59 era Plywood Runabout

[PaulHolcomb]

Hey Yall, I just wanted to let you all know that I'm currently working on a 1959 era Plywood runabout built completely by my hands from some old plans found in some archives in New York,New York. This fun little runabout only costs about 300 dollars to build and about 70 hrs of your free time. Of course, the price does not include the motor/steering/controls needed. I have opted to go with a 1959 Merc 35-A that I found complete with all the original controls for $150 dollars. I have a total of less than $500 invested in this boat and will have some pictures to share in the upcoming weeks. If anyone is interested in recieving a copy of the plans to build one of these fun little speedsters, I will more than gladly email a copy of the original plans and drawings as well as plans that I have updated along the way. Have fun boating, and remember, if you're not having fun, then why bother!!!

 

[MIKE F]

Re: 59 era Plywood Runabout

Best of luck, with your new, "old" boat. I remember, back arond that time, Popular Mechanics magazine, had plans now and then, for boats. There was one, I always wanted to build, but never got around, to doing so. It was called, ( I believe) the PM 38. It costs about $38 for materials, and supposedly required about 38 hours, to build. It was a cute, little 13-15+/- runabout. Between 1980 and 1984 I built offshore racing/go fast boats, but it wasn't quite the same thing.

 

[PaulHolcomb]

Re: 59 era Plywood Runabout

The instructions for this one say it costs around 35 dollars to build. Yeah, in 1960 maybe! I haven't even been able to find the proper water seal and varnishes for less than that. This was/is my first boat project. My advice to anyone wanting to really get into boat building to start with one of these little vintage runabouts. what do you have to lose? It's cheap, fun, and hopefully worth the while.

 

[DJ]

Re: 59 era Plywood Runabout

Vintage,<br /><br />Keep us posted; pictures, etc.

 

[daveswaves]

Re: 59 era Plywood Runabout

I remember those Popular Mechanics plans too, I built a Mini Max hydro plane 1960 or so. The plans called for $30 in lumber back then and it would plane with a 5HP motor. I remember it did 15 MPH with our old 56 Johnson 5, then we got a seahorse 10 and it went 25. I put a Merc Mark 20 on it (59 17hp) went like stink, almost 40 mph. Still have the plans. Have fun VintagePlywood should be a screamer with that Merc on it.

 

[CalicoKid]

Re: 59 era Plywood Runabout

Now I'm "getting Wood", does anyone know of a good resource online or otherwise to see a bunch of these old plans??

 

[f_inscreenname]

Re: 59 era Plywood Runabout

"The Mother of all Maritime Links" (thats the name)should be the address http//www.boat-links.com/boatlink.html <br /> They have boat plan links and all kinds of stuff. It will take days to go through all of them.

 

[PaulHolcomb]

Re: 59 era Plywood Runabout

Hey guys, I have extended this boat 2 more feet longer, 8 inches deeper, and 2 inches wider!!! I have also started plans on adding a livewell built under some bench seating in the aft section of the boat that the original plans just had as open space. This is turning out to be a custom all around plan derived from this little runabout's plans. This has halted my progress for now, but will have pictures downloaded by the end of this month.

 

[dpropson]

Re: 59 era Plywood Runabout

If you are still out there, I'd love to see a copy of the plans. My email dpropson219247@comcast.net or dpropson@personalhomcare.com<br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />Dennis

 

[beckerdg]

Re: 59 era Plywood Runabout

Here is another link for boat plans I saw here a while back.<br /><br /> http://www.svensons.com/newweb/?boats <br /><br />Also for those that like the Minimax here is a fun site dedicated to it.<br /><br /> http://www.maineconnect.net/ptwd/ <br /><br />We were working on one this winter, or a least a modified version. Warning boat is actually smaller than appears in picture. You could probably build it for about $100 if you did not want to get too fancy with it.<br />

 

[BillP]

Re: 59 era Plywood Runabout

VintagePlywood...show us some pic. I've been wanting a vintage ply ob cruiser for years and been eyeballing the "Two Plus" from Glen L. <br /><br />JollyRogerX...I had a MiniMax and put a 15hp Evinrude on it. After the first ride I painted a skull with crossbones on it because of the danger! I quickly stopped the engine once while on a plane to go through some high grass and it swapped ends...THAT was a thrill.

