First steps for a first timer...

[thewaxmania]

I don't know very much about wooden boats, but I'm hoping to be pushed in the right direction by some of the more learned members here. Here's the story...My grandfather has always had a boat in his garage for as long as I have been alive (27 years) and its never been in the water in that time. I know that he acquired the boat when my father went into the service in or around 1972/3 with the intent to get it ready so that after he got out they would use the boat. The boat went in the water once or twice in 1975 and was parked in the garage and the motor was tucked in the corner of the big garage. They just didn't like boating, I guess.

I check on the boat every time I can and I've never noticed anything out of the ordinary like rot or the boat losing shape or something, but I don't really know what I'm looking for. My question is, is it possible to get this thing back into service without being an expert wooden boat restorer. I'm handy, I work on old British sports cars, I drive an English car that's about as hands-on and it gets, I have a motorbike that is constantly on the mend and I grew up with a carpenter as a grandfather. I just don't know much about wooden boats. What should I look for? What will need doing and how do I determine if its worth doing?

My grandfather died a few years back and I'm wondering if I can revive a bit of history with his old wooden boat. I'll try to take some pictures when I'm out there this weekend and post them. But any words of advice or "what to look for" would be helpful.

Thanks!
Brett

 

[produceguy]

Re: First steps for a first timer...

I can't really help you but can't wait for some pics.
I really enjoy the old woodys.
Do you knoe what kind of boat it is and what kind of motor?

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: First steps for a first timer...

Welcome to iBoats!

My first restoration was a 1948 Crosley plywood boat. Loved that thing. If she's been stored inside all this time, then I suspect she's held up quite well. They are constructed mostly with epoxy and that stuff lasts a LONG time if it is NOT exposed to sunlight. PICS will tell the story. My signature has a link on how to post em so get em up, and we'll be here to help you.

Welcome Aboard!!!!

 

[thewaxmania]

Re: First steps for a first timer...

OK. After a thorough crawling around and whatnot I've determined that the boat is in superb condition for its age and my story is a little off from the truth. According to my grandmother and uncle (who is older than my folks by about 10 years). From what I NOW understand, the boat was purchased somewhere closer to 1952-1954 and was used regularly up until the mid 1960s when it was used on a less frequent basis and in the late 1960s/early 1970s my grandfather restored the boat and trailer and put it into storage and hasn't seen action since. The engine is in the garage and is a 40hp Evinrude Big Twin that my uncle remembers starting in a barrel every season until the early 1970s. So I'm pretty confident in this project's merits going forward. The boat maker is unknown at this point. I couldn't find any badging and until I can get it out of the garage, I'm not likely to know much more. Its also not 18' but 16'. From photos and research it looks similar to a Thompson boat, but I also know he worked at Moss Marine in Somerset, MA and that's where the boat was acquired, but I'll hopefully find out more soon.

Any thoughts or comments are welcome. Photos aren't great quality, but you guys get the idea.

 

[andgott]

Re: First steps for a first timer...

Aww, Come on- What a tease! We need better pics than THAT! I've done a few woodies in the past. I love 'em!

It looks like it has potential to be a great project. That Big Twin is a 1959, VERY distinctive fiberglass cowling used only that year. I've got 2 '59 Larks, which are the 'deluxe' version of that motor. They're good, strong runners, and you can get parts. Looks like a cool vintage trailer hiding under there, too. Should make for a nice package!

-Andrew

 

[thewaxmania]

Re: First steps for a first timer...

Thanks Andrew! I was wondering what year the motor was. I'll try to get some better boat pictures this weekend. I've got to clear out a bunch of old stuff from the garage.