Looking on a google search it took me to this site so I read your recent posts about the 16, 18, 19, and 24 Beachcrafts. Sounds like you guys are trying to piece together a little history?
I don't have anything to contribute yet, but I will. I've been collecting and restoring old fiberglass boats for a while now and have been heavily involved with many grassroot classic boat clubs.
If you've ever been to fiberglassics.com then you probably have a pretty good idea what is possible when a bunch of like minded enthusiasts such as yourselves get together.
Anyway, I just purchased a 1976 Beachcraft 24 foot Sportfisher. It seems there are a couple of you that may have this same boat? I've owned a couple (1968 and 1969) of Tollycraft 24 foot Express cruisers in the past, and I can tell you this 24' Beachcraft was made from the mold of the 24' Tollycraft.
Most of the Beachcraft 24s I've seen have had their interiors replaced because the originals were made of laminated pressboard and similar "state of the art (in the mid 70's) wood products. Mine is no exception, and fortunately of the two men who were partners in the boat I bought, one was a cabinet maker. He did a beautiful job and I am a lucky man.
The other partner was a retired boat broker who had his Masters license. He would routinely deliver boats from San Diego to ports along the Pacific Coast (not by trailer, but by water). he was a highly experienced seaman, and this was his boat of choice since he bought it when he retired in 1985.
He recently sold it to me because after the last 5 years of sitting in his driveway he knew he finally gave in to his wife who told him he was too old to take her out anymore (he's now 83).
This boat had an OMC 305 outdrive combination, but six years ago he replaced the 305 with a brand new FWC 351 OMC. Because there was nothing wrong with the O/D he just had it rebuilt instead of replacing it. so as not to overpower the O/D he elected to replace the four-barrel carb with a two-barrel, which effectively detuned it to approx. 235 hp.
I don't know how fast she'll go (haven't had her out yet, and he never opened her up), but one of my Tolly's had the 305 in it and it would cruise nicely at about 22 mph.
Anyway, let's see if I can post some pictures?
Beachboy
I don't have anything to contribute yet, but I will. I've been collecting and restoring old fiberglass boats for a while now and have been heavily involved with many grassroot classic boat clubs.
If you've ever been to fiberglassics.com then you probably have a pretty good idea what is possible when a bunch of like minded enthusiasts such as yourselves get together.
Anyway, I just purchased a 1976 Beachcraft 24 foot Sportfisher. It seems there are a couple of you that may have this same boat? I've owned a couple (1968 and 1969) of Tollycraft 24 foot Express cruisers in the past, and I can tell you this 24' Beachcraft was made from the mold of the 24' Tollycraft.
Most of the Beachcraft 24s I've seen have had their interiors replaced because the originals were made of laminated pressboard and similar "state of the art (in the mid 70's) wood products. Mine is no exception, and fortunately of the two men who were partners in the boat I bought, one was a cabinet maker. He did a beautiful job and I am a lucky man.
The other partner was a retired boat broker who had his Masters license. He would routinely deliver boats from San Diego to ports along the Pacific Coast (not by trailer, but by water). he was a highly experienced seaman, and this was his boat of choice since he bought it when he retired in 1985.
He recently sold it to me because after the last 5 years of sitting in his driveway he knew he finally gave in to his wife who told him he was too old to take her out anymore (he's now 83).
This boat had an OMC 305 outdrive combination, but six years ago he replaced the 305 with a brand new FWC 351 OMC. Because there was nothing wrong with the O/D he just had it rebuilt instead of replacing it. so as not to overpower the O/D he elected to replace the four-barrel carb with a two-barrel, which effectively detuned it to approx. 235 hp.
I don't know how fast she'll go (haven't had her out yet, and he never opened her up), but one of my Tolly's had the 305 in it and it would cruise nicely at about 22 mph.
Anyway, let's see if I can post some pictures?
Beachboy