The Board

Found this boat for sale on-line. It was in Walla Walla, which the add said was near Albury. Just wondering if the boat is a Dorsett Catalina from the late 1950’s or early 1960’s. There was only 1 photo in the add and the picture was quite small, so I wasn't sure.

Are you going to buying it?

No, I have a couple of boats already. I'm just interested in what boats are still out there in Australia.

Looks like a Catalina from that angle and the colour almost confirms it .
Pity there is no more information available .Nice craft !

Yes, that's what I thought. The advert just said that it was a boat and trailer for sale, with no other details other than the price. But yes, it is a nice craft. Amazing to see it sitting outside in what looks to be someone's yard.

Advertised on marketplace as a 1959 ski boat. Seller is unsure of make though.

more pics

1973 Glastron v1760, 6 seater, bow rider with a 90hp Johnston outboard in Canberra advertised for sale.

A couple more photos.

Fishing boat with a big old Chrysler motor on it.

Found this boat for sale from Wodonga VIC for $600. Not looking to buy for myself, but I thought I would post it as I just liked the look of it. Not sure if it's a classic boat, but it does have a classic engine on it. I have this same Johnson engine on my boat. I think their a 1968 or 1969 engine from memory. Not sure of the make, but it looks like it might have a savage badge on the side. The seller only listed 3 photos. The navigation lights look to be old. Seller has advertised the boat as having a good hull and Transom, and the engine as needing a starter motor. 

If you conduct a google search of FiberGlassics, I feel you may stumble across the origin of this vessel. I seem to recall seeing a restored one all in pink, behind a period car with a similar rear end.


MERCMAN.

I'm not sure the ID of V1760 on the side of the hull is correct. For a start, It's not a "V" hull. Also the only big tri-hull I recall Glastron making was a GT160.
Conduct a search on this site for GT160, I feel you will find something.

MERCMAN.

This one appears to be a Stebercraft. Usually known as simply Steber.

MERCMAN.

I agree, it's a Savage. This hull actually superseded the Savage Pursuit Deluxe. I can't recall the name of this hull. However, I feel the name will come to me.

MERCMAN.

Thanks for the info MERCMAN. I'll do some searches to find out more about these classic boats. Thanks again.

I reckon the name of this hull is: Avenger.

MERCMAN

Yes, I think your right. I looked up some photos of Savage Avenger boats and it did look like one. The windscreen is smaller on the boat, but the screen looks to have been chopped down or broken at some time.

Advertised on Marketplace as a 1968 Swift Craft 1500 with a 1968 Evinrude 65hp Sportfour with original manuals including a parts book.

More photos.

more photos

Advertised on Marketplace as a 1970 12ft Pride boat with a putput motor.

Bertram

Not sure what boat this is, but it looks old.

Geepers True Blue, you have certainly been doing some digging! The Swift Craft is an outstanding example.

As for the boat above, it's a Savage. These hulls were around the 13ft mark and were usually powered by a 33hp or 40hp Evinrude. They were very basic mainly used for fishing, having bench seats. Not a good runabout (family boat). I can't recall the name of the hull right now.. I'll sleep on it and get back to you.

MERCMAN.

 

I knew it would come to me.... It's a Savage Avalon. These were 14' long, not 13 as I originally remembered.

MERCMAN.

The encyclopedic Mercman has don it again !!!!!

Yes Mercman, I did find a few interesting boats out there. And yes, the Swift Craft is an outstanding example. It's just a great looking model, and the one in the photos looks to be in good condition for it's age. It looks as if it has been cared for, judging by the condition.

As for the Savage, you did well to remember the name of the hull. Senojn's right about the encyclopedic mind when it comes to boats.  :D

I find it interesting seeing what's out there in Oz land, and learning a bit more about the old boats. It's been fun.

Thanks for identifying the boats. It's a real help in learning more about them, as knowing the make and model gives me something to start with. I liked the savage boat as it looks like a bit old boat, and I really liked the controls. It would have been good to have a few more pics though, so I could see inside the boat.

Thanks again.

True Blue

Advertised as a 16 ft Lewis ski boat from the 1950's with a 60s 65hp Mercury motor.

more photos

Not sure about this one either.

The last boat looks similar to this one.

Not the same boat, but I wondered if they may have been made by the same company.

Hi True Blue.
Some comments you may find useful.

Reply #28 & #29 boat is powered by 1965 Merc 650.

Reply #31 & #32 are in fact the same boat (Pride). Pics show the same cutdown windscreen. Also see there is a 35hp Evinrude IN the rear of the boat, against the well.


Keep up the digging, you are certainly good at it!

MERCMAN.

Thanks MERCMAN.

Found this Bellboy on Marketplace. There were only a couple of pictures. Would have like to have see what the inside had looked like.

1982 Pride Capella

Carribean Sea Sprite.

I think that it is the same or similar model to the one that Mark from the Board purchased in 2009.

Mark S provided some information at the time, advising that "the Sea Sprites were made in 1966 & 1967."

