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New Owner and Member needs lots of help with ID
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New Owner and Member needs lots of help with ID
Any input on the exact hull type and any details would be appreciated. I am assuming it has been re-configured somehow. I am new at this whole deal but anxious to learn as much as I can about it before restoration.
Titled as a 1939 Racing Runabout
Still working on getting a hull number
Hull Measurements....16' X 5'8"
Holman Moody Racing 289 with velvetdrive added in the 70's
Thanks
Jim O'Grady/ Amelia Island Fl.
Titled as a 1939 Racing Runabout
Still working on getting a hull number
Hull Measurements....16' X 5'8"
Holman Moody Racing 289 with velvetdrive added in the 70's
Thanks
Jim O'Grady/ Amelia Island Fl.
interesting. doesnt look like a special race boat that was built from 37-40. hull numbers from 42000 to 42166. It had no blonde wood, this boat has post war steering wheel, different instrument panel, etc. The race boat had a distinct barrell stern, that is the top half of the transom edge was almost a half circle. there should be hull numbers on stringers, and a number of other places.
Thanks for your response..didn't know about the post war steering wheel... I do know the front windsheild brackets appear to be from the hydrophane. Still strugging to find the hull number. Previous owner (inherited the boat) says he has the plate somewhere but I guess I need to take some more action. Got a bum leg right now and was looking for an easy way out. Again thanks Jim
- bjornbakken
- Posts: 62
- Joined: Sat Nov 29, 2008 2:12 pm
- Location: Central Mass.
- Contact:
There are several hulls that meet the 5'-8" beam both pre- and post war. The forward windshield brackets could be from either era, the nav. lights could be from either as well, the fairleader looks late 30's but the cutwater may be custom built. Keep looking for numbers. I have a feeling you'll find something eventually.
Al
Al
- Bill Basler
- Posts: 1996
- Joined: Thu Oct 20, 2005 4:48 pm
- Location: Cedar Rapids, IA
I'm guessing a 16-foot runabout that has been redecked. Could be an early one ...it's hard to say with the current deck and hardware.
The windshield brackets were used on the Hydro, but also on the pre war Deluxes, and early post war Deluxes and Rivieras. Later versions of the same brackets had a slightly different cutout in the side brackets. Maybe the donor boat for much of this hardware was a post war Deluxe or Riviera. It might explain the steering wheel, step pads, windshield and some of the deck hardware.
Also, the decks look very much like they have a bit post war 17-Deluxe influence. Kind of flat covering board with a broad radius to the outside edge. The mitered and radiused transom has post war Riviera and 20 Custom influence as well.
I think she could be a pre war hull that has been heavily post "warrified."
The windshield brackets were used on the Hydro, but also on the pre war Deluxes, and early post war Deluxes and Rivieras. Later versions of the same brackets had a slightly different cutout in the side brackets. Maybe the donor boat for much of this hardware was a post war Deluxe or Riviera. It might explain the steering wheel, step pads, windshield and some of the deck hardware.
Also, the decks look very much like they have a bit post war 17-Deluxe influence. Kind of flat covering board with a broad radius to the outside edge. The mitered and radiused transom has post war Riviera and 20 Custom influence as well.
I think she could be a pre war hull that has been heavily post "warrified."
Bill Basler
Thanks Bill,
That is pretty much the same thing I was coming up with..someone with more knowledge could have probably looked at the structure and how it was modified and what from.Still hoping to get a hull number or find one. I really like the boat a lot and appreciate the details you shared with me. I'll keep you updated on my progress.. thanks everbody for your quick help and interest.
That is pretty much the same thing I was coming up with..someone with more knowledge could have probably looked at the structure and how it was modified and what from.Still hoping to get a hull number or find one. I really like the boat a lot and appreciate the details you shared with me. I'll keep you updated on my progress.. thanks everbody for your quick help and interest.
- maritimeclassics
- Posts: 700
- Joined: Sat Mar 03, 2007 4:35 pm
- Location: Traverse City, Mi
- Contact:
It looks like a 16' Rocket that someone wanted to be a 16' Riviera, thats my guess. I think we should hold a contest.
