Clipper Crafts In The Barn?

Photo of a 1964 14′ Sea Nymph lapstrake runabout by Clipper Craft of Canada. Weighed 445 pounds and could handle up to 45 h.p. – Photo courtesy of Bob Speltz The Real Runabouts IV Outboard Edition.

TODAY WE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE FUN to go behind the scenes here at Woody Boater, to ride along as we try to help a new viewer searching for information on a couple of old wooden boats.

While we are not in the business of helping people sell their old boats (we continue to receive e-mails / Facebook messages almost on a daily basis from people asking for help to sell their boats) we try to leave that to the specialty brokers who support Woody Boater, Ebay, Woody Boater classifieds, etc.

However we do try to help people (when we can) with information on what they have and how to move forward with the sales process depending on where they live and what they are trying to sell, or repair. This is an example of what comes in to Woody Boater HQ – and how we try to respond behind the scenes when we can. – Texx
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Dear Woody Boater Gentlemen,

I just purchased an old farm that included a barn full of old stuff that was included in the sale. I purchased it from the children of the deceased father and none of them wanted the old stuff in the barn.

Anyway, there are three boats in the barn, two of them are wooden. I don’t know anything about boats and don’t know what they are but would like to identify them and sell them. Honestly, I was thinking they were worthless until I found your website but now I think it is important they go to someone who likes these old boats.

Was hoping you guys could tell me what they are and perhaps, how to sell them to someone that would appreciate them, and what they may be worth. I would very, very much appreciate any help or advice you could provide.

About the Boats:

They are “clipper” brand and built sometime in the 60’s.

They are built out of mahogany, I believe, and are beautifully made. One has the matching motor, an Evinrude, that appears brand new inside and out.

I’m not sure when they were last in the water, or when the motor was last started. They have been under covers in the barn for many years. I have included photos of the boats. Both are for sale, as I need the money to buy cattle.

Thank you,
Dylan Jones
Winlock, Washington
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Hi Dylan – Thanks for the inquiry.

In regards to the Clipper Craft brand, we first referred to The Real Runabouts IV – Outboard Edition by Bob Speltz. And although there is very little information on the Internet regarding the mid-1960s Clipper Craft brand – sure enough we were able to find the following information on page 236-237 of The Real Runabouts IV. The Bob Speltz series of books is always a fantastic resource for us here at Woody Boater, and should be part of any classic boaters library.

The Real Runabouts IV by Bob Speltz – Artwork by F.G. Thomas first printing 1982.

From The Real Runabouts IV – “The Chestnut Canoe Company who, in 1964, turned out a line of modern lapstrakes known as Clipper Craft. These boats are shown in a nice 10-page colored folder and appear to be as modern as any made here in the states at that time.”

“The 1964 models offered included the 14′ Sea Nymph; 15′ Sea Bird; 18′ Georgian; and 21′ Barracuda (as noted in today’s cover photo).”

1964 Clipper Craft 15-foot lapstrake runabout and 18-foot Georgian model with drop-down, wooden framed windshield. – Photo courtesy of Bob Speltz The Real Runabouts IV Outboard Edition.

“Another nice feature found on the larger Clipper Crafts was a drop-down wooden, framed windshield.”

“The Clipper Craft hulls were painted on the hull sides, while all bottoms were painted with copper anti-fouling paint. Decks were either all varnished or covered with white vinyl and varnished king plank and covering boards.” – Bob Speltz

Dylan – The only problem here is that from the photos you provided, these boats do not appear to be lapstrake construction boats. (Lapstrake or “Clinker” built is a method of boat building where the edges of hull planks overlap, called a “land” or “landing.” In craft of any size planks are also joined end to end into a strake.)

From the photos, the subject boats appear to resemble more of a plywood style of boat construction, which was also very popular in the 1960s. Also, the wooden style windshield appears to be a fixed style vs the drop-down version in the above Clipper Craft brochure photos. So more research (or better photographs) may be required in order to accurately determine what brand of boat you have in the barn.

We have a large following from the Washington / Pacific Northwest region, as well as from Canada – so they may chime in with additional comments / information on these boats. By publishing this inquiry today, hopefully we can try to learn more about what you have here. So stay tuned.

Texx
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