About Mohican
Mohican is a 1930 Dodge Triple Cockpit (Hull Number 40) believed to be sold originally in Cooperstown, NY by Cooks Automotive. Cooperstown is a wealthy community located in Central New York on Otsego Lake. Mohican is named after the Indian tribe portrayed in James Fenimore Coopers novel, The Last of the Mohicans - part of Coopers Leatherstocking Tales. The town of Cooperstown was named after Coopers father William- a judge, merchant and land speculator. The current owner has a complete history of the boat dating back to the late 1940's / early 1950's and has photographic documentation throughout the boats life. Mohican has a rich history and has been featured in Classic Boat Magazine as well as raced in exhibition races during the summers at Lake Tahoe.
While Mohican is very original boat, its in preserved / restored condition with an improved West System Bottom which allows for dry launching or mooring. The Lycoming straight 8 cyl 125 HP UC engine performs very well (gas). Mohican is currently stored inside in San Diego, CA (no the boat has never been in salt water) and its run monthly on its double axle trailer. The boat comes with a beautiful canvas cover, bow and stern poles, all documentation, copies of manuals and the double axle trailer (not registered). Mohican is registered in NY State with the registration numbers that date back to its previously life on Otsego Lake.
Prior to the current owner's tenure, Mohican was purchased by a California antique wood boat aficionado who rescued the boat with the help of George Johnson (NH) out of a barn in New Hampshire. Once back in California and with the help of Al Schinnerer (California Classic Boats) the boat was refinished using all the original hardware and the improved bottom was put on. Al is famous in the antique boat community and was recently inducted into the Hagerty Marine Insurance Hall of Fame in 2011. Mohican received little use during the 1990s until the current owner purchased the boat and has used it frequently in Lake Tahoe.
Since purchasing the boat, the current owner has made some period correct upgrades including: returning the engine room floorboards to their correct green color, repainting the engine to its period correct green color, replacing the floor mats to the correct black pyramid, rebuilding the Duesenberg J the horn button (w/ rebuild from Brian Joseph of Classic and Exotic), rebuilding Schebler carburetor and may other misc. repairs to make the boat as correct as possible. The engine was sold to the current owner with an incorrect late model distributor however after years of scouring the earth, the owner located and had the period correct Delco 652 B rebuilt. It should be noted that during the 2015 summer in Lake Tahoe the engine cylinder head suffered a hairline crack. With the help of mechanic Tony Fire of Homewood, CA, the head was removed and sent to Crow Custom Cast Welding in Wi (one of the best cast iron welders in the US). The head was repaired, returned, repainted and reinstalled. The engine has been maintained regularly pursuant to the Lycoming engine manual (including oil changes, water pump grease etc) a copy of which will be delivered upon sale.
The Lycoming is setup to run off 6 volts (as originally configured), and starts immediately. The gas gauge works intermittent, which is not uncommon. Having owned many Dodges and Lycomings, I have found they run perfect on 6 volts and prefer to keep things original in that respect. There is very little water that leaks inside the hull so the bilge stays relatively dry and the bilge pump rarely needs to run. Some water does come in through the propeller shaft packing glad but it is not very noticeable. The engine sometimes leaks a very small amount of oil in the rear seal after being run, which is very common amongst Lycoming 8s. The current owner had a very discrete oil pan made which is painted the same color as the bilge to catch any leaking oil that may occur. The brightwork is in good condition, however has not been fully refinished since the late 1990s.
Specifications:
Hull Number: 40
Lycoming UC 125 hp, 298.5 cu. in. L-head inline eight-cylinder engine. (original)
Length: 25 ft
Cockpits: 3
Please email for videos, additional photos or additional information about the boat's history. Sales comps for this boat are few and far between, however a 21A (the 21' version "Elgin") sold at a Hershey Pa auction in October of 2012 for over $125,000. Additionally, it should be noted that post 1930 Dodge Runabouts(like Garwood, Riva's and rare Chris-Crafts) in good condition are extremely valuable and scarce as hens teeth. I currently have too many boats and not enough fresh water to use them in. Therefore, I would like Mohican to find a new home, preferably somewhere she can be used regularly in the summer boating season.
