1961 Cruisers Inc Runabout - Am I crazy?

[ghulse]

-Hi all,

A few months back, I saw an ad on Craigslist for a 1961 Cruiser Inc. boat and ended up buying it. I know nothing about wood boats really. I only recently moved back to the Chesapeake Bay region and this is my first boat in some years. Looking for reassurance from other wood boat owners, or a reality check—if that seems more appropriate.

I haven't taken the boat out yet, but I expect to do so in a matter of weeks. It comes with a Honda 50HP that looks like it is in excellent condition.

On the bright side of things, this particular boat appears to have been meticulously restored and well cared for. The original owner of the boat—the guy who sold it to the guy I bought it from—still works on it and refuses to accept payment for doing so. I am told he is very generous with his time. Indeed, he wants to touch it up a little before I pick it up and will likely go out on the water with me the first time I take it out.

I'm told it it is lapstrake construction built with Meranti, a type of mahogany plywood. The boat is stored in a garage during the winter and is kept in the water during the boat season long. I am told it does not leak a drop. My plan is to keep it on a boat lift during the boat season.

I don't mind doing a little end-of-season maintenance. Presumably I will learn how to care for the boat from the former-former owner and be able to keep it in the same pristine condition. But what do you guys think about owning a boat like this? How is the performance? What are the pitfalls?

 

[Scott Danforth]

welcome aboard.

lapstrake boats generally need to be kept wet to keep the wood swelled to keep it from leaking.

keeping it on a lift is ok, if you use it very often, as in every day. otherwise look into keeping it in a slip.

the pitfalls of a wood boat is there is 10x the maintenance you probably can imagine

Ned L may come along and add a bit more as he has probably forgotten more about wooden boats than I will ever know.

 

[southkogs]

Performance: If you're looking at it to impress anyone in terms of speed and handling, you're likely to be disappointed. If you're asking about if it's seaworthy to go out and enjoy, then it should be fine. BUT ... performance for a boat owner is mostly related to what you're trying to do (fish, ski, cruise, etc.). So, what are you wanting to do with it?

Owning a boat like this one: prepare to own and care for a vintage (translated: older, and because you love it) boat. It's not going to be a drop it in the water, go play, park it and let it go until the end of the season maintenance. This boat will require more attention. It becomes a hobby for you to take care of it (though not necessarily a HUGE time killer). Not that it's a bad way to own a boat, but it's a different way than many want to own a boat.

Listen to Ned's advice for sure. He knows these types of boats.

Welcome aboard.

 

[ghulse]

I talked to the former owner of the Cruiser tonight and he thinks it's a good idea to keep it on a lift. He's sort of an expert and currently owns a 20' Thompson with the same kind of lapstrake construction. I realize there may be a varying opinions about this. But this particular boat doesn't leak and in any event I'm anticipating it will get used a fair amount this summer since we live on the water. It's just a short walk down to the dock. I can alternate keeping it in the water at times and putting it on the lift other times.

Anyway, thanks for all of your posts. I think I might just enjoy the little extra maintenance required to keep this Cruiser shipshape. In any event, I'm about to find out what it's like to own a wood boat that was made the year I was born.

 

[JimS123]

Cedar strip boats are the ones that need soak time to be waterproof. Lapstrake are usually waterproof, especially of your vintage because most used 5200 between the planks. (not all, need to verify with a Cruisers aficionado)

The positive is that the performance will far exceed anything you can get with a glass or tin boat. Now if you think high speed is "performance", ignore this comment and move along.

The negative is annual maintenance and lots of it.

If you're use is salt water, it will probably last longer than if it were in fresh water. The salt helps to "pickle" and thus preserve the wood. However, the fasteners need to be silicon bronze to realize that improvement (again, I dunno - see the Cruisers expert.

Be sure to keep it covered when not in use. The varnish is the first thing to go and the hardest to restore.

You will receive positive comments every time you stop at a dock. Your boat look s pristine. After you use it a few times, you'll wonder why you ever had one of those plastic boats. You just need to be comfortable with sanding and painting and.....

Wood boats are a labor of love. If you're just a casual boater, you might not understand...

 

[roffey]

My 2 cents are do what the previous owner is suggesting. He has kept it in pristine condition and likely knows best for that boat.

I had wooden boats when I was a wee lad and they need the moisture to swell up and seal. None of my boats were ever completely dry and always leaked a bit so I can under stand what the other posters are saying.

BTW, beautiful boat.. enjoy. You will get lots of positive comments for sure.