Identify this boat? Need help... possible 1964 Wellcraft.

nuts4camaros

nuts4camaros

Cadet
Joined
Aug 15, 2006
Messages
6
Can you help me identify this boat.

I recently acquired this boat, for free, and was told it is a 1964 Wellcraft. The model # is P 1400 D, as seen on the placard at the transom. It's had some parts stolen off of it (controls, cables, and engine parts)

It is indeed a Wellcraft. I'm trying to identify the year, and then find out more information about it (like a name of model?). I could use some help. I'm going to put just a tad bit of money into it, and use it. I'm not sure if the engine is rebuildable, but would like to do that as well if it's cost effective, or I can at least retain the motor value after sinking dough into it. The engine is supposidly a 33hp Evinrude. Model number on it is 33552B

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance...
DSC04358.jpg

DSC04361.jpg
 
Mark42

Mark42

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Oct 8, 2003
Messages
9,334
Re: Identify this boat? Need help... possible 1964 Wellcraft.

Nice boat.

If you want to make it usable without spending too much money, let me make the following suggestions:

- Check out the condition of the stringers (if it has any) and transom before doing anything. If the floor is soft or the transom is soft, it will take a lot of time to repair. If its solid, you are good to move on.

- What kind of seats did it have? What do you want? Pedistal seats used on fishing boats are probably the cheapest seats going unless you want to build your own plywood bench seats and use flotation devices that double as seat cushions.

- Don't bother spending a lot of time and money to restore the gel coat. With all those spider cracks it is better to just sand it all down and have a body shop shoot a coat of auto paint on it or paint it yourself.

- Rebuild the drum/wire cable steering. It is generally cheaper to rebuild one of those setups by replacing the cable and any missing wheels and springs than to install a new rotary or rack system because the additional parts needed to adapt the new cable systems to old motors without a build in steering tube adds about $100. to the cost of the new steering hardware. Drum & cable works fine and parts are cheap.

- Determine the condition and cost of motor repair. If its high, think about geting a newer motor with a built in steering tube and then you can use the newer rack or rotary steering with out the extra cost of the adapters I mentioned above. Planning saves $$$.

- Buy a used control box and add new throttle and shift cables. But wait until you know what motor you are going to use. You might be able to get the control box with the replacement motor if you get a replacement motor. Planning saves $$$.

- That is a great steering wheel and adds a lot of character to the boat. if you retain it, fill any cracks with Marine Tex epoxy and paint with epoxy spray paint (sometimes called appliance paint).

Have fun. It looks like a neat old boat.
 
nuts4camaros

nuts4camaros

Cadet
Joined
Aug 15, 2006
Messages
6
Re: Identify this boat? Need help... possible 1964 Wellcraft.

:% Well, hopefully I'm not biting off more than I can chew. I know barely anything about boats. Airplanes are my speciality. I do know the transom is in fairly good shape. The floor has one small section, about the size of a bottom of a coffee can, that is damaged, and needs repair. I'm curious to the condtion underneath that floor. I don't know what 'stringers' are. :}
but I guess know is as good as time as any to learn. Does anyone have any good sites where I can learn the basics of boats. Learn the difference between drum/wire as mentioned above, and a steering tube (although I think I can figure that one out...)

You mention buying a used control box. There's some sort of metal box in the back, by the transom. You can see it in the picture above. I ahve no idea what this is.

As asked earlier, I forgot to resize the first few pics, but got the second ones. I'll have to work on that.

Captain - very nice boat.... wow!
 
deejaycee_2000

deejaycee_2000

Captain
Joined
Mar 28, 2006
Messages
3,447
Re: Identify this boat? Need help... possible 1964 Wellcraft.

Nice boat .... very nice ... good luck ...
 
tashasdaddy

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
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Messages
51,019
Re: Identify this boat? Need help... possible 1964 Wellcraft.


found nothing at Fiberglassics on wellcraft. Does it have a hull number. as far as the engine is concerned, i would make sure it is in neutral, tilt the engine as far up as you can,remove the plugs put a good shot of marvel mystery oil in the cylinders and let sit over night, then drain oil. now try to turn the engine over, you can do this with a rope, then do a compression check, this will tell you the general condition of the guts. now do a spark check. this engine does not have to have the controlls to run, and you may have to use the choke to stop the engine. there is no doubt the carbs are going to have to be rebuilt, and the impeller changed out. laingsoutboards.com should have all the parts. the box on the transom is a junction box for the electrical controls. if you have compression atleast order a seloc manual to help guide you along. the OEM manual would be the best. check ebay for manuals. this should make you a really nice little boat. they were great when i was a kid.

search 'wellcraft boats, sarasota,fl' there is contact info there. maybe they can help you with some original pics.
 
Mark42

Mark42

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Oct 8, 2003
Messages
9,334
Re: Identify this boat? Need help... possible 1964 Wellcraft.

Do a search on this forum for "steering" and "steering tube" and you should find a lot of info about steering and converting old to new.

Browse the boat projects over at www.shareaproject.com. Like the old saying goes "a picture is worth a thousand words". You will get a great introduction into rebuilding a boat.

That soft spot in the floor is a good place to start. Drill a 2" hole using a hole saw to see what is in there. Stringers are the floor joists of a boat. Most are wood and often rotten in old boats. But small boats are funny, some may not even have stringers, or only two, or just solid foam. So cut a hole and see what is there. If its good you can epoxy the hole core back in.

That boat looks like the under floor area is shallow and small. Probably something like two 2x4's under there (running front to rear) supporting the floor if even that. But you won't know until you look.

A control box is the box that has the shift and throttle control on it. Usually a single lever that does both the shifting and throttle functions. Center is neutral at idle. Move lever forward, shifts into forward and the farther foward the lever is moved the more the throttle is opened. Moving back does the same in reverse. Uses two cables to outboard, one for throttle, one for shift.

 
Mark42

Mark42

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Joined
Oct 8, 2003
Messages
9,334
Re: Identify this boat? Need help... possible 1964 Wellcraft.

BTW, Wellcraft is still in business. Check out http://www.wellcraft.com/

If you email them they may be able to supply you with some construction details of your boat.
 
B

boatingbob

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Aug 1, 2006
Messages
88
Re: Identify this boat? Need help... possible 1964 Wellcraft.

The basic shape of your boat looks an aweful lot like my boat.
 
P

Purduebarry

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Sep 29, 2005
Messages
378
Re: Identify this boat? Need help... possible 1964 Wellcraft.

Don't trash that windshield. That's a high ticket item, if you can find them. There are some new micropolishing products out (Meguires) for plastic headlamps and parts which may restore the clarity. Try a test spot and consider using a buffer with the polish. Be careful not to burnish it.
 
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