Custom

BOAT FOR SALE is my 1950s Wooden Skiff, 18 foot in length, including galvanized trailer, 1994 Yamaha 2-stroke engine, new custom Bimini top, new custom oars, gas tanks, fuel line, and all accessories such as life jackets, throw cushions, fenders, anchor and rode.

This is a unique opportunity to purchase a fine example of Louisiana Bayou skiff boat building. The boat hails from the area of New Orleans, built late 40s or early 50s, and had service as a camp boat in an area called the Rigolets. The hull and gunnels are marine plywood construction, the ribs and bracing old growth cypress, the decking heart pine, the rails, seats and stern mahogany. The original lumber is in excellent condition, having been garaged and kept tongue oiled.

Mr. Woods Allen of New Orleans originally owned the boat and kept it stored at the Tally-Ho Hunting & Fishing Club for years. In their 80s, he and his wife were moving to Texas to be close to their daughter and sold it to me in 1998. Mr. Woods had fiberglassed just the exterior hull of the boat, and wishing to return the boat to its original condition, I had Shipwright Dana Asa Wright of New Orleans strip the fiberglass off, repair/patch any bad spots, remove interior grey paint, surface sand original woodwork, and stabilize any weak points. Only bronze hardware and West Marine System were used where necessary. At the same time, I purchased a new galvanized trailer from Skipper-B Trailers in New Orleans, that has bearing buddies and is in excellent, serviceable shape.

Later, I moved the boat to Charleston, S.C., and decided to increase the strength and useful life of the stern. Master Carpenter Ken States of James Island, S.C., replaced the stern with a new, old growth mahogany stern, in addition to mahogany corner braces, old growth cypress splash well and seat back. We sourced 3/16s inch marine bronze plate and he made a bronze motor seat on the sturdy, full inch and a half mahogany stern. He also made a permanent seat for the battery and affixed over-sized, lower brackets (same heavy stern mahogany) at the base of the stern to enhance sturdiness.

Around the same time, I had Seel's Outboard of Charleston, S.C., tune up the Yamaha 30 hp outboard, work on the carburetor, install a new Yamaha propeller, and it has run perfectly since, having had little run time. The engine has always been stored after the fuel run out the carburetor and flushed with fresh water. I also had the engine painted by Mr. Kenny Chaplin at KC's Boat Body Shop in Hollywood, S.C. He perfectly matched the original Yamaha and still looks new.

Wanting further improvements around 2006, Shipwright Doug Dow of James Island, S.C., performed additional hull work, painted the hull with marine Interlux epoxy paint, added a control switch panel matching the bronze motor seat (same bronze plate on stern), wired accessory switches, light switches, anchor lamp, running lights (Perko chrome over brass, not zine or plastic), added bilge pump and bronze discharge port, and made dry the center seat. He also installed heavy, bronze cleats, one at the bow, two at the stern, made a new hatch for the dry center seat from old growth cypress, and installed a Perko Anchor lamp and chrome over brass flag base at the stern. The flag staff is varnished teak and holds the Liberty Palmetto flag.

A little later, around 2010, Teddy Grimbal of Grimbal Canvas Shop, James Island, S.C., planned, designed and constructed a custom bimini top that is longer than most, well covering both the center seat and rear pilot bench seat. It has a zip-up cover and has hardly seen daylight. I also had Barkley Sound Oar & Paddle of Canada scale and build matching oars. The oars are custom sized, based on the skiff's length and oarlock span, and include leather sleeves. The skiff's oarlocks (cast, not marine bronze or brass) are original, completely serviceable and have that worn, aged patina that only time can provide.

This boat is not a project boat for its next owner. The electric start engine runs perfectly, and the boat is ready for service on the water. Everything you need to launch and enjoy the boat is included, because the hard work is long been done. Unfortunately, I spent more time working on the craft than using it on the water. In all my time with it, I have used the boat perhaps a half-dozen times. It has otherwise stayed garaged and covered during its intervals of work, and therefore in excellent condition. I am selling because we sold our home and moved away, but have kept it properly stored for sale.

This is a fine opportunity for any boater or wooden boat enthusiast, who wants something that is vintage, operational and like nothing else on the water. It always gets lots of attention, admiring looks and friendly compliments, and easily capable of carrying 4/5 passengers. Serious inquiries only. The price for boat, motor, trailer and gear is $15,000.