Re: Pretty cool old boat
He bought those two from me.
It's a 1963 OMC Dual Deluxe.
In about 1960 OMC decided they wanted to be GMC. They set out to build boats that were a complete package. Boat, Motor, Trailer all designed to work together and to be purchased as one unit. Prior to this effort - with a few exceptions such as the Scott boats - you went to a dealer and bought a boat which might well be a bare hull. You then worked with the dealer who sold you a motor, trailer, steering, deck hardware and so forth...and the dealer would install and rig it all.
OMC wanted to offer a complete package and make it as easy to buy as a car. They spent millions on R & D and the construction of a production plant in Waukegan IL. They spared no expense.
The Chief Engineer for the project - Ralph Lambrecht - lives in Illinois and I've had the priveledge of speaking with him on more than one occasion.
The first boats they offered were under the OMC badge. They were 17' long. There was there was the Deluxe Runabout - which is the boat in question here - and the Seasport - an open bow version. The hull is a variation of the three point racing hull used on hydroplanes - and was designed by Harry Hillman. The other boat that Rick bought is a Cathedral hull "Sweet 16" boat sold under the Evinrude badge. That hull was designed by **** Cole who also designed the Thunderbird Cathedral hulls and the final iteration of that design - the Wellcraft Airslot. The top deck of the Sweet 16 was designed by Brooks Stevens.
When they introduced the line in 1962 they offered only a stern drive version powered by an 88 hp 4 cylinder 2 stroke powerhead that - as has been said - is an outboard motor on it's side. That was not enough power for a boat that size but they had yet to introduce the Buick Odd Fire V6 power plant - so all they could do was double down and sell a twin. They didn't sell a lot of them though - so they are quite rare.
They wanted to make it simple to use so they offered an AutoLube system - so you added straight gasoline to one tank and oil to another. Can you guess where this is heading? Yep - total failure. The 88's in this boat were replaced with 90's that were provided to the original owner by OMC. He then ran it using mixed gas.
They wanted these boats to be as safe as they could be so they pioneered methods of using foam flotation. That combined with the wide stable hull meant you could flood the hull and with a full passenger load it would not sink or capsize.
There are many fascinating features about these boats.
They made their own fiberglass cloth by spinning filament into yarn and then weaving it into cloth on looms they imported from Scotland.
The seats were made using injection molded foam - like the padded dash on a car. The bottom cushion was removable and under it was a flotation cushion. That grille on the foredeck is trim - but the horn is also inside it.
They build storage bins into the sides so you could stow gear and keep it out from under foot.
It goes on and on.
These are fascinating boats!
To learn more visit
www.omcboats.org. Click on the OMC and Evinrude buttoms at the top. You can also visit the forum.
