Looking for help to identify year and model of Cadillac 14' Boat

[New/old boater]

First off let me give a brief intro of myself, I am a lifelong "car guy" who always had a desire to own a boat, so when I found a boat labeled "Cadillac" in my local salvage yard I was very curious. I went home and searched it out and found it was NOT related to Cadillac the automobile and then I was even more curious. Winter came and went, and earlier this spring I traded a junk truck for the boat hull and it's very rotted and bent trailer. So far I have the trailer sorted out, new axle, new box tubing (about 1/2 the frame) and straightened the bent trailing arms. Best guess puts the trailer as around a 1954/1955 Mastercraft of CT. Model ST500, so I am thinking that may be a clue as to the boat. The boat is a 14' (well it actually measures about 13'-10") and was given a new HIN by the state of MA. in 1990. The id tag inside the right rear of the transom is damaged in the most important places, but the model appears to end with (looks like a "1" possibly) and then "4 F" for sure, the serial number appears completely misssing even under magnification and with bright lighting. Next to the id tag is the number "27" stamped upside down in numbers about 3/4" or so tall. I have some pictures I can upload once the required post count is met, the boat has a covered bow which also contains the steering wheel which is labeled "custom" in the center and a small cutout on the opposite side which forms a sort of "glovebox". Please forgive my newbieness if I am speaking in incorrect terms and rambling on. I like a good mystery and the challenge of saving something that others see as a discard. I look forward to identifying this boat and bringing it back to life.

 

[briangcc]

For the photos, open a free photobucket account and upload your pictures there. Then Copy the IMG line and paste it into your reply.

A quick google search turned this up:

https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-medi...ogressive,q_80,w_800/lgpu2nnxb4ozdws5rvnl.jpg


If you switch over to Images, and do a search for Cadillac Boats, you'll see a number of options - some wood, some aluminum. Might find something that helps narrow it down this way.


Ohh and welcome!

 

[New/old boater]

Pictures as requested. The front deck, again pardon any inappropriate terminology.

The ID tag damaged in just the wrong place and the upside down "2" of the "27" stamped into the transom

The blank slate interior, I am hoping to do a step through front seat type setup

The one piece sides which appear to rule out many models from the pictures I have seen, there is one seam right down the keel
that attaches the two sides together

 

[briangcc]

Yours looks like this one:

http://barnfinds.com/1957-cadillac-boat/


Comparing the two, it appears yours has been stripped of some/all of the decorative trim for whatever reason. So I'd say you're spot on with the mid-late 50's as a model year. Without an actual registration before it was ID'd by the state, I don't think you'll get too much closer.

 

[New/old boater]

That '57 sure does look very similar. Was "custom" an actual model? I haven't seen it listed in any of the online old ads and old documents about these boats. Funny thing is, no sign of any paint ever on the exterior anywhere, just the couple coats of blue/greyish paint on the inside bottom, plus no holes or remains of anysort visible where the "custom" emblem was mounted on the side either.

 

[briangcc]

Paint is easily removed so given its age, it's entirely possible that a previous owner didn't like the color and started stripping it for a re-do.

IF I was a wagering man, I'd say that the interior of the boat was painted blue at some point and where it's bare metal, towards the keel, was where the original floor was located. Just a guess on my part, take it for what it is worth.

Dunno anything else about the boat I posted, just turned up in a Google Search. The original brochure I posted seems to show yours as well, just with different colors/options. Whether there is trim or not I couldn't tell you as my eyes aren't that good.

Neat old boat either way!

 

[New/old boater]

Well put, truth be told none of it really matters in the end, just trying to figure out exactly what "it was" as best as possible,although it certainly isn't going to be restored, more of a "custom" when it's done than anyhting else anyway! I polished up one small section in the back and put on a new "Cadillac" decal, kin a small way of seeing progress and also committing myself to polishing the whole thing.

 

[New/old boater]

According to this source, point number (1) all 1956 Cadillac boats were unpainted so if I am interpreting that correctly it would mean I likely have a 1953-1956 model. (assuming that 1956 did not stand alone as being "the" unpainted year)
https://www.forum.tinboats.net/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=34294

 

[silver_bay]

You can find some Cadillac info here: http://www.fiberglassics.com/library/index.php?title=Cadillac