TOPIC: Please Help Identify My New (FREE TO ME) Boat‏

Hi I am new here and I recently acquired the boat in the attached photo. The guy I got it from didn't know the make or model. It's registered as a 1958 Chris Craft, but I'm almost 100% certain it is not correct. Will you please take a look at the photo and let me know if you know what kind of boat it is. If not maybe you might know someone that can help me. I'm going to restore her and want to make it as close to original as possible.

Here is the image it had to be resized.

Also, when looking please keep in mind I'm pretty sure the windshield is not original or has been moved from original location based on the bolt holes on the bow.

Need more pics

I will post all that I have now, and more when I get home and can take some. What would be best to show other then what's below?

1st... Windshield (which has been moved back or the original replaced with this one)

2nd - inside the day I got it. Looks like the steering wheel has been moved to the center from the right side (hole). It's behind my son.

3rd - Close up of Steering wheel.

4th - 1958 (I think) Johnson Super Sea-Horse 35hp

Going throught the Gallery here and I think I just might be on to something...

www.fiberglassics.com/gallery/category/345-1957-glasspar-avalon.html

..MM WELCOME. I was going to suggest or link 55 - 56 GLASSPAR.
I have or had a few 60's Glasspar. Good club following.
There major build city was Santa Ana, Ca.
That is a EXPENSIVE Steering Wheel you are showing us. A
Quick Silver Merc steering wheel. maybe original mist light
Blue is a hot item on E-bay, etc.
Again CONGRATS. We have a library section here & this is
a brochure LINK for the 1957 Sales pics / models
www.fiberglassics.com/library/File:Glassparb57003.jpg

mmeseke,

WELCOME ABOARD.

yours, satx

If the boat is 16 foot in length it would appears you have a 1955-1957 Glasspar Avalon. There was a Glasspar Mariner with that windshield as well. The additional holes in the bow would make me wonder if it isn't a later model with a older windshield installed?? Who knows at this point. Either one is a desirable boat. We currently have a 57 Avalon under restoration in Northern Neck VA. Below is a couple of shots of the 57 Avalon Chuck and I will finish restoring this winter. Congrats to a Glasspar fan your boat is quite a find. Please see the link below.

www.fiberglassics.com/library/File:Glassparb57003.jpg

Al

Thank you everyone for you help. After all the help here and the research I've done, I'm going to settle on calling it a 1957 Glasspar Avalon and take it from there. I started working on the rewire last night and will be finishing up the nav lights today.

I can't wait to get her back to her original beauty and maybe join a local club.

I'll keep posting photos as things progress.

I also need to find the connecting link from the steering piston to the motor. I may end up having to fab one.

..Steering piston ? Original in the late 50's a boat would have cable pully steering. A bracket to the center handle of motor.
I see your Merc steering wheel , IF someone added the single
thick teleflex type , you may be referring to the two grooved
flat piston end of the cable.. If so , there is a two piece brass clamshell with a threaded post end. Member Fergusion - Poole here
out of Atlanta, Ga can sell / mail one to ya . !

The Mercury Ride Guide was a mechanical (?) steering system, heavily promoted as an improvement over cable steering. It was introduced sometime in the '50s. Could have been matched with a Mercury outboard or bought separately to go with an OMC product like your Johnson 35 HP.

The following forum thread has good photos of the steering system:

johnsoldmercurysite.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=2940

The Mercury Ride Guide was a mechanical (?) steering system, heavily promoted as an improvement over cable steering. It was introduced sometime in the '50s. Could have been matched with a Mercury outboard or bought separately to go with an OMC product like your Johnson 35 HP.

The following forum thread has good photos of the steering system:

johnsoldmercurysite.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=2940

HandyAndy wrote:

The Mercury Ride Guide was a mechanical (?) steering system, heavily promoted as an improvement over cable steering. It was introduced sometime in the '50s. Could have been matched with a Mercury outboard or bought separately to go with an OMC product like your Johnson 35 HP.

The following forum thread has good photos of the steering system:

johnsoldmercurysite.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=2940

Thanks HandyAndy. The pictures in the link is exactly what my steering set up looks like. Now I just need to figure out how it will connect to my Johnson. It seems to be set up incorrectly in the back. The "pushrod" end seems to be mounted to low on the transom. It's about 12" below the connecting point on the motor.

satx78247 wrote:

mmeseke,

WELCOME ABOARD.

yours, satx

Thank you!

The Mercury Accessories catalog advertised a "universal ride-guide attachment kit" for any outboard motor.

I suggest calling or visiting your local Mercury outboard dealer.

A quick websearch came up with the following:

www.marineengine.com/parts/mercury-marine-accessory-parts/power-steeringtiller-handles-shift-kits/ob-ride-guide-1985-and-below/universal-rlde-guide-single-attaching-kit-a


30084A1 UNIVERSAL RIDE-GUIDE ATTACHMENT KIT (3/4" OD) - SINGLE

30728A2 UNIVERSAL RIDE-GUIDE ATTACHMENT KIT (7/8in. OD) - SINGLE

HandyAndy wrote:

The Mercury Accessories catalog advertised a "universal ride-guide attachment kit" for any outboard motor.

I suggest calling or visiting your local Mercury outboard dealer.

A quick websearch came up with the following:

www.marineengine.com/parts/mercury-marine-accessory-parts/power-steeringtiller-handles-shift-kits/ob-ride-guide-1985-and-below/universal-rlde-guide-single-attaching-kit-a


30084A1 UNIVERSAL RIDE-GUIDE ATTACHMENT KIT (3/4" OD) - SINGLE

30728A2 UNIVERSAL RIDE-GUIDE ATTACHMENT KIT (7/8in. OD) - SINGLE

Thanks again HandyAndy,

On your advice I went to the local boat shop. Being in SoCal there are a few to choose from. After checking out their installs and talking to a very helpful service rep, I think I have nailed down how I will solve this problem. Stay tuned I will post pictures as I move through this process.