Looking for information on an old Utility Racer.

[Stashm2]

Hello,
I recently aquired this boat from a fellow that got it out of a barn.. Some place and am looking for any information or history. I have asked about it over @ Fiberglassics as a start. http://fiberglassics.com/glassic-forums/home/wood-boats/mid-40-s-hydro-plane-for-sale-down-the-road But am looking to find out who this belonged to and if it has any raceing history. It is from the Albany NY area. It is 13 foot long and 4' 3" wide at the transom.
Thanks for any info.
Jesse Chartier
233368233371233373233372

[mark benson]

If you go to my site (Google) "Tunnel Boat Racing in the '70's", one of the videos is titled "1949 Albany to New York Powerboat Race". In that race (2nd annual) there are a lot of boats that look like the one you just acquired & have the "N" class, as yours does! Good luck!
Hello,
I recently aquired this boat from a fellow that got it out of a barn.. Some place and am looking for any information or history. I have asked about it over @ Fiberglassics as a start. http://fiberglassics.com/glassic-forums/home/wood-boats/mid-40-s-hydro-plane-for-sale-down-the-road But am looking to find out who this belonged to and if it has any raceing history. It is from the Albany NY area. It is 13 foot long and 4' 3" wide at the transom.
Thanks for any info.
Jesse Chartier
233368233371233373233372

[stokernick]

since it's an Upstate utility my guess is it's a Fisk,they were made in Ft.Plain,New York,and gave Speedliner a run for their money!

[mark benson]

In 1948, 16 year old schoolboy, Leon Wilton, from the state of Indiana, defeated all other competitors with his 7.5 HP outboard, to win the very 1st Albany to New York Outboard Pleasure Craft, race! This is the earliest example of OPC Marathon Racing, that I have discovered, in my research!
If you go to my site (Google) "Tunnel Boat Racing in the '70's", one of the videos is titled "1949 Albany to New York Powerboat Race". In that race (2nd annual) there are a lot of boats that look like the one you just acquired & have the "N" class, as yours does! Good luck!

[Stashm2]

Thank you all for the input. I will continue my search for info. If any one else knows more please post.
Thank you!

[largecar91]

Here is an old runabout that just ended on E-Bay the other day. It went for $18,000! Just thought I would make you feel better about your purchase. That is a very nice find by the way! http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110680403279&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

[mark benson]

Just to clarify, Largecar91's statement, it was $18,000 US, for the boat, historically correct engine, trailer, rigged, ready to pull start!
Here is an old runabout that just ended on E-Bay the other day. It went for $18,000! Just thought I would make you feel better about your purchase. That is a very nice find by the way! http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110680403279&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

[Stashm2]

Just to clarify, Largecar91's statement, it was $18,000 US, for the boat, historically correct engine, trailer, rigged, ready to pull start!

LOL dont worry I know this old girl is not worth much but it is a neat old boat and is on its way back to the water. There is alot of refinishing to be done, and replacement formers to be cut and fit but it will be a good sound boat once again.
Thanks
Jesse

[staylor]

When I was 10 back in 1958 I had a similar rig as my first boat. My Dad insisted I run it with no more than 7.5 hp on it until I learned how to drive it- what a PIA Fathers were back then. The N is the APBA region- N for Northern. These boats were quite common in NY throughout the '50s and
'60s, essentially they were the jet skiis of the period. The steering in your boat has been moved from it's normal placement in the rear cockpit- you can see on the center support/aft deck where the steering was mounted. The extra piece of wood on the left side of the interior near the center support is where the squeeze ( or deadman) throttle used to be mounted. Since the boat is around 13 ft it would be for the 36 cid J&E engines, or the C/D Merc engines. It appears to be early '50s or maybe even late '40s in vintage. If it was rigged for utility class racing and its late '40s then the gas tank would have been on the engine. Around 1951 or so tanks would have started to be remote 3 and 6 gallon sizes, and if the original plywood floorboards are in place you should see tank wear marks in the forward cockpit. If used for marathon racing the rigging usually included a forward mounted tank and a second tank mounted to the left of the driver. If the boat was rigged for a Merc engine with a Quicky lower unit the transom height would be in the 13 inch range. If rigged for 36 class the transom usually is around 17 inches. Some boats could run either- by bolting on a motor board to the back of the transom to run the longer shaft engines. If the boat was raced then they usually have patches- nicely spliced in wood sections that can be seen from the inside. Typical prices paid in the '50s for the boat you have in its current condition would be about $75 if built by a regional builder, $100 if it was a SidCraft, DeSilva, or Speedliner. It was common to buy an old race boat for less than $100. and fix it up yourself. An ex-36 or C/D boat ran pretty well with a Merc KG-9 or Mk 55, or an older 25-30 hp J&E motor. If you carefully remove the paint on the sides you may find a painted manufacturers name. I think that the boat you've found could be a neat project!
Doug

[RogerH]

Good discussion / information....I told Larry Forget that it looked like a SpeedLiner, but Stokernick has a good point that it might be a Fisk. All of the brands looked pretty much the same. The SpeedLiner decals would be on the sides close to the back. SpeedLiners used screws everywhere. Mine were steel and rusted badly. Could not get most of them out without breaking them. Found it quicker to just grind the heads off. These were fun boats, relatively fast, and quite stable if not overpowered. Have fun!!!!!

[stokernick]

the reason I suggested Fisk was I had a Speedliner and the locals always gaveme heat about supporting Fisk! They really weren't that different! Wish I still had my Caravelle and 30H TODAY!!

[Stashm2]

So I have it mostly sanded down, There were no makers marks or decals on the sides at all just the number on the inside of the transom. all fastiners are steel screws not badly rusted. The wheel is being moved to the rear and the floor in the front has some wear but I am not sure its original. The biggest issue is getting papers for it non currently and no registration info either no stickers ect. The transom has been cut down, I am leaving it alone for now will fit my Seaking 25 short shaft nicely. Not a race engine but all I have for now.
Thank you all for the input any info on the 36-N and whos it was would be great if any one had a source for that.
Thanks

[stokernick]

So I have it mostly sanded down, There were no makers marks or decals on the sides at all just the number on the inside of the transom. all fastiners are steel screws not badly rusted. The wheel is being moved to the rear and the floor in the front has some wear but I am not sure its original. The biggest issue is getting papers for it non currently and no registration info either no stickers ect. The transom has been cut down, I am leaving it alone for now will fit my Seaking 25 short shaft nicely. Not a race engine but all I have for now.
Thank you all for the input any info on the 36-N and whos it was would be great if any one had a source for that.
Thanks

if need be,register it as a homemade!

[KG4]

I like it!!!

[Stashm2]

I made a little progress on this boat in the last seven months.. not alot but its starting to come together. Here is a link to my latest progess over at Fiberglassics.com.

http://fiberglassics.com/glassic-forums/5--wood-boats-/31297-mid-40s-hydro-plane-for-sale-down-the-road.html