1968 fiberCraft rebuild

joey · #1 11-28-2006, 08:33 PM

That's very cool!!

I wish I still had that boat,but I hit some submerged hurricane debris a week after Wilma and ripped the bottom out of her.

Snookerd · #2 12-06-2006, 02:33 PM

Joey-
Sorry to hear about that sweet boat getting torn up. My friend's grandfather who owned / created Fiber Craft just passed away about 6 months ago here in Manatee County. I have seen many of their 1950's pictures showing sand bags sitting on top of the boat while on the trailer to advertise the strenght of fiberglass. According to the family, they were the first production recreational fiberglass boats. Not a SeaCraft, but another Miami boat builder ahead of it's time!

joey · #3 12-07-2006, 08:39 AM

Yeah,that boat getting torn up sure did suck.Not to mention the time,money and effort to restore her,she really was a great skiff to fish out of.The boat was actually a General Marine Fibercraft which I have been told was a company who bought the molds from the original builders(the family you are speaking of)and cut down the freeboard on them by about 6" to make it more of a poling skiff.I didn't have the time to redo her again so I sold the hull to a kid down here and he patched up bottom and put a 90 on her and as far as I know she is still going strong.

Ikan Besar · #4 12-07-2006, 11:36 PM

I'll never forget my first afternoon in Joey's redone boat...

Nor, given the choice would I have managed that one in anyone elses boat [img]/forum/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

Snookerd · #5 12-08-2006, 01:17 AM

Sounds like extreme flats navigating to me, Ikan?! By the way, how's that ice fishing working for you out there? Georgetown has that nice lake

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Ikan Besar · #6 12-08-2006, 01:34 AM

Quote:

Sounds like extreme flats navigating to me, Ikan?! By the way, how's that ice fishing working for you out there? Georgetown has that nice lake

.

nah, it was a case of wet Crocs on brand new slick Awlgrip - I go to physical therapy twice a week since the surgery that resulted from that little mishap. Not exactly sure what I want the tatoo over the scar to say, must consult Joey on that one.

As to Ice fishing, yeah, it's nippy here nowadays! But I'm only nine weeks away from reoccupying my FL house for six months so I'm tolerating that funny white stuff just fine. The daily calls from Reelsmoker and Joey don't make it any easier though

Snookerd · #7 12-08-2006, 12:14 PM

Ikan- Ouch, sounds painful

. Two of the greatest places anywhere - FL & CO. You are liv'in the dream compadre

merman · #8 11-18-2007, 01:37 AM

Joey, Snookered,
Thanks for posting. That was a really nice job on the rebuild - just beautiful. I had a 1969 Fibercraft bowrider which I reworked about 6 years ago. New stringers and transom. I didn't do near as nice a job as you, it was more of a kickaround boat. I did have fun with it. Also had to redo the original Evinrude (115hp selectric). I was always curious about the make, and I appreciate the info from you both.

Unfortunately a guy hit it last week while I was trailering it. He 't-boned it', maybe at 40mph. No one was hurt, and I'm sorry I didn't see the impact. I was waiting to make my left turn and didn't see him coming (6 lanes of traffic). I think the thing was airborne as it spun 180 degrees and landed about 25' away. Conveniently on the far side of the sidewalk. It also split the trailer, half of which wrapped around a cement light post. I was sad to see it go, and was really looking forward to getting on the water that day. I'm now landlocked, and waiting to see how the insurance company values it. It has given me a new perspective on the term 'boat launch'.

I hadn't seen much info on the fibercraft before, thanks for posting.

joey · #9 11-18-2007, 06:38 PM

Man,Sorry for your loss.At least you are OK.I do know how you feel. I had just finished my boat and she had survived hurricane Wilma only to be taken out by junk left over by the blow.Find you another hull and have at it again! I now have a 28 year old custom carolina express that requires constant attention,always something to do on her.But it keeps me out of the gin mills!!!

Snookerd · #10 11-20-2007, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Find you another hull and have at it again!

Merman-It's hard to see those pictures. Looks like a big impact. Joey makes a good point about getting another boat, and a good Classic SeaCraft to restore may be just what the doctor ordered to get over the loss.........