Partial History of Dodge Boats:
John Dodge and Horace Dodge Sr. built a reputation and a fortune in the early years of the automotive business in Detroit. They were both accomplished machinists and became suppliers who could be trusted to deliver precisely manufactured parts on time. An early contract with Oldsmobile led to a relationship with Ford, which ultimately led to the establishment of the Dodge Brothers Motor Car Company in 1914.The brothers were on a roll, as they travelled to New York for the National Automobile Show on January 2, 1920. Both brothers fell ill in New York with influenza; John died in his hotel suite on January 14. Horace Sr. recovered, though he passed later that year. While the Dodge brothers left the company in capable hands, the grieving widows accepted an offer of $146 million for the company in 1924. It was the largest single private-business cash transaction in the United States up to that time. It left the two Dodge families among the wealthiest in the United States. Horace Elgin Dodge Jr. showed little interest for the automobile business. He was a charming, rogue-ish young man who displayed an aptitude for boat racing and the social scene. His one stated goal was to become a successful boat racer and his idol was Gar Wood. Horace was so passionate about boats and his ability to sell them that convinced his mother to fund the Horace E. Dodge Boat Works in Detroit Michigan. With the help of his mother, Horace set out to build the Martin Draeger influenced Dodge Watercar, which would be powered by marinized version of the Dodge four cylinder automobile engine (or an optional Curtiss WWI aircraft motor). The Watercar model would be sold like automobiles, through Dodge Brothers automobile dealers.
In 1930, with the help ofthe world famous naval architect, George Crouch, Dodge moved to the newly built Horace E. Dodge Boat and Plane Corporation, a state of the art boat building plant in Newport News, Virginia, which at the time was billed at the time as the worlds largest motor boat plant. Horace had the financial wherewithal to buy whatever he thought he needed, and this led to the partnership between Dodge boats and Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg. This collaboration resulted in some of the most beautiful boats ever built. Horace approached E.L. Cord to supply engines from the ACD subsidiary Lycoming. As Dodge was one of the very few entities able to pay cash, Cord agreed. The result of this collaboration is seen in this particular Dodge boat, which is not only powered by its original 125 horsepower Lycoming straight eight engine, but also features the original Duesenberg Model J steering wheel and Cord shifter. This boat also shows the Dodge attention to detail, with intricate hardware, including the only hood ornament ever incorporated into a production boat and the Pass-a-Light cigar lighter by Stewart Warner and dual folding windshields for the front and rear cockpits, the same used on post 1930 Garwood Triple Cockpits. Commonly thought of as a mermaid, the figurehead is actually a water nymph. Well known sculptor- Russell G. Crook designed the solid nickel figure. Crook and Dodge wanted the piece to give even docked boats a feeling of speed and grace.
Dodge boats are considered to be the some of the rarest of the major boat manufacturers; the 25-foot triple cockpit model is extremely rare and according to Dave Triano, president of the Dodge Boat Owners Association less than 10 exist.
Disclaimer:
Prospective buyers are encouraged to view the boat prior to bidding/buying and /or ask questions regarding its condition. The boat is located within 5 miles from the San Diego Airport, current owner is happy to pick up prospective buyers to view the boat. The seller provides NO WARRANTIES OR GUARANTEES and the boat (and motor, trailer, equipment) is sold "As-Is" and the seller shall not be liable for any defects, patent, latent or otherwise. Current owner has made every effort to present information that is accurate. However, it should be used as a guide only and are not guaranteed. Seller not liable for any inaccuracies, claims or losses of any nature. The price for listed vehicles as equipped does not include other charges such as: License, Title, Registration Fees, State or Local Taxes, Liability Insurance, Delivery Fees, Finance and/or Documentation Fees. Any and all differences must be addressed prior to the sale of this vehicle.
Seller Contact: Six One Nine - 794-4513
Shipping: Buyer pays all for all shipping, registration, tariffs, taxes (if any) and inspection charges
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