Big Boat Projects for Big Dreams: Cheap Offshore Hulls
When it comes to buying a boat, there is no way around how bad of a financial decision it is. The question becomes how much money am I going to lose and how much am I willing to lose? And that’s okay, sometimes you have to live a little. I have always liked affordable, smaller single engine boats because you limit the costs associated with boating and there is generally a good market to sell in, if you need to. That said, it’s always fun to see what is out there in the big boat bargain bin. Old offshore hulls and big projects come up that seem like deals on the surface, but they are usually projects for dreamers. Here are a few interesting big boats that could be a dream to own, or your biggest nightmare.
Sonic 45 SS
This Sonic 45 SS, made in South Florida is a big offshore boat that is a classic in its own way. To be honest, this thing still looks incredible. The lines are really nice and it oozes nineties while still looking nice. No doubt, this would probably be a massive project. If you could source replacement power and drives for a reasonable amount, that will be one of you bigger costs, assuming the hull is sound. There are all sorts of sources for used stuff, and if you’re resourceful and handy, this could be a winner. If you’re a novice without deep pockets, this will be a nightmare.
Big boy boating for $25,000. No engines, no problem.
Some of the good news is that Sonic used cutting edge composites in the structure and infused kevlar and carbon fiber in the lamination, making it quite fast for a 45 foot offshore boat.
Part of the battle is having a place to work on it. Not many of us have a garage or shelter for something this big. Second, even if you source some good used power, you want big enough power, so it’s going to cost. So looking at the price, the wheels begin to turn on how you might execute the project but even if the boat was free; crunch the numbers on power, drives and rigging for this and see if you’re still interested. If you can do most of the labor, then that’s a huge win. If it’s still good cosmetically and structurally, that’s a huge win.
At a glance, I found some lightly used Mercury Racing 860s for sale: $120,000, with a rigging kit and controls. You might find some drives and transom assemblies for $40k to $50k. This is all just ball park on lightly used stuff but you can see how things start adding up. Without even getting to hardware you can be looking at $100k to 200k+ on engines and drives. This is where a donor boat could come in handy, something where the boat was damaged but the power and hardware wasn’t.
Here’s a test of a Sonic 45 SS: Boats.com
Cigarette Bullet Outboard Conversion
This looks like a boat that someone did as a project, which can be a great way to get into something. Often boat projects are a good way to buy something for a discount from the cost of doing it. But, as anything, quality might be suspect. Here, the Evinrudes are a tough sell. Sure, if they’re running and everything works, use them until they die. Keeping it as is, is probably the smart move. If you want an old school offshore performance boat, and you love outboards, this would also be a good candidate to repower with some used 400R 6 cylinders, which are really good deals now.
The Evinrude twins are a tough sell. Although you could negotiate down based on that and run them until they die.
Provided everything was done well, which I would be it wasn’t, this could be an interesting deal as it sits or repowering with big Mercs. Of all the boats here, this is probably the most palatable, as long as you get it at the right price and the hull is solid. The old Cigarettes are heavy rough water boats, it won’t be fast, but it could be really fun.
Cigarette 38 Project
This looks like a bottom up project. The good news is you wouldn’t need as much power as the 45 Sonic, so repower options are less costly. I think it would be a cool OB conversion, running twins, but that’s going to be controversial for some. Generally, these were solidly built boats, but wood does rot eventually. Plus, this one does look like it needs everything, including paint.
This could be a nightmare, but I love the potential. I’d do something crazy like twin outboards, but you could do a tasteful redo with modest big blocks.
If you love labor and you like setting money on fire, this could be a dream. I love a good project, that’s why these boats are intriguing. My thinking would be to find twin HP 500s or similar, or do an outboard conversion and find used Mercury Racing 450Rs. The 38 Cigarette is a classic, the original straight hull is not really fast but a real sledgehammer in the rough. Again, a donor boat, or finding some used parts strategically could pay off. On a full redo, you have to do some work yourself otherwise it is probably cost prohibitive. I think a tasteful paint job, some resourceful parts sourcing and you could have a classy Cigarette for relatively cheap.
You can see really quickly how twin engine or more large offshore hulls of any project scale become financial obligations. You might as well have Bernie Madoff managing your money, because money is going to disappear really fast. That said, you can keep things under control with used stuff and a donor boat potentially. Storage and running costs will always get you but that’s boating.
