1965 Lone Star Big Fisherman worth getting a bonded Title for?

[Bantou]

Ya'll I must have lost my mind. I haven't even finished the Monark yet and I'm already looking at another tinny. My boss has a '65 Lone Star Big Fisherman sitting out in his pasture that is absolutely beautiful. It is the perfect candidate for a full restoration: straight, no dents or dings, and still has most of the original paint.... The only problems are that the transom is gone (not a hard fix), it was never titled, and my ol' lady might kill me if I brought another boat home right now lol. Texas Parks and Wildlife shows the last registration expired in '87 and the listed information on the last documented owner is no longer valid. I could go through the process to get a bonded title for it, but that sounds like a massive PITA.

As it sits, I could probably buy it from him at scrap value (roughly $75). Do you think it would be worth it for that? From what I've read, the old Lone Stars seem to be pretty solid boats. It's only rated for 12hp but I bet it would handle my 15 with a new transom since the only difference between it and a 9.9 is the carb.

 

[MrGiggles]

I'd probably leave that one to someone that needs a rowboat for their pond.

That said, nobody restores these boats because it makes financial sense. I'd probably save my efforts for something a little more special, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder. If you think you might have a use for it, and the hull is straight, sounds like you could do worse.