Pocket Cruiser...My next Restoration.... Advice?

[tiller7104]

Just a brief history, I have owned boat most of my life and most have been in the 14 to 21 foot range. My family just grew by an adorable little girl and my wife loves fishing and being on the water, needless to say I realize just how lucky I am. I have been kicking around the idea of a Pocket Cruiser for a long time the criteria is as follows:

Trailerable....I have an F-250
26 footish
non fly bridge
Sleep 3
Single engine
Some interior wood work
Fishing and pleasure cruising

I am hoping that some bells will go off with you guys as to what I should start looking for. I am not apposed to going back into the 70's for a well constructed and affordable boat. I have traveled several times to look at some boats including a Luhrs and a Shamrock walkaround. Not thrilled with the layout of the walkarounds. I have taken a few boats out of corn fields and garages and made some really neat runners! I understand the work involved and I feel confident (with your guys help) to undertake a project like this. I am thinking long term, what ever I get I am going to keep. I have a crate 350 fresh sitting in my garage and have been looking at some different options for new and or rebuilt outdrives.

I am going to buy a good trailer this winter because it seems that most boats that I have seen of interest do not have trailers included. I will complete the trailer redue this winter, if I don't I know my level of excitement will have me launching a fresh restoration off of a rickaty trailer LOL. What do you guys think... I really like bondos Starcraft but Aluminum is not what I am really thinking.....But I am thinking along those lines!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Pocket Cruiser...My next Restoration.... Advice?

there are a lot or ebay, from major to minor projects.

 

[tiller7104]

Re: Pocket Cruiser...My next Restoration.... Advice?

Finding one is not my concern, I am looking for a particular boat (brand or model) that you guys like and why.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Pocket Cruiser...My next Restoration.... Advice?

Bayliner had a few designs in the 70s that might fit the bill. I had a 1977 27 1/2' Victoria flybridge 15 years ago. I think they had a few non flybridge or espress cruisers in that period. Mine was powered by a 350 with a Volvo 270 outdrive I think. It was underpowered but had a huge interior (and flybridge) for it's size. The quality was not bad but it wasn't a Bertram either.

Mine weighed 12,000 lbs, sat on a triple axle trailer and was 35' long from the trailer hitch to the back of the outdrive. It was white knuckles all the way towing it. You might want to wait on the trailer until you get the boat. it would be a shame to find your "ideal" boat and learn that the trailer you bought was not a good fit.

 

[tiller7104]

Re: Pocket Cruiser...My next Restoration.... Advice?

So little I was going to overkill the trailer, but I hear what you are saying I have just missed a few good deals because i did not have a trailer readily available. I have looked at a few older bayliners....not a huge fan of the craftmanship but I do agree there layout and space are very nice. I am not trying to set any land speed records so I am hoping that a mildly powered boat will do. Thanks for the info it is going into my bag of knowledge and I may rethink my search thanks for the imput!

 

[scoutabout]

Re: Pocket Cruiser...My next Restoration.... Advice?

Hey tiller -- congrats on the new crewmate! As for boats, have you considered one of those aluminum 22-25 ft. Starcraft cabin cruisers? I'm thinking mid seventies to mid-eighties vintage. Relatively light for trailering and economical power but still large enough to sleep in. I've been looking for a pic but having trouble finding one. Maybe not such a good sign but I remember those things being everywhere 20 years ago.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Pocket Cruiser...My next Restoration.... Advice?

I really like bondos Starcraft but Aluminum is not what I am really thinking.....But I am thinking along those lines!

Thanks,.........

I wouldn't even consider another 1 of These,......
It's the Starcraft Islander, 221......

On a Smaller Pond it might be Just Fine,......
But out here on Lake Ontario,.... It's been Beating me to Death for over 700hrs now,.........

I'm in the seemly, Painfully Slow process of Rerigging This 1 now,......
It's a 1973 Old Town, Atlantis......Once the Flagship of the Old Town Canoe Co.,.....
My Home Town,....... Popped from the Mold the year I Graduated Old Town High School......

25' of Solid Fiberglass,.... With a Deeeep-V for getting out to the Big 1s,.... In a decent Chop.......

OK,.... Now Back to Topic,.........
Your term "Pocket Cruiser" threw me,....
That's a Cuddy Cabin to Me,..... Sorry........

