Next insane hobby - wood boat

I had no idea there were so many E9 / Vintage boat enthusiasts on this forum. I've been 'off the E9 Forum grid' for the past 9 months working on my own vintage boat restoration. I'd been looking for 3 plus years for a repowered Bertram 25. I found this one in the San Juan Islands in August and had it trailered down to So Cal in September. The work began immediately. Here are few in process and two final / finished pics. The flybridge is painted in a 2004 Mercedes Brilliant Silver. The boat finished on May 8th. We are planning many Catalina Island trips this summer.
 

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That's beautiful and a perfect size for a cruiser! With those twin engines, it must really move! A lot of people are fixing up old Bertrams, especialy 20' Moppies, this one was next to me at the antique boat festival recently:

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I know a lot of Bertrams had a lot of issues with their motors when CA started running the ethanol fuel. Living in Dana Point there were some pretty good buys back in the day. Always loved those designs though. If memory serves, something to do with the plastic fuel tanks. But, again, memory is a little faded on that, Paul can chime in on that.

Here you go Steve, I might have to buy this and give you a run for your money...I'm kidding, can barely afford the coupe.

Kenwood is a great place, I used to go to the pillow fights there. Not sure if they still have that going on. I think it was sponsored or started by the Smother's Brothers. But don't quote me on that.

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No Reserve: 17' Wood Hydroplane

Bid for the chance to own a No Reserve: 17′ Wood Hydroplane at auction with Bring a Trailer, the home of the best vintage and classic cars online. Lot #193,252.
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Nachtycoupe said:
I know a lot of Bertrams had a lot of issues with their motors when CA started running the ethanol fuel. Living in Dana Point there were some pretty good buys back in the day. Always loved those designs though. If memory serves, something to do with the plastic fuel tanks. But, again, memory is a little faded on that, Paul can chime in on that.

Here you go Steve, I might have to buy this and give you a run for your money...I'm kidding, can barely afford the coupe.

Kenwood is a great place, I used to go to the pillow fights there. Not sure if they still have that going on. I think it was sponsored or started by the Smother's Brothers. But don't quote me on that.

bringatrailer.com

No Reserve: 17' Wood Hydroplane

Bid for the chance to own a No Reserve: 17′ Wood Hydroplane at auction with Bring a Trailer, the home of the best vintage and classic cars online. Lot #193,252.
bringatrailer.com bringatrailer.com
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That is insanely nice - he must have untold hours and $$$ into it.
 
For all you old school water skiers - to go with the vintage ski boat theme I picked up a cherished ski from my youth - a competition Maherajah wood slalom ski from late 60’s early 70’s. I loved these as a kid and if you didn’t respect it, it would hurt you!

Amazingly, Bob Maher, who founded the company as a teenager in the 50’s is still at it - I spoke with him recently and he has new rubber boots for it which I’ll get for future generations to enjoy. The insanity continues!

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i had a couple of Cut'n Jump slalom skis back in the day. i also had a short O'Brien with a tunnel bottom and was great for slalom courses. one of the cut'n jumps was longer with a flat bottom and sharp edges - amazing for longer ropes / turns with great carving. then there was the really short skis - a pair of adidas track shoes - start on a starter ski (no bindings) and jump off at 40 mph. in louisiana there were too many beer cans in the water to barefoot on some lakes.
 
I have a love of wooden boats. There are a lot on Lake George, NY. Home of Hacker-Craft
I would love to have a Bespoke Hacker with a BMW Marine engine or Packard Twelve like the PT boats.


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in the late 60's we spent a couple of weeks in the thousand islands and the people we stayed with had a couple of old wooden boats - they were so cool, the woodwork - especially the decks were so gorgeous. one of the things i remember about the old wooden boats were the reverse cuts on the sides of the rear -
 
rsporsche said:
i had a couple of Cut'n Jump slalom skis back in the day. i also had a short O'Brien with a tunnel bottom and was great for slalom courses. one of the cut'n jumps was longer with a flat bottom and sharp edges - amazing for longer ropes / turns with great carving. then there was the really short skis - a pair of adidas track shoes - start on a starter ski (no bindings) and jump off at 40 mph. in louisiana there were too many beer cans in the water to barefoot on some lakes.
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Being close to Orlando with all the lakes and history of water skiing culture like Cypress Gardens, there are a lot of vintage skis available. Lots of Dick Pope little trick skis and other wacky designs.
 
our 'pair' of skis were cypress gardens - Dick Pope. i should have kept all of the wooden skis when we sold my mother's house ... but i didn't
 
Fun thread, I'll play and yes, another rabbit hole to get lost in. Learned to waterski in the 70s behind a lovely mahogany Chris Craft (don't remember model) on Big Bear Lake, CA. Good times.

Today, we keep a not so sporty 31ft 'pocket trawler' (similar to a Grand Banks) close to Al the Wops in the CA Delta. Though it can't get out of it's way in a hurry, it's single Ford Lehman will chug its way at its very leisurely pace. It's teak interior makes it a very charming floating 'cabin'.

Just down the marina, a 31ft 1959? Chris Craft Sea Skiff enclosed cruiser is languishing. Has twin V8s with a handsome blue lap strake hull. Folks that knew the boat 'back in its day' said it was quite the hot rod. Owner's spared no expense, but live on the other coast now. Though the exterior is getting rough, she sits flat and the interior is a time capsule. Where are those pics?!

I've had dreams of what could be done with it.....but then I've got some other fish I'd love to and need to finish frying ;)

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