Help identifying 1945?

Discussion in 'Powerboats' started by Rcross670, May 21, 2020.

  1. Rcross670
    Joined: May 2020
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    Location: Vancouver, Wa

    Rcross670 New Member

    64D7B925-5625-41AF-A824-B3E1973C6960.jpeg

    I’m trying to find some info on this. It’s titled as a 1945 built by San Pedro Boat Works. I cannot find any information on any boats they built like this. It is now powered by a 1957 Ford 312.
     

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  2. jehardiman
    Joined: Aug 2004
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    Location: Port Orchard, Washington, USA

    jehardiman Senior Member

    It is a two cockpit tumblehome runabout fairly typical of the era (i.e. not everything is a Hacker, Riva, or a Chris-Craft; there are many copies), so think what the well-heeled would need in Newport Beach or Avalon on Catalina at the time. It has had a major renovation recently, and is worth exactly what someone will pay for it.
    San Pedro Boat Works, located at Berth 44 in LA harbor, was founded in the 1920's and constructed small maneuverable launches designed to avoid police boats during Prohibition, the Boat Works expanded after the repeal of the 18th Amendment to specialize in building military boats, purse seiners, yachts, fireboats and lifeboats. The company folded in November 2002 when it was hit with financial problems and a lawsuit alleging pollution violations, and the owners were later indicted.
     
  3. Rcross670
    Joined: May 2020
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    Location: Vancouver, Wa

    Rcross670 New Member

    Thank you so much for the info. I never thought I would own a wood boat but I went for a ride and loved it. I just bought it and can’t wait to get it home. I would be curious to know what it would have had for original power. I thought maybe a Chrysler marine flathead.
     
  4. fallguy
    Joined: Dec 2016
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    fallguy Senior Member

    Gorgeous ride.
     

  5. jehardiman
    Joined: Aug 2004
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    Location: Port Orchard, Washington, USA

    jehardiman Senior Member

    If the trans is contemporary to '45, it could have been a flathead Ford/Merc, as I recall the bellhousing of a flathead will fit the Y-block. Otherwise most likely a straight 6 or 8...measure the engine hatch and look for the old mounts on the bed logs. There is an old adage that wooden boats ride "smoother", somewhat because of the stiffness to weight ratio, but also because of the maximum shape you could put into the bottom. You haven't shown any pictures low, but a polyconic bottom was all the rage at that time.
     
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