Offered at $16,750 – Fully & Professionally Preserved 1964 25’ Lyman Sleeper, Eleonora & Tandem Axle Sea Lion Trailer

Eleonora, Hull Number K-1250, had languished in a shed on the shores of Lake George for years, when longtime Vermont TV journalist and WCAX TV (CBS) news anchor, Marselis Parsons, bought her and chose Snake Mountain Boatworks LLC to preserve her.

Save her we have! Watch Eleonora being launched and roaring back to life on Lake Champlain during her September 2012 Sea Trial. 

She moved to her new home at the Lake Champlain Yacht Club, LCYC, in Shelburne Bay, VT. From that port Marselis, his family and many friends enjoyed roaring at speeds approaching 40 knots across Lake Champlain. (She is powered by a 1984, 5.9 liter Chrysler V8 that produces 260 HP.)

She is now in cold inside storage, with all fees paid through May, 2017.

She offers you incredible originality, a dry bilge, all original and functioning gauges, throttle, shift lever, cushions and canvas. She has been updated with an Iva Lite, oiled teak swim platform and a Hummingbird depth sounder. She rides on a 2012, tandem axle, Disc Brake Sea Lion trailer

She is particularly turnkey.  She includes a color-coordinated set of green fenders and dock lines. Her full canvas is original, Lyman Customline, fabricated by Nielson Canvas Co., Sandusky, OH.

We lost Marselis to Cancer in 2015. At his family’s request, Snake Mountain Boatworks brought Eleonora into the shop in September 2016, and freshened her decks, topsides and bottom. She has been winterized and is waiting for her new stewards to own and launch her anew in 2017.

In preparation for offering her to new stewards, we freshened her bottom and topside paint, burnished and waxed her decks, windshield, covering boards and horizontal interior bright surfaces. (Several dings along her gunwale and foredeck edges were repaired and varnished anew.)

Her bottom was scraped, all dings and scrapes were repaired and inter-strake seams were sealed where needed, before she was spot primed with Pettit Tie Coat Primer. Her bottom then received three coats of Pettit Copper Bronze Antifouling paint.

Her topsides were sanded flat and then received three fresh coats of sea green Interlux Brightside Topside paint. (The new video errs in using “Wet Edge” instead of “Brightside.”)

Here are two new videos shot in November, 2016:

Meet Eleonora

2016 Engine Winterization

Following is a partial list of work we performed during the summer and fall of 2012, and thereafter.

• Engine:
  • Compression test returned 150 PSI across all 8 cylinders
  • Cleaned and rebuilt the carburetor, water pump and distributor
  • Replaced the fuel pump, exhaust hoses and mufflers, coil, voltage regulator, belts and cooling system hoses
• Bottom:
  • Repaired stem and knee
  • Stripped to bare wood and re-fastened
  • Sealed seams and applied three coats of Clear Penetrating Epoxy Sealer
  • Primed and painted – Pettit Tie Coat Primer and Copper Bronze Antifouling paint
• Topsides (Note: Eleonora retains all of her original wood on her topsides, transom, decks and interior.)
  • Stripped to bare wood & refastened where necessary
  • Sealed seams and applied three coats of Clear Penetrating Epoxy Sealer
  • Primed with Interlux PreKote – three coats, sanding between coats
  • Applied three coats of Interlux Brightside Sea Green topside paint.
• Transom – We were constrained by Marselis’ decision to leave her name unchanged, so could not strip the transom to bare wood. Fortunately, the lettering had already been varnished over.)
  • Sanded the surface flat
  • Applied four coats of Pettit Hi Build varnish
• Decks, covering and coaming boards, and all horizontal surfaces in the cockpit and helm station
  • Stripped to bare wood, sanded, bleached and stained (Sandusky Paint Co., Lyman Mahogany Stain before applying three coats of Clear Penetrating Epoxy Sealer.
• Running gear
  • The skeg, rudder and prop assembly, including the prop itself, were released. Their interior and exterior mounting surfaces were scraped to bare wood, after which they were sealed with Clear Penetrating Epoxy Sealer. All components were installed, bedded in 3M5200, and fastened using silicon bronze carriage bolts, flat and lock washers, and hex nuts.
• Bilge – cleaned and scraped before applying two coats of Sandusky Lyman Sand Tan bilge paint.
• Interior seating, cabinets, bulkhead and ceilings
  • Unfortunately, Marselis’ battle with Cancer began the same spring that we were scheduled to refinish the aft and helm station benches, seatbacks and bases, the bulkhead, and the two storage lockers situated behind the helm seats. As such, we did not address these issues. They remain as unfinished business for her next stewards to tackle, or have Snake Mountain Boatworks tackle on her behalf.

