WAIT! Don’t buy that boat yet…Restore vs Buying New

In this video I’d like to talk about how you can have a “new boat”, but not have to pay new boat prices.

What’s up everyone? In this video I’ll share the costs of rebuilding an older hull vs buying a new boat with similar setup. There is absolutely nothing wrong with buying a new boat, but you do have to be prepared to drop quite a bit of money. Rebuilding an older hull is a great way to save some money or spend some money in the right ways to setup a hull designed just for you.
Anytime I take my boat out, I get a lot of looks and questions about it. Everyone is typically stunned when I tell them it’s a 1980. I’ve done quite a bit of modifications to the boat to set it up for the way I like to fish. So with that being said there were a lot of costs that came into play to make this a truly one of a kind Aquasport FOR ME. I could have redone my boat and spent about half of what I did to have a very nice looking vessel, but this was my chance to rig the boat exactly how I wanted it. You do not have to get as in depth or go crazy on a restoration as I did on my build, but I’ll show you all the mods done to my Aquasport and I’ll be as transparent as possible in the costs associated with it. I’ll also share links in the description to the places that did all my work in case you’d like to check them out.

So in my opinion, it’s definitely worth restoring an older boat vs buying a new one.
I was on the higher end of a restoration cost because of how I chose to rig the boat. I could have chosen to simply redo the floor, gas tank because it had some pitting, paint it, keep it single station and even repower and I would have come in at around 45k to make this boat like new.

Some other ways I could have also saved money on my build are that I could have reused some of the equipment I had before. I could have done some of the work myself, but I don’t have time to do that. I had all work done at reputable places which guarantee their work and that already seems to have been a great choice for me. I had an issue with the control module for the throttle which didn’t allow me to turn on the boat. I dropped off the boat with Jack and he had me back on the water in no-time.

Hope you all enjoyed the video and maybe it helped if you’re deciding whether to restore or purchase a boat. Please remember to like and subscribe. Catch ya on the next one.

Time stamps:
-0:25 Intro to video
-1:41 Boat Walk-around
-2:29 Transom work and bracket
-3:16 Top view transom bait-well and compartments
-3:43 Inside transom view
-3:53 Floor removal
-4:00 Gas Tank
-4:13 Stern access hatch
-4:28 Bow storage and Insulated fish box
-5:15 Anchor hatch
-6:01 Forward side pockets removal
-6:24 Contender console and seat
-7:13 Port and starboard side fabrication
-8:12 Fabrication cost
-8:18 Custom t-top
-9:15 Forward seating
-9:37 T-top and seating cost
-9:41 Cushions
-11:07 Cushions cost
-11:14 All rigging, wiring and equipment
-14:38 Motor
-14:57 Running lights
-15:05 Cost of rigging, wiring, and equipment
-15:11 Total project cost and thoughts

#boat
#restoration
#tips

[tonyg]

Not only do you have an awesome boat, the sentimental value of it being a boat that belonged to your father is incalculable. Fantastic job.

[J.McKnigj]

The boat is absolutely awesome brother. You did an awesome job! Great choices with everything you did. Beautiful boat.

[LuckyDevilFishing]

Amazing looking boat! I have a 1976 Mako and I've been debating whether to buy a new boat or restore her. After looking at your video. I'm definitely going to restore her to my liking, like you did! Thank you for the video!

[samlenthall]

Idk why but the seats I love the most. What a awesome idea. Boat manufactures should use that idea. Just hands down one of the best rebuilds I’ve ever seen.

[fairwind]

Aquasport CCP was way ahead of its time, with you adding some modern features paired with an E-Tec. Now you have the best boat out there! Don’t be afraid to go beat up and embarrass the guys with 200k boat show boats with four strokes on them.

[BlastedKat]

Yeah I looked at new boats. The prices were shockung. I pulled my 97 Key West into the barn. Two months later I pulled it out better than new. Every hose, fitting, pump and wire in the boat was new and done right. I even added custom fiberglass fish boxes and seating improvements. I'm very happy with my decision and i still have no box payment.

[richdewitt]

Impressive! Sums it up--very IMPRESSIVE! Congrats Rich

[jamesrahn]

Great video, awesome boat! I have had 2, 22-2s and you are right on the money and totally transparent! Came out beautiful

[e.a.b]

I am planning to do the same, Restore my older boat the way I want her instead of buying another one and save me some money, Thanks you have make me made up my mind.

[Dan-skate]

Love the build. At the end of the day, if you’re happy with your restored boat, that’s all that matters. Congrats.

[devinthomas]

You have a boat that is better than the original.
Congrats. Awesome, Awesome job.
Beautiful

[hntfsh]

I'd never buy new when I can make a custom boat from an older proven hull. I think your build was very frugal price wise

[christopherozolins]

beautiful work and design !its not always about the money its what puts a smile on your face and makes u happy !

[TravisVision]

That’s great fabrication work on the hull, love the tuna tower too!

[matt]

Beautiful resto ! I like this idea for sure.

[dwayneroberts]

I am currently restoring a 1997 19' CC Trophy. I have the wiring complete for all her electronics. I put new bilge pumps in new fish finder and interior lighting. New cooler, cooler cushion and deck mounts in front the CC. I rebuilt the controls and bought new cover and handle for it. I have mr steering lubricated and it now works great. The hull and interior are in great shape and I've actually been below the deck inside the hull throught the hatch under the CC. All stringers are still solid .when I wash her she shines up like a new boat. My next step is to grind out some spider cracks and some stress cracks on the side of the top of rail and fill and re gel coat. After that it's just painting the deck buffing the hull and ordering some cushions for the seats and front bow. This boat will mostly be used in large lakes in Florida. Occasionally going to the intercoastal and in shore fishing shrimping and partying 😂. After being caught in a Florida thunderstorm in a 19' Lund Tyee and watching the bilge struggle to keep up with the ridiculous amount of water coming in I bought a self bailing deck and put two 11000 gallon bilge in it and I'm adding a third below the CC in the center of the hull. Lake George can get nasty fast with 6' waves and brutal winds in a thunderstorm. You get that chop it's not like the ocean the waves. It becomes short between intervals and intense like 3 waves at a time. I've seen the temperature drop from 92 degrees to 72 in less than 30 minutes. When you're body is use to 92 and the temperature drops 20 degrees you freeze so bad you can hardly function 😂. We bring rain gear and jackets now on perfectly clear hot days. Here in Florida everything can change on the water in a hurry. Going down means swimming with the alligators.

[gilbertdelgado]

The work done was impeccable with everything better than new out of the factory. You have your brand new boat with the family connection. Your boat looks fabulous.

[acproductsusa]

I would definitely rebuild and repower, my Sportcraft when the time comes, there is something special about bringing life back to an older boat, car or motorcycle, great vid with good tips, thanks for posting..

[Jr-lget]

Best boat I’ve ver had was a 1987 Aquasport. They ride amazing

[williammalcolm]

Awesome, Inspirational!Currently rebuilding my 1982 Wellcraft V20. So far replaced the transom with Seacast, stingers and bulkheads with Marine plywood using epoxy.