Hello from Virginia
Hello, I'm Joe. I live in central Virginia... Richmond/Chesterfield area. I am completely new to the world of boat ownership, although I have been on a few as a passenger over the years. I haven't actually been on the water since the mid 1980's but, have always wanted to get my sea legs back since then.
A few weeks ago I bought my first boat... not a new one, a project boat to say the least. I've been a long-time viewer of a few good boating channels on YouTube, and have learned quite a bit from each. I am quite mechanically inclined and most of the repair and construction videos I've seen didn't seem to have anything that is beyond my skill set. I am currently a welder by trade (3 years in so far), as well as a professional tattoo artist on the weekends (11 years). Formerly, I had been a residential framer for 14 years, as well as an amateur auto mechanic since the early 1980's.
Anyway... the project boat that I picked up is a 1995 Maxum 1700 XR with a non-running/seized Force 120 outboard. The hull and transom look to be in good shape, no evidence that it has ever been run aground, nor any stress cracks apparent anywhere. The floor, on the other hand, is quite another matter. With knowledge from the previous owner that it had been sitting for a few years, and obviously exposed outdoors to the elements and uncovered, as well as a few soft spots in the floor told me everything that I needed to know... this project will have to be a complete gut job/restoration. The good news is that the included trailer, after a thorough inspection, is in excellent shape. But, for $250 purchase price, this is a good deal for me as I will be doing all of the work myself.
I have already begun the demolition portion of removing the floor to reveal what I had already suspected... all stringers and bulkheads are rotten and the expanded foam is mostly water-logged. I will post pictures of my progress so far as soon as I can.
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