First boat, first restore. 59 Crosby (I think)

[Without a care]

Hey guys, I'm new to the forums and fairly new to boating. I have grown up around boats but have never had the responsibility of owning my own. I have been recently blessed with the opportunity to acquire this Crosby- I think its a 1959, but I'm still have to do some more research to confirm. I have been searching for a boat for the past year or so, but I found this one just sitting there rotting away along side a trailer park. With little to no persuasion the boat was mine for free. From what I understand the man who owned it has passed away and his grandson started to sand it down to restore it, but has since has not had the time and lost interest.

The hull, transom, and core of the boat all seems to be pretty solid. The trailer is not in bad shape either. I am going to be posting pictures as I ATTEMPT to restore this.

The photos are recent. I'm on the forums because you guys are well... awesome.:joyous: I have read some of your posts and seen some of the work you guys have done, it is immaculate. I know there are many of you who whom are walking talking encyclopedias who can tell me more about this boat then probably the original manufacture. Anyway, I plan on restoring this even though the only thing I really posses it the desire. I am going to be glued to this forum for the next months and hopefully years to come soaking up and absorbing all the knowledge I can for you all. Thank you all already for the knowledge shared, and I look forward to meeting you guys.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: First boat, first restore. 59 Crosby (I think)

Welcome to iBoats!
I love the old Runabouts! This might be helpful...Crosby - Classic Boat Library
She will be a good boat for your first restore. What's her overall length?
We'll be here for you so keep the pics and questions coming.

 

[IraRat]

Re: First boat, first restore. 59 Crosby (I think)

Do you have the title?

 

[Without a care]

Re: First boat, first restore. 59 Crosby (I think)

Welcome to iBoats!
I love the old Runabouts! This might be helpful...Crosby - Classic Boat Library
She will be a good boat for your first restore. What's her overall length?
We'll be here for you so keep the pics and questions coming.

Thank you for the welcome, and thanks for the link. That really helps. I think I just fell in love with this boat a lil more. It's 16'. As you can see I still need a motor for it, but I was thinking a 60hp. Not sure what brand though.

 

[Without a care]

Re: First boat, first restore. 59 Crosby (I think)

Do you have the title?

Still working on getting the title. It was registered in 03, from the kids grandfather, but the grand mother is still alive. I was considering have her renew the reg. and then sign it over it to me. Same with the title.

 

[Without a care]

Re: First boat, first restore. 59 Crosby (I think)

http://www.fiberglassics.com/wiki/images/thumb/f/f2/Crosbyb59010.jpg/779px-Crosbyb59010.jpg

I think this is the Crosby in her Glory days.

 

[Decker83]

Re: First boat, first restore. 59 Crosby (I think)

Welcome to the i-boats forum..
With the right materials and alot of work you can make that boat into a real beauty..

I would make sure I had the title for the boat before spending any money on her..
In Texas, No Title No registration.. Not sure about where you are..

Good luck with you new project..

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: First boat, first restore. 59 Crosby (I think)

Yep a 60 to 70 hp would be perfect for her. I like Evinrudes or Mercurys. Take a look at the links in my signature for some helpful info.

 

[Pmccraney]

Re: First boat, first restore. 59 Crosby (I think)

Old boat full of leaves and a beer can.. Yep, your officially one of us now!

Welcome to the forum and good luck... Free boats can be expensive, but if you have the desire and this is the type of boat you want, then dive in! The water's warm!

 

[sphelps]

Re: First boat, first restore. 59 Crosby (I think)

Welcome Without a care ! Yep the old runabouts sure have a kool factor way up there ! If ya don,t have any painting or glassing skills The guys here will sure keep you headed in the right direction ! I,m gunna tag along and see how she turns out ..
Good luck ! SP..

 

[Without a care]

Re: First boat, first restore. 59 Crosby (I think)

I turned my back for about 10 minutes to do something and I have like 5 posts to reply to. Yeah I feel pretty welcome. Thanks guys.
I'll reply in the order I got them:

I live in RI, and yeah their pretty strict on their laws here as well. Your right, Decker I could find myself in a world of debt for a boat that's not even mine. I don't think it's going to be an issue getting the title - *disclaimer* I have been wrong in the past :embarassed:

 

[Without a care]

Re: First boat, first restore. 59 Crosby (I think)

Yep a 60 to 70 hp would be perfect for her. I like Evinrudes or Mercurys. Take a look at the links in my signature for some helpful info.

