McKenzie Boat Mfg. Co. ?????

[gdcarpenter]

Have this oldie goldie that I can find no traces of the manufacturer.

Its called a Cherokee Aluminium Boat from the McKenzie Boat Mfg. Co. with serial # 15-16294-1A. Came to me with a 50 HP Evinrude serial # C 71330, Model # 50473M.

Have since refurbished it but would like to learn something about the original manufacturer.

 

[oops!]

Re: McKenzie Boat Mfg. Co. ?????

hi......nice boat.

boat mfg'ers were a dime a dozen for most part......so it may be tough to find stuff.

but if you have pics of the project, please post them ans give detaled discriptions on the pictures........it may get put into the compleated projects forum.

cheers
oops

 

[aborgman]

Re: McKenzie Boat Mfg. Co. ?????

Have this oldie goldie that I can find no traces of the manufacturer.

Its called a Cherokee Aluminium Boat from the McKenzie Boat Mfg. Co. with serial # 15-16294-1A. Came to me with a 50 HP Evinrude serial # C 71330, Model # 50473M.

Have since refurbished it but would like to learn something about the original manufacturer.

I recently identified my "mystery boat" (http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=307360) as a Cherokee.

User 03vrod also has a Cherokee, that was how I ID'ed mine.

Mine looks quite a lot like your boat. Is yours a 14' or 16'?

What I know about Cherokee -

They were made in either McKenzie or Kingsport Tennessee.

http://www.fiberglassics.com/forms/forum818C/download/file.php?id=4601&mode=view

http://www.fiberglassics.com/forms/forum818C/download/file.php?id=4602&mode=view

 

[gdcarpenter]

Re: McKenzie Boat Mfg. Co. ?????

Thanks for the replies. She's a 16' boat. Have hopefully attached a couple more pictures. She was in pretty run down shape when we got her. I never did document the refurbishing that well. Any further photos will have to wait until I get back up to Canada this summer as she's stored by the lake there.

Interestingly enough the original windshield manufacturer is still in business but not doing replacements. Eventually did track down a company in Detroit that fabricated me a new windshield to fit the original frame, not inexpensive.

Replaced the dash with a solid piece of red oak, would have preferred white oak but it's treated with tung oil every year. Also ran red oak strips along the inside sides that may show in the second photo.

Updated the steering to get rid of the cable system and rewired the boat.

The old 50 Evinrude died so I had a less damaged old 70 Johnson rebuilt here in CT.

Of course I gave her a new floor and rebuilt seats, and repsprayed the hull with a paint called 'Hammerite".

 

[03vrod]

Re: McKenzie Boat Mfg. Co. ?????

I also have a 16' Cherokee I think mine has deeper sides.I just finished painting the hull working on the floor and engine.

 

[sackv8]

Re: McKenzie Boat Mfg. Co. ?????

I have a 1977 Cherokee 17" that is all original. Only the two front seats have been replaced and top are in excellent shape and the top still fits. I would love to know more about the company. It also has the original 1977 70 hp Evenrud motor. I use it weekly on the Mississippi, Guttenberg, IA.

 

[wanaknow]

Re: McKenzie Boat Mfg. Co. ?????

I have a 16' 1966 Cherokee. I'm looking for any information that I can get about it. It's in fair shape but I am going to need a new wind shield some day. It has a cupple of cracks on the back edges and lots of scratches all over it. I would like to know what the origainal seats looked like.

For the last two years I have boated on the Mississippi pool 26 weekly. I just started with iboat Friday July 10, 2009. Friday PM I left for a weekend trip to Southwest Wisconsin. I stoped in Guttenburg both ways hoping to see another Cherokee. No luck, maybe next year.

 

[03vrod]

Re: McKenzie Boat Mfg. Co. ?????

I saw a couple on craigslist in kentucky and tenn don't know if they're still on there or not.I'm trying to finish mine now.The original engine doesn't want to cooperate a 75 hp 1961 johnson.

 

[scrubb]

Re: McKenzie Boat Mfg. Co. ?????

