Fellow Woody Boater Eric Zelman Shares His Restoration Of A Cool Wagemaker.
A couple weekends ago, I was able to meet fellow Woody Boater Eric Zelman who is about to undertake a complete restoration of a cool U22. Clearly Eric has been bitten by the bug, since he just had finished a very cool Wagemaker. Eric enjoys the process and doing things right.
Eric went so far to make sure the brand of paint was part of the research. BTW Eric, I know a good Zipper manufacturer!
We just received this video that is a documentation of the detail Eric did for the little outboard. For many its inspiring to see how you can embrace the joy of the restoration as much as using the boat. The Wagemaker has yet to be in the water by the way! This spring is gonna be fun for Eric for sure..
Very Cool video.
Awesome work. I think Eric should bring this boat to Dora!
Do you want to sell the cruiser cushion at 0:42?
Hey Troy,
Thanks. Not yet on the cushion, I’m just starting my collection!
Eric that was a super restoration, looks great, enjoy the summer.
Incredible! The video was great had to watch it twice! Then had to get another cup of coffee and go outside to my ole boat and give her a huge, and as I patted her on the deck I whispered to her “soon sweetheart soon” . Eric what a great job! love the way those old E/J sound have a great time with her.
Incredible restoration Eric. The boat and trailer look better than new.
VERY nice job Eric. Good for you sticking with it. Now it’s time to enjoy the rides…and admiring looks.
Thanks to all in the boating community that offered their advice. A special shout out to the Phil & Alan of the Smith Mountain Lake Chapter for arranging the windshield delivery.
Matt fine example of why you need to get the part, boats and stuff up and running. The windshield was a product of the connect site you had to shut down.
Eric great job, look forward to a ride in her at our Sept. show on Smith Mountain Lake 🙂
I second that about coming to our 25th Anniversary show in Sept. here at the “Jewel of the Blue Ridge”. We’ve even included add’l. cruises and workshop tours on Sun. and Mon. following the show.
I told Eric he should have no trouble at all with the U-22 considering the fantastic job he did on the Wagemaker.
SWEET VIRGINIA! That’s how you do it!
Eric, great job!
Great job! Really nice attention to detail! Another great Michigan made Boat!! This is my favorite kind of video! Love to see the “How To’s”!!
Great job,great video!
Great video and a way cool project with super results. Now….I watched it in my office this morning and that was not a good thing. With Wisconsin temps heading for 50 today I am sorely tempted to shut it down and head for my shop to start the spring work……………………………….
Great work, Eric!
Nice work!! Great video.
Harold Greiner’s Restaurant, and Greiners Hardware and Marine on Calhoun Street in Fort Wayne were not the same business. Totally different owners and family.
Nice restoration! Ray Finton worked on outboards (they sold Evinrude) for Greiners for decades. Has a one man shop called Ray’s Marine. 260-385-7788.
Thanks for the update Max. The son of the owner may not have known all the info when he gave me the docs, match book and history. That explains the Evinrude upgrade. The father might have worked for Ray.
The video work was the equal of the boat work!
Best Wolverine in the world now….without a doubt.
Good bay area tunes too: Steve and Robin did “Sweet Virginia Breeze” here at the County Seat Restaurant last Friday night.
We need to run that baby next to one of my Whirlwinds sometime?
Over the top restoration…enjoy….a project to be proud of.
John in Va.
Hey John, When I get her down to White Stone I’ll let you know and you can stop by on your way to Lee’s
Attention to detail is everything and Eric, you sure are the detail man! You did that boat like it was a big Chris, Gar or Hacker and she is something to be proud of for sure! This really illustrates that size really doesn’t matter, it’s the detail that counts!
Great pictures and video. Allows me to see, and appreciate all the hard work you did. I always like to stop and look at pictures of a restoration at car and boat shows. It allows me to see what one started with, and to see the end results of hours and hours of labor and love for the hobby.
My Dad’s first boat was a 1949 Wolverine Wagemaker. This is me at 10, paddling at age 10, in 1956.
This guy crossed every “T” a doted every “I”. A very nice job, as good as any professional shop in the country. Love his attention to detail, that is what it is all about. Loved the video, well done.
A boat that is a wagemaker sounds like a fantastic idea! My boats are all wagespenders.
Great job on the boat and the video!
You make us Grand Rapidians proud. Go Wolverines!
Awesome job all the way around. Seeing the Evinrude Selectric really brought back memories. Thanks.
“Best Non-Professional Restoration”
and
“Best Non-Professional How to Video”
Excellent job Eric!!!!!!!!!! I’ve got a 1960 Wagemaker Empire Clipper that I restored, it was my grandfathers. 18′ Glass hull Mahogany top, window frames and notch bench seat.
Great job Eric! Dido on everything others have said. You have set the bar high. I too have a 16 ft. 1956 Wagemaker. I hope to finish restoration this summer. Thanks for the inspiration.
When it’s done we would love to see your restored Wagemaker Myrl. Texx@woodyboater.com
Your video has inspired me. My ’52 Wolverine is stripped and ready for stain. I’d like to know what stain you used. I’m just waiting for some warmer weather here in Wisconsin. Nice job!