I cannot tell you how satisfying it is for the crew to finally gaze on the fruits of months and months of hard work and painstaking attention to every detail when we debut a boat who has completed or nearly completed her preservation, as is the case with this 1955 20′ Lyman runabout today.
We have chronicled her progress from the dirty, tired-looking boat we pulled out of a one-story barn in Charlotte, VT a couple of years ago through today, her debut.
Now, we are not completely finished. As you will see in this clip, her brass stem trim, and her stainless transom trim and rub and splash rails must be installed. Installing the helm seat benches and the trim that closes the seam between the ceilings and floor panels await a few more coats of varnish. The rebuild kit for the water pump is “in transit.” And there is some minor touch-up here and there we will attend to soonest.
Our upholsterer is nearly finished fabricating the helm and aft seat bench and back, and the engine box lid cushions. She is matching the combination of a very light Lyman tan body with almost crimson trim.
The 2006 Venture trailer has surge brakes, and will soon have its custom-fabricated bow tower installed.
But she’s 99% ready for prime time, and especially for her sea trials, if ever the ice finally melts in Lake Champlain. At that moment she will be available for inspection and to ride her beautiful Venture trailer to her new port.