Dang, Now It's A Turquoise Aristocraft!
This is a very cool Arostocraft
What the heck is going on…sale. Someone in the corner office must have declared this Turquoise week! Watch out, cause if you happen to own a boat that’s Turquoise, you will uncontrollably want to sell it. Here is the latest plastic molded wonder thanks to Paul Harrison who has been craigslist!
Here is the copy written for this one.. And Craigslist Listing 1962 17′ Aristocraft
Classic 1962 Aristo Craft with hardtop and removable side curtains. Boat has new seats, wiring and steering cables. 1961 Mercury 80hp. motor which was completely restored this past summer. Trailer has new wheel bearings and tires all new lights and wiring with a new tongue jack. Boat comes with a new mooring cover. Boat and motor has been restored to factory specs.
For $12K its priced on the top end of the market. The question for today is, Are these boats attractive because they are cheap boating, or is it because they are very cool, or like art, people are now finding them and spending the money to restore them?
It floats! Thats always a bonus
and for you still complaining about plastic! HERE.. Some Turquoise Bridget ! Now shut up and comment
Turquose background?
In general, I’m not an O/B guy…. having said that, I love the look of that ’61 Mercury 🙂 It’s like boat jewelry only bigger and better! Turquoise is a very summer-ish colour too. It even looks good on Woodys.
I am a sucker for a “Black Sided” boat, and the Turquoise bottom really does add a unique touch.
If I had one of those and someone was willing to give me $10k-12k for it, I would be selling it too!
Looking at what I can buy for $2500-$5000 as far as cheap boating fun, a boat like this isn’t worth 1/4 the asking price unless there is some other value. Obviously there is some value to the cool/art factors and it is probably growing, but I am not sure there is much of a market at the $10k+ range just yet.
WOW Sean, thats a great header shot!
Pretty sure it’s Chris or Julie Bullens’ photo work.
I love the pic though…
I think if I had a Turquoise boat I probably would have the urge to sell it.
Matt: I feel like the Bridget picture is a challenge!
No, you may not borrow her towel!
Sean, your shot was better than our original header so hope you dont mind, we used it today! Thanks!
It is another Bullen masterpiece! And I’m sure Rich, Linda and “Aqua Velvet” don’t mind being a bit more famous 🙂
The value of any boat changes based on market pressure and level of interest. This is changing as we watch, and it’s at least partially due to the growing interest of “Turquoise Boats” right here on Woody Boater, and their new level of acceptance in the avocation.
my contribution
BB looks better in one of these… 🙂
Hobbies are not investments! It’s something we pour hard earned money into that if were lucky we’ll get back 1/2 of our out lay. And that doesn’t include the labor. The saying of one man’s junk is another’s treasure is no were more true than the boating hobbies. Also coolness is a self-described condition. If that boat was mine I’d have to insist the shackbully ware some pointe eyewear when we be cruising! There may be a fight brewing in the Moreau clan!!
I prefer my Turquoise on wood. But that hardtop is drop dead cool!
Nice touch John!
I love the turquoise with wood combo! The waters in Michigan must have been the inspiration!
Sunday and again yesterday during the discussions on these boats, the Chrysler 105 came up several times. I’ve not space or money for that boat – even though it sets my heart-a-thumpin’. It can be bought very reasonably because I’ve corresponded with the seller. I won’t put his price down here – but he can be contacted. Here is the link to the ad again: https://appleton.craigslist.org/boa/4731397495.html
Hey Everyone, cool boat featured! Believe it or not the prices of classic glass hulls, including this one, are skyrocketing right now. 12k is on the top end, but the boat is as well (from what i can see in pics..) and the price is not out of the question. Just this year I know of three that have sold for 10-12k. So just like anything, what you would be willing to pay for a boat, and what they are selling for to the right customer are two different things. Good examples of nice classic glass boats are really becoming popular and real collectors items.
Gotta love the summer time colors this week. Up here in Michigan, the leaves have fallen and it gets dark at 5 pm and we already got the cabin fever blues!
Here is an example of a great restored Hydrodyne. I have looked at a red one here in Michigan at $12k.
The blue one is listed at $25k, and the owner knows he will never get that. BUT if you do a full stringer up restore, you got at least $12 to $20k in her.
