TOPIC: Look what followed me home! 196? Westfield Custom

Hi All,

First post to Glassics. I recently came across a deal too good to pass up. I purchased this specifically for the motor (to put on my 17' Tracker), but the more I look into it, I'm happy with the boat too.



It's definitely an MFG Westfield custom, but I'm not exactly sure of the year. The title with the boat states that it's a '68, but the '68 seems to have a more swept back windshield with angled braces going further back. I'm guessing it's closer to a '65.

Unfortunately the original seats weren't with the boat, but overall the hull seems to be in good shape. The transom feels very solid, and I don't see any major issues with the hull or floor. The one concern I have is that it appears to have some "bed sores" from sitting on the trailer bunks for too long. The flooring on the inside has a slight curve inward just above the two bunks. I'm guessing the stringers are taking too much load and are pushing up. I need to get a couple of rollers on the keel to reduce the load on the bunks.

The trailer needs to be adjusted to match the boat. It's an Escort trailer with bunks. It looks to be set up for about an 18' boat right now. It has plenty of capacity with a 3500lb axle. I'm planning on moving the tongue back about 18", that should get the transom right at the back of the bunks. I'll look into adding at least two keel rollers to help support the weight.

The windshield came with the boat, but the plexi has a large crack that nearly splits it in two. I'll be trying my hand at forming my own windshield, hopefully using the original as a form.

I'm still planning on moving the 92' Johnson 60 to my bass boat and then I'll be putting a '77 Johnson 70 on the back of this. I routinely buy, fix and sell motors on craigslist, and this 70 has been neglected in my shed for too long.

Any suggestions or comments are appreciated!

Looks like you did pretty well. With a little TLC that boat looks like it will clean up nicely.

Yup, a 1965.

Looks like fun! The windshield may not be too bad with thin polycarbonate.

I'm still pondering whether I want a new project or not. I learned from my rebuild of my Tracker boat that I don't have the ability to go cheap. I like it to be right and good looking, which tends to blow any budget I have.

davnau6345 wrote:

Yup, a 1965.

Can you tell me what positively identifies the year?

For the windshield, there isn't a bottom track to hold the shape. I'm concerned that it will have a tendency to pull away from the bow. I have access to a drum heater with a very accurate adjustable thermostat. I think with that I should be able to easily warm the curves to just the right temp and form it over the old windshield. That's probably the first thing I'll do.

Other than that and a few seats, she's seaworthy as is.

The wood-tone contact paper, the windshield and the style of seats. That contact paper was only the '65s.

davnau6345 wrote:

The wood-tone contact paper, the windshield and the style of seats. That contact paper was only the '65s.

Are those pedestal seats original to the boat? I thought they had the flip down "Sun & Fun" seats.

Now you have me rethinking this. Looking more more closely at the ski racks and bins, they look they have been painted brown. It's definitely before 1966, as it has the old transom style. If the MFG logos on each side are die cast rather than plastic, then it's a 1963. 1964's had a black decal on the outer gunwale near the stern. The dash is not black and white so it's not a 1962.

So on second thought, I'm thinking a 1963.

Now you have me rethinking this. Looking more more closely at the ski racks and bins, they look they have been painted brown. It's definitely before 1966, as it has the old transom style. If the MFG logos on each side are die cast rather than plastic, then it's a 1963. 1964's had a black decal on the outer gunwale near the stern. The dash is not black and white so it's not a 1962.

So on second thought, I'm thinking a 1963.

But the serial number is fairly close set to my 1966 Niagara, it your plate shows 70 hp, while in 1963 it was 65hp. So, 1965 is possible too. All the white coated hardware has been replaced with non-standard stuff.

Your seats were put in sometime in the past and are not factory MFG seats.

With so many mods, it's tough to be sure. What does the title/reg show?

Back in the day, the trailers then all had keel rollers that ran the full length oh the keel. Also, if the hull now has a hook in it, that would definitely affect the handling.

davnau6345 wrote:

Now you have me rethinking this. Looking more more closely at the ski racks and bins, they look they have been painted brown. It's definitely before 1966, as it has the old transom style. If the MFG logos on each side are die cast rather than plastic, then it's a 1963. 1964's had a black decal on the outer gunwale near the stern. The dash is not black and white so it's not a 1962.

So on second thought, I'm thinking a 1963.

MFG logos are definitely plastic.


And the Ski racks have been painted a metallic brown, but I did find wood-grain pattern underneath in one area. No black decal that I've found.

Thanks for the info!

Its common for the windshield to lack a track on the bottom, not just for MFGs, but for a number of manufacturers. There should be a number of mounts along the bottom (sometimes partially hidden by the white rubber trim) which mount the windshield to the deck.

If you use heat to mold the windshield, make sure you are using acrylic (plexiglass), it heat molds very nicely, is strong, and doesn't yellow in the sun. You can use the old windshield to make a mold.

On the flip side, you can use polycarbonate, which is much more flexible and you may be able to bend it into shape as is. As I recall, heating polycarbonate makes it extremely brittle, and it will begin to crack after heating. Its extremely strong, but if left out in the sun for years, may begin to yellow a bit.

Done correctly, polycarbonate is the only safe way to go. In an accident, standard cell-cast acrylic breaks with VERY sharp edges, whereas poly just bends and breaks bluntly (if at all). I have worked with acrylics as a past business, so I have done a lot with the stuff. Polycarbonate needs very slow/gentle heating, as it bubbles easily, and gets brittle if over-cooked. Take your time, or have a pro do it for the best results.

I have not tried heating polycarbonate before, you mentioned using low heat, any suggestions how much? Would be nice to be able to produce small radius bends.

As it has been some time, I would ask the supplier for the correct temp. What I meant is not using too hot a source, so the material heats more evenly over a larger area, as quick / concentrated heating will surely cause problems.

Nice that it has the original AirGuide speedo on it still!

I replaced the windshield in my GT-150 with 1/8" poly-carbonate, it bent quite nicely. The local sign shop had some that was UV treated on one side, so that side went "out" naturally.....

With plastic logo plate, and the higher serial number, close to my 1966, and you finding some wood-tone contact paper, then it's my first guess - 1965.

FWIW: My '64 Custom has s/n 5203, so 1965 seems to fit based on all your other inputs.