Newbie Question re. old 3 point outboard Hydro

[John S.]

Hello,
I came across this great forum and thought someone might be able to give me an opinion.
I have an old 3 point Hydro and engine that I may sell, but have no idea of their value.
My father and I built this Clark Craft "Wetback" Hydro (see photos) in 1969 (!) from the Clark Craft kit (which they still sell). The boat has been in the water only ONCE for one test run when it was built, and has been in storage its entire life! It is in great shape, and made of mahogany. It was not made with fiberglass. It has a Kainer steering wheel and Atwood throttle. I have the metal trim and new deck fabric not shown in photos.
The engine is a Mercury Mark 20, bought used when the boat was built. It has also been in storage and not run for many years. I also have an external pressure fuel tank for it.
I know this is not a "race boat", but thought someone here might be able to give me an idea of the value of the boat, motor, or both together.
Thanks!
John

[ZUL8TR]

Wetback, and Mark 20

I built and raced one of those back in the 1970's so familiar with the boat. And it is a race boat just from the an early era. I persume you will put the fabric and bow trim on before selling? The engine is not a 20H so that really cuts the value on that part, and it may not run and needs alot of work and parts? See if you can get it to run that would be a plus. Why not try ebay, put a reserve on it so you at least have a bottom and see what happens with the bids. Perhaps your local craigslist?

BTW the transom looks about the right height for the 20H but too short for the Mark 20.

Good luck

[John S.]

Wetback and Mark 20

Thanks for the quick reply! That's great that you had one too!
I have thought of Ebay and CraigsList, but really don't have a bottom $$.
Any ideas at all on a possible price for either item?
By the way, I don't doubt that the Mark 20 is not the best engine for the boat. As I mentioned, it was only in the water once, and that was the engine we found at that time. The engine was put away in working condition with the cylinders oiled, and the pistons are free, etc., but it has not been run in years. I have cleaned up the boat, but really do not have the time to devote to the engine, and was hoping someone might take over the boat and/or motor as is and put on the deck fabric, etc. (not a big deal).
Again, thanks, and if you have any ball-park dollar ideas, I would love to hear from you!
Thanks,
John

[bh/]

Where in NA is this boat/motor ?
A fishing M20, questionable whether it still runs,
with the OEM Bendex magneto, goes for ~$125, IMHO.
The boat is what some one will pay for it.
A very small market, and transport is always the big issue..

[Yellowjacket]

It's worth more to you than it is anyone else

Since you and your dad built it together, it has more memories in it for you and for that reason it's probably worth more to you than it is to anybody else. Were I in your shoes I'd probably want to keep it just for the sentimental value.

It does seem to be a very well built kit and and you should be proud of it.

You might look on the AOMCI site, and there may be folks on there that are looking for something like this, and are close enough to you to not make shipping a big issue. I've seen some old hyrdos on there for sale and that might give you a better idea of its value.

The motor, as said, is going to take a good bit of work to make serviceable. The seals are getting old and it's going to need a new water pump impeller for sure, so you are looking at a couple of hundred for that at the most.

The boat is worth more, but it still won't bring a lot of money, the rigging (throttle and steering) is worth a couple of hundred dollars. For the boat above that, it really depends on if that person wants a really nice Wetback...

[3autility]

I too started racing in the 70s with a Wetback I built, with a Mark 20H conversion, not a standard Mark 20. I enjoyed the boat, but it was slow for ABPA racing so I eventually sold it. Put an ad on the AOMCI.org site. Where are you located? Would you sell the motor separately? If so what do you want and would you ship the motor to VErmont?
Thanks,
Chuck Webster
Arlington, VT

[STEVE FRENCH]

Go to this Web site http://aomci.org/
Join....Cut and paste this article on your ad there,....You will have offers in a couple days!

Value......start high($2-3K what the heck!!).....It's priceless to your heritage/family (I'd hang it in da game room....Or over your bar).

Some water'n holes such as "Quaker Steak and Lube" http://www.quakersteakandlube.com/qsl/history.html >>Wing chain with race stuff, are always look'n for memorabilia to hang......The One in Erie, Pa. back home was want'n one a while back.