Family member of Chris Craft founder
Owner of Maritime Classics
http://www.maritimeclassics.com
Ph# 231-486-6148
Restoration Projects:
1936 25' Gar Wood Custom
1947 Ventnor Hydroplane
1957 17' Deluxe Runabout
1948 25' Chris Craft Sportsman Twin
1959 19' Sliver Arrow Hull #75
1929 26' Chris Craft Custom Runabout
1937 25' Chris Craft Custom Runabout
Owner of Maritime Classics
http://www.maritimeclassics.com
Ph# 231-486-6148
Restoration Projects:
1936 25' Gar Wood Custom
1947 Ventnor Hydroplane
1957 17' Deluxe Runabout
1948 25' Chris Craft Sportsman Twin
1959 19' Sliver Arrow Hull #75
1929 26' Chris Craft Custom Runabout
1937 25' Chris Craft Custom Runabout
- steve bunda
- Posts: 428
- Joined: Thu Dec 14, 2006 5:59 pm
- Location: wisconsin
- Contact:
boat
Hi Jim, do you have a picture inside the hull bilge area? I am thinking Century? steve
- Bill Basler
- Posts: 1996
- Joined: Thu Oct 20, 2005 4:48 pm
- Location: Cedar Rapids, IA
Thanks Guys,
Took some accurate length measurements with help and it actually measures 16'4" not 16(Sorry DUH!). Were any of the prewar 17's actually less than the 17'listed in the Essential Guide or the 16's more than sixteen as they are post war. Headed home in a few hours to look in the suggested places for hull number and take the suggested pictures for post later this evening.
Took some accurate length measurements with help and it actually measures 16'4" not 16(Sorry DUH!). Were any of the prewar 17's actually less than the 17'listed in the Essential Guide or the 16's more than sixteen as they are post war. Headed home in a few hours to look in the suggested places for hull number and take the suggested pictures for post later this evening.
- maritimeclassics
- Posts: 700
- Joined: Sat Mar 03, 2007 4:35 pm
- Location: Traverse City, Mi
- Contact:
You need to find a hull# quick my anxiety level is way up there on this one and I keep checking the Boat Buzz about every three hours.
Family member of Chris Craft founder
Owner of Maritime Classics
http://www.maritimeclassics.com
Ph# 231-486-6148
Restoration Projects:
1936 25' Gar Wood Custom
1947 Ventnor Hydroplane
1957 17' Deluxe Runabout
1948 25' Chris Craft Sportsman Twin
1959 19' Sliver Arrow Hull #75
1929 26' Chris Craft Custom Runabout
1937 25' Chris Craft Custom Runabout
Owner of Maritime Classics
http://www.maritimeclassics.com
Ph# 231-486-6148
Restoration Projects:
1936 25' Gar Wood Custom
1947 Ventnor Hydroplane
1957 17' Deluxe Runabout
1948 25' Chris Craft Sportsman Twin
1959 19' Sliver Arrow Hull #75
1929 26' Chris Craft Custom Runabout
1937 25' Chris Craft Custom Runabout
- Bill Basler
- Posts: 1996
- Joined: Thu Oct 20, 2005 4:48 pm
- Location: Cedar Rapids, IA
Thanks Bill.. That is the inside bottom and it appears to be the batten seams you described..
Anyone know good reference site or book on Century Boats? Maybe that was the reluctance of the owner to be forthcoming with the plate or hull info. Think it was more ignorance than deception if this in fact turns out to be a Century as indicated. The boat as I said was inherited from the long time original owner.
Anyone know good reference site or book on Century Boats? Maybe that was the reluctance of the owner to be forthcoming with the plate or hull info. Think it was more ignorance than deception if this in fact turns out to be a Century as indicated. The boat as I said was inherited from the long time original owner.
- Reginald Down
- Posts: 253
- Joined: Thu Feb 28, 2008 3:26 am
- Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Contact:
This is a real stretch - But other than the windshield and square cockpits, are there any similarities to the 1946 15' Century Seamaid Split Cockpit?
To me the covering boards on the mystery boat are Century like...
These photos are displayed on the Century Boat Club web site http://www.centuryboatclub.com/
To me the covering boards on the mystery boat are Century like...
These photos are displayed on the Century Boat Club web site http://www.centuryboatclub.com/
Reg Down
- Reginald Down
- Posts: 253
- Joined: Thu Feb 28, 2008 3:26 am
- Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Contact:
- Reginald Down
- Posts: 253
- Joined: Thu Feb 28, 2008 3:26 am
- Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Contact:
Jim - You may want to try contacting Chuck Miklos at Miklos & Sons Restorations (412) 766-3180. They are very knowledgeable when it comes to the classic / antique Century boats, and may be able to suggest where to look for a hull number, etc.
Good luck, and let us know what you find out if in fact it's a Century (or not).
