What Wood You Do?
ZOOMER has been a regular visitor here
We got this note from longtime fellow WoodyBoater Brian Toye and Zommer. Yes, Zoomer actually sent the email. His boat. Brian just hit send. What? Oh, ya, see ZOOMER ( Brians Family Boat) has special powers. A deep long special history, and well. apparently a computer. Of course we here in Woodyboaterville have the special powers to receive such messages. Okay, this is just getting silly. OR IS IT?
headed out for a ride
Here is the note Brian sent.
NO ROLLERS! AHHHHHHH
With a hole to be repaired in Zoomer right now due that front roller on the trailer, the issue of bottom replacement has surfaced. Zoomer had a new bottom back in 1995, which was really only supposed to last 20-25 years.
Well, with much use and twenty years later, I am looking at some tired wood and a new bottom in the future.
The problem is thus….I really cannot justify spending $40,000 on a new bottom for a non CC, Century, Higgins, or Garwood boat. I do not think that Ralph even thought that the boat that he and his brother built in 1929 would be around 95 years later. With all of that history and having been a big part of my family for the last twenty years, I cannot justify sending her off to a viking funeral either.
First known image of Zoomer
I really do not know what to do.
A few people are opting to spend the $2000 per foot for a new bottom though, after I chatted with a local respected restorer.
Honestly, I think what will happen is that I will continue to put solid band aids on Zoomer while just using her less and less to save and protect her and her legacy. And then I will go out and buy a 17 ft CC utility that already has a new bottom and a rebuilt strong engine all for $10-15k. It is a buyers market, and many of the old folks that cherish these crafts are getting up there in age or are gone and few younger people want to take up the torch of ownership, so the prices seem to be headed down, while new bottom prices are going way up. I do not envision a happy ending.
So, I thought a story about this would be very interesting as I would like to hear from many others in the WB community about their view on this.
“ $40k for a new bottom, or just $15k for a new boat ??? “
WELL? I know what I would do? But be honest with your thoughts. And remember, it’s your money. It’s easy to have an opinion when its someone else’s money. This is a very common dilemma, and Brian is certainly not alone.
Wow, that’s a tough call, but a couple suggestions:
-Have the condition of the bottom assessed by a trusted expert to make sure it really needs to be replaced. Just repairing the damage will be a lot less than $40K.
– Seriously start shopping the market for another boat. If you find one you really like it may make the decision a little easier to make.
Only you can assess the emotional connection you have for Zoomer. Even if you get another boat, you can still keep Zoomer as a retired member of the family!
Just my thoughts.
Sorry, I should have been more clear. We will keep Zoomer no matter what. She would be then used only for special outings etc and the new one would be the daily. The real hard part will be convincing my wife that we “need” two boats!
It can be done!
Such is the dilemma these days,… 1957 CC Sportsman Utility was the “family boat” used (before woodies were revered….)… to waterski and boat…….. I cant justify the $2K per foot and as I am in that aging demographic…. and have too many projects on the waiting list to start another… I too have noticed the decline in prices which further prevent sending it off.. Ive finally “retired ” after 40 years working for the government but now dont have the energy to do it myself…. Not to mention all the other boats that sit untouched. I’ll continue to preserve and protect them as a steward but need to pass them on to others who will have the passion and resources to take on the task..
Id love to see the answer to this question….
Maybe fiberglass the bottom, use it for a few seasons? A new bottom would require removing the bottom anyway…
Wow – That is a tough one. I agree with Greg to get some feedback from an expert as to the functionality of the existing bottom. While none of us expect to recoup all the money we spend on our boats there has to be a line somewhere. A friend of mine was looking at a 1947 U22 for $25,000 that had the bottom replaced in the 90’s for his family and he was questioning safety/reliability. I told him about 5200 bottoms which he thought was great until I told him how much it would cost which was more than what he would pay for the boat – he was not expecting that reality.
PLUG ALLERT!! The Hessel show is this Saturday!! After last year’s horizontal rain we are looking at sunshine and mid 80’s!
I am dealing with the same issue with “B” the little model 99 that held up the building at Katzs during the snow damage. Do I spend big money on a new bottom. 35-45K on a 25K boat? Emotionally I know what I want to do. But maybe it’s cheaper to BUY TIME, rather than BUY A NEW BOTTOM. I will be fixing the rot, and glassing the bottom. Stinky who is all glassed has changed my POV on fiberglassed bottoms. She is still alive because of that. On Lake Tahoe most of the boats are glassed. The dry climate and rough waters almost make it mandatory. And if one day you become a cult leader, and have money to burn, sell one of your 40 rolls royces and replace ZOOMER’s bottom.
Almost fifty years on this fiberglassed bottom…so it can last if done right.
Truly this is the dilemma of our times!
Zoomer has a long history with your family and only you can decide if it is worth putting your money into or not. (well that’s obvious)
I will be facing a similar dilemma with Yorktown, which is still running on an original style double planked bottom. Currently she is only worth about $15 – $20K so putting $40K into a no soak bottom might bring the value up to $25 – $30K. Not good math, but I suspect I will have to find a way to justify it.
IMHO there is so much good GOOP out there that I would just flip that great boat over and start in fixing whatever and where ever…with stuff like Smith’s Fillit or some other magic mess…I spend every day working on some sort of old mess on one of my buildings…now that I am pushing 80 there is joy and relief in knowing that if I just fix, rather than replace, whatever this is…I will never have to do it again! fix it and Go Boating…John in VA
Is plywood a lower cost option for smaller, lower value boats? Will be addressing this myself possibly in next 5-10 years(hopefully that long)
I would investigate the West System. We have tried cheaper materials and West is so superior. Putting their micro balloons in the mix lightens it up and makes for easier sanding. The prep for adhesion to the old bottom is the labor part. I suspect scratches from course belt sanding would make for good bonding.
Max: are you saying that you prefer the West System method over the 5200 method?
My experience with West System was restoring 26 ft Navy Whale boat. The seats and helm had been removed to make it into a cabin cruiser. We had to repair and build all new structures using 2 inch foam covered with packing tape. Four lays resulted in a plus .25 structure. I have no experience recovering an old wood boat bottom but the object was to affordably save an old boat. Lots of factors whether underlying structure still sound enough? Since a true 5200 restoration is financially out of the question it would be worth pursuing. My opinion amounts to zero just that I was impressed with the outcome of rebuilding the whale boat.
That new ezy poxi from west is some bad ass ship! Flexable and easy
Words of caution. High speed left turn with 15.5 foot 1940. Port bow dives toward the water, rudder leaves the water, and boat shoots starboard. The cause was weight distribution. Only 2 people on board in front cockpit with left passenger being larger. Fortunately, hard reverse worked to avoid docks.
I didn’t know you could sell boats
Thanks woodyboater
Speaking of “Viking funerals” I finally had to admit my 1921 Old Town Otca was beyond any possibility of repair. https://youtu.be/cgbjYxUPAfU
That was a very nice tribute!