I kinda see the trend to these types of Fiber Classics, like in classic cars, as people age, styles change. What will be more and more popular are these kind of craft. And that they are at the lower end of entry costs, and less repeat upkeep costs, than wood, will also help peak more interest.
A whole new audience of recreational boaters may start to enter into our hobby of classic boating.
Thanks to Matt and Texx to be on the leading edge of this curve…
Consider the cost of the trailer and the restored vintage outboard. Then add the costs of new stringers, a transom, rigging, chroming, trim, upholstery, gauges and a good quality paint job.
10-12K is still not an investment…it’s clawing back some of what you spent when you got that old fiberglass hulk for free. You had better like any boat you drop 10K on.
BTW: there are plenty of this type of old FG boat advertised for free.
Sean, my point exactly. The way I see it is you got two ways to get in the game.
1. find the “freebie” rotting in the fields, and spend a year or two of rebuilding an early FiberClassic from the stringers up. OR
2. Find a nice one like we had on her yesterday, do your homework to be sure it was restored right, and BAM take her to the lake and get your $10 to $12k worth of fun out of her.
Now the way I see it, I had two first class restored woodies. After two seasons of 100 hours of usage, both boats needed the top decks varnished even tho I keep them in a garage when not used.
On the other hand my little 1959 FiberClassic was sprayed with four coats of AWLGRIP, and I will never live long enough to ever see it fade or get dull.
My point is that the younger guys with less extra $$$ to spend on this hobby will find these boats to be the entry way into classic fun.
And with the push of A.C.B.S. and sites like WoodyBoater, FiberClassics.com and all the great Marque Club websites, will only help attract new blood into our hobby.
Sean thanks for the fabulous fall header photo . I was doubly happy to see the LinRich crew profiled in your shot. I can attest that Rich and Linda’s craftsmanship from structural renovations to upholstery is always top notch.
As for the restoration cost of fibergassics, I personally believe that a 10 to 12 K budget for the comprehensive restoration you suggest will fall well shy of the mark… unless it becomes a do-it-yourself project .
In my experience many of those 50s and 60s flexible fiberglass flyers were plagued with unproven technology and structurally “interesting” engineering.
In addition to these challenges those early glass beauty’s (or in some cases beasts) were subsequently “stored” improperly, or should I say just plain dumped in fields and forests where they have moldered for years . Pulling them out of abandonment and rebuilding them often comes with unique challenges, like rotten cores, soggy floatation, punkie wood structural members and significant delamination issues .
That’s not to say that these polymer oddities are not worth restoration , that’s a personal decision, but buyers who think that restoration of a glass classic is going to be super easy just because its “not a woodie” need to know that a fiberglassic restoration always has the potential to drain a wallet as efficiently as a wooden boat restoration.
Well put CK. I have both classic glass and classic wood. Both are wallet drainers to the same degree, tho a total restore of a good sized woody is the biggest wallet drainer of all. My wallet feels like a folded bag of desiccant.
I also fine it interesting that while we have enjoyed several days featuring and having positive discussions about early Classic Glass over the past couple of weeks, I have not heard one negative comment about this should be a “WOODEN BOAT SITE”.
I do not know if traffic counts have dropped, but I am encouraged to see that this site is not populated with the stuffy “wood is the only way” or the “I do not even look at Clorox bottled boats” crowd.
How about a teal TeeNee trailer?
I am sort of partial to Turquoise myself…
I’m also sort of amused by the discussion going on this week, as I am friends with the founder of Fiberglassics.com and the comments this week have mirrored the discussions going on in 1998 after that site first went live. Classic glass has been a steadily growing segment of the hobby for many of the reasons mentioned above: Cost of entry, unique style, emotional attachment/memories, availability… It is also a segment of the hobby where you can do what you want with your boat and no one really criticizes – or knows, for that matter.
That said, the two examples of turquoise we’ve seen this week indicate a hobby starting to grow up – taking restoration seriously and spending the time and money to “get it right”. There is a new generation getting interested and (in my mind) seeing this confirms it.
The first ArenaCraft I ever saw was at an ACBS international show in Coeur d’Alene at least ten years ago and “fiberglassics” have been a part of those shows (and ACBS discussions) for a long time now.
