Fiberglass boat repair needed

I am looking to possibly purchase a boat that needs basically rebuilt. Bulkheads, stringers and transom. I need someone who is trustworthy. I dont like the layout on the new boats at all and can't afford nor justify $100,000 for a new baha or sportcraft (which are not very high quality). I found a boat I really like 1988 Baha 280 that has a nice size cockpit but it like all others is rotted. Any help appreciated.

I watched Beaver Park marina do a new transom on a 1984 Grady White Offshore 24 and they did a nice job. Don't recall the price they were charging. Saw Chris Brockway doing a transom job on a 24 ft Cobia back when he owned Erie Angler. He as charging $5,500 I believe. I'm pretty sure he's retired now though. He lives in Ashtabula. There's a guy on www.thehulltruth.com that lives in Perrysburg, OH and just had a transom re-done within the last year. I believe I heard him say he's happy with it.
 
For the transom alone, you could figure around $5,000. Replacing stringers would be quite a project. For having all the work done your considering, I would not be surprised if it were to run $15,000, or more. Maybe much more.
 
With the used boat market supposedly being what it is, you might be better off just passing on that boat with the rotted structural components. 

ORIGINAL: Big Fathead

Thanks for the response. I looked at many boats and it seems theres alot of junk out there. I havent found another boat with twin that are under the deck. The cockpit on this boat is huge! I'm having the boat totally rebuilt including bulkheads, stringers from front to back, gas tank shelves, bulkheads, etc. The boat then should survey just fine.

 
Did you already purchase the boat?
 
Why not look for a BAHA that is 1996 or newer.  Those year models use the "green board" in the transom and stringers and you shouldn't have the rot issue, at least.  I don't think they changed the cockpit design that much in those model years.  Haven't really looked at the Bahas in that size range though. 

http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/boa/1003254287.html

He's a charter captian they pass their costs onto their clients.

Just my two cents outboards have less than half the life of traditional inboards. Super expensive to buy and pretty hard to net fish around. Can't beat crusader or mercruiser bluewater inboards. Stay warm and come on spring

ORIGINAL: Big Fathead

I am a charter captain and don't pass the cost onto clients! I actually fish MOST OF THE TIME PRIVATELY.  I also share very valuable information on technics, reports, and fish location due to the time I spend on the water. Outboards SUCK! As far as mileage I don't think there better when comparing equal size horsepower and boats. Also have you ever had to replace an outboard? Very expensive, I'll save my money for fuel. I already purchased this Baha and Happy Days is picking the boat up to rebuild it within a week or two. I have owned many boats and this platform is awsome for fishing. No motor covers and wide open fishing space! Fuel is a fraction of what we spend on fishing. Fishing sure beats drugs, alchohol, gambling ort smoking! I am a true fishhead!

   
 
 
But you know the mentality of this board  "Al Lindner never uses an IB boat, how can I catch fish without a Lund with a OB,
 
Ill take a glass IB anyday over a recycled pop can with a ricerocket clamped to the back

Wow all I made was a suggestion.

Bet ya won't be doin that again. I hope you learned your lesson!!

CHECK YOUR PM FATY

Yes I have an estimate from Happy Days. I decided to let them do the work because they guaranteed the boat done by a certain date and they surely know how to rebuild them. Thanks for the input.

happydays  not bad!!  i had one guy who complained of them but he did that with everyone , you know when it comes time to buy ,hes not around well he no longer fishes with me he was to buy 2times and never did , just another day in paradise

But a true inboard has no motor box, and with the motor at the center of gravity they ride and drift a helluva lot better than OBs , plus you can rebuid a Velvet Drive for under 100 bucks in parts, try doing that with an OB or IO

Used to work on a 1989 280 Baha outa Bula for 2 years (along with about 6 other capts down there as well)...Was never too crazy about trips on that boat....Its a big boat measuring about 31' LOA...Its great that the motor box is under the floor, but they sit very very high out of the water because of this...High freeboard and raised deck to put the motor under the floor make it not so perfect for trolling in my opinion.....Make sure you buy a long, and I mean LONG net...Most of the time you couldnt even think of dipping a net without the fish right in back of the boat...Also was a pain to dock in any kind of wind.  Thing caught air like a sail at the dock....Wasnt my favorite boat to work on, but it made me some cash money.....That boat was very sound structurally (which is suprising) i know the capt had it surveyed while I worked there and very little issues with the floors in stringers...might actually be for sale now as well...I could check, unless you already pulled the trigger....
 
Boat isnt a speed deamon at all....Max speed on that boat was only about 17mph with a single 454 inboard...cruised only about 12-15 without bailing gas out of it a real pig with the fuel bill...The 299 Baha is a much better all around boat for a charter capt.  They sit much lower to the water...are easier to dock with twins....and the motor boxes serve as a great place to park your butt and still PLENTY of deck space for 6 guys + Capt + Mate...
 
Modern outboards are great and very fuel efficient....but so are modern fuel injected V8s...Its all in what you prefer and what you know how to do when it comes to maintence...most newer equipment with routine oil changes are usually good for 1500hrs without a hic-up....Ive been looking for a 2510 Parker with 350 Merc Bravo 3 Fuel Injected for months...already missed out on one....Kind of a rare find for a yamaha boat...
 
Also it was 1997 when Baha had moved its entire fleet into the no rot system...Many 96 boats were produced with the old syle marine grade plywood....The 80s and early 90s boats had alot of structural rot issues prior to this...obviously here is another case....However to the best of my knowledge Baha is still around there having never gone bankrupt...I know there new stuff is ok looking, but the floors are flimsy

The reason the 299 is a better boat is the top is a baha and the bottom of the hull ie water line down is a 30 foot sportcraft...  Just dont buy one with a volvo 454 severly under powered. 502 or 496 or twin 350's  are a much better option. In my opinion There are only a few boats that make Great  charter boats. 27 Sportcraft Best ride for the money and any of the tiara or pursuit models. The old 280 and 31 baha hulls are a nock off from Bertram.  As far as Glass or stringer repairs there is not better shope than anchor marine. Terry Does great work My Penn Yan after a total rebuild front to back Rides like a new boat. 
 
As far as harnesses go what we all forget is they are there for the pork chop only. Take the blade off and see how many you still catch  Copper/orange Copper/pink  have been the best for us. Put em and we'll see what happens.
 
See you in the spring.
Captain Dan Kelly
Buckets Charters
www.bucketscharters.com