TOPIC: Possible Project Boat - I Need Expert Opinions

Hi all,

New to this site in recent days, but I'm hooked!

I stumbled across this boat - a 1960 Holiday 15', literally floating in a farmer's pond - he uses it to spray weeds, thus it was stripped of all mechanicals & controls (which he has) and he added some oars which of course would come off easily. I can have the boat free if I replace this boat for him with a cheapie rowboat.

The hull looks really clean, no damage I could find, and all of the trim appears to be there but would need freshening. They had used it as a family ski boat in the 60s/70s, but it's been in the barn until recently. Had used a 35hp outboard (1962?) which appears to be in great shape, but I've always liked the look of old Mercs so I may pass on that.

No interior to speak of, but if this becomes my project I'd have something really nice fabricated. I'm thinking of a complete, top notch restoration. Thoughts?? THANKS!!!

well you know it floats....the price is right , way cool fins, & big yes on the mercury's

buy the man a row boat

That is a Glasscraft. Dude - what are you waiting for? Go get the boat.

chances are that the hull will need some wood replaced, but who cares. If you get it & decide that you no longer want it, you could always re sell the boat.

BB, with fins like that you've GOT to go rescue to old girl! Well worth restoring, IMHO.

Thanks for the speedy responses - you've managed to help me convince "the boss" that this is worth doing.

I'm open to any and all ideas as to how to do this right.

Attached is a brochure page I've since found on bigfinboats.com. That's the boat!

I'll let you know how this turns out - Thanks!

BB,
Great choice, I second everything that was said. Also a good thing to bounced it off the "boss"! Once you get her home take a lot of pics and we can go from there. You'll definitely want to check the transom even though it floats. It still could be waterlogged so to speak. Let us know how it goes.

Bob

Hey BB Welcome to the Site .. Hope that guy has his Row boat by now and your trailering that boat home . Looks like a Great Start ..Badger Boater ,,, HHHMMM Are you a fellow Chease Head to ?? Im Way Up Nort Ya Know EEEHHH ...L.O.L..

Hi Bobo - yes, a Wisconsin native, (location to remain secret until I have the boat in my garage - haha) and we have a little cottage between Minocqua & Boulder Junction. I got the hots for a "project" boat after drooling over the Chris Crafts at the Minocqua old boat show this weekend. Wish I had the $50k entry fee to play that game - but this boat is calling my name, and is way cheaper too...

BadgerBoater wrote:

Hi Bobo - yes, a Wisconsin native, (location to remain secret until I have the boat in my garage - haha) and we have a little cottage between Minocqua & Boulder Junction. I got the hots for a "project" boat after drooling over the Chris Crafts at the Minocqua old boat show this weekend. Wish I had the $50k entry fee to play that game - but this boat is calling my name, and is way cheaper too...

Wow im close to being your Neighbor at the Cottage . Depending where your at . Im around 22 miles from Minocqua .And no I wouldnt try to take your boat . Only a cold hearted #%^&*% would do that .But if you need a hand drop me a PM and Ill give you my Phone number . If you stick around on this site Youll find your in the Company of some Great Helpfull people Who also have Honor and Integrity .Ive seen people on here go above and beyond to help each other and also do some Extremely unselfish things for each other including myself .So Stick around and youll become part of the family .

The Holiday has beed extricated from the farmer's pond, in exchange for a 30 year old 14' aluminum rowboat, retail value $200.

Question - I have the option to buy the trailer. It's a Hilltop, which I understand is now extinct. Rather unique bacause it has dualie wheels (side by side), which I don't recall seeing before. Built like a tank. Needs blasting, painting, etc.

Any thoughts on whether it makes sense to buy this trailer? Probably cost me around $250...

thanks - Jon

Is that the trailer that came with the boat? Really does not matter,grab it.Besides, what else do you have to haul that beauty around with?

Yep concur, buy it, it's unique and you need something to haul the boat around with so......

Bob

i would grab that trailer quick if i were you,very cool,do you have pics of the duallys and suspension?i would love to see more of that trailer,john

Here are better photos. I've got to believe it's pretty unique. I'd hate to have to change the inside wheel on the side of the highway, though...

What a great combo for a first project boat! Awesome fins, unique trailer, find that Merc and dig in! Oh, and be sure to keep us posted...

Very cool & unique trailer! That's the beauty of duals, (as long as they're tubeless tires) you could run on one a little ways.

Awesome find....did you know the farmer or did you just knock on the door?

great combo,thats the 1st time i have seen a trailer like this,very cool,john

I live in a newer subdivision in the country, and I can see the farmer's place who sold it to me from my windows. Didn't know the guy at all - was taking a Sunday walk with my wife, and there was this boat in his pond that hadn't been there a couple weeks before. Jumped on the internet to do some research, ended up here, and got the bug. Just lucked out. Knocked on the door, he needed a rowboat that was easy to get in and out of, and that's it.

Only wish he needed a better car, & had a '55 chevy in the barn too!

Very Cool Boat and what a neat Trailer!

awesome find! i love the looks of it..big fins and sleek! trailer is cool too!....welcome to our addiction!

nice

Well will have to keep an eye out!

Now the fun begins. I do like a unique trailor.