Need advice on my first Cig
 

I'm going to get in to a "project" Cig that I can work on over the winter - this is my first big powerboat and I need your help on picking it out and what I should look for since my hours and hours of reading proves that you guys know what I should do. I'm a fireman, so I'm not rich and have plenty of time to put some elbow grease into it, and enjoy the challenge. I would like 33' + and newer than '95. I plan to do all the work aside from the final gelcoat, custom vinyl, and engines. I see alot out there that is repoed or uncared for that is CHEAP, but don't know what to look for specifically, and want to outfit this Cig with everything that will make it easy to sell if I want to get a newer/nicer one. I have around $60k to put into the entire project - am I nuts and is it possible? thanks in advance!
Doug

Ask anyone who has done it ... dont do the project boat..Keep saving another year or so and buy one that is done. There is not a single person on this board that will tell you he was ahead of the game by doing the work himself and restoring something ..trust me !

Would I be better off buying someone elses project boat, or a stock version in good shape? Do you think that I would be spending more money trying to save some? It sounds like a potential nightmare for me from your vibe there tanner.

Ditto on not doing a project, for not much more than that you should be able to get a good boat and not have to work on it

A complete nightmare, alot of time and 3 times the money that you think you will spend in the beginning. Just think every stainless steel nut, bolt and washer is at least 30 cents each.. now think about motors , drives, upholstery etc...it just never ends !!! Just buy a boat that is in good shape, or that someone has already done the work too, you will safe alot in the long run !!!

I bought a clean, stock, unmolested '85 Mistress as a project a few months ago. For me, the thrill is in the hunt. Do it because you like the work, not because you think you can get a good running boat for cheaper.

Couple of things I have learned so far. Don't forget about the condition of the trailer. Consider your workspace and make sure its comfortable enough to spend long hours in. When you have honed in on a boat, check to make sure you can get insurance before you buy it (depends on boating experiance, top speed of boat, etc.).

Good luck, Randy

Doug, I agree with all the above posts. My 2 cents is that if you really want to do a project. Pic a boat that you will want to hold onto for a good 10 years. You will have a very hard time getting your money back out of it. Just like what Tanner said, It all adds up quickly...........

+1

Thanks for the advise folks. The idea of the project sounded challenging, but I don't want to lose my ass on a good challenge. I thought it would create some good father/son time for my 14 year old and me. I bought a little 202 Crownline LPX last year that was perfect and there is nothing really to do to it other than polish it up - and the fruits of the labor of course. Maybe I should look for one with few bells and whistles in my price range and upgrade from there?

Good thinking...Even buying a nice one you will still have plenty of mant. and upgrades you guys can do...

just keep shopping for a nice cheap cig , if you go a little older you will find some thing , your going to spend more than 60k though , i personally enjoy working on a project and do not keep track of all the dollars cents to closely , i makes it a little more fun than agonizing over every last hour and penny , not that anything costs a penny today !!

i say pick something up and the time and rewards from doing a project with your son are worth every last dollars you sink into it even if it take evry last dollar ....lol:ernaehrung004:

the thing about redoing a boat is that you know exactly what shape it's in when your done, and when someone says 'nice boat' it means that much more...

For 60k you can buy a nice cig with stock merc power. A project or anything with stupid power will ruin you for life.:flag:

So I have heard. I was even looking for something with blown engines and outdrives in place and going new on a couple of stock Merc 496 with the warranty - 1/3 of the budget right there

How about a nice 1892 Mistress. Good paint, updated instrument package, new tramson, fair interior, 502 MPI's. Aliminum trailer. Engines are in my Top Gun now, you can hear them run. I'll pull engines out and you install. 25,000, can send pictures.
Harvey
252-339-4560

Woah! 1892 is a little dated (I know you meant 1982). Is it listed on the classifieds here? I have been looking at newer than 90 in Cig and Fountain, so I may have missed it. Do you guys prefer Cig over Fountain for any reason?

with a cig, a 35' is a 35' not a 26' with a beak and a platform

I beleive it all depends on where you plan on boating....
Cig = Good in the Rough
Fountain = Good in the flat & Going fast..

Yes it's a 1982 Mistress. It not a realboat project, would need to install the 502's in it after I pull them out of my Top Gun. The interior is OK, it nice and clean, but some people would like the updated white interior over red. Who ever buys it will want to add thier own touch to it I'm sure. But, you could install the engines and go ride. I'm offering it at this price because I don't want to mess round and hold the boat till next year for prices to go up. I got a good price on my Top Gun last October so it's time for the Mistress to go. I understand most people want a Cafe or Top Gun. Bit the Mistress is a lot of boat and it's a wave crusher, good handling boat with classic lines. It's not in the classified yet but I will get it listed.

Buy the best boat you can get for the $$$$$. A 35+ cigarette for $60K will likely turn into a project. I would get something as new as possible less motors.

I 100% agree with you Tanner & others.


If I were you Doug C, I'd look no further than Sean's Cafe Racer:
http://www.boattrader.com/listing/19...Racer-95036298

This boat will run for MANY season's to come, has been totally updated inside & out, and will be the most reliable setup available for the money you are looking to spend.

Here's a thread as well, telling about the boat. It's nice as hell, and a great price. 496's have a few excellent add on's, that you can up the power without giving up reliability, if you decide you want to go faster. http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/c...-shoppers.html

Don't worry - owning an offshore power boat that is in great shape will still offer you PLENTY of father/son time. Maintenance and repair on any HIPO boat will provide you more than enough wrench turning opportunities.

If I had 60k I would look for a nice Cafe Racer, Gun, or Bullett that was ready to go on a nice trailer.

What have you got for a truck - please don't say an F150.

As for the Cig/Fountain debate I'll relay a little tale that made me smile - I was at a poker run recently and there were several guys standing in the bathroom talking shop. I didn't know any of them and wasn't involved in the conversation, but they owned a variety of boats including Sonics and Fountains. EVERY last one of them was talking about how they couldn't wait to move up to a CIG. The look, the construction, the rigging, the size, the resale - it is a no-brainer unless all you care about is calm water speed.

amen i like the cig/fountian debate!

Here is what you need, you can go out and enjoy it now,
http://www.offshoreonly.com/classifi...o29987-en.html
It looks great for an older boat and he really takes care of it

Ha! I do have an F-150. I would keep it storage at the lake and have the marina drop it in - cheaper than gas in the dually to the lake. I'm saving my pennies in the meantime, hopefully for a nice 95-98 cafe or Top Gun maybe next year or two. I'll keep stalking the board in the meantime and learn what I can.

Just to help you when you are searching - the only made a handful of 95 cafe's (possibly a 96) but nothing after that. Any of them from 90+ will have the new style interior.

I stalked the boards for quite a while before I found what I wanted.

Don't do the project boat unless you can do 90 percent of the work yourself and you don't mind shopping around for parts.You will spend a bundle!I am restoring a 1978 Mistress(2 years into resto) but you can have plenty of problems with a boat just 10 years old.I would also go single engine unless u are going to be in big water.cut your maint in half!

Thanks for all the help guys. My wife is set on a cruiser, so we have some serious debating to do (I need to grow some balls and just get my cig). We are at least a year out saving up anyways so there's still time...

I have a 2004 Formula 31PC in excellent condition if you want a cruiser.

Bigboat28, I have looked at some Formulas and like them, but have another year before I'm buyin. I'm still set on a Cig