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Post by kruppy on Jun 21, 2017 9:53:04 GMT -5
Hello all! I, as stated in the name, am a new 74 G3 owner as of yesterday afternoon. I live in WI and 27 years old and actually bought the boat as a fiberglass project to make a custom boat of my own. This would be consisting of turning the bow into a fishing deck and be able to mount a trolling motor up front. As I was doing some research, I noticed how treasured the boat is and now I'm double guessing myself on what to do with it. The boat was picked up for a STEAL at $125 with out a motor, fuel tank, or battery. Has all controls and steering system which looked to move very freely.
I need to look at the transom closer to see how it is but I'm planning that it will be a full replace just to be safe. This would be the first boat project I've ever tackled as well as my first boat, so I will be doing alot of research when I get to restoring it.
Please shed some insight on what everyone thinks I should do! I love the way it looks but in all honesty it is not for the designed for the intent I have.
How much can these boats sell for fully restored?? I know the mid 60's are more prized but can't find anything in my area where these are for sale in a restored condition. How much grief will I get if I remold the top cover and turn one into a stand on fishing bow while retaining the original cover? I know the boat is small but it would be mostly for me to go solo fishing with possibly one other person.
Please ladies and gents, let me know your thoughts!
Thanks
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Post by Bandit on Jun 22, 2017 17:50:49 GMT -5
Hi Kruppy,
I can relate to your intended project. I have a 16' 1971 Rayson-Craft outboard boat that want to do the same thing with... and I understand your hand-wringing about cutting up a classic to create your dream-boat:
Fully restored, any of these boats won't get the money you've put into the restoration. I have a '59 G3 that I've got near $7000 into its restoration... its worth every cent of that to me. But the market won't bear that amount. I would be lucky to sell it for half of that. I've seen many cherry G3s on the market that just sit at 4-5-6 grand. Having said that, sure some might get the big dollars, but its going to take the right buyer at the right time.
Your G3 came from an era that followed Glasspar's original ownership... in the late 1960s, Glastron bought Glasspar... and introduced the G3 hull that you have. They have great lines, but as you pointed out, they are in less demand than the 59-68 boats.
I think you should follow your desire. If its to restore your boat to its previous glory, great! But if you want to make it a very cool G3-based tournament bass boat, then you should! As I mentioned my boat is worth a whole lot more to me than anyone else will appreciate. I say do it.
A little piece of advice... if you pull the deck off, the boat is going to become floppy. The deck structure creates stiffness for the hull. You should at least leave 4-6 inches of the perimeter of the deck connected to the hull (cutting out the center)... or if you want to create the topside from scratch, just keep in mind that what you build needs to fit fully and fit tight to the hull... maybe even glassed to the hull. Those of us who have restored our G3s know that as soon as you pop the top, the hull is weak, and its easy to skew it if you dont support it well before doing any glass work to it.
Dean
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Post by kruppy on Jun 22, 2017 20:53:04 GMT -5
Dean,
Thank you for the reply!! I greatly appreciate the information about when I pop the top! I know I didn't mention it but shortly after I posted I started thinking about getting a little more creative!
I was thinking about creating a deck "insert" which would be cutting the center out and creating a flange for the two components. This way I could easily place the center for the classic closed bow look when out boating with the wife, and then remove it to reveal the fishing deck and storage.
Only issue to the concept is how to split the dash as well as windshield (don't know if it's original windshield or not).
What type of seat mounts do you use for these shallow boats?? Mine currently has seats mounted to the floor (no hydraulic rams or even a pedestal). I know the boat is a very shallow so if how my seats are mounted currently then I will be doing some research on a short hydraulic pedestal seat mounts other wise my dad won't come with me lol.
Again thank you for the information Dean! If there is anything else that you would like to inform me of I am all ears!
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Post by johnp on Jun 26, 2017 12:50:50 GMT -5
kruppy:
Welcome to the website Sir!
I agree with what Dean has told you on your 1974 G-3. Going for a full restoration or even a "refurbish' can get expensive. As far as seats and seat mounts, be careful with what you choose as the floors in the G-3's were not that thick. I would stick with something closer to stock mounts to be safe.
Anyway, good luck to you Sir!
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Post by glassparnut on Sept 17, 2017 13:34:29 GMT -5
Dean, Thank you for the reply!! I greatly appreciate the information about when I pop the top! I know I didn't mention it but shortly after I posted I started thinking about getting a little more creative! I was thinking about creating a deck "insert" which would be cutting the center out and creating a flange for the two components. This way I could easily place the center for the classic closed bow look when out boating with the wife, and then remove it to reveal the fishing deck and storage. Only issue to the concept is how to split the dash as well as windshield (don't know if it's original windshield or not). What type of seat mounts do you use for these shallow boats?? Mine currently has seats mounted to the floor (no hydraulic rams or even a pedestal). I know the boat is a very shallow so if how my seats are mounted currently then I will be doing some research on a short hydraulic pedestal seat mounts other wise my dad won't come with me lol. Again thank you for the information Dean! If there is anything else that you would like to inform me of I am all ears! THIS IS INSANITY!!!!!!!!! If you want a fishing boat get a FISHING boat!!! You are gonna RUIN a perfectly good G3 and its gonna cost you a fortune in the process!!!! Anyone that condones this "project" is not doing you any favor, KRUPPY!!!!! Just my 2 cents, but when your G3 is hacked to bits and epoxy resin is costing you $200.00 a gallon, don't say I didn't warn you!!!! You are welcome! HA! NUT PS Glasspar was bought by LARSON, not Glastron, and yours is what they call a "Catalina G3" Its a cool boat! DONT RUIN IT!!!!! |
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