The Paper Sign Read: “Must Go This Weekend – Best Offer”

An all-original 1962 Ideal Craft 15′ Custom, found at a yard sale in Hatboro, PA – a suburb about 15 miles outside Philadelphia.

WE JUST LOVE IT when a story comes in to Woody Boater about an original classic boat emerging from long-term storage. The make and model is always important, and we understand that not every barn find (or garage find) these days can be a Liberty powered Baby Gar – but the story of how the boat was found, and it’s history is always the best part.

Like a time capsule from the 1960’s with it’s original Aquabird steering wheel and period correct instruments. And you can imagine from the photos that it has that “old boat smell” which is perfect.

Back in February 2013 we did a story called “The Refurbishment of Sweet Mahogany” by fellow Woody Boater Charles J. He also has a 1962 Ideal Craft that had been in his extended family since 1962 on Long Island, which Charles lovingly refurbished (not restored but refurbished he notes) back in 1997.

Charles J’s 1962 Ideal Craft “Sweet Mahogany”

For years Charles had been trying to learn more about the history of the Ideal Boat Company of America, without much success. We ran the story and slowly but surely (with the help of Google) the Woody Boater community responded with small threads of information that proved to be very helpful. I know Charles will be thrilled to learn that another Ideal Craft has now emerged.

Nick Yandolino’s new (for him) 1962 Ideal Craft 15′ Custom – ready to start the next chapter of it’s life in PA after many years in storage.

After Nick Yandolino brought his new boat home from the yard sale, a Google search of Ideal Craft Boats brought him to Woody Boater. He posted a comment on the Charles J story and we now have a new fellow Woody Boater. Here is Nick’s great story of how he found his all-original 1962 Ideal Craft 15′ Custom and what he plans to do with the boat in the coming months. – Texx
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Texx – I am glad to have stumbled upon this thread on Woody Boater.

I purchased a 1962 Ideal Craft 15′ Custom this past summer in Hatboro, PA, a suburb about 15 miles outside Philadelphia. I have had zero luck digging up any information, until now. I was not in the market for this little gem but I could not pass it up.

Small details like this just add to the fantastic patina and DNA of the 53 year-old wooden boat. It appears that in 1969 the last owner was a member of the F.O.P. Yacht Club.

I spotted her at a yard sale which was being set-up one Friday morning on my way to work. She sat by the road, at the end of a driveway… Taped to the windshield, a paper sign read: “Must Go This Weekend – Best Offer”.

I just HAD to stop! A gentleman, about mid-60’s introduced himself as the son of the original owner. He explained that he and his sister had recently sold their childhood home, all of the contents were for sale.

He said the boat had been parked by his dad in the garage and lovingly draped with a dozen blankets and sheets back in the mid-80’s. He told of fond summertime memories, how the boat had been a big part of his youth.

The boat came with it’s original period life preservers, ignition key, battery, swim ladder, gas tank and canvas top.

It was always garage kept and taken very good care of by his dad. I asked what he was hoping to get for the boat, he said “Aw, I don’t know what it’s worth… maybe a few hundred bucks?”

After briefly considering what my wife’s reaction might be if I came home from work with an old boat – I said “Well, I have a hitch on my truck and $200.00 in my wallet… I can take it right now.” He hesitated a moment then smiled and said: “That’s a Deal!”

Nick said “Well, I have a hitch on my truck and $200.00 in my wallet… and the deal was done”

We put air in the tires, signed the title, and I even made it to work on time! I bought it exactly as shown including the ladder, lines, life jackets, gas tank, near-flawless cloth top, spare tire, even the old man’s tackle box was left on board.

A turn-key yard sale find that hopefully will just need some basic TLC to get her ready for the lake.

Since that day, 8 months ago, she has been in my garage. I am looking forward to really getting to work on her this spring. The controls, linked to the original 40 HP Johnson “Electric Super Seahorse” all seem be intact and functional.

I appreciate the opportunity to share my story and photos with the other readers at Woody Boater and hopefully gain some more information, advice, and guidance. I hope to roll her out of the garage to fully inspect and start cleaning and tinkering soon.

As I dig into this little project of mine, I am sure I will have many questions and I look forward to potentially hearing from other Ideal Craft owners. I will also share my own progress when we start work on the boat.

By the way, my wife is in love with the boat – she says it’s “super cute!” and she can’t wait for me to add cushions and make it “all pretty again”.

😉 Happy Woody Boating!
Nick Yandolino
Sellersville, PA
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Thanks for sharing your “yard sale find” story with us here at Woody Boater today Nick. These time capsule boats need dedicated people like you to help keep them alive and hopefully get them back to doing what they were designed to do – being used and enjoyed on the water. – Texx

From the information we gathered after the story a few years ago – The Ideal Boat Company was established in 1955 and is still a registered (but inoperative) PA company.

Ideal Craft 15′ Custom & Deluxe
$649.00 – $595.00

From the 1962 Ideal Craft Sales Brochure (below) – In the 15′ line of Ideal Craft there are two models, the Custom 15′ which features a walk-thru front seat and rear deck with cross seat and back rest. The Deluxe 15′ features a walk-thru front seat and two side seats.

These models are fine skiing boats and the Deluxe is popular with the fishermen. They will take motors to 60 H.P. The Custom weighs approximately 445 lbs. and the Deluxe approximately 425 lbs. Beam 73″, maximum depth 33″, center line length 14’7″.

Standard equipment includes 18″ heavy duty wraparound windshield, complete steering, bow eye, 5 price set of deck hardware, bow light, stern light, transom bailer, anodized aluminum trim and anti-fouling bronze copper paint on bottom.

Available accessories are:

– 3 piece set upholstery (Deluxe) ….. $ 40.00
– 5 piece set upholstery (Custom) ….. $ 78.00
– Ventilating wraparound windshield, both models add $ 26.00
– Convertible top, side curtains, and back cover … $ 140.00
– Rear cross seat and back rest instead of side seats (Deluxe) add $ 22.00

Just like the Ideal Craft Boat will need some TLC – we gave the original 1962 Ideal Craft Brochure some TLC and it worked out nicely – don’t you think?

It’s fantastic to see that people are still finding these classic wooden boats, and are excited to get them seaworthy again, and back in service. Not necessarily show boats, just reasonably priced classic boats that reflect a wonderful period of recreational boating history, that folks can enjoy and share with their friends and family.

So the next time you drive by a yard sale sign, take five minutes to stop in and check it out – there might be a classic boat hidden away looking for a new home.

Classic Yard Sale Sign – Courtesy imgkid.com

Welcome to the Wonderful World of Classic Boating Nick!

Texx
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