"Joe's Crab Shack" chain http://www.joescrabshack.com/ ....Etc.......

It'l go....Just don't give it away!!

We had a o'l alky racer pass away in the TRORA club a couple years back, and he donate'd his collection to the Carnegie(Speel chek!!) Museum in Pittsburgh, Pa. a couple years ago...This might even fit next to his stuff there?....At least you can see it and will be taken care of.....Also what is the boat museum in upper Ny, State on the St.Lawrence?

John Sheubert??

Couple U-Tube Vids.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1VcSpu5KBw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnFcoQQaR8o
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Xs3_l_02FE .Search some of this guys other vids!! >> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1_YNXYyRMQ
Don't we have a hydro museum that would display this......"Just say'n"

[krazy karl]

The fuel tank may be worth more than the motor, depending on condition of course. A pressure tank in excellent condition sold on ebay a few months ago. I don't remember the exact price but I think it was in the neighborhood of $300.
kk

[John S.]

Thanks to all for your positive comments, ideas, videos, links, etc.!
I will check them out!
I am in the Asheville, NC area. Regarding shipping the motor to Vermont, let me think about that while I figure out what to do.
The boat does have sentimental value which is why I have held onto it for so long! The timing just didn't work out on the boat---as a high school kid, i wanted this boat so much, but getting my father's and my schedules together meant the project took a long time. When it was finally completed, i had moved away to go to school, etc. So it goes.
On the other hand, there are some great father/son memories, and it seems it might be time for someone else to get some enjoyment out of it.
John Schwab

[KURPS]

Thanks to all for your positive comments, ideas, videos, links, etc.!
I will check them out!
I am in the Asheville, NC area. Regarding shipping the motor to Vermont, let me think about that while I figure out what to do.
The boat does have sentimental value which is why I have held onto it for so long! The timing just didn't work out on the boat---as a high school kid, i wanted this boat so much, but getting my father's and my schedules together meant the project took a long time. When it was finally completed, i had moved away to go to school, etc. So it goes.
On the other hand, there are some great father/son memories, and it seems it might be time for someone else to get some enjoyment out of it.
John Schwab

Normally I would say nice firewood! This boat is like new and would make a good lake racer.
Your not to far from me, I live on Lake Hartwell South Carolina, if you would like to try your boat again here, I could give you a hand. E-mail me at billkurps@hughes.net

[John S.]

Bill,
Thanks for the generous offer of assistance at Lake Hartwell!
If I decide to make the boat/motor fully "water ready",
I'll be in touch.
John

[STEVE FRENCH]

Thanks to all for your positive comments, ideas, videos, links, etc.!
I will check them out!
I am in the Asheville, NC area. Regarding shipping the motor to Vermont, let me think about that while I figure out what to do.
The boat does have sentimental value which is why I have held onto it for so long! The timing just didn't work out on the boat---as a high school kid, i wanted this boat so much, but getting my father's and my schedules together meant the project took a long time. When it was finally completed, i had moved away to go to school, etc. So it goes.
On the other hand, there are some great father/son memories, and it seems it might be time for someone else to get some enjoyment out of it.
John Schwab

John,

I'm in Marion, NC....Near Lake James.
If I can be of assistance,....Send me a P/M....100N/Steve French

[STEVE FRENCH]

Here's another that's converted to a sit-down.....Looks like a decent ride for lake play!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...A2I4OtEPw&NR=1

E-Bay maybe your best bet....Many Antique'rs and race'rs monitor and post interesting finds on their sites........Use a few key-words in your opening post/headline "Hydroplane,Racing, Race" should always be included.......I only search those key-words under boating.....(Just too lazy to dig through the general stuff!)

Ship'n used to be a big issue but with U-Ship you can let the buyer work that out...http://www.uship.com/
Personally, I would stay away from offering to crate or tie to a pallet....Let them work it out with the U-ship bidder.....Unless your handy with such and want to crate it. (I can't pound a nail straight!)
.....You might find a local pick-up bidder but.........

Best regards and keep us posted?

[John S.]

