CONTINUOUSWAVE

Q1: does an estimate of a cost of $10,000 to $12,000 to restore a 1978 MONTAUK 17 hull to be safe and useable seem like a fair price?

BACKSTORY: My dad and I just bought a 1978 Montauk 17 boat for $2,100 that had been sitting around quite a while and is in pretty rough shape--apparently worse than we thought. I just got back from taking it to a local fiberglass shop to get an idea of price to repair it, and what we’re dealing with.

The hull is waterlogged. A moisture meter [indicator moved to full scale] everywhere [the meter was placed on the hull]. The transom needs to be rebuilt. At the bow the gel coat has been worn down to bare fiberglass and needs to be redone. Around the D ring reinforcement [is needed].

I’ve never done fiberglass work myself, and I don’t know what all is involved.

My plan was to re-power with a HONDA 90-HP engine at a cost of $5,000. With the repair cost we would be spending $20,000--and that’s not dealing with the foam.

Give me advice on how to proceed.

Moisture meters are notoriously inaccurate when used on a Boston Whaler hull.

Evidence of water intrusion includes the hull weight and visual sight of water exiting the hull and the static water line.

Post some photos of the boat that illustrate the visual indications of water intrusion.

Regarding intrusion of water into the hull of older Boston Whaler boats, that certainly has occurred. Read the FAQ at

Q3: is there water in a hull?
https://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/FAQ/#Q3

Restoration of older Boston Whaler boats using all hired commercial labor can be very expensive. If someone is hired to restore a Boston Whaler Unibond hull, they MUST be acquainted with the Unibond construction method and skilled in working on Unibond hulls. I would be very careful in choosing a commercial shop to do remedial work on a Boston Whaler Unibond hull. Only a shop with skill and knowledge of Boston Whaler boat construction should be used.