Good luck, and let us know what you find out if in fact it's a Century (or not).
Reg Down
- Captain Nemo
- Posts: 730
- Joined: Tue Jul 07, 2009 7:40 pm
- Location: Lyons, NY
- Contact:
Hi Jim,
Century stamped the hull# on the port side of the transom plank near the waterline, which in most cases have been replaced so that is usually lost. They also sometimes stamped the # on the inside of the starboard engine stringer between the fuel tank and the engine. On some runabouts they stamped it on the starboard stringer in a location which you would have to pull the engine to see it. This has been a very exciting thread and I have been watching very closely. Good luck w/ your search.
-Mark
Century stamped the hull# on the port side of the transom plank near the waterline, which in most cases have been replaced so that is usually lost. They also sometimes stamped the # on the inside of the starboard engine stringer between the fuel tank and the engine. On some runabouts they stamped it on the starboard stringer in a location which you would have to pull the engine to see it. This has been a very exciting thread and I have been watching very closely. Good luck w/ your search.
-Mark
Boats are to be made of wood, otherwise, God would have grown fiberglass trees.
No Hull Number yet on boat but on the paperwork was a hull number of NCZ5027B0I39 which of course doesn't correspond to ChrisCraft so I disregarded it. But it does resemble a Century with the 39 at the end. That is the year it was titled as. I think at this point it certainly indicates a 1939 Century Seamaid 50 or 51 despite being titled along the way as a 1939 ChrisCraft 17' racing runabout.
"Century had hull plates afixed inside the motor boxes or inside engine hatches in the 1930s, 1940s, & 1950s. These had the hull number and engine number. But these plates prior to 1942 only had a partial number like 49 The whole number on the transom may have been 49 over 3754. In this case The year was 37 the model was model 54 Seamaid and the production run # was 49."
Still can't quite make sense of it..maybe some transposition mistakes over the last 70 years..
anyone with any input on this ? The saga continues. Thanks Again Jim
"Century had hull plates afixed inside the motor boxes or inside engine hatches in the 1930s, 1940s, & 1950s. These had the hull number and engine number. But these plates prior to 1942 only had a partial number like 49 The whole number on the transom may have been 49 over 3754. In this case The year was 37 the model was model 54 Seamaid and the production run # was 49."
Still can't quite make sense of it..maybe some transposition mistakes over the last 70 years..
anyone with any input on this ? The saga continues. Thanks Again Jim
- Kerry Price
- Posts: 234
- Joined: Wed Oct 26, 2005 4:23 pm
- Location: Austin, TX
- Contact:
Jim,
I've been following this post and no...I don't know what this boat is. The batten seam bottom does indicate the possibility of a Century. I have paged through Classic Century Powerboats by Milkos and based on the build sheets the only 16'4" boat listed that Century produced was the Corsair made between 1957-1967. The Corsairs were a utility with an upholstered fore deck and modern interior so I have my doubts on it being this. Here I go sticking my neck out but I have my doubts about this being a pre war Seamaid either. From the pictures of this boat -at least as best I can tell- the fore deck and engine deck crowns do not appear to have the degree of crown found on the Seamaid. Also and most obvious is that none of the hardware looks correct for a pre war boat. The scoops look like post war Chris Craft. Closer inspection is warranted. I’m thinking that this may be a utility conversion. Whatever it is it looks like a fun project. Do keep us posted
I've been following this post and no...I don't know what this boat is. The batten seam bottom does indicate the possibility of a Century. I have paged through Classic Century Powerboats by Milkos and based on the build sheets the only 16'4" boat listed that Century produced was the Corsair made between 1957-1967. The Corsairs were a utility with an upholstered fore deck and modern interior so I have my doubts on it being this. Here I go sticking my neck out but I have my doubts about this being a pre war Seamaid either. From the pictures of this boat -at least as best I can tell- the fore deck and engine deck crowns do not appear to have the degree of crown found on the Seamaid. Also and most obvious is that none of the hardware looks correct for a pre war boat. The scoops look like post war Chris Craft. Closer inspection is warranted. I’m thinking that this may be a utility conversion. Whatever it is it looks like a fun project. Do keep us posted
Last edited by Kerry Price on Sun Oct 11, 2009 8:06 pm, edited 1 time in total.
1946 20' Custom Runabout: R-20-092
1938 19' Sportsman: 19501
http://www.chris-craft.org/registry/vie ... oat_id=532
1938 19' Sportsman: 19501
http://www.chris-craft.org/registry/vie ... oat_id=532
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