Water Wasp Mini Boat

[Waterwasp]

Re: Water Wasp Mini Boat

Pretty sure that covers it, Water Wasp.
Why? Where are we going with this?

I just wanted to add my SN and pictures to the conversation. A few years ago, I went looking for info on some other boat sites and there was no info, and all I could find was an occasional WaterWasp for sale. They may be the ones that Scamp Deluxe and Old Scout now own.

Thanks for starting your search and it is nice to know that there are others out there that recognize the potential fun of this unique little boat. Mine has been tucked in the rafters of my garage for decades but I used it a lot in the 1970s. Back then I only saw one other WaterWasp that sat motor-less on a beach on Prior Lake, MN.

 

[Bakeys]

Re: Water Wasp Mini Boat

So lets take it one step further ----
WHERE are they?

1. Scamp Deluxe, Yellow over White, Possibly the earliest made (North St Paul), No SN, No light or vent scoop. (with stabilizers on bottom?)

2. Old Scout, Green, SN. W7-0159 (Savage), Light and vent scoop, Stabilizers on bottom.

3. Waterwasp, White, SN. W7-253 (Savage), Light and vent scoop, Stabilizers on bottom.

4. Bakeys, White over Black, SN. W7-307 (Savage), Light and vent scoop, No stabilizers on bottom. ------ New York

 

[Waterwasp]

Re: Water Wasp Mini Boat

I'm adding my location and correcting two SN's (mine and Bakeys) (I forgot a zero)

1. Scamp Deluxe, Yellow over White, Possibly the earliest made (North St Paul), No SN, No light or vent scoop. (with stabilizers on bottom?)

2. Old Scout, Green, SN. W7-0159 (Savage), Light and vent scoop, Stabilizers on bottom.------Aurora, Illinois.

3. Waterwasp, White, SN. W7-0253 (Savage), Light and vent scoop, Stabilizers on bottom.------Lakeville, Minnesota

4. Bakeys, White over Black, SN. W7-0307 (Savage), Light and vent scoop, No stabilizers on bottom. ------ New York
[/COLOR][/QUOTE]

WaterWasp

 

[Old Scout]

Re: Water Wasp Mini Boat

Greetings as always, I'm in the Chicago area, Aurora, which is 30 miles due West of the big city. Enjoying this thread, I thank all of you for your efforts in researching the history of these unique boats, and to you Waterwasp for your owners listing, good idea, my guess is others with Waterwasp boats will find this thread and contribute . I'm looking forward to the restoration of mine. The boat appears to have been left outside uncovered and neglected for many years. When I split the deck/hull it was a mess inside, i.e, mice headquarters, much of the wood, transom/stringers rotted. I will post pictures of the stringers, (I've pulled them out already and will use them for a pattern) for your info asap. The boat is now cleaned up and in my basement, gotta love its size, easy to move especially when its in two pieces. As soon as I can I will take lots of pic of the two halves interior to give you a perpective of the building of these boats, along with measurements of all the wood support blocks that were placed in them for throttle controls, bow/transom handles, etc. Oldscout.

 

[Waterwasp]

Re: Water Wasp Mini Boat

Old Scout, I added "Aurora, Illinois" to my previous post. I've been near Aurora in the past for a Corvair convention (St. Charles), and a couple Micro car get togethers in Plainfield and Crystal Lake. If that ever happens again, maybe we could meet.

Waterwasp

 

[Old Scout]

Re: Water Wasp Mini Boat

Absolutely. I was just in St. Charles two days ago, on the Fox River. I wanted to get out on the water one more time before the cold weather hits. I took out my 1954 Thompson 12 foot cedar-strip boat, she's powered by 1958 Johnson 18hp, its a joy to run. P.S., I've always enjoyed the covairs, I'm guessing they hold covair event at the Pheasant Run Resort.

 

[Scamp Deluxe]

Re: Water Wasp Mini Boat

I have added my location and corrected place of manufacture.
also

I'm adding my location and correcting two SN's (mine and Bakeys) (I forgot a zero)

1. Scamp Deluxe, Yellow over White, Possibly the earliest made (St Paul), No SN, No light or vent scoop. (with stabilizers on bottom)------Cambridge, MN

2. Old Scout, Green, SN. W7-0159 (Savage), Light and vent scoop, Stabilizers on bottom.------Aurora, Illinois.

3. Waterwasp, White, SN. W7-0253 (Savage), Light and vent scoop, Stabilizers on bottom.------Lakeville, Minnesota

4. Bakeys, White over Black, SN. W7-0307 (Savage), Light and vent scoop, No stabilizers on bottom. ------ New York
[/COLOR]

WaterWasp[/QUOTE]

 

[Old Scout]

Re: Water Wasp Mini Boat

Here are the pics of the stringers I removed from the water wasp. When I get into the restoration I plan on using 3/4 inch marine plywood for the new ones, will really stiffen the boat. I plan to lighten the new stringers by drilling a series of holes the length of the stringers, much like you would see in a hydroplane.