I Have a 16' Cherokee that I just bought It has a 80 HP Evinrude on it. i would also like some info on it.

 

[scrubb]

Re: McKenzie Boat Mfg. Co. ?????

Some pics of my Cherokee

 

[nesnah_21]

Re: McKenzie Boat Mfg. Co. ?????

I have a cherokee boat, do you know what kind of value they might have? Or any info that you might know about these boats? thanks

 

[gdcarpenter]

Re: McKenzie Boat Mfg. Co. ?????

Unfortunately I have not been able to find any information.

 

[thomas_d_48116]

Re: McKenzie Boat Mfg. Co. ?????

I have a Cherokee Aluminum Boat too Just like yours. I was told it was a 1960. It came with a 1959 Evenrude 75hp. Like you I know nothing about it. Where did you get your windshield ? My email is EDIT Send me your email adress and I will send you pics of mine.

 

[gdcarpenter]

Re: McKenzie Boat Mfg. Co. ?????

When you are in the forum and click 'reply' you can elect to reply by 'PM' (Private Message) - as I am doing now. My email address is EDIT.

My boat came with a windshield, it was etched 'Water Bonnet' (If I recall correctly). That company still exists but doesn't do replacement windshields. I eventually found a company in Detroit that I shipped the whole windshield to, frame and all, and they made a replacement windshield.

My boat also came with an Evinrude 50 - though who's to tell if it was the original motor, but they were both about the same vintage.

 

[gamefish59]

Re: McKenzie Boat Mfg. Co. ?????

I also have a 16' Cherokee I think mine has deeper sides.I just finished painting the hull working on the floor and engine.

I am new to the forum so forgive me if I have not followed protocol the first time. I have recently purchased a barely recognizable 1959 Cherokee with a 50 hp Fat Fifty. Cosmetically its in rough shape but its mechanically sound. I have attached a few pictures so you will see what I mean. The previous owner decided he wanted to make it a duck hunting boat and painted it camouflage. Its been sitting idle in a barn since 1985 and needs some tlc. I was able to purchase it for $275 so I felt I needed to save it. Information on these Cherokee boats is hard to come by and the only place I have even heard mention of them is on this forum. If 03vrod or anyone else that has experience with Cherokee boats has any information to share with me to help me to restore my boat to the condition of yours I would be grateful. Thanks

 

[ezmobee]

Re: McKenzie Boat Mfg. Co. ?????

Welcome to the forum gamefish. That is a really cool boat!! As you've found, there aren't many Cherokee owners around. However, there are TONS of aluminum Starcraft owners on here and the boats are similar. You should be able to get the answers to any restoration questions you might have here. You boat is similar to a Starcraft Jet, Jet Star, Nassau, and Jupiter and I know there are good resto projects for each of those on here.

 

[gamefish59]

Re: McKenzie Boat Mfg. Co. ?????

Thanks for the comments ezmobee and the information. Those threads to the restored Jupiters and Starcrafts have given me great ideas for my restoration. Those guys have done great jobs and are very talented! The forum is a great resource, glad I joined !

 

[ezmobee]

Re: McKenzie Boat Mfg. Co. ?????

Glad to have you. I recommend starting a new thread with the pictures of your project. The other tin-heads should chime in.

 

[bananaboater]

Re: McKenzie Boat Mfg. Co. ?????

Made in McKenzie, TN. Just passed through there this weekend.

Relatively rare boat, they will turn up on EBay once in a while. I have only seen pics of the Cherokee model. Like the lines.

 

[vinsearch]

Re: McKenzie Boat Mfg. Co. ?????

Hello to all. Well, think i may be able to help with the Cherokee Boat (Mckenzie Mfg) if anyone is interested. Found a 1963 cherokee avalon about three years ago and as luck would have it was able to track down the former owner of the company and have had several discussions with him and he has actually given me numerous original decals / sales brochures, etc. GREAT GUY!!

If you would like more info about the company please email me at (will send a pic of my boat if you ask).

Clayton