Anyone heard of a Phillips Boat?

[Jwhit612]

My grandfather recently gave me a boat that I am working on restoring. It is an old shrimp fishing boat that he used in Wilmington NC. The title says it is a "Phillips" but I have done a hundred google searches and have come up with nothing. My grandfather says it is a Harkers Island design if that helps. I'm just curious if anyone knows any history behind a Phillips boat. It is very unusual because the outboard motor actually mounts inside the boat and goes through the bottom of the boat about 4 feet from the back.
If anyone knows anything about these boats or can point me towards a resource to find out about them that would be awesome. Thanks!

 

[pb&jellyfish]

Re: Anyone heard of a Phillips Boat?

Not sure about Phillips. Before the gill net ban here in Florida, mullet fishers used these types of boats all the time. The design helps clear the back so nets can be pulled in without any hangups. Looks like a cool project!

 

[NoKlu]

Re: Anyone heard of a Phillips Boat?

You can't find anything cause they only made 1.lol. We need pics of the engine through hull setup. Not to help you out but more a curiosity kind thing. I can't imagine trying to work around that engine right in the middle of things, and the noise! Cool boat to restore and probably a rare bird.

 

[Jwhit612]

Re: Anyone heard of a Phillips Boat?

I have definitely never seen a boat quite like it before. Here are a few more pics for your interest.
I know that my Grandfather told me that the guy's name who built them was Phillips so it definitely could have been a pretty small operation. Of course according to him, it was one of the finest fishing vessels ever made.
The one picture with the blue interior was before I started working on it. The middle section that now has the long seat on it is where the battery goes and also serves as a storage area. I made the seat pads that are now in it and painted the interior as well as made the new canvass top and stripped the stainless awning supports. The motor is an old 1978 Evinrude 70HP. The boat tops out at about 30 mph but has plenty of pick-up to pull skis and mess around with. The hull seems to be solid fiberglass. There is also holes on each side right in front of the middle bench area where you can insert "pulling poles" to attach your nets for dragging. I opted not to insert them for now.
The motor is kind of loud being there in the middle but it works out ok.
I met a guy at the dock this past weekend who said he saw a lot of boats like this fishing in Mexico 20-30 years ago but hasn't seen one like it in a long time.
Let me know if anyone comes up with any info on it. Thanks!

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: Anyone heard of a Phillips Boat?

Welcome Aboard!

Gotta say that is a first! Glad you have decided to share, definitley none other like it on this site!

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Anyone heard of a Phillips Boat?

MIC: PBL

Status: Out of Business


Company:

PHILLIPS BOAT WORKS
Company Official:

PHILLIPS, A.
Parent Company:

Parent MIC:

Address:

RT 3,BOX 144
City:

HUBERT
State:

NC
Zip:

28539
Country:

Phone:

0000000000
Fax:

In Business:

8/4/1975 12:00:00 AM
Out of Business:

5/29/1990 12:00:00 AM
Date Modified:

5/29/1990 12:00:00 AM
Type:

Outboards, Open Motorboats, Jon Boats
Additional Address:

Comments:

900529-STILL HAVE SHOP-BUT NOT IN PRODUCTION

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Anyone heard of a Phillips Boat?

That rig is uniquely awesome She looks like fun to me.

Interesting modification you could do is to make an underwater viewer out of that amidships transom if you took the motor off. Just lower a clear plastic insert to make contact with the water and you'll be seeing all sorts of ocean life

 

[cheesegrits]

Re: Anyone heard of a Phillips Boat?

Cool boat! I was in Eastpoint FL recently and the guys that go after oysters still use this style of hull. The only difference is their motors are even more amidships. I agree that before the net ban most of the mullet boats were this type also. Most of them had small covers over the motor so the nets couldn't fall into the motorwell.

 

[SHERMB]

Re: Anyone heard of a Phillips Boat?

Yes, I know about PHILLIPS BOAT WORKS as my father had one also while I was growing up. Phillips Boat Works was located in Swansboro, NC. The owner's name was Phillips of course and he had two sons working with him making the boats. He had Two size Molds in which he made a "big 18" and a "little 18". From the picture, it looks like you have the "big 18" as we had the little 18, hence no steering wheel. Our motor size was rated up to 40HP and we had a manual steer motor. We Shrimped and used Spot nets with it for over 20 years with it. My father sold it about 6 years ago much to my dismay.

 

[Jwhit612]

Re: Anyone heard of a Phillips Boat?

Fascinating! Thanks SHERMB! I'm curious how many boats they made during their years of operation? It can't be many if it was only the 3 of them making them.
Mine has a 70 HP Evinrude. I took it out yesterday and rode almost non-stop for about 30 miles on the water. Ran beautifully for a 31 year old boat and motor.

