Plans for Marblehead 23

[diggergilks]

We are on a search for either a boat or it's plans. This is the Marblehead 23 that was built at the Marblehead Boatyard in Biddeford, Maine between 1955 (approx) and 1962. The boat was designed, we believe, but Walter McInnis. However his son Alan does not have the plans. They do not exist either with Wooden Boat Magazine or with the Mystic Seaport collection. Design No. 400 for an Eldridge-McInnis bass boat is a similar boat in profile, but the Marblehead was a round hull. We would appreciate any clues as to where we might find the plans for this boat or one still in use we might take the lines from. There were three configurations: a bass boat, a cruiser and a forward cabin style all based on the same 23 foot hull. If you'd like more details or would want to correspond about this boat please feel free to get in touch with me at jeanandme@maine.rr.com.
thanks ever so much,
Randy Randall
Marston's Marina, Inc.
Saco, Maine

[diggergilks]

January 2005 update. In as much as the Marblehead 23 was a locally built boat and the yard employed many men from Saco and Biddeford over the years it was in operation, we are gradually gaining more and more info on the 23 from these old gentlemen. Still no plans, but we've found one of the boats that has been converted to lobster fishing. We've also made contacts with the Landing School were Earl Rumery sent many of his designs when the Rumery Yard closed down. So we're still hot on the trail and the more people we contact the more information that's coming to light. Still would appreciate any additional info on the plans from Eldredge-McInnis or original hulls that might be available for sale or inspection.
As always,
Thanks a ton.
Randy

[rbgarr]

Randy,

Please keep us updated. Are you thinking of building one of these boats? Have you got a picture from any era that you could post?

[Hwyl]

You've done all the things that I would have suggested. I worked at Rummery's in the Greg Carroll days, there was not too much going on then. I'm presuming that you've talked to Ethan.

How about Scott Worthing, I'm sure you also know him. he owns Webhannet River Boayard here in Wells now.

Edited to add, that The Landing School built a Bassboat in 1989? for the owner of the Steakhouse in Wells. Some of the Landing school staff are from that time. I'm pretty sure it was an Eldredge McInnis. (sp)

[ 01-22-2005, 06:49 PM: Message edited by: Hwyl ]

[diggergilks]

Hwyl and rbgarr...thanks for your interest. Yes we've talked with Scott and with Ethan. Left a msg for Jamie at the Landing School but have not heard back from him yet. Reed Rumery still owns the one that he's turned into a lobster boat. Chip at Rumery's thought the plans might have been damaged when the place flooded some years ago. Still working with him on that. Evidently there was one sold just last year in Falmouth, Maine. I've got a few snapshots of the one we used to own, but I'm not sure how to add them to the forum. I'd be glad to do that if it was possible. We've got some interest in building a new one, but would love to be able to copy the plans. Once we get through this snowstorm I should be able to circle back with Chip and Eathan and the rest next week. I'll let you know how I make out.

Randy

[Norske3]

MARBLEHEAD 26 Eldridge-McInnis..built at Biddeford 1958
Power: Palmer Spacemaker 110 (this is an IHarvester six block..fresh water cooled..that is mounted on its side...90 degrees from vertical..IH parts still available!...original engine...excellent running condition)

I'm surprised Alan said he did not have the plans for the 23....I bought the plans for this 26 footer from him about 2 years ago.I bought the boat in 1980.Hull is in poor condition...cabin not original.

Boat not available for inspection..not for sale.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid36/p93d98ce8b5590d481a6ebd9a73c990a0/fd2563f5.jpg http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid36/pa5bab284e6bddfab6ef0dd7a4dc02f1d/fd2563fc.jpg http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid36/pfa562900a58abb734ee3d60d9b59d539/fd2563f9.jpg MY next boat..someday..someday. smile.gif http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid137/pb229a3e534515982f6b27a170840ee02/f74843c8.jpg.orig.jpg [IMG]

[ 01-23-2005, 07:53 AM: Message edited by: Norske3 ]

[Hwyl]

bump

[diggergilks]

Oh wow! You found one. Sorry about the condition, but it sure looks like the 23 footer. I think they built a 23, a 26, a 29 and a even a 32 foot model. Maybe they were all based off the same set of lines. I appreciate hearing that you were able to get the plans from Alan. Thanks for that info. We know the Marblehead yard burned in 1962, so you're right, your boat being a 1958 would have been built at the Marblehead Boat Yard on the Biddeford side of the Saco River. I hope you will be able to restore it. Thans so much for the pictures.
Randy

[Norske3]

Randy......there is a 22' Lowell in this list that may interest you...located in Maine...has diesel

web page (http://www.by-the-sea.com/boneyardboats/)

[diggergilks]

Hi guys. Well, we're not there yet, but maybe a little closer. Chip let me rummage through a box of old plans and lines at Rumerys the other day. I found one blueprint for an Eldredge McInnis "bass boat", hull No. 424. This one sheet shows the inboard profile and construction details. I think the draftsman was WFM. He sure did some nice work whoever he was. This hull looks very very similar to the Marblehead we're searching for. It's not the boat, but seems to be part of a design series or some such. Anyway I'm grateful to Chip for letting me paw through the stuff. What a treat. The musty old drawings and plans dating from the 1950's and the business letters between Rumery and customers provide a nice glimpse of what it was like to be in the boat building business fifty odd years ago.
Randy

[Thad]

Walter McInnis?

[Donn]

Call Alan, and ask him for the names and #'s of his favorite 3 surveyors. Call them.

<img src= "http://www.ennui.net/~donn/boats/Loonproicon.BMP">

[Norske3]

Walter McInnis......read all about his loooong working life...started his career with Lawley...designed a boat for Henry Ford.

WB Mag Part 1....Issue 52,pg 40
Part 2....Issue 53,pg 38
Part 3....Issue 54,pg 34

[diggergilks]

Feb 16, short update. We spent an hour with Jamie down at The Landing Boat school. He had researched their archived plans and did not find anything to do with the Marblehead 23. Had a nice visit though. He's a very nice guy and the shops at the school seem to be hopping with activity. Jamie was to be in touch with John Burgess and get his input on the plans.
Randy

[diggergilks]

Hello all, thought I should bring forum watchers up to date on this search. We found the boat, not the plans, but a 1958 23 foot Marblehead Cruiser. This was my father's boat. He sold it 18 years ago to a gentleman from Mass. When we could not locate the plans we thought maybe if we could find the boat, we'd convince the owner to let us take off the lines. Actually he did better then that. He gave us the boat. The owner had begun a major refit and had pretty much gutted the interior of the boat. Now he's moving and can't take the hull with him. Back in the summer we had run a small note in Points East magazine searching for the current owner and location of the boat. He saw that and in November gave us a call. She's in rough shape but the hull appears to still be fair and solid. So we'll see. We need to inspect and see how bad things are. Whether we rebuild the boat or carry out our original plan of taking off the lines, I've at least brought the boat home. She's back on the banks of the Saco River and within two miles of where she was created in 1958. I guess the moral is don't give up the ship or the idea. Along with this posting and the few articles I've written, I've talked with and met some really neat folks all with an interest in the old Marblehead boats. I hope they're still watching this forum. I'll write and another post once we figure out what we're going to do with the boat.

[rbgarr]

Sam Lawrence, aka CrosbyStriper on the forum here, recently had some friends come into possession of a round bottom 23' bass boat built by Palmer Scott that looks like it could be what yours is. They are restoring her. Send him a PM and I'm sure he'd get back to you with photos for comparison.