92 Barefoot 200 Construction/ Restoration questions.

[Spidermonkey]

Good day,
I have been looking at a 92 Barefoot 200 hull and trailor that is for sale in my area. I went to look at it and found it to be in pretty rough shape. I am new to these boats so I had a few questions that perhaps someone with more experience could answer. The boat is for sale with no motor. When I looked at the transom I could see that the plastic capping was broken in a few places. After further inspection I can see the fiberglass was starting to delaminate from the transom material. It looked like wood so I am pretty sure it's rotten. I got into the boat and looked around inside. I could feel that he floor was soft. It was localized to the middle. My question is this....how much wood are on these boats? Where am I most likely to find rot and waterlogged foam? I am currently redoing the floor in my Baja 16ss so I know what's involved in those boats but not sure if it's similar with the BF200. The hull seems hood wth no cracks or major scrapes/chips. There are some Knicks on the gelcoat in the top deck and the shock mount tabs on the rear access cover are broken and need to be fixed. I am trying to figure out what it's worth to make a fair offer...or should I stay away as even if it's free it's not worth it. I thought I read that these boats had no wood in the floors (stringers etc) but I may be thinking of another boat. I have been "slalom skiing" since I was a kid but want to start getting serious and learning how to cut properly. In addition want to learn barefoot. I like the idea of an older inboard boat but the kids and wife like to go to the beach and I don't think pulling an inboard up on the beach is wise lol.

[KyleNowad]

You will more than likely have $15,000 - $20,000 invested plus the cost of the hull. When you are done you will have a boat worth less than what you paid for it.

The bigger question is what is your budget? How understanding is your wife?

Also, please don't beach your boat. There are tracking fins on the bottom. Inboard or outboard it's not a great idea.

[Spidermonkey]

I didn't think they had tracking fins...good to know. I must have missed those when I was looking at it. Wow...that's pretty major cash. I am halfway through my Baja and only spent about $300 so far on glass, resin, and marine grade plywood. Still have to buy carpet but I think I wil be done for under $600. I guess these boats have way more materials in them. Must be a lot of wood that needs replacing. Sounds like a very expensive undertaking..thanks for the input. As for the wife...she is used to me by now...I have alays been into buying and fixing so after the first fee cars and boats she knows me. Not that I ever want to push my luck. I knew that once she let me build our house ( I built it..no subs other then a backhoe guy) that I got a good one lol

[Spidermonkey]

Oh...and as for budget....I wanted to end up around 8 to 10k with motor (mid 90s Yamaha 200 to 250). Living in Manitoba our season is short here (unless you gear up with drysuits). Typically from early June to early September. So when you consider it's weekends only and maybe a week or 2 of holidays...I have a hard time justifying it to myself. But that's just me.

[KyleNowad]

As a financial planner I suggest making a budget. A new 200hp Mercury or Johnson will run about $10,000 to $12,000 according to the guys at the boat show this past winter. Add $4000 for the interior, plus whatever fiberglass repair you do.

Your project sounds like the BOAT acronym - Bring out another thousand. It could be fun, but you do not want to be too deep in it financially.

[KyleNowad]

And at the end of the day, you still have a 24 year old boat that has a very limited resale market. Resale doesnt matter if you do not intend to sell it, but most will not buy just one boat.

[Spidermonkey]

Yes...I could see hitting 15k with a new motor. Around here good running good compression yamahas run around 3k to4k. I was hoping that since I'm doing the work...I could do it for about 2k in materials (wood, resin, etc). A budget is a great idea and is what I'm working on. But for that it brings me to where I started. I need to know what is the construction of this boat. Some boats have almost no wood below the floors and all stringers and supports made from fiberglass or other non rot materials. Once i know what is under the floor I'll have a better idea of costs....I can buy a lot of wood, fiberglass and gelcoat for couple thousand bucks.

[Spidermonkey]

I haven't been able to find any threads on a BF200 restos or repairs so I can see the construction...anone seen any?

[Rocketboy]

You will more than likely have $15,000 - $20,000 invested plus the cost of the hull. When you are done you will have a boat worth less than what you paid for it.

The bigger question is what is your budget? How understanding is your wife?

Also, please don't beach your boat. There are tracking fins on the bottom. Inboard or outboard it's not a great idea.

Have to disagree with you- They don't have tracking fins.

You also stated a very limited resale value- I would like to hear more on this. As anytime I see a BF 200 they seem to bring good money and move quickly but you may have more info to educate me on this.

[Table Rocker]

MasterCraft went away from wood stringers and floors in '83. I am not an expert, but I would be shocked if a Barefoot 200 had problems with wood. The soft spot in the floor is likely an aluminum honeycomb material that can get tired.

I have no idea what they used in the transom of the outboards, hopefully a BF200 owner can help.

[KyleNowad]

Have to disagree with you- They don't have tracking fins.

You also stated a very limited resale value- I would like to hear more on this. As anytime I see a BF 200 they seem to bring good money and move quickly but you may have more info to educate me on this.

They do have a limited resale value. Heck, even direct drive boats have limited resale value. Everyone these days is after a v-drive so they can surf behind them. You definitely cannot surf behind a outboard and it is less than ideal behind a direct drive.

No matter what manufacturer, any outboard tournament boat from the 1990's all seem to go from $10,000 to $15,000 for average condition (based on what I have seen). If the OP is looking at putting in more than that, he might be better off finding one that needs less work. BarefootCentral.com is a great website for all things footing.

[Rocketboy]

They do have a limited resale value. Heck, even direct drive boats have limited resale value. Everyone these days is after a v-drive so they can surf behind them. You definitely cannot surf behind a outboard and it is less than ideal behind a direct drive.

No matter what manufacturer, any outboard tournament boat from the 1990's all seem to go from $10,000 to $15,000 for average condition (based on what I have seen). If the OP is looking at putting in more than that, he might be better off finding one that needs less work. BarefootCentral.com is a great website for all things footing.

There are many people out there that don't have the budget that you do and would like a nice boat- other than surfing you can do about anything behind the 90's ski boats either inboard or outboard. I was out with a couple of guys that were big into footing and had a BF 200- you should have seen the flips they were doing on wake boards.

[Spidermonkey]

Yeah...vdrive is not my thing...in fact I would almost go inboard but like the idea of an outboard better. Just fits our family and how we use our boats better. Basically slalom and barefoot I'd what I'm after. So I think the BF200 fits the bill. Thanks for the info...about the no wood since 83..if that's the case...this helps me make a decision. Interior I'm not worried about...I can sew marine vinyl just fine. Not much different then car interiors that I have done

[Spidermonkey]

Well.....based on my estimates. ....I am going to offer this guy 2k (Cad remember). Trailer is in good shape so the value is there.

[KyleNowad]

There are many people out there that don't have the budget that you do and would like a nice boat- other than surfing you can do about anything behind the 90's ski boats either inboard or outboard. I was out with a couple of guys that were big into footing and had a BF 200- you should have seen the flips they were doing on wake boards.

Please never surf behind an outboard boat. The propeller is right there.

Also, look what boat I have - a 10 year old X9. It's hardly a budget breaker compared to some on this site.