CONTACT: Michael Claudon by email: [email protected].

Offered at $13,750: 1956 16-foot Century Cowhide Palomino & Tee Nee Trailer

With hull number “P5652” is still stamped on her transom, this completely preserved 1956 “Cowhide” Century Palomino is as original a boat as I have ever seen. We did not replace a single scrap of wood. 

She is a one-owner boat and among a tiny number, perhaps as few as 2-4, survivors of the cowhide-upholstered, black Palomino model that Century built for a single year.

 Details:

• Save for her burgee, stern flag and seat cushions, which we had fabricated using the same 1956 NOS cowhide fabric, from the same vendor that Century Boat Company used in 1956, every bit of her upholstery is original.
• The bottom planking was stripped bare, received 3 coats of CPES, primed with 5 coats of Interlux 2000E Marine barrier coat, followed by 4 coats of Pettit hard racing bronze.
• The topsides, transom, decks and covering boards were stripped bare and sealed with 3 coats of CPES prior to applying 12 coats of Pettit High-Build varnish and 6 coats of JD Total Boat Wet Edge topside black paint.
• The hardware, windshield, stainless trim strips, Century hull tags and windshield, are all original, and were fully restored by New England Chrome Plating, East Hartford, CT.
• Fran Secor of Otego, NY, executed a comprehensive rebuild and cosmetic engine preservation.
• The original 1956 Tee Nee trailer has been completely disassembled, sand blasted, re-painted and reassembled. The wiring and wheel bearings are new.

Videos:

• As found November 2013: https://youtu.be/Bs7CmJDO21U   
• Preservation complete debut June 2015: https://youtu.be/TD3ukP9rC_U
• On the water again! June 2015: https://youtu.be/o5fJu0C6-Rs

Offered at $21,500: 1956 17’ Chris-Craft Special Sportsman

This 1956 17’ Chris-Craft Special Sportsman is completely original. She is hull number C-17 3708, which, according to Conrad, makes her a 1957, but her build sheet identifies her as a 1956.

She has the blonde king plank and split helm seat, which is a 1957 treatment, but her straight windshield was typical of the 1956 model.

That she is identified as a “Special Sportsman” also points at 1956.

No, she is not a “marriage of convenience,” put-together boat. We purchased her from her second owner, who, in turn purchased her from the original owner, his son. Both father and son took and saved documentation, including her original build sheet. She stands before you now as she left Algonac.

The immediate prior owner, and electrical engineer, began preserving her at least 15 years ago. I purchased her as an empty hull with engine still installed, and with every part, piece, even the screws carefully sorted and tagged.

Upon arrival at the shop we did a complete inventory and realized that nothing was missing.

VIDEO:

Engine Test: https://youtu.be/KqcQtqWcGWI
Debut: https://youtu.be/UISquiSbWJg
Sea Trial:  https://youtu.be/NH_nX76w5-E

