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Anyone have a Golden Arrow out there?

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Don Ayers
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Anyone have a Golden Arrow out there?

Post by Don Ayers » Wed Feb 25, 2009 5:34 pm

Folks;

Anyone out there with a 19' Golden Arrow. Anyone like the design or care?

Just asking
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Post by dustoff135 » Wed Feb 25, 2009 9:53 pm

I'm not familiar with this model, any photos?
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Post by Wood Commander » Wed Feb 25, 2009 10:08 pm

That's a Cavalier Division plywood runabout from the 1960's, isn't it? If I remember correctly, it has some nice style to it's lines.
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Don Ayers
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Post by Don Ayers » Wed Feb 25, 2009 10:44 pm

Here is a link. I don't have any pics scanned.

Click Here
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Ken Miller
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Golden Arrow

Post by Ken Miller » Wed Feb 25, 2009 11:03 pm

I see the link you posted reads, "The Golden Arrow featured bucket seats, vinyl decks, and floors with namesake gold-and-white color scheme.....". I distinctly remember an Ebay auction a while back which referred to the boat as a Golden Arrow. The boat had the lines of the boat in your link, but was red. I wish I had saved the photos from the auction.
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Post by Al Benton » Thu Feb 26, 2009 12:03 am

It has a unique shape for a plywood boat, ahead of its time with the blunt forward deck and sloped covering boards.

Al

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Post by Mark Christensen » Thu Feb 26, 2009 7:55 am

Wow, that is a decent looking boat. I don't know if I've ever seen one around. I guess I wouldn't know to look for it though.
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Golden Arrow

Post by John Justice » Thu Feb 26, 2009 8:34 am

Not only some pictures, it is for sale. Raleigh craigslist [email protected]

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Don Ayers
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Post by Don Ayers » Thu Feb 26, 2009 8:35 am

According to the CC guide there were only 170 produced in 1963 and 64. Came with a 283 and a 327.

I agree that it seemed ahead of its time from a lines standpoint. I have never seen one in person.

I know everyone downgrades the ply boats but I can still respect them for what they were. What I think about when I look at that is how much fun that thing would be with a 327.
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Don Ayers
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Post by Don Ayers » Thu Feb 26, 2009 8:55 am

Only one in the current ACBS and none on our hull registry
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Mark Christensen
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Post by Mark Christensen » Thu Feb 26, 2009 9:15 am

oh yeah a 327!! that'd be awesome. I had a 327 in a 22' sea skiff and it was awesome. I kinda want to start searching for one of these now. no Mark, no.
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Don Ayers
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Post by Don Ayers » Thu Feb 26, 2009 9:33 am

Get this....I just saved one yesterday from going to the dump. Got a lead about a warehouse that the roof was caving in on. Old guy said there were these old wood boats in there and if no body wanted them the whole place was going away. I went down there at lunch and made the guy an offer to save the boats and came away with two boats and an extra 283.
1963 Golden Arrow
1961 19' Cont.

My wife was understanding and I didn't even sleep on the couch last night.

Now I got to get them out of there. You can see the roof being supported by some small ply CC Cav. The Golden Arrow is behind the Cont.

I have no idea what to do with them but hey....I saved em.

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Post by Chad Durren » Thu Feb 26, 2009 10:09 am

BE CAREFUL, looks like a "booby trap". The boats are just the bait.

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Post by tom king » Thu Feb 26, 2009 8:24 pm

Yikes Don. How do you plan on getting them out with the roof falling down on your head!

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Post by Al Benton » Thu Feb 26, 2009 11:11 pm

Looks like the Golden Arrow is buried in there deep. The cont' is no biggie but that other boat is holding the roof up. Don't snag it or the wall or...well. Borrow a truck with a roll cage.

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Post by quitchabitchin » Fri Feb 27, 2009 9:14 pm

I would make sure your wife isn't in on this deal. She may have just purchased a new life insurance policy on you, explaining why you didn't have to sleep on the couch. All kidding aside, I think I know where a Golden Arrow was for sale in Cincinnati, Ohio. "Uncle's Woody" I think may be a Golden Arrow. I'm sure it has a 283 or 327 in it. It has painted blue sides. It was for sale with a cover over the top, so I couldn't see the blunt nose. Is it 17' long?
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Post by jfrprops » Fri Feb 27, 2009 9:48 pm

Reply to Don Ayers: not "everyone down grades the plywood boats"! Those of us cruiser guys (dying breed to be sure) respect the sea strakes and sea skiffs, in fact I would rather have a through bolted and glued lapstrake ply boat than ANY planked version, if I wanted to CRUISE anyway...(and get home in a sea, without springing a plank).
Properly maintained those boats were a transitional revolution that never reached full potential because tupperware hit the scene. I am also a big fan of the "hotmolded" ply runabouts like Whirlwinds and Wagemakers etc etc....pound for pound stronger than steel.
No wood boat is easier to repair than a plywood one.
Sure, there are those purist who don't even consider ply to be wood, but as for me, give me glue everytime!!!
John from Va.
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Don Ayers
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Post by Don Ayers » Sat Feb 28, 2009 9:18 am

Great post John. I have owned a Sea Skiff (1961 23') in the past and can say it was one of the most capable and fun boating experiences I have ever had. There is something for everyone out there and I agree that some of the ply boats just don't get any respect. I chuckle when someone calls my Riva, "just a plywood boat". There is much function in using different types of construction. I have seen a letter from Chris Craft to Riva regarding the Riva "armored laminate". Chris Craft stated that it was very superior but too expensive for them to use.

