Should I change horses - which rib to refurb?

[dpround]

I am very slowly working through rebuilding the Wildcat 5.3 rib. I have a Evinrude 70 and trailer sorted. I just need a console and then fix all the bits (rib hull snapped, engine needs (hopleflly just) fettling, trailer needs mudguards and new wheels. All up probably going to take me quite a while...

Locally a 5m Humber has come up. It is scruffy and the tubes are not great, the engine is a bit unknown (65HP Merc) and not currently connected, but it does include console, VHF, trailer, console cover etc. It is priced at £999, which is a figure I am rapidly approaching with the Wildcat. So the question is, should I change horses? The Humber is a deeper V and has Hypalon tubes, but the Wildcat is probably a good deal younger and its PVC tubes are in pretty good shape, except for the huge hole...

Al the best

David

[Festinghouse]

personally i would go for the better hull design offered by the humber rather than the better looks of the newer boat.

[Ian M]

Originally Posted by dpround

rib hull snapped

Er, what does this mean? If this means a questionable lay up, then no question, go for the Humber. No amount of fettling can put right a c**p hull.

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by Ian M

Er, what does this mean? If this means a questionable lay up, then no question, go for the Humber. No amount of fettling can put right a c**p hull.

I would tend to agree...either way it does NOT sound like a D.I.Y Repair!
Sometimes its better to cut your losses,a 'Snapped Hull' may very well be one of those times!
With the pressure's we put on Hulls do you really want to take the Chance?
At least with the Humber you have a bit of a Pedigree,and Hyperlon Tubes
If its a decent Hull and the Tubes holds air the rest is cosmetic...doesn't sound the what you call it???Wildcat's??? problems ARE.
You can sell the engine ect to off-set any loss,but if you persist with the Busted Hull thing.. it might not just a financial loss your talking... (or not) about!

[dpround]

The Wildcat hull damage has been professionally assessed and a repair professionally planned. I don't have any particular concerns about doing the job, except that it is yet another cost. The problem was structural failure due to stupid design and probably too large an engine. I can improve the design easily enough while I fix it so it will be better than new.

The Humber's tubes are not great and do not hold air well, but with a coat of paint, new valves and some patches I think they will do a few more years.

I am tempted to take both on and sell off the spare bits in the summer for what could be a tidy profit, or at least not much of a loss even if things go badly.

David