New member- 63 year old mahogany runabout

[JPO 1949]

My first post,I have a 14 ft mahogany runabout that my father built in 1956. It is powered by a 1959 Kieahaufer Mercury Mark 58ae 45 hp that he bought new in 59.He gave me the boat in 1979 and it has spent almost its entire life siting in my basement under a boat cover.The boat and motor have seen very little use but was used in salt water around Pensacola,Fl.The boat lives in central Alabama now and hasen`t been in salt since the early 70`s. The boat was only used a few hours at a time and upon return was my job to flush the motor and wash the boat and sponge dry.
I am in the process of a resurrection of the boat and motor as I will turn 70 in a few week and would like to take my grand kids riding in their great grandfathers old wood boat. I have questions but thought I would introduce myself and boat first. I will attempt to post pictures. Thank you.

 

[steve_h7]

Welcome! Beautiful boat and amazing history :thumb:

 

[fishrdan]

Oh my, that is one sweet looking boat that has survived amazingly well! Can't wait to see your progress.

 

[Woodonglass]

WOW, WOW, WOW!!! What a BOAT!!!! We're here to help in any way we can. If I could only find a boat like that!!!!
:faint2::thumb::hail::jaw:

 

[kcassells]

Yup, nice boat. We have a fella doing a nice wood rehab currently.
Here's a link
1950's Wagemaker Wolverine wooden boat restoration ...
https://forums.iboats.com/forum/boa...olverine-wooden-boat-restoration#post10323863

 

[GA_Boater]

:welcome: and howdy, JPO.

She looks like you took care of her the past 40 years. It's really nice to keep the family together, especially your Dad's pride and joy.

Did he built from a kit or from plans? Nice lines, she has!

 

[JPO 1949]

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome and kind remarks, glad I found this forum.
GA-Boater; My father built it from plans and was the last one he built. Before WWll he had a shop in Greenville,Al. and built custom furniture and small wood fishing boats. This was way before fiberglass.He was a Navy Sea bee and loved the coast so he moved to Pensacola. Sorry for rambling but I do need help and have a question about replacing my ignition switch. Didn`t know whether to ask here or start a new post ?

 

[GA_Boater]

Start a new thread in the Mercury outboard section. That's the best way for answers about a new switch. There may be something special about a switch for A Mark 58 and the guys there will know.

Your Dad's DNA is part of her forever.

 

[oldrem]

Looking forward to watching your resurrection. Sounds like a great project.

 

[sphelps]

Your father was quite the craftsman! op2:
Tagging along if there’s room !

 

[Ned L]

Very nice little runabout. Nice to see she has always been well taken care of.

 

[JPO 1949]

Just an updated, I`m slow but steady. I`ve been working on the inside with cleaning and painting. Retro fit an ignition switch, rewired the nav lights and replaced the steering wheel. I`m waiting for the rolled and pleated vinyl to cover the seats. Thanks for looking.

 

[oldrem]

Looking sharp!

 

[sphelps]

Looks nice ! Can’t wait to see the new cushions!

 

[archbuilder]

Great looking boat! Thanks for posting, looking forward to your progress!

 

[Sea18Horse]

Great story, and a great looking boat. I haven't been spending as much time here lately as I could have been. Even so I don't know how I missed this one. Looking forward to seeing your progress!

Cheers.................................Todd

 

[JPO 1949]

Seats are done, not perfect but the best I could do.Decided to go ahead and start on the motor.I have new fuel lines,condenser,points,coil,carburetor kits and floats and a rectifier to install. Also built a cradle to hold the boat while I paint the bottom and sides .I would like to lengthen and paint the trailer while the boat is off.

 

[oldrem]

Seats look great

 

[sphelps]

Wow! Nice work !

 

[archbuilder]

Nice work looks great!