Rare Switzer Craft GL20 or GL21 I/O found.... Any info??

[drozz30]

Re: Rare Switzer Craft GL20 or GL21 I/O found.... Any info??

I found a rare Switzer boat near me recently at anabandoned house. I've been able to track down the owner but he wants $2,500 for it. It is complete, supposedly running SBC engine and the hull is in very good shape and looks like the original gelcoat may actually buff up nice. Sad he let it sit outside like this. It caught my eye because of its sleek design. I've never seen a boat like this.

I restore cars and have the ability to restore this boat. But just like my car restorations... I don't restore 4 door Mavericks or 4 door Dodge valiants because the value is just not there. In searching the web, I can find very little about the GL20-GL21 series and no similar boats running or for sale anywhere. I saw one blurb where a nephew of Bob Switzer claimed there were only 12 of these made.

If anyone can give me any insight as to its value so i can consider restoring it I'd appreciate it. Otherwise it will be doomed to scrap when the house is demolished. Thanks in advance.

I wish you luck in finding information on this model. I own one and have been searching the net for months trying to find out whatever i can. Mine is an 88 gl21 and i believe had a 350 in it origionally. It now has a 454 with an alpha drive. Mine doesnt have the swim platform and looks as if they changed the top deck slightly over the years. I started threads on offshoreonly and screamandfly and there were a couple of replies but no real info.I added a pic for you.

 

[shrew]

Re: Rare Switzer Craft GL20 or GL21 I/O found.... Any info??

Then he has no claim to it. If he wanted to keep it why didn't he take it with him ??.

If it were me I'd back the truck up to it and be on my way home with it.

Argg! I hate to resurrect somewhat of a zombie thread. However, it's worth cautioning against this. There is a significant diference between unoccupied and 'abandoned'. Truly abandoned property is extremely rare. SOMEBODY owns the property even if nobody resides in the building. The items are at best being STORED there. Because nobody resides on the premises and doesn't appear to be using the property stored on the grounds does not mean that property can be taken at will. The boat owner may own the property and be storing his boat there. He might have an agreement with the actual property owner.

Suggesting theft on a forum is simply irrrepsonsible.

As for the boat, I agree with others, boats don't hold value like an old classic car salted away in someone's barn. Unless it was a very specific and historical boat, like Miss Winnepesaukee or a Bertram with "Moppie" on the stern.........

I wouldn't part with $2500 for this boat, however value is in the eye of the purchaser.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Rare Switzer Craft GL20 or GL21 I/O found.... Any info??

Then he has no claim to it. If he wanted to keep it why didn't he take it with him ??.

If it were me I'd back the truck up to it and be on my way home with it.

Ah, the interet--best source of bad legal advice

 

[karguy]

Re: Rare Switzer Craft GL20 or GL21 I/O found.... Any info??

Well he has come to his senses and I am picking up the boat for less than half of his asking price. Hopefully it will turn out well.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Rare Switzer Craft GL20 or GL21 I/O found.... Any info??

Cool! Can't wait to hear good news. Cool lookin' boat.

 

[karguy]

Re: Rare Switzer Craft GL20 or GL21 I/O found.... Any info??

Cool! Can't wait to hear good news. Cool lookin' boat.

I will post some additional pics once I get it pulled home and cleaned up a bit.

 

[drozz30]

Re: Rare Switzer Craft GL20 or GL21 I/O found.... Any info??

I will post some additional pics once I get it pulled home and cleaned up a bit.

cool looking forward to seeing the pics!

 

[bear_69cuda]

Re: Rare Switzer Craft GL20 or GL21 I/O found.... Any info??

Just an FYI.

A good friend of mine worked for this company in high school, as his best bud was the owners son. They are actually trying to locate some of the old hull molds... I may be able to connect you to the original owner of the company if you have questions.

peace!

 

[bear_69cuda]

Re: Rare Switzer Craft GL20 or GL21 I/O found.... Any info??

ooops,

Just talked with my friend and found out the original owner has since long past away, but his son is around.... And he's the one looking for the hull molds...

 

[BIGDOGBILL]

Re: Rare Switzer Craft GL20 or GL21 I/O found.... Any info??

