Ok, similar to my post awhile back on aluminum, now I have a new question. I know a customer on one of my routes who's an old boat builder. He's getting old and getting out of making boats (he builds prams and driftboats). Well, for all these years I had no idea he built the things (probably because he built them in his garage and never put them outside until it was time for it to be picked up).

Here's my question. He only would build these boats for friends. He has his last boat and wants to get rid of it. It's a 16ft glass boat, pretty wide (I don't have measurements). Is complete glass, no aluminum at all in braces and such. Has full seat up front, rowers bench with rope seat, and small housing on the back (you can add a seat for a rear person). There are no actual swivel seats on the boat. It has the side pull anchor system with cleat up front. It has two rod holders installed. He has two ash oars he may throw in with it. Problem is, he has no idea how much to sell it for. You get the boat only, maybe the oars too with above features I've added. No heaters, no trailer, no swivel seats, no anchor/rope, just the boat. He makes an exceptional boat. Reminds me of a cross between a clackacraft and an eastside. How much do you think it's worth? It's wide and deep. Looks pretty stable and has only been rowed around the sound, not on a river. So, what do you think?

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you haven't lived til you've rowed a cataraft. Friends don't let friends run Outcasts.

Bottom line Lavro (Lazy Drifter) would run about $4K. Top line Lavro would be $7K+ depending on all the options you order. Lavros are hand laid layers of fiberglass and mat,not sprayed fiberglass like cheaper boats though, that's why they are a little more expensive.

I bought my 17'x 48" Glass drift boat for $2500, on a trailer, w/ Sawyer oars, including a spare, anchor & system, rod holders, pretty much complete. Granted it is an older boat, but it was in real good shape.
I put coat it on the bottom, re-mounted the rod holders, put in a pretty good heater, re-worked the anchor system, re-packed the trailer bearings, and re-wired the trailer, and installed sliding/swivel seats. All for around $500 or less. Then again, I have a fairly complete wood shop, and I was able to do a lot with scrap materials, and used a lot of my own time.
So the tab can run up very quickly. It depends on how far you want to go with it. A new trailer will cost $800+. Better oars will run at least $300. Swivel seats would go $80+. Nearly everything you'll need is at Sportco.
My boat has some design flaws however, and I'm sure there are better hulls out there. For what it's worth, a new 16' x 54" Alumaweld pro guide, complete, w/ trailer lists at $5995+/-.
What does the guy intend to do with his molds??
Just food for thought.

Thanks guys, but I know how much new boats run and I also know how much components cost. I need to know what the worth of just a plain old fiberglass driftboat with no added features would run. Not a lavro, clackacraft, etc. I'd heard around $400-$700 for the boat since it is a homemade job. It's a nice boat, but I don't want to overpay for it if I buy it.

So, this is a GLASS boat, I already have extra seats, anchor, rope, cataract oars, and a trailer. I just need to put it together if I buy it. I just don't want to overspend for it. So, would $500 be enough or too much/less? I've seen complete used boats complete for the $1000-$2000 and that's a name brand.

The builder plans on either selling the molds, or maybe even just cutting them up and throwing them away. If anyone is interested I can ask him what exactly he plans to do with them.
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you haven't lived til you've rowed a cataraft. Friends don't let friends run Outcasts.

[This message has been edited by Steelheader69 (edited 03-08-2001).]

I've seen some very poor designed fiberglass home made boats that I would not give a hundred for. Shape and design is real important. Can you get a picture of it and email it? I'm sure there is many out here that could give you more advice on this boat.

Also the picture would give a clue to the value of the molds if they would be placed for sale.

I have built 3 fiberglass drift boats myself.
1 to light
1 to heavy
1 about right, but they all worked for us at the time.

I now row a aluminum but still own a fiberglass driftboat.
fp

There's no way for me to get a picture of them on here. I've seen enough, and owned a couple driftboats years ago. It's a very well designed boat. He's been building them for over 50 years. Used to do wood ones, then switched to fiberglass around 30 years ago.

I do believe the mold was set off a name brand boat. Not sure witch.

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you haven't lived til you've rowed a cataraft. Friends don't let friends run Outcasts.