. Ask the boaties on here here how many boats each has had and how many before they felt satisfied with it. Your needs and wants constantly change but sadly your boat takes a while to catch up to your dreams.

I will look at costing it all out and see what i come back with and kingfisher could you pm the costing details you had to give me a rough idea..before i evan start chasing up qoates

cheers

Ferret this even scares me:

Rebuild trailer $2800, Bait board $265, Boat hull $5000 Batteries $170 each, Transom $1800, Wiring approx $300, Lights $45 each, Locker doors $60-80, Live bait pump $110, Steering Hydrolics $1300, Steering wheel $65, Carpet $280, Seat boxes $265 each, Stereo $800, Navman Package $1300, Fibreglass/ marine ply $3200, Motor $18000, Paint $5000, Bow rail $1000, Rod holders $60 each, Fuel tanks $650 each, Bow spit $400, Deck wash $150, Seats shells $145, Seat covers $60, Cleats $25 eachRadio arial $65 each

Add nuts, bolts, screws, trim = just over $48000

that scares the Crap out of me

Ferret just look at the stuff you require, remember I went crazy, and the wife wasnt looking at the cheque book, but still wouldnt tell her the price

Sounds like a good project to do. I'd go for the rebuild option.

Cheers
Dale

Rolls Royce, Ford Fairlane or a Holden Ute. I'm now on my second boat, both brought un-seaworthy, both now seaworthy. I have spent $10500 over the both of them. Mind you the first boat, I discovered has rot in the transom so, add $2000 on to fix that.

I brought on Ebay and Quokka. Did all of the work myself. A lot depends on your level of skill and expertise. What you will need to contract out as opposed to what you can do yourself.

I think rushing off to get quotes at this stage is pointless, fun, but pointless. You need to work out what you plan to do, are you going to use the Douglas hull, is there enough fishing deck? is the transom and hull sound?

You dont need to paint it, the fish wont care. These jobs can be done later, what you need to find out is, is that hull suitable for what you want, and is it sound. You may need to bring in outside help on this one.

Tools, facilities, time and skills will all need to be sorted out. Then after all that get quotes. I to have a detailed inventory of spending, and where I brought the goods.