I was the proud owner of the very first GL-20. You mentioned on a post that all you could find was an advetisement saying the Gl-20 could go 60 mph. My boat is the est boat i the picture. I had a Mercury 200 on it and i ran well over 85mph. The 1st i/o was brown and had an LT1 vette engine on it. The i/o disinigated racing me on Lake Geneva WI. These were extremely low numbe boats. The boat in the picture is definitly a GL-21. You can tell the difference by the windshield frame and the cove on the side before the Switzer emblem. there has been a two gl-20 i/o for sale i the las year and they sold for 5000 and 7100. Both were in decent original condition. there is a really nice gl-21 for sale on craigslist in iowa. It is in mint condition with no motor, it is an outboard. These boats are extremely fast and have a cult like following. They are tricky to dive above 80mph but an absolute blast to own. It you get this and resort it do it for the fun of it.

 

[karguy]

Re: Rare Switzer Craft GL20 or GL21 I/O found.... Any info??

well, for better or for worse, I've done the dead. I've got to say I feel pretty good about rescuing this way cool boat. Here are a few pics of the rescue for you pleasure....

So far, the engine turns and the fiberglass is in excellent condition. The bottom is clean as a whistle and in perfect shape. Stringers appear good and I have to do a more in depth inspection of the transom but it actually looks good. The interior is of course history but all of it is there for patterns. We had a flat on the trailer on the way home but that was expected. As soon as we got home we couldn't wait to break out the new powerwasher bought just for the occasion. The link below has many more pics. Enjoy.


http://s21.photobucket.com/albums/b258/TenHemi/Switzer/?start=0

 

[karguy]

Re: Rare Switzer Craft GL20 or GL21 I/O found.... Any info??

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Rare Switzer Craft GL20 or GL21 I/O found.... Any info??

that looks fast just sitting on the trailer

 

[pmillar]

Re: Rare Switzer Craft GL20 or GL21 I/O found.... Any info??

Awesome looking boat there. I figure it should do well in big water too... no problem with stuffing the bow into a wave because you will just submarine right on through it!

That's a pretty sharp tow vehicle there as well.

 

[Maclin]

Re: Rare Switzer Craft GL20 or GL21 I/O found.... Any info??

That may just be one of the few boats that are worth saving as far as 1.) cool-ness 2.) Boating history significance 3.) Value

so PLEASE do not make it a boat car!

by the way, I am FULLY impressed by the Panel truck. I am blessedly cursed or cursedly blessed with the MoPar gene, so I had to comment! big thumbs up there

 

[karguy]

Re: Rare Switzer Craft GL20 or GL21 I/O found.... Any info??

That may just be one of the few boats that are worth saving as far as 1.) cool-ness 2.) Boating history significance 3.) Value

so PLEASE do not make it a boat car!

by the way, I am FULLY impressed by the Panel truck. I am blessedly cursed or cursedly blessed with the MoPar gene, so I had to comment! big thumbs up there

Thanks guys. I need some support from people that don't think I'm crazy for pulling this thing home! lol Ever since the first time I saw this boat I thought it was way cool and needed saving. I am just thrilled I know it will not be left to rot. Here is the engine. Any observations and suggestions would be appreciated.

I was able to gleen a little history from the things in the boat. It was registered in South Georgia from 1979 through 1986. It came to Florida in the early 90's and was river run on the Hommassa river a few times. It shows zero signs of salt water usage thankfully.

 

[drozz30]

Re: Rare Switzer Craft GL20 or GL21 I/O found.... Any info??

Its looking great! What year is it?

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: Rare Switzer Craft GL20 or GL21 I/O found.... Any info??

Great find karguy. Will be nice to see this one brought back to life. Keep us posted.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Rare Switzer Craft GL20 or GL21 I/O found.... Any info??

Great looking boat ... whoever said it was right, that thing looks fast just sittin' still! You've made a good hit with the boat and the panel van tow vehicle

 

[karguy]

Re: Rare Switzer Craft GL20 or GL21 I/O found.... Any info??

Its looking great! What year is it?

It is a 1978 on the title.