Thank you sir, I have my roommate helping me search for motors right now. We have come across a few 70s but they were both Johnson. I'm sure everyone has their preferences, but is there something that should be avoided with Johnson? I ask out of ignorance not arrogance.

 

[Without a care]

Re: First boat, first restore. 59 Crosby (I think)

Old boat full of leaves and a beer can.. Yep, your officially one of us now!

I'm sure that boat will have plenty more beer cans to add. :laugh:

 

[GT1000000]

Re: First boat, first restore. 59 Crosby (I think)

Welcome to the Iboats dry dock, Without a care...

That looks like a neat boat and should be a real gem once its put back to better than new condition...
From the pics you have posted, looks like the chrome fittings and the windshield are in real nice shape...at least from this distance
I'll be tagging along also to see what develops...
Best of luck and have Fun!
GT1M

 

[Without a care]

Re: First boat, first restore. 59 Crosby (I think)

Welcome Without a care ! Yep the old runabouts sure have a kool factor way up there ! If ya don,t have any painting or glassing skills The guys here will sure keep you headed in the right direction ! I,m gunna tag along and see how she turns out ..
Good luck ! SP..

Thanks for the support. I will need to focus on 1) getting that title & reg. 2) research types of fiberglass, resin, gloss etc. I did jump the gun a little bit and picked up some poly resin and some mat but I think it was kind of a generic general use resin. (1) 1 gal. poly resin with hardner and (2) 8 sq. yard mat. I will post pics of it tomorrow. so far $110. I think that number might see a couple more zeros before I'm done :facepalm:

 

[ezmobee]

Re: First boat, first restore. 59 Crosby (I think)

Johnson and Evinrude motors are the same. You want '73 or newer as the older one had electric shifting which you can't get parts for. Parts support for the '73 or newer motors is very good. Mercurys are good motors also but their parts support can sometimes be a bit spotty. You may want to stick with the 80's or newer with those. Avoid Chrysler/Force motors because their parts support is drying up.

 

[Without a care]

Re: First boat, first restore. 59 Crosby (I think)

Thank you very much for the heads up ezmobee. You guys are awsome, I've been in this site for 3 days and already you have saved me turmendous amount of heart ache. Thank you

 

[greenbush future]

Re: First boat, first restore. 59 Crosby (I think)

Thank you sir, I have my roommate helping me search for motors right now. We have come across a few 70s but they were both Johnson. I'm sure everyone has their preferences, but is there something that should be avoided with Johnson? I ask out of ignorance not arrogance.

Not a thing wrong with Johnson or Merc, a couple 40 hp merc or Johnson's would be a really nice touch. I got bit by the bug on older cool boats and picked up one very similar to yours, and yes it has twin outboards. Don't be too hasty in buying your power plant, you have lots of time to figure that out, and some of the older outboards can be had for very reasonable prices. I don't think the boat fits the advertisement you showed a few post's up. I don't see the same interior set up?? Have some fun with your new project, get that tittle first though.

 

[Ned L]

Re: First boat, first restore. 59 Crosby (I think)

Welcome. I'm pretty close to you (N.E. CT). I think RI may be one of the easier states to deal with for title & reg (just a guess here, because R.I. DOES recognize the economic value of recreational boating to the state's economy so I wouldn't think they'd want to shoot themselves in the foot by making things more difficult than necessary). She looks like it should be fairly easy to bring her back to usable condition. good luck!

 

[Without a care]

Re: First boat, first restore. 59 Crosby (I think)

Not a thing wrong with Johnson or Merc, a couple 40 hp merc or Johnson's would be a really nice touch. I got bit by the bug on older cool boats and picked up one very similar to yours, and yes it has twin outboards. Don't be too hasty in buying your power plant, you have lots of time to figure that out, and some of the older outboards can be had for very reasonable prices. I don't think the boat fits the advertisement you showed a few post's up. I don't see the same interior set up?? Have some fun with your new project, get that tittle first though.

Twin outboards? On that boat? That's crazy enough to be pretty much awesome! I appreciate you clarifying and reassuring me with the motor selection. I did find a 70hp Johnson 1986 for $500, I almost pulled the trigger on it, but I wasn't able to get a very good history on the motor and the story seemed a bit sketchy at the last minute. Supposedly it was a friends that left it at the guys house, it runs great, then brings up issues of it needing parts. Kind of wishy washy. I like your advice better, wait and find the right one.

As far as the ad I posted, I did notice the seats had some reinforcement behind them that my boat didn't. That ad is so far the closest thing I can find to the boat; still investigating.