Classic Australian Wooden Power Boats

 

Project Boats

 

Rebel



Max Curtis had been involved with boat racing for many years, but had drifted away from the sport while concentrating more on motor cars. About 12 months ago, he spotted a ski-boat named Suicide for sale on this website and immediately picked it as an old skiff converted to a runabout. Max bought the boat and set about restoring it back to a skiff.

Max believes the 16' hull to be a Lewis. The restoration was started in July 2007 and is hoped to be completed for the Narrandera regatta in 2008. The boat's name is being changed to Rebel. Max is aiming to have the skiff ready for Narrandera 2008.

 

 

 

 

 

The boat when known as Suicide

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Suicide as a runabout

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The boat was purchased by Max on June 12th, 2007 at Kempsey in NSW

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The boat was fitted with 6 cylinder Holden motor and fibre-glassed over hull and deck

 

 

 

 

 

 

With the fibreglass removed, rot was found in both top planks and the stem

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Showing fibreglass and oil saturated hull

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

        The hull was covered with builder's plaster to draw the oil out (info found on CAWPBA Bulletin Board – "Oh Buoy" restoration)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plaster removed and stem repaired

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The transom was removed and the planks shortened by four inches

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New transom now fitted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Removed two rotted top planks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New planks now fitted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meanwhile, a new motor was built - a 1942 side valve V8 Mercury

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inside of hull now painted (proud grand-daughter Charisma, 5 years old)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New engine bearers fitted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hull painting completed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The motor sitting in to build the mounts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deck timberwork nearly ready for ply decking

 

 

 


 

 

 

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