1964 California Boat Company 19’ Californian

[CBSELENA]

Hello,
I purchased this boat last month.
It’s a 1964 California Boat Company Model Californian 19’. Mercruiser 1st. Generation, with a 250 cubic inch. 140 horsepower Chevrolet Inline 6.
There’s no information on her and if anybody knows anything I’d sure appreciate it. Built in Santa-Ana .

I’ll post photos when the weather here is better.
Thank you to any one

 

[jbcurt00]

 

[jbcurt00]

What info are you looking for?

 

[CBSELENA]

Hello,
I purchased this boat last month.
It’s a 1964 California Boat Company Model Californian 19’. Mercruiser 1st. Generation, with a 250 cubic inch. 140 horsepower Chevrolet Inline 6.
There’s no information on her and if anybody knows anything I’d sure appreciate it. Built in Santa-Ana .

I’ll post photos when the weather here is better.
Thank you to any one

Wow, thank you.! I’ve seen that brochure online but couldn’t read any of it for it was too grainy. What you sent me answered a lot of questions. Mainly I would like to know if it’s possible to decode the Serial #, and more importantly, to figure out how to adapt a new or newer outdrive to the original Mercruiser SC-1 transom assy. It’s not a choice, it needs it because the lower unit on this one is cracked right through the bullet. The gentleman I purchased from included a spare mercruiser outdrive- but upon looking to install , the lower’s driveshaft spline is not a match,, further research (drive serial#) revealed he gave me a drive from ‘74 from a 140, . (4 cyl). That’s clearly not going to work. To boot Mercruiser does not support vintage product anymore . It would be great if I could install a simple Alpha 1 gen 1 or equivalent aftermarket, (se116?) through the original gimbal housing. I am a good and trained mechanic but would love to simplify this part of restoration as best I can. Old merc adaptability, Sound Familiar?. Thanks very much for the head start! Anybody out there in vintage boat land feel free to chime in.

 

[mr 88]

Doesn't get any better than having a J B Hargrave hull . Hatteras was one of the many lines of boats he designed.......If your bullet is cracked but not destroyed have you thought about having it welded ? I have seen it done before and turn out as good as new.

 

[jbcurt00]

Boat serial #s dont decode like vintage cars, and except for extremely rare instances has anyone compiled a list of Ser#s for a boat line to hope to ID a year from the Ser#. That info has just simply been lost to time.

No internet back then, and thousands of makers opened & closed quickly, some w only 1 mockup or even having built no boats.

 

[CBSELENA]

Doesn't get any better than having a J B Hargrave hull . Hatteras was one of the many lines of boats he designed.......If your bullet is cracked but not destroyed have you thought about having it welded ? I have seen it done before and turn out as good as new.

Thanks, I am having a second look too see about the weld possibility.. There’s a shop here I know of that will consider intricate work. Much appreciation for the note!