Old boat-Wheeler Sunlight Sedan

Diver1111 · 12-14-2015, 08:21 PM

Until I found a Higgins last summer I had never heard of them.

The attached clip from July 31, 1939 is of another line called Wheeler I have never heard of. What I found interesting is that it's a twin, and launched at G&H. Some sort of cruiser.

Googling for a picture brings back Google books links and it's tough to get a good image off that.

Can anyone come up with a picture of this Make & Model?

ApS · 12-15-2015, 05:29 AM

This Wheeler was the twin-diesel cruiser seen in the opening segment of the Gilligan's Island TV show of the 1960s. The SS Minnow name was adopted from the last name of a Washington bureaucrat who controlled the FCC.

The recent purchase and restoration of that 36-footer was about double its original cost. The whole story below.

http://www.gilligansisle.com/images/minnow/minnow.jpg

.

Barney Bear · 12-15-2015, 06:54 AM

Higgins made the swift PT boats used in World War II. Remember PT 109?

tis · 12-15-2015, 07:34 AM

Diver, do you remember where they sunk the Judge Sewell?

Diver1111 · 12-15-2015, 09:40 AM

ApS-very nice picture Thank you just what I wanted to see.

As to the Judge Sewall, based on what I've come across in the past, which is very little, she was supposed to have gone down around Winter Harbor, possibly near the entrance to WH as opposed to being further in. Her engine is also supposed to be on the bottom as well in that area. Don't know if it was scuttled or due to an accident.

As to Higgins, once I found that wreck and posted it all sorts of info came up on the Forum-quite a history there-thank you all who contributed.

radioman · 12-15-2015, 09:51 AM

Around 1950, my family owned a 48 ft Wheeler and I have found 2 pictures that clearly show that it was a slightly different model. Two cabins foward, Galley with ice box and alc. stove, up 3 steps into living area which had a pullout couch and 2 large Captain chairs, The master suite was aft with two single beds that were builtin and a master bath with shower. There was a second head across from galley. Single station controls located on sunbridge. The boat was a maintenance nightmare as construction was all teak and mahogany. Engins were gas.

radioman · 12-15-2015, 01:34 PM

For those who might be interested, Wheeler still has a web site and it is very interesting. Simply Google Wheeler Boats.

tis · 12-15-2015, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diver1111

ApS-very nice picture Thank you just what I wanted to see.

As to the Judge Sewall, based on what I've come across in the past, which is very little, she was supposed to have gone down around Winter Harbor, possibly near the entrance to WH as opposed to being further in. Her engine is also supposed to be on the bottom as well in that area. Don't know if it was scuttled or due to an accident.

As to Higgins, once I found that wreck and posted it all sorts of info came up on the Forum-quite a history there-thank you all who contributed.

She was at the entrance to WH for quite a while but as I recall that was until they got all the permits necessary to sink her. It seems to me she was going to be sunk some place else, and I think she was hauled away but I just can't remember. I thought maybe you knew. Thanks.

Senter Cove Guy · 12-15-2015, 06:58 PM

The Judge Sewell was towed to Lee's Mills, dismantled and taken to the dump.
See this older thread:
http://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums/...t=judge+sewell

Diver1111 · 12-21-2015, 08:36 AM

Wheeler site has a vintage slide show:

http://www.wheeleryachts.com/earlier_yachts.html

Found 2 more pictures also.

Basicly these particular Wheelers are big cruisers. Seems they ranged from 30 feet+- to about 50 feet+-.

12-14-2015, 08:21 PM	#1
Diver1111 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Exeter NH Posts: 602 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,032 Times in 227 Posts	Old boat-Wheeler Sunlight Sedan Until I found a Higgins last summer I had never heard of them. The attached clip from July 31, 1939 is of another line called Wheeler I have never heard of. What I found interesting is that it's a twin, and launched at G&H. Some sort of cruiser. Googling for a picture brings back Google books links and it's tough to get a good image off that. Can anyone come up with a picture of this Make & Model? Attached Images

12-15-2015, 05:29 AM	#2
ApS Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Florida (Sebring & Keys), Wolfeboro Posts: 5,927 Thanks: 2,190 Thanked 775 Times in 553 Posts	Fast Enough? This Wheeler was the twin-diesel cruiser seen in the opening segment of the Gilligan's Island TV show of the 1960s. The SS Minnow name was adopted from the last name of a Washington bureaucrat who controlled the FCC. The recent purchase and restoration of that 36-footer was about double its original cost. The whole story below. http://www.gilligansisle.com/images/minnow/minnow.jpg . __________________ Is it "Common Sense" isn't.

12-15-2015, 06:54 AM	#3
Barney Bear Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 962 Thanks: 495 Thanked 273 Times in 174 Posts	Higgins Boats Higgins made the swift PT boats used in World War II. Remember PT 109?

12-15-2015, 09:51 AM	#6
radioman Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Gilford Posts: 216 Thanks: 6 Thanked 75 Times in 50 Posts	Old Boat Wheeler Around 1950, my family owned a 48 ft Wheeler and I have found 2 pictures that clearly show that it was a slightly different model. Two cabins foward, Galley with ice box and alc. stove, up 3 steps into living area which had a pullout couch and 2 large Captain chairs, The master suite was aft with two single beds that were builtin and a master bath with shower. There was a second head across from galley. Single station controls located on sunbridge. The boat was a maintenance nightmare as construction was all teak and mahogany. Engins were gas.

12-15-2015, 01:34 PM	#7
radioman Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Gilford Posts: 216 Thanks: 6 Thanked 75 Times in 50 Posts	Old Boat Wheeler For those who might be interested, Wheeler still has a web site and it is very interesting. Simply Google Wheeler Boats.

The Following User Says Thank You to Diver1111 For This Useful Post:
Barney Bear (12-15-2015)

12-15-2015, 07:34 AM	#4
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,654 Thanks: 747 Thanked 1,440 Times in 1,001 Posts	Diver, do you remember where they sunk the Judge Sewell?

12-15-2015, 09:40 AM	#5
Diver1111 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Exeter NH Posts: 602 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,032 Times in 227 Posts	ApS-very nice picture Thank you just what I wanted to see. As to the Judge Sewall, based on what I've come across in the past, which is very little, she was supposed to have gone down around Winter Harbor, possibly near the entrance to WH as opposed to being further in. Her engine is also supposed to be on the bottom as well in that area. Don't know if it was scuttled or due to an accident. As to Higgins, once I found that wreck and posted it all sorts of info came up on the Forum-quite a history there-thank you all who contributed.

12-15-2015, 06:58 PM	#9
Senter Cove Guy Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 596 Thanks: 288 Thanked 429 Times in 140 Posts	The Judge Sewell The Judge Sewell was towed to Lee's Mills, dismantled and taken to the dump. See this older thread: http://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums/...t=judge+sewell __________________ Lake Winni - The only place I want to be during the summer.

12-21-2015, 08:36 AM	#10
Diver1111 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Exeter NH Posts: 602 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,032 Times in 227 Posts	Whheler site Wheeler site has a vintage slide show: http://www.wheeleryachts.com/earlier_yachts.html Found 2 more pictures also. Basicly these particular Wheelers are big cruisers. Seems they ranged from 30 feet+- to about 50 feet+-. Attached Images