What makes a wooden classic

[bigbird]

G'Day all this is my first post, and I am looking for a wooden classic but I'am not sure how the group looks at boats that may have a timber deck and over the years have had there hulls either painted or glassed? Being a novice I don't know how a 40-50 year wooden boat last's, I have read a lot of post's from this site and it seems to relate on how well the boat has been looked after,I don't what to get into a resto project, but I know I don't what to look for except the obvious,are ply hulls better than clinker? I just love the look of an all wooden boat and the sound of a V8.even the right boat with an outboard.I have now reached a stage in life that I now can do some thing about it. I trust some one out there can help on what may sound like stupid questions. Brian.

[screwit]

Brian, unless you get a very good one from the start you may have to be a bit handy with wood or be pepaired to pay some one to fix them.
Now is the time to buy a good one, the prices are going up fast.
I think that the ply boats are less work than clinkers as far as repairs to the hull, decks are the same for both to fix and maintain.
Ply boats skim the water and dont tend to roll on turns,
what ever you buy look closely and be weary of f/ glass coatings and have a good look in side if it is coated.
Get some one to have a look at it with you.
Ross

[echotoo]

having some mechanical ability would also be important weather it's inboard, outboard or other. Most of these boats have old running gear and no matter how good a condition they are in, will need ongoing maintenance which can be a challenge with parts etc.

James

[rayza1]

Hi Brian, not sure how others think but to me as long as you like the look of your boat, thats what matters. If you can get something from a known manufacturer all the better. Half the fun is finding out about your boats history, there's nearly always someone who knows something about them, and certainly how to repair them. Hope you find one you like. cheers Ray

[NPeth]

Hi Brian and welcome.
I think the thing with wooden boats is that you have to go with your heart and find someone else to be your head. Find a boat that excites you and then have knowledgeable person along who has absolute right of veto over the purchase. That would be best, or you could just grab the first one that comes up on ebay and find that twelve months later you have had to paint it and repair and replace all the running gear which is what I did. What I have found though is that doing all of this is part and parcel of what makes wooden boat ownership so rewarding. Eventually you have to get involved in all maintaining and fixing it and the great part about this group is the help support and advice that you get in doing this.
Some things to think about.
1 Budget, plywood boats are generally cheaper than clinkers, six cylinder engines cheaper than V8's. If you are paying a premium for a name boat like a Lewis, make sure it really is one.
2 What you are using it for. Twin cockpits look great but a utility style is a better design for social skiing
3 Make sure that you have an undercover area to keep it in.
Regards
Nick

[antique-boatique]

just so there is no confusion a lot of clinker boats are also made of plywood and they have the same shape as the solid timber clinkers and were built by the same people when plywood became cheaper and less prone to splitting. The plywood boats most comments above refer to are the slab sided hard chine type often referred to as butterboxes and each have their own advantages

[bootlegger]

Welcome.

If you are looking for a decent boat their are plenty for sale. Be carefull not to buy one that has a glass job done on it or turned into some fantasy Chris craft or Riva look alike. What I mean by that is a clinker runabout with a laid deck, modern gauges,wrong upholstery and steering wheel.

Around ten to fifteen grand will get you a decent original clinker.

As mentioned previously a ply/ bondwood hull is cheaper.

What I look for in an outboard is that it has a period motor on it (plus everything else i mentioned) which adds a whole other set of problems if you cant fix them. (luckily my little hunts marine with its evinrude has been really reliable).

An American Chris craft or Riva are more expensive but generally cheaper here than in American or Europe.

Realistically the prices havent gone up over the last ten years and I doubt they will.

The boats that people ask more than the amounts I have just quoted end up keeping them.
Project boats can be bought for as little as $500 but they will need a serious amount of work especially if they have been started by an amateur or been driven/ patched up till they fell apart.

There was a beauty at the Hawkesbury swap meet on the weekend.
The hull was made by Simpson of Gladesvile. 14ft long with a 186 in it.
The hull was in perfect condition but the guy said he couldnt get the engine to run.
$3500 he wanted for it. I think he still had it at the end of the swap.
You can give me a call if you like Dave 0413766501

[Alan]

Welcome to the board Brian, (and the obsession)
All that's been said is good info, and the best way to get more info on a boat your looking at is to keep posting, and I'm sure those that know anything about it in the club will help you out.

There is also a boats for sale section ( for club members ) on the forum, and a boats for sale section on the club website.

Good hunting,
Alan.

[bigbird]

Hi. I woke up this morning and was blown away by the number of post's to my questions, thanks to all for taking the time. You have given me a lot of food for thought.I may have given the wrong impression as to restoration work,I have spent most of my life under cars and trucks with skin off bits and pieces and dirt and grease in my eyes,no more I want to just enjoy, I'am on the wrong side of 65 but now have the time.Engine work is not a problem,but I have only ever used wood to keep warm in winter. What got my interest in wooden boats was the Chris Craft lake boats,as most of my cars are 60's American it's the style I like.
Have any CAWPBA members imported a boat from the U.S.A.? Thanks again for all your help.

[hookster]

Hey BigBird, one of our members in Townsville - Glenn Hickmott - has two Chris Crafts, one which he has beautifully restored, and another in progress. I'll get in touch with him for you and you two can work it all out from there. I know he has a wealth of knowledge and a healthy network of people in the right places in goddam goddam land. All the best, Jon.