A One of a Kind?

[MTBoat]

I recently acquired a 1957 Bowman all aluminum Model "The Rio" Sporty Runabout. After a lot of research, I cannot find another one like this anywhere in the USA or other countries. It is in really nice shape/clean and could easily be "restored to original" with not much effort it would seem. Very interesting corporate history.
I am wondering if anyone might have heard of this boat or know anything about:
Are there more than one?
How to place a proper value on it for selling?
Is there a market for a one of a kind runabout like this?
Any information, links, or names of people who know about this type of thing....all appreciated.
Thanks

 

[Scott Danforth]

Weigh it. Aluminum boats are worth $0.30/#

Seriously, ubless its a hand crafted Riva with twin Lamborghini engines, old boats are not worth as much as we want them to be

And yes, 60 years ago they made more than one.

 

[jbcurt00]

A little background and info
http://www.fiberglassics.com/library/index.php?title=Bowman

Looks like the Rio was only made in 1956 per those spec sheets. Some makers listed the boats year at the time of sale, so if it was sold in 1957, maybe Bowman titled it as a 1957.

Other makers would list a boat as a 567, as in a 1956 boat, made in late 1956, but intended for the 1957 model year. Bowman might have done similar.

How about some pix? Pix help
http://forums.iboats.com/forum/forum-rules-and-guidelines/9938375-photo-upload-tutorial

Unfortunately, most older boats are simply that: older boats. Some makes have a loyal following, some makes have specific models that are sought after. But most are not.

Often someone who grew up w a specific boat or whose grandfather had 1, will search out a specific boat.

There are a few oddball, very few known example or extremely desireable simply because of their forward thinking\outta the box design, boats that can be pricey when all original or in exceptionally well done restorations. But again, thats not typical, and certainly not just because their old.

And its a boat, so it needs a good trailer under it. A proper vintage, all original or high quality resto trailer wont add much value typically, but might make selling it easier......

So lets see this old gal..... And like many vintage items, doing absolutely nothing to it and passing it along to someone who can restore it, is often the best choice. Done poorly, a 'resto-mod' could be extremely detrimental to its value.

W no pix or info about trailer and motor, and their condition, its not likely to be even a 2K sale, probably less, even as a 1 of 1.