1959 Cherokee Full Restore

Johnboy82

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Dec 20, 2015
Messages
43
Dale I have these same pictures saved on my computer and never even noticed that. The guy that has this for sale is just a few miles from me and I am trying to get it. Thanks for pointing that out! I got a box of trailer parts in today and it was like Christmas again.
 

ssdale

Starmada Splash of the Year 2016
Joined
Nov 4, 2011
Messages
285
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Your model appears to be a Marlin if it is 15 feet, retailed for $404.50; or a Dolphin if it is 14.5 feet. retailing for $355.50 in 1959.
 

Johnboy82

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Dec 20, 2015
Messages
43
Yea mine is the 15 ft. And that is close to what I paid for it in 2015.
 

Johnboy82

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Dec 20, 2015
Messages
43
Well hopefully the weather will break soon so I can start on some body work ssdale can I ask where you got the handles and eye bolts for your exterior transom?
 

ssdale

Starmada Splash of the Year 2016
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Nov 4, 2011
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Sure thing! The transom handles were luckily still in tact, and miraculously, in excellent shape on my boat. The chromed eye bolts that I used are actually pickup bed stake pocket rings. I just removed the rubber plug and ran the threaded rod through the transom. These can be found at most farm and fleet type hardware stores. Not sure about your Marlin, but my Playboy runabout came with chrome handles designed by Tom Faul. They were part of his Nautalloy line of chrome accessories and lights. They show up on e-bay once every blue moon along with the bow handle (does your boat still have the bow handle?). I would just look for good and sturdy galvanized handles also at the Hardware store when you get the eye bolts. Its a long shot, but sometimes antique stores have handles, just depends how much time you want to spend on the "hunt" Keep after it! Post a pic or two when you have a chance.
Dale
 

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EricJay

Cadet
Joined
Feb 6, 2016
Messages
11
Per my old man's experience the older stylized logos are difficult to source. I met a guy a ways back who borrowed someone's, had it 3d scanned and 3d printed then painted and sealed it. It looked pretty nice and didn't cost him as much as you would think. I will see if I can track the guy down and see how it held up.
 

Johnboy82

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Dec 20, 2015
Messages
43
ssdale. Thanks for the info again. Ive been looking around for some handles but haven't found any that are solid or suitable. I'll keep on looking and check on eBay as well. My bow eye was broken and I have a replacement already just need to get it on. EricJay. Let me know if you find out anything. I probably have enough that could be scanned or I can create a CAD drawing if needed.
I'll get some progress pictures up this weekend
 

Johnboy82

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Dec 20, 2015
Messages
43



Here are some beginning pictures of my trailer, which I plan on working on today. I have already replaced the hubs and bearings, the winch with new strap, and bow roller. I have all of the other rollers, lights, and wiring that will be new. The bunks and carpet will get replaced and the side posts will be cut down , since they are too tall and tight right now. Hopefully I can update some pictures soon.
 

ssdale

Starmada Splash of the Year 2016
Joined
Nov 4, 2011
Messages
285
Sounds like your on the right track. Wheel bearings are #1 and good dependable lights are #2. Black is an easy color to work with on the cheap. Keep rolling forward and get her ready for spring.!
 

Johnboy82

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Dec 20, 2015
Messages
43


So today I was able to get my side guide posts cut down and the caps put back on. The pieces laying on the plywood are what was removed. I will get a 2x4 carpeted bunk for these side rails when I replace the bottom bunk boards. Next is a thorough clean, sand and touch up paint of the trailer, get the new lights and wires on, rollers replaced and I will be road ready. Then on to the boat itself. Ready for warmer weather to break to get some things done!!
 

Johnboy82

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Dec 20, 2015
Messages
43
Well I haven't gotten much done lately except a little, sand and paint on the trailer, just where some severe rust was shining through. I did take the emblems off of the side of my boat, and have someone working on creating a 3D drawing and possibly 3D printing them if we can agree on the right material. If not, I would like to have milled in aluminum and polished. Here is what they look like, they sure seem to be original.
 

ssdale

Starmada Splash of the Year 2016
Joined
Nov 4, 2011
Messages
285
They are definitely original. I am puzzled by the piece of a swoosh that shows on the right. In all of the literature that I have ever seen on McKenzie/Cherokee, I have never seen anything similar to it. It appears to be broken, can you tell for sure by looking at it or the rivet holes in the boat. Your ideas for making them are really ambitious and I hope you stick with it, but you can always fall bck to some nice 2-color vinyl if you have a local banner, sign shop that can reasonably copy the font. Slow and steady wins the race!
Dale
 

Johnboy82

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Dec 20, 2015
Messages
43
Yes it is broken. It continues down the same lines to a rounded point. I have never seen this anywhere else either. There are several signs that tell me it is original from the rivets to the original maroon paint underneath to the type of "plastic" they are made of. But it is the only one like that I have ever seen. I'll see how the design works out but this is one piece that I want to stand out
 

Johnboy82

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Dec 20, 2015
Messages
43
ssdale I found a guy around 50 miles from me that has a 1957 Cherokee that is wanting to cut up to pieces to build some sort of project boat. I'm trying to see about getting it. Sad to see beauties like that being chopped up.
 

ssdale

Starmada Splash of the Year 2016
Joined
Nov 4, 2011
Messages
285
You are suffering the common ailment: tinboataddiction! Thats also the name of an iboat member I think. Some guys cut holes in the back and turn them into small jetboats, i think. Not sure. If it has the script you need, that would be an awesome find too. All for fun!
Dale
 

Johnboy82

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Dec 20, 2015
Messages
43
Yes dale I agree. I have always been partial to aluminum boats. I am trying to get any parts that the guy cuts off, but we will see. He said all the badges were gone but the pictures he has shown do show a good rub rail and a clear. We will see how it turns out
 

Johnboy82

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Dec 20, 2015
Messages
43
Well I haven't gotten much done lately except for acquiring a new trailer that once held a mid nineties polar Kraft. It is two feet longer and a lot better built than the homemade one that my boat came with. So back to square one on the trailer. Got new hubs ordered and some paint purchased. It will be a quick fix compared to the other one. Hopefully I can get some time to work on it and get some pictures posted.
 

ssdale

Starmada Splash of the Year 2016
Joined
Nov 4, 2011
Messages
285
Post those before pics, you will always love to look back at the improvements/progress you have made. Weather is great for getting things done! Press on.
 

Patfromny

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Dec 2, 2012
Messages
1,197
How did you make out with the emblems? Looks like between the two scripts you can make one good piece. When I was a kid I worked for a guy who made car emblems. He would make emblems that didn't ever exist (like 428 or 455 hood emblems for 60's firebirds) by soldering the pieces together and casting it in a rubber mold for spin casting. I would imagine he would be too expensive for one set of emblems. You would have to pay for the mold. Maybe you can sell them on ebay and recoup the price of the mold? Let me know if you want his number. Lots of memories of that spin caster and polishing emblems. Shuttering right now remembering the burnt finger tips.
 

Johnboy82

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Dec 20, 2015
Messages
43
Definitely will get some pictures up this weekend. The process of getting these emblems has not been good to me. I am finding out Monday about the final design and cost to have them 3d printed. We shall we. Update y'all soon
 
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