Choosing a project boat?

[Stripedbass-2]

I am looking for suggestions for a project boat. Up north here there seem to be quite a few older Mako center consoles available. Better yet they don't have motors so I could work on them right from the get go. Is there anyone here who has experience with older Makos? The size range I am looking for is 17-19 feet.
Here are a few question I have for project boats in general.
1. Bad transom- is this an obvious problem and can you tell just by leaning on it?
2. Bad soul- if the soul is soft do the transom and stringers usually follow?
3. what should I look for on the outer hull?
4. How much damage is to much?
5. How do I find the necessary HP for a given boat.
I do not want to spend to much time on a rebuild if I can build a boat faster. I am figuring a year no more than two. Same time as a build or less.

[jacquesmm]

I am looking for suggestions for a project boat. Up north here there seem to be quite a few older Mako center consoles available. Better yet they don't have motors so I could work on them right from the get go. Is there anyone here who has experience with older Makos? The size range I am looking for is 17-19 feet.

The brand name doesn't matter. all those boats are built the same way with very few variations. However most Makos are good hull to start with.

Here are a few question I have for project boats in general.
1. Bad transom- is this an obvious problem and can you tell just by leaning on it?

It is not always easily visible but remove some bolts or the scuppers and you will see if the plywood is rotten.

2. Bad soul- if the soul is soft do the transom and stringers usually follow?

Yes, very often.

3. what should I look for on the outer hull?

Cracks, blisters.

4. How much damage is to much?

That's for you to decide, it depends on how much you like the boat.

5. How do I find the necessary HP for a given boat.

Look at the capacity tag or ask here.

I do not want to spend to much time on a rebuild if I can build a boat faster. I am figuring a year no more than two. Same time as a build or less.

Good point and with a new build there are no surprise under way.

[Q]

Mark, I am the proud owner of a classic Robalo (AMF era) 19 foot center console. I know she's full of water-logged foam.....as well I know she's a great Florida boat. She's a 77-78 model. She comes home for the rebuild in 2 weeks. I followed the Aquasport rebuild carefully! I am certainly lucky in that BBC is only 1 hour away, and the epoxy and ply I need is readily available.

...I can't wait to start project No: 2......I just don't quite know how to start. If'n it's anything like the D5 I built.....the advice I got from someone, was...."just begin".....

[JimW]

My opinion is that most of the time a rebuild takes more time and frustration than a new build. But I don't mind work when I'm in control and I know what to expect. Rebuilds tend to surprise you and dead ends create replanning "opportunities". You do save a ton of effort on hull fairing though, if a nice finish is a priority for you.

[TomW]

Mark the earlier to mid-70's to mid/late 80's Mako's are considered excellent boats especially in the 19' up sizes. After the late 80's thru the earlier 2000's there quality went down. I like you considered rebuilding a Mako before finding this site. I even had an '85 19 picked out. They are good riding boats in those years and can handle water most cannot for there size.

This is my 2 cents on the Mako's, I have just really liked there older boats, and the way they handle the elements.

Jacques C19 and C17 would be most comparable.

Tom

[Stripedbass-2]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I have thought about various boats and have started asking about a few. A 17 Mako, a 19 Mako, and a 19 Robalo.
The Mako 17 and Robalo 19 are about the same year, 1984/5. the 19 Mako is much older, 1970.
Could I have some basic info on these boats? Weight and horse power are primary concern.
Just based on the few pictures they look in reasonable shape.
I actually have the plans for the OB 19 and have been seriously considering that boat. A project that size requires a garage which I do not have right now. Hence buying become an option.
Mark

[Jerry-rigged]

I really love the classic makos and have spend a lot of time reading over on ClassicMako.com - they are all about re-building Mako's.

[Spokaloo]

One of my boatbuilder friends has a 21 or 24 (cant remember) sitting in storage for his next project. Has to finish the 18' glass jet fishing platform first, then its all a go.

Interesting boats, sturdy, appear to be a sea kindly hull.

E

[Q]

The Mako 17 and Robalo 19 are about the same year, 1984/5. the 19 Mako is much older, 1970.
Could I have some basic info on these boats? Weight and horse power are primary concern.

http://www.robaloboatowners.com/forum/

I can't give any detail about the Mako's....but insofar as the older Robalo's go....the current manufacturer of Robalo took over in the early 80's....circa '83 I believe.....they're different. If space is a concern on your rebuild project, methinks you might have to plan for about three times the space. As with my Robalo, there's the "cap" that has to be removed, then stored....then the inner liner which also contains the fuel tank "coffin" (also is the sole) before I can even get to the stringers/foam. It is my understanding that the early Mako's were built much the same way....my nephew has an older 21 Mako rebuild with a 200 HP. Nice machine.

As to HP....it is also my understanding that the way Outboards were rated changed in the 80's sometime.....from being rated at the prop, to being rated at the powerhead...or vice-versa???

[wannabfishing]

Mark,

If you are interested in the Mako's, seriously spend some time over at www.classicmako.com . Guy's over there do some serious rebuilds and repairs.

I have a 76' Mako 20 and love the boat. Does it need work? Of course, but it also still fishes so i have not pulled it down for work yet.
Look hard at the transom, floors, decks and so on. Craft built back in that era used plenty of ply and may or maynot have been cared for correctly over time.

As far as pulling the cap on a mako, good luck. I have only seen (actually read on forums) a handful of times. The foam that is below deck is also an adhesive and takes extreme amounts of work to even get the fuel tank out. Most will just cut the floor and replace without actually removing the cap.