Anyways,....... There's got to be BaZillions of boats out there that Fit you search criteria....

'ell,..... I've Cut Up,+ Burned a few,....

Couldn't GIVE Away a 71, 22' Slickcraft a couple years ago,....Good Solid Hull,.... Just needed a Refit,+ Refinish.........
It had a Big cabin, yet a Comfortable Cockpit,....
Really Sharp,+ Sporty Looking Too,......
I Almost Cried that night......

Btw,........
My Starcraft Looked NOTHING like it does Now,.... When I got it......
Unfortunately,..... I have No pictures in it's original, nor it's Earlier forms.......
I think that the Rigid Bimini I build for it is the Dominating feature,.....
Not what I was Thinking in the begining,..... But I can Live with it........

Good Luck with the Search,+ How Far are you willing to Travel,..??........

 

[scoutabout]

Re: Pocket Cruiser...My next Restoration.... Advice?

..I really like bondos Starcraft but Aluminum is not what I am really thinking.....But I am thinking along those lines!

...have you considered one of those aluminum 22-25 ft. Starcraft cabin cruisers...

uh -- guess I'll be taking "attention to detail" off my resume. :$

 

[DJ]

Re: Pocket Cruiser...My next Restoration.... Advice?

The Starcraft Chieftain (Chieftain has a much larger cabin than the Islander shown above) comes to mind along with larger (25') Crestliners.

Both are aluminum and light and large for their size.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Pocket Cruiser...My next Restoration.... Advice?

:%

uh -- guess I'll be taking "attention to detail" off my resume. :$

Ayuh,..........
I Guess you're Not Alone,....................................d

 

[tgissel]

Re: Pocket Cruiser...My next Restoration.... Advice?

try searching for a Marinette, all aluminum leightweight, airy cabin

 

[tiller7104]

Re: Pocket Cruiser...My next Restoration.... Advice?

LOL guys...I found a 26' Luhrs local that has good potential, I have a guy better suited than I going to look at the glass this weekend. The only thing I am not doing flips about is it has twin 351 Clevlands in it....we will have to see, it has been pickled for 8 years and the guy seems very straight up? He has all paperwork and the boat is in a pole barn right now. We'll see? I guess the trailerable went out the window on this one LOL but it has the room I am looking for! The only thing that throws the hinkey flag up to me is I was unaware that Luhrs ever used Ford gas engines in the 80's? I was told by the owner that it was a reginal thing and that west coast equipted Luhrs had them? You guys ever heard that? Thanks Stuart

 

[DJ]

Re: Pocket Cruiser...My next Restoration.... Advice?

What's wrong with the Clevelands?

351's were the standard of the ski boat industry for years and are still used by some, not to mention some jetters.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Pocket Cruiser...My next Restoration.... Advice?

IF they're 351s,...... I Doubt they're Clevelands,......

It was the Windsors that were used in Boats,......

I've Never seen a Cleveland in a Boat,... Nor have I Ever seen a listing for Cleveland Manifolds,.....
The Bolt Patterns are Different between the 2.......

I really like bondos Starcraft but Aluminum is not what I am really thinking.....But I am thinking along those lines!

Am I the only 1 who can see this line,..??................8)

 

[scoutabout]

Re: Pocket Cruiser...My next Restoration.... Advice?

Not that you haven't figured this out, but take a moment to think about how you'll be doubling the cost for the fuel and parts, not to mention time on maintenance with that twin screw setup.

That extra motor will eat alot of diaper money! d

The upside of course is that you'll probably never have to paddle back to the dock.

 

[DJ]

Re: Pocket Cruiser...My next Restoration.... Advice?

Bond-o's right about Clevelands. They were indeed W's or M's. I meant Ford power in general. They are probably PCM, Crusader or another popular marinization.

If they are in front of OMC drives, I could see your concern. Since they are inboards, I believe, they are as serviceable as anything else out there.

 

[sport15]

Re: Pocket Cruiser...My next Restoration.... Advice?

Check out this site and BUILD what you want!

http://www.boatdesigns.com/departments.asp?dept=2

(Attention to detail ain't in my resume either, you mean Aumunlim ?)

 

[Cptkid570]

Re: Pocket Cruiser...My next Restoration.... Advice?

Look for a mid-1980's Bayliner 2550 or 26' Searay sundancer. They are both trailerable, roomy cabin, and powered by one 350 chevy.