Steve,

Thanks for the assistance offer and your selling/shipping hints and ideas.

Is there any hydro activity on Lake James (I have not kept up with the sport!).

Small world---I see you have a house for sale in Clymer, NY---I grew up in Lakewood, NY (Jamestown) which is where I built the hydro. Its only test run was on Chatuaqua Lake.

John

[STEVE FRENCH]

"Small world"...........Yep!
Know Lakewood, NY. well!
My folks had a 50's wood outboard cabin cruiser at the Old Maple Bay Marina (Now Smith Brother's) and we used to eat at the Colony Rest/tavern and the Triangle tavern next to it (both gone now) in the Y in the road that splits the Panama, NY run South and the Chautauqua Lake road North to Mayville.
They had a Classic race there at the Mayville end of lake a few years ago with several Classics including a few former Gold-Cup rigs from across the East. Several of the rigs like yours were on display and out on the course they set up near the old Chautauqua Lake steam wheeler "The Chautauqua Bell"......

Around 1959 or 1960, Dad (Dr French-farm vet/VMD) sold the outboard cruiser and bought a late 50's inboard cruiser (Trojan around 20-24 ft with a T-Bird 292 or 312 engine). He Bought it and rented a slip from the Chautauqua Lake Marina near Mayville and a couple years later moved it to Snug Harbor Marina and then to the Chautauqua Lake Club near Hogan's hut next to the ferry boat crossing over to Bemis Point where we would tie up near the Surf Club to hear former owner Junne Shank's band when not at the old dance hall at the point where the ferry boat returned before they completed the Rt-17 (Now I-86) bridge over the middle of the lake.

I can still picture Dad wrapping the exhaust pipes on the Trojan cruiser with asbestos cloth and bail'n wire to quiet the exhaust during Manhattans and whiskey sours while putt'n on the lake.

Around 1966 the Trojan cruiser developed a case of dry rot and it sold to someone who used it on the Kinzua reservoir near the Seneca Indian reservation.
When the opportunity is available, we test MODIFIED rigs at the Senaca Nation's camp ground at High Banks on the North end of Kinzua above the Onoville Marina where the Seneca's have their own tribal water patrol marshals control boat traffic for us and they luv us being there making a little excitement to watch!!

In the late 70's I was dating an exotic dancer (Dang she was fun! PS, Miss ya Suzanne ) and we would cruise from Corry, Pa. and spend quality time at the Villa Capri Strip Club on the East side of Jamestown and do a little after hours street racing in my 1972 340 Duster or my Brother's 1970 340-6 pack AAR Cuda in the industrial section near the Chautauqua outlet
Remember that big 2-3 story tall indian on top of the brewery there with the arrows that some jokers shot in'ta his crotch?? What brand of beer did they make there?
Or we would make a B-double-e,double-r-un(beer-run) to the French Creek Tavern near Peek-N-Peak Ski Resort where I patrolled,....... for last call!!

Also Ran Mopar street stocks at State Line Speedway at the NY/Pa line South of Jamestown from 1975 to 1986 (Point champ 1979).

DANG I MISS THOSE DAYS AND BACK HOME!!


I was keeping my 25SSH and a OSY-400 rig with a 202-D Yamato here in a storage rental in Marion and testing them from the Moose Club marina at Lake James but high boat and jet-ski traffic made it dangerous there.
Since retirement I have been working part time on greens equipment and boats at the Marion Lake Club Golf and Marina on Lake James and hope to test my A-MODIFIED Hot-Rod, and the OSY-400 rigs there if I can use my pontoon boat slip and the launch ramp there after the Labor Day races at Lock Haven, Pa. when chilly 70's temps chase the locals off the lake. ....
Plus it is a low traffic cove with several others near by where they used to have a few "PRO" races in front of the Lake James spillway.
Just found a chamber silencer off an old RD-350 Yamaha drag bike, street chamber for the A-MOD's chamber so we'll see if the "Caddy Shack" folks can tolerate someone having too much fun.......(I do side work for the ones with personal golf carts so if they still want the speed governors cranked up.....)

PS, Wann'a race?........... ......100N>