1958 Crestliner Vagabond

[mtboatin]

Hello all. I just picked up a 1958 Vagabond that needs restored. Looking for any and all info I can find. I've gotten a few things off fiberclassics.com. It looks to have only been built in 1957 (for $3236.00) and 1958 (call dealer for price). She's 22' with twin Fisher Pierce Bear Cat 55s and sits on a tandem Gator trailer.

Transom is shot and needs replaced. Trim tabs were added. Has a hard top with a short canvas frame installed that is not original to this boat. Sink and fresh water tank still in-tacked but head is missing and haven't figured out waste. Also missing stove (I believe a portable alcohol burner), table, and seats.

One note of concern is transom area is quite large and is also where fuel tanks are located and a PO has filled this area with great stuff foam. I assume this was to displace water. May be due to having the extra weight of twin motors? I guess I'll be digging it out and evaluate as I go.

It looks like bow and flat top surfaces of sides had a carpet or cloth of some type at one time covering them. Would anyone know if this was factory?

Plans are: replace the transom, replace the five original bias ply tires, bearing check, make sure she floats, and get motors up and functioning. Then on to sorting electrical, sourcing missing parts, and on to cosmetics. As dool as they are I'm not sure if I'll stay with the twin Bear Cats especially if the weight is causing issues.

 

[zool]

Thats a cool boat!.....Im not sure of the hardtop tho...looks a little sanpamy

The twins are a nice feature if u can get then running right. Maybe offset some of the weight with cabin improvements.

 

[mtboatin]

Thats a cool boat!.....Im not sure of the hardtop tho...looks a little sanpamy

The twins are a nice feature if u can get then running right. Maybe offset some of the weight with cabin improvements.

Top is fiberglass with metal supports and chrome roof top grab rails. Probably not a ton of weight. Guessing 100-150 lbs.

Once on the water if it looks like a keeper I am leaning toward it's removal and replace it with a convertible top more like the factory. The windsheild wiper would probably have to go with it which is a bummer.

 

[Willyclay]

She's 22' with twin Fisher Pierce Bear Cat 55s....

I'm hooked. Good luck with this project!

 

[mtboatin]

So first endeavor has been to source tires for my tandem Gator trailer. A word of WARNING to those thinking about buying a vintage boat trailer! Who would have thought it would be so difficult? I would also welcome any input from those that have already done this research and purchase.

Sticker on trailer shows largest optional tire of the time recommended as a 6.00-12 6ply. My trailer has 6.25-12 tires on it. I wouldn't want to go any larger. Even these may rub slightly in extreme articulation circumstances but I have no proof of this and as old as they are they must have worked.

After calling Miller Tire in Ohio, Coker Tire, combed the internet, and calling my local shops, it looks like a 145r12 10ply may be my only option. Not terrible at $60 a tire. Will be slightly shorter by about 1.5" compared to the 6.25 tire on there now according to internet. This well may be closer to 6.00 tire listed on the sticker.

For those interested, they are still offering bias ply tires but I'm not finding it in these sizes and would rather have the radials at this point. Oh, and forget about white walls..........

Not looking forward to sourcing hydraulic brake parts for this old girl.

 

[mtboatin]

My transom is bowed badly from to many years, two many motors (lol), and moisture. I need to rebuild it. Looks fairly straight forward. It looks like two pieces of 1" plywood together with a 2x2 piece of hard wood horizontal along the top. Since it's painted I was thinking of using Coosa board with a new piece of white oak along the top. Would love any info or opinions on this.

 

[jbcurt00]

Merged

This is part & parcel of your rebuild no need for a transom specific different topic

 

[mtboatin]

Merged

This is part & parcel of your rebuild no need for a transom specific different topic

Trying to get specific info on transom... Not sure anyone will see it in my other post unless they have specific interest in a 1958 Crestliner specifically.

 

[Reserector_]

Very cool boat. Following this....

 

[mtboatin]

Anyone have any ideas for sourcing OEM style seats for this old girl? I only have a set of brackets on starboard and port side and one possible leg. Shown in the top left of second picture of flyer. Would like to find at least two but may be able to use four.

 

[kcassells]

Unfortunately those seats were disco awhile back from Garelick. You might find one on ebay or craigslist. I don't know why they were stopped but I've looked for them along time. I found some euro mfg's that have another version, but they cost like 600 bucks.

Garelick Side Gunwale Removable Utility/Fighting Seat​

SKU:GAR-48104-01
0.0 star ratingWrite a review



Out of stock

 

[mtboatin]

Unfortunately those seats were disco awhile back from Garelick. You might find one on ebay or craigslist. I don't know why they were stopped but I've looked for them along time. I found some euro mfg's that have another version, but they cost like 600 bucks.

Garelick Side Gunwale Removable Utility/Fighting Seat​

SKU:GAR-48104-01
0.0 star ratingWrite a review



Out of stock

Wow! That probably would have worked. Doesn't look like this base pivots. Wonder if they had any option for a backrest? Maybe another option would be to find a frame and mount a seat to that on a pivot.

 

[kcassells]

Wow! That probably would have worked. Doesn't look like this base pivots. Wonder if they had any option for a backrest? Maybe another option would be to find a frame and mount a seat to that on a pivot.

Good luck. Ive looked around for a long time.