 

[beckerdg]

Re: 59 era Plywood Runabout

Ha! You didn't expect riding a quarter inch sheet of plywood with a 15hp outboard to be completely safe did you? Hey mom, watch this!<br /><br />I was kicking around the idea of building something larger, but thought that this would be a cheap learning tool. We were going to fiberglass the whole thing to see what it is like to wet out fiberglass with epoxy.<br /><br />So if we don't kill ourselves in the sea trials we may come back for something like the Riviera on the Svensons sight. Though for something that complex I may order a similar model with patterns from Glen-l. Will have to study on it.

 

[PurpleDragon]

Re: 59 era Plywood Runabout

Hey JollyRogerX,<br /><br />I'm about to start on a 12' Herring Skiff - as a prep-training for the epoxy/FG for my larger long-term project - a Tolman Skiff (Jumbo).<br /><br />G'Luck!<br />Rex S.

 

[DrippingWithGold]

Re: 59 era Plywood Runabout

Cool deal! I am build a '58 Swish from Glen-L.com. This boat was the feature article in pm BACK IN 1958. The plans were 75 dollars, but I now at this time have about 800.00 in epoxy alone and about 500.00 in wood and fasteners. It has tail fins like a 57 Chevy and is 16' long. It is a major project, getting close to painting it at this time. Will be powered by an inline 6 Mercury 115HP.<br /><br />Mark, Frisco, Texas

 

[PurpleDragon]

Re: 59 era Plywood Runabout

Hey Mark,<br /><br />You mind if I get together with you sometime to take a look at your project? I'm in Richardson, and it's just a few minutes up to Frisco.<br /><br />Thanks,<br />Rex S.

 

[flashback]

Re: 59 era Plywood Runabout

yea, my first boat building experience came out of a PM mag. back in 1964, called a scat cat 8.5 ft. hydro with a 18hp hurricane engine.....it was great fun. in fact I still have the boat. no engine thou. i'd post a pic but i dont own a camera...............

 

[DrippingWithGold]

Re: 59 era Plywood Runabout

Hey Rex! Your welcome anytime to check out my project. Give me call 972-467-2081. I am usually in the garage working on the boat. Tommorrow would be great if your available. I hurt my neck somehow and can't work on it this weekend (bummer). But still in and out of the garage looking at it and want to do something. I would also like to see your project.<br /><br />Mark Frisco, Texas

 

[PurpleDragon]

Re: 59 era Plywood Runabout

Hey Mark,<br /><br />Sorry about not calling - We can try this coming weekend. The weather had the kids all excited to go catch some snowflakes on their tongues, and had too many "honey-do's"...<br /><br />Rex

 

[DrippingWithGold]

Re: 59 era Plywood Runabout

No problem Rex. Hope to see you this weekend!<br /><br />Mark Frisco, Texas

 

[T0M BAJ0REK]

Re: 59 era Plywood Runabout

That sounds pretty neat, I live here in North Tonawanda, on the Niagara River, My G-father was a foreman @ Richardson boat company and his brother built all the steering wheels for Richardson. They really are impressive, he did that as a side gig his main job was @ ball aircraft making propellors. Anyway, I may be interested in those plans! I have an abundance of Honduras mahogony from the Richardson co. Unfortunayely none are square most are the scrap window cutouts etc. I literally have 10ft stacks of this wood some 4 by 3 ft (but again not square. I'd love to build a boat like that and do all the trim w/ that mahogony. You cant even buy that stuff anywhere. GOOD LUCK and I am very interested in those plans.