Our comprehensive preservation included

• Engine and transmission
  • Complete teardown and rebuild
  • Conversion to 12 volts
  • Generator replaced with a one-wire alternator, which enhances reliability hugely
  • Points ignition replaced with Petronix for hotter spark and enhanced reliability
• Gas tank – The previous owner provided a new, exact copy of the original tank, as well as the original one
• Bilge – Painted with 3 coats of Sandusky Paint Company Chris-Craft red bilge paint
• Floor panels – Covered with black small-ribbed rubber sheeting that is correct for Chris-Craft
• Mickey Dupuis, D & S Custom Metal Restoration, Holyoke, MA, preserved all of the hardware
• Kocian Instruments executed a comprehensive mechanical and cosmetic preservation of the gauges
• Snake Mountain Boatworks preserved the wheel
• Marks Upholstery, Middlebury, VT, fabricated new upholstery in Chris-Craft red
• Hull – was stripped to bare wood inside and out. Every square inch of wood received 3 coats of CPES ahead of any finishing.
  • Bottom planking released, interior ½” plywood sheathing refastened. The sheathing and planks were sealed with 3 coats of CPES before being re-installed bedded in 3M 5200.
  • The topsides, decks, covering boards, ceilings, seating, seat boxes, engine box and dash were bleached, stained either blonde or mahogany as appropriate.
  • All bright surfaces received at least 16 coats of Pettit High-Build varnish
  • Below the waterline, the hull received 5 coats of Interlux 2000-E barrier coat, followed by 4 coats of Pettit hard racing bronze bottom paint
• Sea Lion trailer
  • Galvanized box beam bunk trailer with electric disc brakes
  • Fewer than 150 miles since purchased new by Snake Mountain Boatworks.
  • Extended bow tower, which greatly eases retrieval from the water, and guarantees that the bow winch line never touches the boat
  • According to Conrad, the 17’ Special Sportsman weighs between 1,600 and 1,800 pounds. The trailer’s GVRW is 3,800 pounds, more than sufficient to carry the boat easily and smoothly.

1956 Chris-Craft Special Sportsman Information Sheet

Offered at $24,500: 1958 15’ Twin-Cockpit Cadillac Seville & Tee Nee Trailer

While lesser wood and aluminum Cadillac Marine & Boat Company examples from the fifties have survived, I can find no other molded plywood, twin cockpit Model M Caddy Sevilles in any condition, let alone one preserved to museum quality.

With a wholesale price was $1,245 in 1958, precious few were ordered. The GM Heritage Collection does not have one.

Hull number M 5883, may be a one-of-a-kind. She is without doubt an incredibly fine example of cross-fertilization between the period’s auto design and emerging fiberclassics-to-be in the waning years of wooden boats.

No expense was spared during our comprehensive, three-year cosmetic and mechanical restoration of the boat, engine and trailer.

• Molded plywood hull stripped and refinished inside and out;
• New upholstery matching original Evinrude blue;
• Mahogany and Avodire decks and covering boards stripped, refastened and coated with 10 coats of Interlux Two-Part Perfection;
• Original Special Edition 1958 Evinrude (30 HP) outboard completely disassembled, rebuilt mechanically;
• 1959 Tee Nee tilting trailer with 1958 NOS baby moons and Cooper white wall tires. Every part was disassembled, sandblasted, repainted chrome yellow and reassembled; and
• Hardware restoration by Mickey Dupuis, D&S Custom Plating in Holyoke, MA.

Videos:

Watch the Caddy emerging from Snake Mountain Boatworks in May.
Roger Towle presents his restoration of the Caddy’s 1959 tilting Tee Nee trailer.

If you bleed Caddy, here is a unique opportunity to add something to your collection that no other enthusiast or collector can duplicate!

History – Cadillac Marine and Boat Company

Cadillac Marine & Boat Company was a boat building firm located in Cadillac, Wexford County, Michigan between 1958 and 1960, and a continuation of Cadillac Boat Company [?]. The company was located at 110 7th St., P.O. Box 65, in Cadillac. Gaylord Gill was the Manager of the firm in 1960. The company was established in 1953. In 1960 the company employed 281 males and 3 females. Sources: Michigan Manufacturer and Financial Record. The Directory of Michigan Manufacturers, 1959 (Detroit, MI: Manufacturer Publishing Co., 1958.) p. 401–classified products section. Michigan Manufacturer and Financial Record. The Directory of Michigan Manufacturers, 1960 (Detroit, MI: Manufacturer Publishing Co., 1960.) p. 410–classified products section. p. 52-geographic section. The available brochures we have from this manufacturer are located at the left on the little notepad thingy. (Source: www.fiberglassics.com)