I am grateful Matt and Texx continue to provide excellent, interesting content and do so with such enthusiasm!
The good old days of Fiberglassics. The software seemed painfully dated even for 1998 but there were some great people and a lot of great information over there. I havent visited in years, in large part to keep the urge to buy old Turbocrafts to a minimum, but those guys were definitely ahead of the curve. They were preserving boats but always enjoying them as well. No trailer queens to be found.
Our unrestored original Turquoise outboard (Chris-Craft called it Sea Foam Green in 1957).
Damn nice lookin boat, but then I am a little partial.
My 1959 Lake N’ Sea, made after Chris Craft sold the molds to the Parsons Mfg, in Traverse City, MI.
Texx, that’s turquoise!
…this is Sea Foam Green
“DORK” – 1948 Chris-Craft 19′ Racing Runabout powered by a 158 HP Chris-Craft MBL 6 engine. It was originally a stock red and white. It was painted aqua blue in 1950 at Wilbur Miller’s request to match his new Chrysler Newport.
Photo – Lake Tahoe Concours 2010. This boat has attended every Lake Tahoe Concours show since it’s inception in 1972.
Ben Huizinga’s Turquoise interior on his Dunphy (I should get extra points for remembering how to spell Ben’s name). He comes down to Hartwell, Ga show almost every spring from Michigan.
More Aristocraft hardtops and some turquoise thrown in.
More turquoise I’m fond of.
“La Dolce Riva” – 1962 26’4″ Riva Super Tritone powered by twin 275HP Lincoln engines. – Lake Tahoe Concours 2012.
Texx, when did you get your Lake N” Sea? Beautiful, man, and I would like to hear the history on that one being unrestored. Please share offline some day.
Dennis – That original 1957 15′ Lake ‘N Sea was hidden away (by the original owner) in a storage building in Tennessee for 35 years.
The story was published in the 2010 Summer Brass Bell – I just sent you a copy via e-mail.
Here’s one of those projects I came across awhile ago in the woods – Aristocraft hardtop
Sea foam green on wood and a hardtop – BAM!
I do dig these cool glass boats too. I think Matt has alluded to this before with other boats, but consider what new boats are available in the the 10-12K range that have the coolness of this Aristocraft.
1+8. That’s my kinda math.
Now THAT is a nice looking boat! Tell us more Danny (preferably in a story with more photos & history).
Wow… If the Evinrude outboard is period correct I would guess that’s a 1961/62-ish boat? – Texx
Hey Texx, thanks for the compliments! I’ll try to put something together with some photos and send it to ya. You hit the nail on the head – the boat and engine are both 1961.
Thanks Danny – Texx@woodyboater.com
Looking forward to learning more.
is there a wood shortage?
Yes. Many species of “Philipine mahogany” are now considered endangered and the wood is no longer available.
Well its almost that color.
And then there’s “Moon Goddess”…
Sean, more info on Moon Goddess, please. Really cool.
Fill yer boots!
http://www.fraseryachts.com/sale/sale_gallery.aspx?YachtID=y10231_fl
thx. Sean, very interesting.
For more turquoise – a couple years ago now, a friend of mine, Tim Jones, up in Friday Harbor, WA in the San Juans launched his 1957 Skagit Saratogan, a 31′ fiberglass cruiser that at the time it was built was the largest fiberglass boat being produced in the world. He was aboard the boat at the Seattle Boat Show when he was 12 years old, bought it about 25 years ago and as time allowed, restored it. He did a phenomenal job. Google Skagit Saratogan and several sites come up – it’s an incredible story of one man’s passion. Three of them were built…
How about a Donzi 18 2+3. Great sport boat.
Now we’re talkin’ Texx…. That’s the plastic I like!!!!
Ha – I thought that would get your attention Sean.
Just for U DD….
Wow! Where did that come from?
Texx, that’s Tim Jones’ Skagit Saratogan at it’s moorage up in Friday Harbor.
I do stand corrected, If I had this turquoise beauty I would not even consider selling it.
That boat is for sale. Check out yachtworld.com/tfi
… nothing more satisfying than waking up to tourquoise in the morning!
Great shot Randy. By the way, you will like tomorrows story…
Sorry fellows, I prefer my glass in RED!