The Life & Times Of “MEL-MAR II”

Have you ever looked out your back window and thought to yourself – “I think I’m going to cut down that oak tree and build a boat to take my family cruising on the Great Lakes…”

Well, that’s exactly what Melvin Tibboles decided to do in Bellevue, Ohio. He began the project by sawing the keel from a white oak tree on November 30th, 1955 and after three years, the boat was successfully launched for her maiden voyage on July 16th, 1958. Today we have the fascinating story of “MEL-MAR II” from fellow Woody Boater Dan Clevenger – Melvin’s grandson. – Texx
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The Life & Times of “MEL-MAR II”
by Dan Clevenger

Matt and Texx – I wanted to reach out and share a story about my childhood. My grandfather built a wooden boat by hand which began in 1955. He cut a white oak tree down for the ribs, keel & batons. It has a full mahogany cabin and deck. I have a full history on the boat, including build photos that we found on old 35mm slides. It has cruised on all the Great Lakes back in day, but spent it’s summers primarily in Port Clinton, Ohio on Lake Erie.

The keel was sawed on November 30, 1955 from the white oak tree. Grandpa was born in 1904, so he would have been 51 yrs old when he started the process.

My Grandfather was not a boat builder, he worked on the railroad and owned a well-drilling business. He could make anything! He also was a watchsmith and repaired many watches. Grandpa made some (12) grandfather clocks during his life. The boat was built in Bellevue, OH.

My Grandfather was a master of all, he could fix or build anything.

We are not sure if he had hull plans or not for the hull. My Mom thinks there were plans for the hull only – but can’t remember since she was 10-12 yrs old at that time. What I know is that the boat was not a kit. I heard he only had plans for the hull, but this is not verified nor known by any aunts and uncles.

Note the transom frame set in place and the period hand tools.

He got the Keel, Ribs and Karlings from one white oak tree back in 1955. Here are a few photos of the boat in the early stages of construction, as it evolved – one step at a time, each individual piece cut to fit by my Grandfather.

The planks are all 1-1/8” Cypress treated with Cuprinol.

Melvin using a local saw mill owned by Gibb Enders to create the various wood components – Texx

The hull construction now completed and painted, impressive work for sure. All the ribs are 18″ on center, I’ve heard Chris-Craft, Mathews, etc are spaced out much further.

Phase 1 complete. The first trailer was a modified hay wagon. Next on to the engine installation.

My Grandfather powered his new boat with a 1957 Oldsmobile 371 V-8 (which we still have).

A beautiful period photograph of the actual Oldsmoblile Rocket V-8 Melvin used. I asked our friend Jim Staib at Fine Wood Boats to have a look at this photo – He said it appeared to have a Barr Marine conversion kit (then sold for around 175.00 ) with a Paragon direct drive transmission (which then sold for around 315.00). – Texx

Melvin preparing for the engine installation using what he had in an innovative way…

Suspend the new Oldsmobile V-8 from the rafters and back the boat into the shop…

Before long, the engine is lowered into place.

Next step of the project was the decks, cabin and interior.

Here’s a shot of the new helm. The steering mechanism (one of the coolest things made on the boat) is made from a 1940’s Chevrolet rack and pinion, and a set of wooden pulleys for adjusting the tension. It’s totally ingenious and still works today!

Just a few weeks ago, we found the plans for the propeller strut in Grandpa’s old router table. The strut, tiller arm seem to have been cast by a company called, Henry J Dahmer.

The stainless scuppers were made and welded by grandpa. The twin 37 gallon stainless tanks were also made by grandpa, along with the 60 gallon stainless waste tank. He made the fresh water tank and full shore power. My Grandma made all of the upholstery and canvas covers (which we still have).

The boat is 29.0 feet long x 9.0 feet wide, sleeps 6 people, c/w a head, galley and even had a real working (Freon) ice chest! Grandpa made the boat a left-hand drive (Port) to make it extra original, like a ‘car’.

After three years of construction, “MEL-MAR II” was hauled to the marina with a Chevrolet one-ton to be launched. The second trailer was made from 4-1/2” well casing. A big day for the family as you can imagine.

The boats maiden voyage was July 16th, 1958. The big event made the front page in the Bellevue, OH Gazette when it hit the water for its maiden voyage.

“MEL-MAR II” spent 90% of her life operating out of the West Harbor Club Marina on Catawba Island, Ohio on Lake Erie. She was used to cruise and discover all the Great Lakes back in the day.

Melvin’s brother, Gordon Tibboles at the helm of “MEL-MAR II”. It is believed that my Grandmother allowed my Grandpa to build the boat if he quit smoking his Chesterton cigarettes.

Fast forward to fall 2013. – I recently inherited my Grandfather’s 29 ft. boat that he built with full documented history. Last known oil change was fall of 1985, and has been in storage since. Here’s a few shots of “MEL-MAR II” when we pulled it from my Uncle’s barn in October 2013. Needless to say, the raccoons had a field day in the boat, but nothing that isn’t being fixed now!

“MEL-MAR II” gets a well deserved bath after many years of storage.

I have every piece of original hardware from the boat (Perko – re-chroming of course).

The boat is currently being worked on to make any necessary repairs and make her seaworthy again after 27 years of storage. I am repowering the boat with a 380 HP QSB5.9 Cummins (purchased – not yet installed), rewiring, refinishing, the whole 9 yards.

I recently had a new Loadmaster new triple axle gooseneck trailer built for her.

The original Lionel Corporation Navy compass cleaned up and ready to go back in the boat.

The boat was originally named “Mel-Mar II” by my grandparents, Melvin and Martha Tibboles. It was their 2nd boat. Metal letters will be refinished and reinstalled in memory of my Grandparents.

A photo of the family that built the boat, from left to right: Bill, Melvin, Martha, Jeanette, Jim and Victoria. Victoria is my Mom. The others are her siblings. They are played a part in evolution of “MEL-MAR II”.

The boat is currently is at my house in Batavia, OH for some minor restoration work and will soon be back in the water, to be used and enjoyed on Lake Erie – her home.

Dan Clevenger
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A great story of your family and their wooden boat Dan – thanks for sharing it with us here at Woody Boater today. It’s so cool to have found those old 35mm slides, and the fact that your grandparents had the foresight to photograph every aspect of the original “MEL-MAR II” construction and life on Lake Erie.

We look forward to seeing photos of her re-lauch when you have her done.

Texx
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