Meet Miss Ruinit – A Special Project. Or Complete Fail!

So. First I know that when it comes to toys, you are NEVER supposed to touch them. Original is best. Right? Right? We all get this? Now, I saw this on Ebay. $20.. And it aint nuthn special. Or is it? Like finding a grey boat in a back yard. ya gotta look past the faded metal, and worn out block of wood. Look past that.

Is it cool?

Cool look but

Well loved

Before

And then, maybe just maybe, with a little this and that. Poof.

After.. I used a special varnish?

So the question is? Did I actually Ruin it? Is that $20 toy now a $10 toy? I know, I know, its the same dam argument we have daily here. Restore or preserve. It does have its original bottom? All metal? I kept the interior original. Even the bow nail is the original nail.

Cleaned up nice

Original interior, the rear metal was clearly painted later. So I deduced it would have been metal to match the front

This is a fine line here. This aint no 2,500 patina boat toy. This was a cool toy for the bathtub or something like that. I will say though, the metal bow cover is so cool! Not even worth $15 now? And no, its not allowed in the house, and the Boatress would pay you $20 to get it out of the house. I can’t win!

 

/22 Comments/by
22 replies
  1. m-fine
    m-fine says:

    It is now worthless to the old people, but more valuable to the younger people that hobby needs more of. You just need to finish the project with some further customizations and drop a hot rodded engine into her and you will have a restomod toy that every millennial will drool over.

  4. Capt. Cranky
    Capt. Cranky says:

    I have always told my kids that scars are often earned – so wear them with pride. The same goes with patina – and old boats…the wear and tear tells a far better story.

  6. Bilgerat
    Bilgerat says:

    The original owner of the toy obviously broke the cardinal rule of never take it out of the sealed package, so value now is in the eye of the beholder. I say more young people need to get into our hobby and maybe this is how.

  9. Greg Wallace
    Greg Wallace says:

    What you have there is actually a very rare Percy Archibald craftsman era hand carved “modern streamlined launch” with pressed metal deck and cast accessories. One sold in original condition at Sotheby’s in 2014 for $6,740.00(including premiums). Estimated value of yours in original condition is about the same, however in current restored condition is around $19.

  11. Mike U
    Mike U says:

    Replace the metal dohicky on the aft deck with a bottle opener – turn that art into a fictional/functional rare Percy Archibald. Oh, and open one for me, please.

  12. 72Hornet
    72Hornet says:

    Did you find a hull number to authenticate this treasure? It would be interesting to know of any provenance this has!

  13. Briant
    Briant says:

    Hey, did ya put only three coats of varnish on like when it left the factory…or did ya put on sixteen like they do nowadays on those 100 point boats? Just curious….

  14. Dick Dow
    Dick Dow says:

    I think you did just fine with it – and I also think you have way too much time on your hands… 🙂

    It looks great!

  16. kw
    kw says:

    Yes you wrecked it so just mail it to 4261 blue star high way Holland Mi 49423 and I will see that it gets to the island of miss fit toys.

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