TOPIC: 60's Razorback

Looks like a 60's Razorback, maybe the Utility series or ski-master. What do you guys think? Just found it on the side of the road in a field, no houses around, just a farm. What do you guys think?

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More pics

Very cool looking boat. Nice bow light. I's see if it was for sale if possible.

Yea I love that it has all the trim pieces on it! I want to do it up so bad, already hitting up craigslist for motor. Think a 1978 85HP Merc too much for this little 15 foot?

I think an 85hp 4 cyl Merc would be perfect for it.
It looks like it may have a short 15" transom and unless you would be putting in a new transom that is 21" high for a more common 850-4,...Finding a shorty DSH (drive shaft housing) & lower unit for an 850-4 cyl a challenge.

The bow light & pennant or burgee staff look to be a great find.
In my 'neck of the woods' it seems like way too high of a percentage of boats get used in salt water sooner or later.
Then the bright work starts developing acne.
doc

Oh so the long shaft wont work on a short transom? Sorry VERY new to boats, a buddy of mine has a 58 commando that he takes out every summer. I rebuild old stand up jet skis, not old boats! But I have always wanted one. For some experience I helped overhauled a 1976 VIP, took a couple months, did all the interior and fiberglass work by hand. Even painted it in the garage. It was work, but I had too much fun.

Anyways back to the transom, yea its short, around 15 inches. So I will need to get a short shaft motor? Im assuming this thing I found on craigslist wont work then?

Jobrown,

WELCOME ABOARD.

You really should NOT exceed the USCG rating for any boat. - In this case: FIFTY HP.

yours, satx

That boat would be real sharp restored. I like the rounded gunwale and above the transom. Are those side mounted seats?

satx78247 wrote:

Jobrown,

WELCOME ABOARD.

You really should NOT exceed the USCG rating for any boat. - In this case: FIFTY HP.

yours, satx

Agreed

And the pontoon motor looks like a long shaft OB:

And is 70% overpower if it's an 85hp, not wise, IMO either.

To ALL,

I had a 40HP GALE SOVEREIGN on my RAZORBACK and it was PLENTY for that hull.

yours, satx

You had a Razorback?! Are they rare? I cant find a lot of them on the net, especially this style. I'm still trying to figure out who owns the land its on, but in the mean time I will start looking for short shaft outboards... that are around 50HP! Come on you cant blame me for thinking bigger is better.

I'd drop a small block Chevy in there. Stuff it in right behind the seats. 300 HP should do it. Just cut a hole in the bottom for the shaft log and you'll be good to go...really go!

Jobrown,

Actually I had 2 when I was in college, as well as a 15 foot one later in the early 1970s. (That one was "Ebony" with white hull.). = a 1963 & a 1965. Both with red decks & white hulls.

Both "college boats" had Johnnyrudes = a 35 Evinrude & a 40 Johnson.= 40HP is PLENTY for any Razorback hull up to 16'.
(I was "a dumb-bunny" & traded the 1965 for a MacIntosh stereo & a set of 3 of Paul Klipsch's speakers.- Wish I had kept the '65, as it ran/looked great.)

RAZORBACK boats are anything BUT rare, though they were always largely a REGIONAL builder, primarily: AR, LA, OK & TX.
(I suspect that there is probably 1/2-2/3 of the hulls that were built & are still in use in the Southland, just as the hulls of other regional builders are commonplace near where the boats were built.)

Even as many years as it's been since I lived in AR, I'd bet that I could find a dozen Razorbacks in a weekend, near Lakes CATHERINE, OUACHITA & DEGRAY, Near Hot Springs AND near LAKE NARROWS near Kirby.
You might also want to look in the area near LAKE DALLAS & CADDO LAKE in TX, as both areas had LARGE & VERY active Razorback dealers for years.

yours, satx

Nautilus,

Oddly enough there was at least ONE Razorback INBOARD 16ft boat built at the factory, which had a high-performance 327 Corvette engine. - It was built "on special order" for Mr. Benny DeLamar, who owned the Cadillac dealership in Arkadelphia.
(I saw that boat on Lake Catherine in 1976, when I was in grad school in AR. = BLAZINGLY FAST, too.)

I've wondered what ever happened to that boat?????

yours, satx

Jobrown, respect the knowledge here! I am also newer to glassics , but jbcurt and Nautilus are super smart and full of so much info its borderline crazy!!! I like jb's info on outboards, also like the inboard 300 h.p. idea. Think jet, look at hamilton pumps, figure out why im addicted to the buehler jet and get er done! LOL, gas guzzling inboard not for everybody , but you might just grab that hull and go in that direction. You can also modify the transom height and go 85 h.p. long shaft, just think addaed floatation, added glass, etc. and keep in mind I promote more power but i am far from a specialist! Thats where you listen to the pro's!!! Grab that hull though if you can its sweet man.