Click photos for increased size

Offered at $24,750: Super Rate 1968 Lyman 19’ Runabout

Teca (P-1127) is one of only 17 19′ runabouts powered by Ford 289 V8 Interceptor engines (Model 165) built by Lyman Boatworks in 1968, She’s been on Lake George since being delivered to Morgan Marine Service, Silver Bay, NY, May 5, 1968. Still 95% original, she has now been comprehensively rejuvenated by Snake Mountain Boatworks and is ready to give decades of pleasure to her next owner(s).

Meet Teca as she emerged from the shop in October.

Enjoy watching Teca romping on her maiden romp across Lake Champlain, November 16, 2012.

• Original Ford 289 Interceptor V8 engine –Mallory electronic ignition & Edelbrock 4 bbl carburetor installed.
• Original varnish on interior of planking, on ceilings & related surfaces cleaned & buffed.
• All bright work cleaned & buffed to 9,000 grit; includes original splash rails still in their original varnish. Bilge cleaned & painted with multiple coats of Lyman Tan bilge paint.
• All hardware either plated or polished to show standards.
• Original upholstery & bimini is in as-new condition. New Nautolex in “natural” was installed.
• Topsides sanded, faired & finished with 4 coats of Interlux Epoxy Primekote, followed by 6 coats of Interlux two-part epoxy topcoat. – Snow White topsides & Rochelle Red boot stripe. The solid mahogany bottom planks were sanded, faired, primed & painted.
• All electronics tested for good running.
• New custom-built, galvanized Sea Lion bunk trailer.

Download PDF Advert

Offered at $3,850: Mid-1940s Old Town Dinghy, 16’ Canvassed Cedar Strip w 1946 HD-25 Johnson Sea Horse Outboard and Yacht Club Bunk Trailer

This painstakingly-rejuvenated, exquisite example of the Old Town dinghy can be yours. Watch as she as she glides through the water. Isn’t she reminiscent of On Golden Pond?

• New canvas & transom finished in period jade mist green.
• Original ribs, cedar strips, outwales, inwales, keel.
• Exterior wood surfaces, cleaned, sanded & sealed with two coats of CPES.
• Interior surfaces were cleaned, sanded lightly and varnished with multiple coats of Sikkens Cetol Marine Original.
• Four coats of Interlux Pre-Coat and six of brilliant Sea Green Interlux Brightside Polyurethane, the most technically advanced one-part epoxy on the market today, were applied to the canvas and transom.
• The 1946, 2.5 HP, direct-drive Johnson Sea Horse engine is in original paint and decals, has been serviced, starts & runs smoothly.
• Extra NOS prop & water pump impeller included.
• Yacht Club bunk trailer is in excellent condition.

Download PDF Advert

Her preservation complete, this superb example of a Fiberglassic, is now for sale. Please contact us for pricing and terms. Come by the shop and see her in person!

Cutter Boats, Inc. of Tell City, Indiana was the Owens brothers’ (Charles, Norman, John and William) short-lived foray into the rapidly growing late 1950’s fiberglass sporting boat market before they focused on growing the Owens Yacht Company, Inc. of Baltimore, MD.

This 1959 Cutter Jet de Ville resting on her original, well-rusted trailer. But her original Mercury Mark 55 Thunderbolt Four engine and all of her original Vollrath stainless steel hardware, her steering wheel and her speedo were intact when I found her in the woods off a dirt road in Milton in November 2011.

Most unusual is her left-hand drive, which indicates that she was originally sold for racing on the left-turn-only oval circuit.

Snake Mountain Boatworks subsequently completed a comprehensive restoration that included saving the rusting trailer, restoring the engine to fine running condition, installing new upholstery and restoring the hull to her original Merc sunset orange over snow white colors.

Watch her leaving the shop, being launched and roaring across Lake Champlain.