Antique Boat.....what is it?

[h2onhk]

Looking for some input on what the heck this is that I stumbled across. This thing is wild. i don't actually own the boat, but my curiosity is getting the best of me. Internet searches are coming up empty. Thinking its from the 1920's? Johnson made a Super Seahorse motor many decades ago, but I 'm not sure they ever made a boat. Any ballers out there have any in-site?

 

 

[bigskieridaho]

Looks like a 1930’s Hubert Johnson of some sort to me.

[BraceMaker]

What is the logo above the seahorse logo?

 

You'd probably have to get a book to find the history of the Seahorse logo through the years, the seahorse logo would start late 20s supers were 50s.

 

 

[KRoundy]

You should go post this on someplace like CorrectCraftFan.com. There are a lot of wood-era fans/experts there.

[Jetsetr]

No clue as to what it is, but it’s awesome and very unique...BUY IT! I would!

[h2onhk]

@KRoundy that's a good idea. I'll post there as well.

 

@BraceMaker the logo is actually a name WmH Ricker

 

@Jetsetr I should but the wife would not be impressed

[dbski]

Another good site to get info is woodyboater.com

[h2onhk]

@dbski cool. Thx. I'll check that out as well

[Jetsetr]

For sale? $$$$? Where is it??

 

[dchristman]

I'm just trying to imagine it as the 2019 Nautique of the day. What would skiers have complained about? "Can you believe that blunt nose!?, what is it, a duck boat? $79 dollars? who can afford that!?"

[h2onhk]

@Jetsetr the guy who owns it isnt selling yet. He's trying to find more about it first.

[lpskier]

You know what they say. The two best days in a man’s life: The day he buys a boat... and the divorce is finalized.

 

I’ll bet the boat is a one-off or a kit. It used to be you could get plans for hydroplane style boats from Popular Mechanics and Boy’s Life. They were popular in the 50’s and 60’s. A 20 hp motor could power a small hydroplane to 40 +. This one is much bigger than the ones I’m talking about, but in general, the same idea.

[h2onhk]

@lpskier my first thought was also hydroplane. There's no v-bottom to this thing anywhere. But then I saw the flip up seat in front of the steering wheel. Throttle is on the steering wheel as well. Has a lever that move left and right. The step hull from bow to stern is really strange. I have no idea how you would ever turn it. Kinda like a pumpkin seed sliding across the wayer.

[Rednucleus]

Lovely old boat; should be in a museum; still in very nice condition

[h2onhk]

@Rednucleus totally agree. The cushions shown in the pics are original along with the old cable (rope) steering. I asked him where the outboard and fuel cans were. He thinks they were taken off by one of he original owners great grandsons. Looking at the transom it appears there were 2 different motors mounted at some point in her lifetime. So much to learn about this old girl. I think we need a name for her.

[Ed_Johnson]

I would name it "WOODY."

I originally learned to ski behind a Chris Craft Centurion, in the 50's, at 6 years old, and really Love to see these old boats restored. The craftsmanship that went into all these old wooden boats was spectacular. Someone please show some Love and restore this baby !!!

 

 

[lpskier]

The stepped hull is a first gen hydroplane. Hacker Craft built some beautiful, very fast stepped hull boats in the 20’s and 30’s. Flip up seat in front of the driver is no surprise either. On a windy day a buddy or two could be ballast to keep the boat from flipping when driving into the wind.

 

The mystery lever may be forward-neutral-reverse shift lever.

[Jetsetr]

Would love to hang it in my great room in my house...I have some neat collectibles including my grandfathers 1957 Evinrude outboard (like new condition) and some really cool airplane stuff...