Here are some photos of the Caribbean Sea Sprite that Michael (i.e. "larysumi") bought off eBay in 2009. At the time of his purchase, Michael was interested in what one looked like when it was original (i.e. dash badges, gauges etc.), and whether anyone had any articles/brochures on these little boats. He was also curious about what trailer manufacturers were around then (i.e. whether redco and tinka were available then etc.), and what sort of trailer would have come with his new boat. The trailer on the blue boat looks quite old, but i'm not sure if it would be as old as the boat.

Another Caribbean Sea Sprite. Looks to have a different window to Michael's boat.

Savage boat, not sure of what model or year.

1975 Pride cheeta

Fibreglass speedboat

1962 Haines ski boat

Explorer X17 Pride Evinrude 140

seafarer 14ft

I very much doubt that is a Haines. In my opinion its a Crosby.

MERCMAN.

Yes, you're right Mercman. It looks similar to a Crosby Hurricane.

Dorsett Catalina

The Catalinas don't look as good without their top screen do they ?
I recall the lovely turquoise shot you posted previously of one .There is also nice footage Catalina that colour on youtube .
I'm interested in the sense that this design in fibreglass in the 50's led to the production and style of my beloved 22ft plywood SX 2 in 1961 .
She was scratched from last years  Sydney Classic Boat Show due to covid.
Just about completed wiring new instruments and will post soon .
Everyone loves picture don't they Guy .

Cheers
Neil

Your right Neil about the Catalinas not looking as good without their top screen. And yes, there's some nice ones on youtube.
That's interesting that their design in fibreglass led to the production and style of your boat in plywood. They do look similar now that you mention it.
You must have been disappointed when she was scratched from last years Sydney Classic Boat Show. Covid has affected so many things hasn't it.
Yes, everyone does love pictures. looking forward to seeing some pics when you're done Neil.

Cheers
Julian

Not sure what this boat is, but it has an interesting shape.

Glastron

I'll enter SX 2 for next year at Darling Harbour , Julian . Held every second year  , alternate one in Hobart .
Regarding my instrument panel/ lights update I will open a new subject in Members Boats .

Cheers Neil

Hi Neil,
that's great to hear. You must be really looking forward to entering your SX 2 next year at Darling Harbour. After the year we have had with lockdown's and the rest of it, that will be something to really look forward to.
Looking forward to seeing your instrument panel/ lights update.

Stay safe.

Julian

A great looking boat from the 1970's.

Presents very well.

Advertised as a Playboy boat.

Playboy boat.

Barracuda

Swiftcraft

Classic Savage boat

1959 Bellboy Banshee

In the last photo there is also a red car from the 1950's that has wings like the boat. "Wings make sense".

1989 Freighter bell boy

1980 savage Avalon 50 hp Johnson

It's so good to see these last two examples have been re-powered and given a new lease on life!


MERCMAN.

Yes, it is MERCMAN.
Is that a Suzuki engine on the Bell boy?

1990 Haines Hunter v146r

For my money, I would say it is a 90hp Mariner.   

MERCMAN.

Yes, I think you might be right there MERCMAN.

Pride Panther

1970’s Caribbean Colt speed boat

Caribbean

1970 Ramsay rebel with 186 Holden engine

1970 Ramsay rebel

Those Ramsay Hulls look terrific.
Some of them look better on a trailer than in the water.

I'd remove the 186 with a crowbar and fit a 253 or 289. That would sound 10 times better! Probably go about the same as the 186??

MERCMAN.

You're right their MERCMAN. Those Ramsay Hulls do look terrific.

Another classic speed boat

Here are some photos of a Savage Javelin from the NZ Antique & Classic Boat Show 2020

A very nicely restored Javelin, and great to see one in New Zealand. I love the stylish steering wheel, the colour and look of the seats and the upgraded motor.

There were so many great boats at the New Zealand antique & classic boat show. If anyone wants to have a look, the link is below

https://i.stuff.co.nz/.../high-altitude-boat-show. 

Sorry, that link didn't work. I've left some others below.

http://www.nzclassicboats.com/


https://www.woodyboater.com/.../its-a-real-boat-show-in.../


https://i.stuff.co.nz/.../high-altitude-boat-show...

@NZACBS  · Festival

I haven't see a Charger boat before. Not sure if they were built in Australia or the US.

Sorry, I meant Chrysler boat.

1964 Bell Boy all original boat motor and trailer.

Another photo

A very impressive Bell Boy.
As for the motor, I seem recall there was some type of relationship with Chrysler Outboards. If you look at the West Bend, you'll see a lot of Mercury traits. There are many traits under the bonnet as well. In saying that, The Chrysler had no traits.. go figure?

In saying that, both the Chrysler and the West Bend had high gear ratio's and low pitch props where as... post 1961, Mercury abandoned the "norm" at the time
and pioneered the better  low gear ratio's and high pitch props. It was not until the very late 60's, when OMC (Evinrude/Johnson) followed Mercury's lead.   

MERCMAN.