Someone Help identify this boat

[1994robert]

This is a boat i might be getting and i was hoping some one on here could tell me about this boat. I know its a 1971 and they also told me it was a car craft but i cant find anything on the manufacture. here is a picture sorry of the quality.

[alan white]

It looks like a late fifties boat. Don't you think so? Or is that not a fin back there?

A.

[1994robert]

i cant find anything that looks remotely like this anywhere.

[alan white]

Look to ads from 1958, the color-enhanced photos with the girl in the polka-dot bikini that hides her belly-button.
It's a relic of a bygone era. In 1971, everything was square and sharp. Is it at all sound?
The library may have some boat magazines from the fifties and early sixties.
I'd start there, see if it pops up. i've done that with success.

A.

[1994robert]

it seems sound what do you think something like this is worth

[tja]

Hello, Google fiberglassics. You should either find info on the boat or find someone on the site that will know. I seriously doubt that it is from the seventies. Either the sixties or fifties. Good luck. Tom.

[alan white]

Originally Posted by 1994robert

it seems sound what do you think something like this is worth

I don't know. I would say you need to ask yourself how much it appeals to you, and if you are suitably enraptured, then buy but pay as little as possible.
The trailer looks okay. Is there a motor? How well made does it look to be?
Is it full of water and scum? Is there wood reinforcement under the glass inside that feels mushy? Do you intend to restore it? Do you know what kind of commitment and cash that will take? A lot, but it might be fun to own a boat like that. Obviously, there're a few people out there who love these fifties style boats.
Etc., etc.

Alan

[charmc]

The tailfins are a giveaway and a very accurate clue to age. I'm very confident in saying 1957-1959. The name Car Craft makes it sound like they were actually proud of making boats that looked like cars because of the tailfins.

One factor in favor of her being a good restoration candidate: there was little data on fiberglass hull strength then, and outboard mfrs were engaged in a horsepower race (25 hp, 35, hp, 50 hp, a few brave ones even 60 hp! OK so now you all know I'm not in my 20's ). The hulls were built very ruggedly, more cloth layers than are used today. If osmosis or hull cracks haven't let in too much moisture, she could be very sound. Actually, looking at that photo again, the boat looks to be in good condition. Only a careful inspection inside will tell, but she looks good for 50 years old!

This might help. Over 600 mfrs from the 1950's and 60's listed with info on each, plus restoration info. You can get a used copy for $5.99.

http://www.amazon.com/Tail-Fins-Two-.../dp/1928862101

[Trevlyns]

Got it! It’s a highly modified '59 Plymouth Belvedere...

[1994robert]

i got inside of her and jumped around and the fiberglass is still very strong. the hull has no cracks or anything like that. as far as a motor my fiancee's dad is a marine mechinic and he has motors just lying around. I will most likely go with a 50hp. As far as price i might be getting her for a couple hundred dollars with the trailer.

[Bergalia]

Originally Posted by Trevlyns

Got it! It’s a highly modified '59 Plymouth Belvedere...

Isn't that the one Lady Penelope misplaced in the Thunderbirds ?

[alan white]

Shoot--- I'd grab it, Robert. The trailer is worth that. Good luck with the project. Come back and ask these glop slingers how to attack it. You are hooked up with some pretty experienced hands here.

A.

[charmc]

Originally Posted by 1994robert

i got inside of her and jumped around and the fiberglass is still very strong. the hull has no cracks or anything like that. as far as a motor my fiancee's dad is a marine mechinic and he has motors just lying around. I will most likely go with a 50hp. As far as price i might be getting her for a couple hundred dollars with the trailer.

If you really want to do it, then go for it. As Alan said, a decent trailer alone is worth at least $200. You'll have lots of support here.

[longliner45]

I saw this picture last year on this site ,,and posted a car site that featured ,cars with old boats in tow ,,one was this,,but for the life of me I cant find it now ,,longliner,,,,,,someone might rememberI said it was batmans boat?

[tananaBrian]

Those early fiberglass boats were typically built pretty stout because there wasn't as much knowledge about how strong the polyester layups were, or how long they'd last. Manufactures usually played it safe and went with solid layups that were made conservatively thick. The good thing is those boats do tend to last a long time. The bad thing is that they weigh more and require more fuel ...but on a small boat like you're looking at, it's all in the noise anyway. I think it'd be neat to get the boat and restore it.

Brian

Originally Posted by 1994robert

i got inside of her and jumped around and the fiberglass is still very strong. the hull has no cracks or anything like that. as far as a motor my fiancee's dad is a marine mechinic and he has motors just lying around. I will most likely go with a 50hp. As far as price i might be getting her for a couple hundred dollars with the trailer.