I really loved this boat, it would run circles around a 38 Commander and it handled superbly, but it was built very light and it leaked. This eventually forced me to bring it up to standards and sell it when it was in great shape. The person who bought it from me ran it for years and they all have great memories on the boat. Sadly, I think it was allowed to sink into a stage of disrepair and may be "in storage" somewhere under a tarp. That's the problem with great boats like this, if they're wood you have to stay after them. Few people have the temperment to replace a bottom with new marine plywood, however, if the entire bottom of this boat were replaced, it would still provide long term service.
As you can see, I went over the bottom and replaced some pieces that may not even needed to be replaced. The next owner ran it into an underground abutment, and had it hauled for repair, and I believe the yard actually cracked the keep due to improper handling. In any case, we had the pleasure of living with this beautiful craft for the better part of ten years, and those twin 327F (Corvette solid lifters) sure would sing.
I am happy to say, however, that I don't have thoughts in the middle of the night any more, about owning 12,000 pounds of wet wood sitting in the water. Would I buy another wood boat? OF COURSE I WOULD.........but it would be of a size I can get on a trailer myself. By comparison to a cruiser, a wood runabout is a piece of cake to own and repair.
Cheers, hope you enjoy the article,
Paul
1966 38' fiberglass Commander
Original 427 Power
