Need help identifying boat

[Brighton Earley]

Hello and good day to all. I recently inherited a boat, from my family, that my grandfather built (who has since passed on) and am trying to find any information about her. She's 17' long and made out of wood, with fiberglass sheets over the wood. He started building her in 1961 and finished in 63 and put a v4 Johnson 75 hp on it. Was this a kit boat? or was she built from scratch? Any Information would be helpful. Thank You for your time

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Need help identifying boat

I have an old book on building boats that was my wife's grandfather's, from the mid-50's IIRC. There is a very similar "cabin cruiser" plans in it. It's funny how back then they put cabins on the tiniest boats.

If those are recent pictures, you have a great looking vessel--not very practical, but cool. Just keep it away from fresh water.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Need help identifying boat

Look at the Glen-L plans online. They have a few of them in there that look like that one. Nice boat - and how cool that it was built by your grandfather.

 

[Brighton Earley]

Re: Need help identifying boat

The only water this boat has been on is freshwater. I am going to sand it down and repaint it, but what is the reason I should keep it from freshwater? Any suggestions on paint or gel-coat that would make it safe for freshwater use? Thank You for your feedback

 

[lakegeorge]

Re: Need help identifying boat

I have owned several wooden boats and always used them in Michigan, on freshwater lakes. I don't know why people always want to scare other people about their boats. You won't have anything to worry about, especially if you just trailer it.

I personally will take fresh water over salt water any day of the week.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Need help identifying boat

Welcome to iboats!

Great looking little boat. And made by your grandfather, to boot!

I'm confused by picture#2. There doesn't appear to be an otboard mounted on the transom.

The issue with freshwater is that wood rots in it a whole lot faster than in salt. But if you are meticulous in maintaining the varnish or paint, you can keep rot largely at bay.

 

[TruckDrivingFool]

Re: Need help identifying boat

That's a cool boat with a great story to give even more pride. I bought (ya I'm a sucker) a cd of old boat plans off of Ebay with the intent of building something like that. Most of the plans I think came from Popular Mechanics and I know there was at least one styled like that would have to look to remember the size.

I'm confused by picture#2. There doesn't appear to be an otboard mounted on the transom.

The issue with freshwater is that wood rots in it a whole lot faster than in salt. But if you are meticulous in maintaining the varnish or paint, you can keep rot largely at bay.

The motor sits in a well in front of the transom you can see it if your look close. Can see it better in the first pic.

That holds true for true wooden boats. The way it was built sounds like what I think is called cold molding (Gurus please correct me if I'm wrong). Boat is built from plywood then covered in fiberglass. Shouldn't require any more maintenance than a typical FG boat.

 

[Brighton Earley]

Re: Need help identifying boat

Bob its kind of an optical illusion, as I failed to show clairity in the pictures I posted. (Sorry) Live and learn. The motor is semi-enclosed in the stern. These should help a little more, and may give you, or others a better look see.

 

[TruckDrivingFool]

Re: Need help identifying boat

That didn't take long,

Here's one like it

I can't say that's the plan it came from since I'm sure there's more like it, but its sure close.

 

[Brighton Earley]

Re: Need help identifying boat

And thanks TruckDrivingFool (from a fellow trucker), and yes he had a stack of Popular Mechanics at the lakehouse and was a carpenter by trade. She's been dormant for 35+ years in the same garage.