Waterfront but no boat

[Dad sold the C * C]

It’s funny that this thread popped up, I was planning on updating it when I could get a picture of the “Fleet” this summer. As I and most of you knew we did acquire things that float

First, Top-water yes you are correct about the corrugated metal boat house, I was told most of that metal is used as an equipment shed in the area. Below is the boat that was stored there in the 60’s


The first year we rented multiple boats, 2 toons, Tri-toons and fiberglass ski boats. It really helped me make my mind up for what I wanted. I also found a “project” on Craig’s list (more on that later). One of our friends donated two very nice new sit-on-top kayaks; it only took giving them a “drawer” in the second bedroom

Year 2 and I finished my wooden kayak and unexpectedly bought a 23’ Premier Tri-toon mid-season. The Toon had the layout I wanted, the price was ok and was made much better by Winnisquam Marine when they took into consideration how many time I had rented from them for 5 years.


So for this upcoming year 4 I bought a trailer for my “project”, I still didn’t know if it would float and finally got it wet this past fall. It’s a 195? 12’ wooden runabout, I can not figure out the make, so any suggestion are welcome. The boat came with a 1954 15HP Evinrude that looks to be in good shape, but I’m having problems with the pressurized gas tank. I’m not sure what my plans are with this yet, as much as I’d like to keep the outboard vintage I would like the reliability of a newer motor.

[ApS]

Originally Posted by Dad sold the C * C

"...So for this upcoming year 4 I bought a trailer for my “project”, I still didn’t know if it would float and finally got it wet this past fall. It’s a 195? 12’ wooden runabout, I can not figure out the make, so any suggestion are welcome. The boat came with a 1954 15HP Evinrude that looks to be in good shape, but I’m having problems with the pressurized gas tank. I’m not sure what my plans are with this yet, as much as I’d like to keep the outboard vintage I would like the reliability of a newer motor..."

The round chine suggests a 5-ply pressure-molded plywood hull. The steam process for plywood was derived from the British De Havilland Mosquito bomber in WW2. (Nicknamed the "Timber Terror"). Post-war, the process was established in Canada for custom boat plans. (Later purchased by '50s actor Roy Rogers and sold as "Yellow Jacket" boats—of which, a few can be seen on Lake Winnipesaukee).



These wooden boats tended to rot at the transom, so it's possible the hull was shortened to 12-feet to save it from the scrapyard.

OTOH, the presence of ribs would tend to rule plywood out, and "carvel-planking" in, which might make your boat older than the '50s.


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[Dad sold the C * C]

Thank you Aps, it does have ribs and planking. Someone has done some strange modifications to the exterior but the interior seems to be original and in very good shape. The exterior has been epoxied but I can't see any cloth fiber.

My ideal plan is to get it on the water and under power this summer at a reasonable cost. Then depending on how it goes I'll tackle the finish and look into updating the motor and controls. For now I'd like to find an early to mid 60's OEM as they have a fuel pump and my current controls should connect easily.

[8gv]

I wonder if the evelotion from the two hose fuel supply system on outboards to single hose includes an easy adaptation.

Could one retrofit a two hose motor with parts from the next generation?

[ApS]

Originally Posted by Dad sold the C * C

"...So for this upcoming year 4 I bought a trailer for my “project”, I still didn’t know if it would float and finally got it wet this past fall.
It’s a 195? 12’ wooden runabout, I can not figure out the make, so any suggestion are welcome...

Small runabouts still appeal to me. From just a few years back, here's one in Wolfeboro's Back Bay:



Your boat could have been made from wood-boat plans featured in Popular Mechanics magazine.

New wood runabouts are still factory-manufactured today.

Back when I built my three wood boats, I came across Popular Mechanics magazine plans for a 10-foot runabout—especially since a 12-footer was "too much boat" for the budget. Still intrigued, I've kept the plans I bought back then. The plans are still available, and are cheaper today!



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