Dee Wite 500 17' Split Cockpit Runabout

A BOAT OWNED BY A KING $30,000.

AN HISTORIC 1931 ANTIQUE DEE WITE RUNABOUTCondition: ExcellentLength: 17 feetMake: Dee WiteModel: 500Split Cockpit RunaboutEngine: Gray Marine 65+/- hp This rare and remarkable piece of history was created by the Dee Wite Boat Company (a division of the Dwight Lumber Company) in 1931 for Cornelius Kelly, one of the original Montana Copper Kings! This is one of a small handful of these boats ever created, as the Dee Wite Boat Company started in 1928 but did not survive the Great Depression.Kept on Swan Lake Montana under the watchful eye of caretakers since its creation, this fine split cockpit runabout remains in excellent condition, and is the only one of a few known to survive in such remarkable show quality. Its engine runs like new having been rebuilt in 1982.

I ascertained the year of the boat from the registration certificate obtained from the previous owner.

The manufactures plate shows the boat to be a model 22 and the engine plate shows a 75 horse Gray Marine. The Engine serial of L625 on the boat plate differs from the engine No of 2000 on the engine plate. I believe this is showing that the current engine is a Gray Marine Engine from 1946-49 time frame. (Please see photos)

According to the caretaker of the boat, the engine was rebuilt in 1982; the bottom is original and restored. I dismantled and cleaned and adjusted the carburetor last year. The engine runs very well!

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