 

[Old Scout]

Re: Water Wasp Mini Boat

I forgot to give the measurements, by the way thats a two foot ruler in the pics between the stringers to give you some perpective of their size. They measure out at 74 and 3/4 inches long, at their highest, they are 7 and 1/4 inches, which is at the end of the stringers where they sit on either side of the transom.

 

[Waterwasp]

Re: Water Wasp Mini Boat

Old Scout, Can you post some Pics of the opener hull (Both halves)?

 

[Old Scout]

Re: Water Wasp Mini Boat

As soon as I can get it moved from its current location, may be few days.

 

[Bakeys]

Re: Water Wasp Mini Boat

Old Scout, Can you post some Pics of the opener hull (Both halves)?

I'd like to see a step-by-step photo essay of the process. I know it's a bit time consuming for the essayist, but it's also incredibly informative / helpful for the next guy in line who suffers Water Wasp Fever. It'd give us some insight on do / don't do. Regardless, I appreciate any and all info that I can get.

I'm thankful for all you guys that are hanging with this thread and contributing information. Personal experience and the wisdom shared is an invaluable resource that, hopefully, others will / can benefit from.

 

[Old Scout]

Re: Water Wasp Mini Boat

Was hoping to be able to get the Water Wasp out of storage for pics of the two halves but its just not in the cards for the near future. Will have to be after the holidays, when the plan is to begin the restoration. Still searching for info on this boat mfg, found no mention of it in the Jan, 1970 issue of Motorboating, was hoping they may have done a review of perhaps an advertisement. I'll keep looking, oldscout.

 

[Old Scout]

Re: Water Wasp Mini Boat

Noted a listing on e-Bay for a vintage bow light that appears to be the same model that on my Water Wasp, although the mounting bracket is a little different. These brackets are just spot welded on, would be easy to convert a bracket to fit a Water Wasp. Here's the listing, Vintage Bike Boat Red Green Light Battery Operated | eBay For those interested, oldscout.

 

[Bakeys]

Re: Water Wasp Mini Boat

Good catch, Old scout!
I'm on that one! I keep watching for the chrome center steering wheel cover that I lost as well as any "Water Wasp" listings on evilbay. Suffice it to say, I don't see too many.

Have a great Christmas everyone!

 

[Bakeys]

Re: Water Wasp Mini Boat

Noted a listing on e-Bay for a vintage bow light that appears to be the same model that on my Water Wasp, although the mounting bracket is a little different.

Score! Ships today! Thanks again, Old Scout.[/COLOR]

 

[Old Scout]

Re: Water Wasp Mini Boat

Glad that worked out for you. Wishing all a great Christmas. P.S. Hoping to break ground on the Water Wasp restoration in January, should be interesting. Oldscout.

 

[outlaw billy]

Re: Water Wasp Mini Boat

hi folks, it has been intresting reading about your water wasps. i had one of these back in about 76. it had a Scott- Atwater 22hp motor. this thing was a real death trap. bad design from the start. still a lot of fun though. that boat is long since gone but, i did find one on CL a couple years ago and had to have it. i drove 100 miles to pick it up, loaded it in my truck and headed home wondering why i just wasted 4 hr.s and a few bucks. it is in perfect shape, white in color, not sure abot the strakes but i think it is smooth. it is stored away in a warehouse i have here in montana. i will get a HIN and take a closer look at the underside. seems we now know of at least 5 of these left. ahoy.

 

[Bakeys]

Re: Water Wasp Mini Boat

Well welcome aboard Outlaw Billy! My wasp is tucked away in a buddy's barn for the winter. It's 7? outside so my Water Wasp aspirations are at a seasonal low! When spring starts to tickle the air I'll get delusional again and dream of vividly colored wasps buzzing around the Finger Lakes region of NY.

https://www.google.com/search?num=10&hl=en&safe=off&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1280&bih=713&q=finger+lakes&oq=finger+lakes&gs_l=img.3..0l9j0i24.4831.6483.0.8272.12.8.0.4.4.0.120.639.5j3.8.0...0.0...1ac.1.-bZfCzp5he8

 

[barrynfla]

Re: Water Wasp Mini Boat

I've never heard of a Water Wasp and know nothing but this is really a fascinating thread! Wishing y'all well come spring when you can get out of hibernation!