TOPIC: Mystery Boat - Any Guesses?

Here's one I ran across. I'm thinking of buying it but it would be nice to know what it is before I plunk down the money. There are no manufacturers emblems or markings of any kind and it's too old to have the serial number stamped into the transom. It has what looks to be a small block Buick V8 (dated 1966) and a stringer outdrive with the round transom seal. At first I thought it was a Bertram Moppie but the hull bottom at the bow and the nose is different. So...anybody know what it is? I'm stumped.

Looks like a Moppie clone.

Looks to me like a mid 60s Dorsett judging by the bottom of the hull.

It's not a Bertram or a Dorsett. Whatever it is, I bought it for $300. If I ever find out the make/model, I'll let you all know.

Cool good price! I was thinking Bertram myself.

Bob

Bob:

The engine is seized and it's an oddball Buick engine anyway so I might just have to do some creative re-powering. I have several running take-out engines sitting around, including a 425 HP big block Chevy with a rod knock and all the Mercruiser parts I need except a Bravo outdrive. I might just have to install a set of rod bearings and drop her in there. Then again, if it has decent stringers, an inboard conversion would not be out of the question. I have piles of aluminum bellhousings and 1:1 Velvet drives. It's fun to be abnormal.

Yeah cheap blank slate, should be fun! An inboard could be interesting, especially with that 425.

Bob

i bet that's either the buick 155 hp v-6 or the lightweight aluminum v8

i bet that original outdrive is trick or treat- all tricks!!

It's a Buick 300 CID V8, iron heads.

I don't think it looks anything like a Moppie. Hull looks more like a John Allmand to my eye.

Here's a 1968 John Allmand Ad from Popular Boating, courtesy of Google Books:

Just when I about to declare the boat to be a John Allmand....

My boat is definitely turquoise gelcoat, not paint. If Allmand only made white boats then what's the deal with this one? The hull is IDENTICAL to an Allmand but I can't find a photo of a boat like it anywhere. Could I somehow have gotten an Allmand hull with a different top section? I doubt it but I'm still stumped as to what I have. Maybe it's a one-off? I guess I'll write to Allmand boats to see if any of the old-timers can identify it...or not. Whatever it is, I think it was $300 well spent. I was asked if I wanted to sell it when I was loading it on the trailer!

What is the length of the boat?

BTW, Glastron and Bertram used that exact same steering wheel, but then again other manufacturers probably did too.

It sort of looks like a Bertram hull.

I'm basing my identification (on a tip from craigjudge) on this photo of an Allmand 23. The hull lines look to be identical and also the concave line where the sides meet the transom. It MUST be either an Allmand hull or one that was cast from their molds.





Here's the bow/navigation light. I've never seen one like it before.

Boat manufacturers did sell their old molds to other companies, so it's probable that this is an example of that.

Does the boat title not declare the manufacturer's name?

As a last resort, you could call Georgia's boat registration department and run a search on the registration number and see what comes up.

Also, take a peek under the cockpit...my Evinrude has a tag there.

I have already written to the Georgia DNR. Hopefully, they'll be able to tell me something. The last time it was registered was in 2007. The guy I bought it from didn't have a title. Getting another one is a pain but coming from Georgia, a non-title state, it should be easy if I just re-register it in GA and then transfer to SC.

Nautilus,

Have you inspected every inch of the hull for a tag that might identify the maker? Asked the State of GA to research the title?

I do NOT know what it is BUT my GUESS is a "clone" of a Bertram.

yours, satx

I'm still convinced that it is a John Allmand hull but that's all I know. Here's what I got from the Georgia DMV. As you can see, they don't know what the hell it is either! They have it listed as a 1969 but all they really know is what the owner told them...and he probably just guessed.

Registration Number: GA2555B
Registration Expires: 07/31/2007
Hull Identification Number (HIN):
Marine Toilet Certificate #: 513736819
Year Built: 1969
Manufacturer:
Length: 25ft - 11in
Class: 1
Boat Type: CABIN MOTORBOAT
Usage Type: PLEASURE
Hull Material: FIBERGLASS
Fuel Type: GAS
Propulsion Type: PROPELLER
Model:
Model Year: 1969

I do know that it does NOT have a marine toilet and it is NOT 26' long, it's 23'. Maybe I'll name it "Enigma."

If it was only $300, then I say you got a great deal. Personally, since it's been decided that it's a John Allmand hull, I would find a Citation has been scrapped and transplant the top of it to yours...I think the back part looks more finished. Then you can title it as an Allmand.

Flybridges were an option on these hulls too.