 

[kimlee]

Re: Anyone heard of a Phillips Boat?

See Craigslist North Carolina Jacksonville Sun 06. Phillips boat for sale by the son of the builder

 

[walt-oxie1]

Re: Anyone heard of a Phillips Boat?

That is one of the finest commercial fishing boats made. They will haul a bunch of weight, float in inches of water and run like a raped ape with about 100hp. Do you know if it was one of the original Phillip's (built by Auton) or was it built by Buzzy (the guy who has the molds now)? They usually start at about $3000 or more around here and are real common. I would definately keep it. It looks like the "Big 18" you have there. Auton also made a "little 18" and also a 24" boat but I cannot remember the model. I know a guy that used to build those boats with Auton. The boats that were built by Buzzy are prone to cracking. The motor sits forward on them to clear the nets. The nets sit on the back and are run out. They are also pulled in there. This keeps the nets from being snagged on the motor. I have a Big 18 myself but it doesn't look as nice as yours. Mine has been worked alot. As a matter of fact, I am working it again tonight going after spots.

 

[SHERMB]

Re: Anyone heard of a Phillips Boat?

In the past several months, I have been thinking about the Phillips boat my dad sold. So, I tracked down the guy that bought it, and he said he'd sell it back to me. HURRAY! Now, it can "come back home" and I can share the same type of fishing experiences I had with my Dad with my children. Oh, and another surprise, to call up Pop and say, "Hey, meet me outside, I'm gonna take you fishing", and see the expression on his face when I pull up with the boat... can't wait. This time, I can take him like he used to take me.

 

[Jwhit612]

Re: Anyone heard of a Phillips Boat?

That is awesome, and a great legacy to share with your dad. Thanks for sharing.

 

[LabonteFanDSS]

Re: Anyone heard of a Phillips Boat?

I own a Phillips similar to what you have posted. It is listed as a 1976 Phillips Warrior on the registration. It is 16 ft with a 40 Hp Nissan tiller drive. I aquired it from Harkers Island NC and have been working to get it back on the water. The boat is in excellent shape for its age, and the motor runs great, but the trailer that came with it has seen years of saltwater and better days. I am curious about what kind of trailer you have, because on mine you have to make sure the motor is raised all the way up to clear the back of the trailer when loading or unloading.

 

[Jwhit612]

Re: Anyone heard of a Phillips Boat?

My boat has a very clunky stainless steel trailer. however, even though it's been in the salt water there is no rust on it. I can't remember the brand of the trailer but the back of the trailer doesn't go to the back of the boat. The motor rests on the trailer tilted up slightly. I typically put the motor all the way up until I hook the front of the boat to the trailer, then I set the motor back down on the trailer. here is a picture of my trailer. If I remember to look at the trailer later I'll let you know what the brand is. I do remember that the sticker with the brand has a picture of a girl in a bikini.

 

[hookandladder]

Re: Anyone heard of a Phillips Boat?

My boat has a very clunky stainless steel trailer. however, even though it's been in the salt water there is no rust on it. I can't remember the brand of the trailer but the back of the trailer doesn't go to the back of the boat. The motor rests on the trailer tilted up slightly. I typically put the motor all the way up until I hook the front of the boat to the trailer, then I set the motor back down on the trailer. here is a picture of my trailer. If I remember to look at the trailer later I'll let you know what the brand is. I do remember that the sticker with the brand has a picture of a girl in a bikini.

Hey i just found this forum about phillips boat works after one of my grandfathers friends gave me a 18' phillips that we used to fish nets in down in oriental,nc. i am now restoring it as it has been thru a few hurricanes but still in awesome shape. i am also looking for a trailer for it can you describe how your is set up. thanks

 

[southkogs]

Re: Anyone heard of a Phillips Boat?

Welcome aboard hookandladder:

You'll probably want to start a new thread and post that way. It'll get you more views and responses ... from people who are actually still on the boards

It's against the rules to post in old threads unless you're the OP.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Anyone heard of a Phillips Boat?

Cool boat! I was in Eastpoint FL recently and the guys that go after oysters still use this style of hull. The only difference is their motors are even more amidships. I agree that before the net ban most of the mullet boats were this type also. Most of them had small covers over the motor so the nets couldn't fall into the motorwell.

+1. Looks just like the mullet boats down in here on the Gulf Coast of FL. Not exactly built for high speed runs, or planing, but should make a fun family boat and project. You might get better performance by mounting the OB on the transom, but that could be a lot of work and may be more trouble than it's worth. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Anyone heard of a Phillips Boat?

THREE YEAR OLD THREAD!!!

We will let this one drift back into the archives