Well I am at a stand still. I have got been getting the time the Tahiti needs to get it done before next summer. I have a ton of parts and I just sold the 496 I built for a nice profit. The 496 would not have been a great lake/jet motor since it was 13.5-1 and spun 7k.

Anyways I love this boat, the colors, the lines etc, but it needs alot of finishing work and $$$$. I have found a ton of nice jets complete for less than 6k. I even found a Sanger bubbledeck for $2500. Anyways here is a list of parts I have and need.

The boat has a brand new Berk JI pump, A imp. Droop, place diverter,
Have a ready to go studded 2 bolt 454
Nice new ported,polished 049 heads ready to run
All new MSD ignition (6al,dist,wires,coil)
Extra Set of Miller 1.8 roller rockers
Brand New Dan Olsen Oil Cooler
Brand New Milodon Oil pan
Fuel filters
Bassetts
2-Imco 16 gallon tanks
Polished 4 pt. mounts
PTO
New Wiring
Twin Axle competitive trailer with new tires
and I am sure more

So I need
Another rotating assy.
Intake, Carb, yada, yada.
Interior
Plumbing
Lines
and most of all the time to work on it
Basically all the small stuff that adds up to alot of $$$
Trailer needs rebuilt and paint and wiring and lights
I would like the hull to have all the chips and dings filled
I am guessing 8K to finish this boat

So what would you do. Would you sell or would you say well F one more summer and get it done.

You have to ask yourself this question: If you buy another complete boat, will you be able to leave it alone, or be it the same position you are in now this time next year?  I am in the same boat you are in and with the amount of time and money already invested, I would just stick out and finish it.  You'll be happy when your done!

we have talked a few times and ive looked at a lot of picks and the boat is nice, but here is my take on it.
it's a tahiti, not that its bad but there are more desirable boats out there and that is what stopped me from closing the deal with you. i just couldnt go from a hondo to a tahiti. once again nothing wrong with the tahiti i just wanted something a little different.

the way i would look at it is how much do i have in it and how much can i get out of it the way it sits, because you may be able to find something else that is more complete. or has more of the nostalgia or whatever factor instead of a mass produced hull.

just my .02
ralph

You don't have to finish all at once , just finish the engine and fill the chips in the gel next winter.

Well to the boats defense it is more of a Caribbean (undones boat) than a 1/4 stringer cracked up Tahiti that we are all used to seeing. It is a full stringer well built boat but Ralph is right a Liberty,Cole, Hondo,  etc. will sell faster and for more $$$ than a Tahiti.

and dont forget the sanger that you posted

Well to the boats defense it is more of a Caribbean (undones boat) than a 1/4 stringer cracked up Tahiti that we are all used to seeing. It is a full stringer well built boat but Ralph is right a Liberty,Cole, Hondo,  etc. will sell faster and for more $$$ than a Tahiti.

That doesn't make sense, Tahiti and Carribean, at that time, were both made by the same riggers, same materials, same laminators and so on in the same shop at the same time. One would get a Tahiti name tag, the next a Carribean. Both names were owned by Hardin then. Tahiti/Carribean=same boat, same quality. 

I have to say something here....Tahiti has been a good boat for years....it might not be the one of choice for alot of you but I've seen some pretty fast Tahiti's and some pretty hot looking ones too....the 1/4 stringer "cracked up" boat that we are all use to seeing made a whole lot of people happy and to this day they are still running up and down rivers, deltas and lakes with the best of them...now don't get me wrong...I understand what you are all saying as far as Hondo's etc...but I believe that a well restored Tahiti can still run with the best of them....and sit in the water right along side some of the best looking boats of the day....I had a Sanger years ago...as well as a Tahiti....I have a Tahiti now...as well as a Miller....I've had 2 Advantage boats and a Nortic.....I can honestly tell you that I can to this day have just as much fun with a Tahiti as I can with a $160 thousand boat....and at times more fun....now I guess I've said my crap....it's all in what you want at any given time....love to you all.....

Anyways I love this boat, the colors, the lines etc,

i think you may have answered your own ??

it's hard to part with something you like, believe me i know, i went through it with my boat, but with the history behind mine, i had to build it, if you like the boat, build it, take your time and do it your way, i have 2 1/2 yrs and alot of $$$ wrapped up in this go round (not to mention the first time we did it), to me the boat is worth it, it will never sell for what is invested and i know that (nor will i sell it), only you can answer the question...  is it worth it to you??

by the way, it is a very nice looking boat