All the layers in Riva construction are mahogany and hull sides and deck were made in giant presses. It's really something to see how well they were made. Many people today are trying to copy what Riva did by putting back multiple layers of wood and vacuum bagging.

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Post by jfrprops » Sat Feb 28, 2009 10:46 am

Yes Don, and that Riva process is but a version of the whirlwind cook it and autoclave it dry glue process. Great technology, genesis in WWII for making invasion gliders and etc. Hey, Aristocraft still rules!!
John in va.
1980 Fairchild Scout 30
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Don Ayers
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Post by Don Ayers » Wed Mar 04, 2009 7:15 pm

OK;

After a full day of work I got the boats out without the roof falling on us. I saved them now it's time for someone else to restore them. Guess I'll do the e-bay thing to move them along.

They did turn out to be CC's for sure.

1961 19' Cont. #14

1963 19' Golden Arrow #18

I was cursing myself for following the lead but you never know.
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Post by James » Sat Mar 07, 2009 10:55 pm

Don -
Great work saving the 2 boats!

Now get busy and save that building!!
Built in 1915? Nice architecture - would make a nice boat shop (with a new roof, of course...)

Tritone
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Re: Anyone have a Golden Arrow out there?

Post by Doug Doty » Wed Jun 19, 2013 8:21 pm

Don Ayers wrote:Folks;

Anyone out there with a 19' Golden Arrow. Anyone like the design or care?

Just asking

I just bought a very nice 63 model Golden Arrow and just came back from running it at the local boat ramp for several minutes to check out the mechanicals. Neat boat..... I sure wish I could figure out how many are still in service ???

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Don Ayers
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Re: Anyone have a Golden Arrow out there?

Post by Don Ayers » Thu Jun 20, 2013 7:59 am

I don't think there is but a handful at most. Pretty rare and low production to start with anyway.

Post some pics!!!

You know Bill Baldwin our Editor has one. Did you catch his story in the Brass Bell a few issues ago?
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Re: Anyone have a Golden Arrow out there?

Post by Doug Doty » Thu Jun 20, 2013 10:22 pm

I will post pictures,

Alert !!! there is one on ebay now !!! is it not a golden arrow that has a few mods. ???

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1964-19- ... v4exp=true

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Re: Anyone have a Golden Arrow out there?

Post by Doug Doty » Thu Jun 20, 2013 10:30 pm

Here are some pictures of her this evening, 6/20/2013, I got her home yesterday, and got every thing transferred this afternoon. Took the day off tomorrow to bond :) I have been wanting this boat for a couple of years and the planets aligned this week. She is a 4 owner Midwestern boat for the last 30-40 years and owned by a friend for the last 7. Believed to be all original wood in fabulous condition, non glassed bottom. 283 is running like a top with extensive tune up and valve lash set last summer. I haven't opened her up yet but PO said she will turn 4000 before the tune up. She is in super shape for 50 years old this season. 1963 build #10 I am not sure how long ago the gold was replaced with the tomato red, I am still learning, and am anxious to find out what is original and what is not beyond the red and the stereo. I have contacted bill and sent him some pictures and will chat after he has some time to look her over. Still has the gold hue plastic rim steering wheel with no splits. The windshield is quite clear still for 50 as well. Looks to have taken on a pint of water all afternoon with 2 hours of run time.

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Last edited by Doug Doty on Thu Jun 20, 2013 10:55 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: Anyone have a Golden Arrow out there?

Post by Doug Doty » Thu Jun 20, 2013 10:49 pm

A few more, I ordered all of the available information form the Mariners Museum today as well.

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Don Ayers
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Re: Anyone have a Golden Arrow out there?

Post by Don Ayers » Fri Jun 21, 2013 7:22 am

Great Pics;

I'm telling ya...that design was ahead of its time!!! :mrgreen:
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Don Ayers
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Re: Anyone have a Golden Arrow out there?

Post by Don Ayers » Fri Jun 21, 2013 7:30 am

Doug Doty wrote:I will post pictures,

Alert !!! there is one on ebay now !!! is it not a golden arrow that has a few mods. ???

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1964-19- ... v4exp=true

That is a ridiculous price for a boat that has been so jacked up!!!
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Don Ayers
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Re: Anyone have a Golden Arrow out there?

Post by Don Ayers » Fri Jun 21, 2013 7:33 am

Oh, good lord!!!! I just saw it's in Oklahoma city. I'll have to go look at the silly thing and get some pics and find the hull number.

Yeah!!! Something to do this weekend other than work on the Vette. :D
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Re: Anyone have a Golden Arrow out there?

Post by JimF » Fri Jun 21, 2013 8:13 am

Here are a few pictures of Baldwin's boat in the correct gold.
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1930 Chris-Craft Model 100 20' "MOXIE"
1940 Chris-Craft Red and White 25' "Old Paint"
1946 Chris-Craft Sportsman 25' "CinCity"

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