Yeah the cost is scaring me too. I only like to spend what I can afford and pay for stuff cash.
That being said, over 12 years I spent over $400k on the Cig. I have absolutely no idea how I was able to do that . Mostly lots of long hours and weekend calls etc.

This time I`m dipping into my home EQ loan.
Spend the money up front and pay it off slowly... meanwhile enjoy the boat now instead of taking 12 years to get it to where I want it?

It makes sense in my head but God I hope this Biden Dumpster fire Economy turns around now that Daddys back home.

I`ll be in the boat for $286K
Boat and engines sales were $155k

So all in I`m $131k

I`ll have new paint, new motors , new interior and a 2004 cat that goes 150mph
A 2004 TS cig with 500efis and Bravos are going for mid $200k so....

Condo runs me $20k/year with $11k of that coming from rental income. I hope to improve on that the second year now that I`ve reached Superhost status and will show up in more searches.

You have certainly gone through a lot with this boat in a short time. It will turn out to be exactly what you want for sure. I am doing much the same thing with a 2005 Magic 34 Scepter. Only difference was I bought it knowing that at least one engine was hurt, 825 Teague's and was planning on replacing them anyway. I do have quadrotor 1400 Teague's with total rebuilds and new SCX drives. They are going to the dyno within a month for rough-in tuning. Not doing paint as it is still really nice. Being old school I still can wrench and hate what Mercury has done to most people, maybe they did it to themselves. That is to be at the mercy of what is produced these days. A new boat like this is $700-800k with outboards and how long a wait, years? You will have less than half that in it and be what you want. That is Great. I will have about the same in my redo and all will be new or totally rebuilt and I can still work on it.

We are all friends here but my biggest issue is when someone is counting others money or financial decisions. It has been done to me for years and so what does it matter. it's my money? Thing happened to the wife and me this week, one of our best friends that we were the only two people in their wedding some 21 years ago, fell over dead at 57 from work induced stress. Really shook us up, wife is with his widow now making arrangements. You don't have to justify anything you are comfortable with though I do like your numbers rationalization, wish I could get that by my wife. Point is do it now and have a blast with it. What would be worse is have it half done in several years and well you know, something happens catastrophically. A lot of projects end that way. Don't what to be a buzzkill but it is reality.

I do hope one day I can run you and see what these old boats can do side by side. Should be a good time!

Carpe Diem is our family motto.You never know when you number is up. True Story .
You`re in michigan right ? Not to many cats on Lake Michigan, be cool to hook up.
Good luck with your project.and I appreciate your words of support.

Not sure if you guys thought I was questioning, really just poking at Dan for fun.

As for the comments about never knowing, that is true. I lost 3 freinds in less then a year.

It definitely changes your outlook.

This. Got a life altering diagnosis in January and have spent the last 10+ months dealing with tests, surgeries, treatments, constant exams, etc. 50/50 shot at still being around in 5 years. So indeed, seize the day. As DLR sang, "Ain't no Brinks truck following no Hearse".

Sorry to hear that Knot 4 me,
Hope it all works out for the best !

You get anywhere with my idea?? Lets see some renderings with the black bottom and an overall white boat with some red/black graphics!!!

Performance doesnt do vinyl.
Wife wasn`t crazy about the idea.
Seems like a dick move to pull it out of there, They always take care of me and I`m a loyal guy .
I don`t know where I would take it for vinyl.
I supposed I could still give them the business and just have them paint it white ...
I`m not sure it would save me any money

No a fan of vinyl, unless it’s a race boat.

They are better now then it used to be but I like the depth you get from paint.

If you insist on Red go big or go home. Get rid of the white all together and go All red even the bottom than some black carbon graphic’s maybe done in vinyl so you could change or repair and update easily later.