CHETEK BOATS

[Pernicious Atavist]

Hi all,
I came upon a Chetek pwr boat today that the owner wants to have restored. I surfed and found a little info, but hope you guys have more insight.

It was built by the Chetek Boat Co. in WI., most likely mid-50s. THe company began in '47 and burnt down in '65.

It's about 14-15 ft, the "optional" Chetek name plate at the stern. The steering wheel has an inset that features a viking head surrounded by "Vollrath Viking," which must be the model, though it's not mentioned in the site I found.

I did learn the the deck, topside and above the spray rail is mahogany, though the deck is painted, and the hull is a blonde color like cedar. BElow the spray rail the boat is 'glassed.

Anybody know this boat?

Sorry, no pics yet.

[Pernicious Atavist]

Hi all,
I came upon a Chetek pwr boat today that the owner wants to have restored. I surfed and found a little info, but hope you guys have more insight.

It was built by the Chetek Boat Co. in WI., most likely mid-50s. THe company began in '47 and burnt down in '65.

It's about 14-15 ft, the "optional" Chetek name plate at the stern. The steering wheel has an inset that features a viking head surrounded by "Vollrath Viking," which must be the model, though it's not mentioned in the site I found.

I did learn the the deck, topside and above the spray rail is mahogany, though the deck is painted, and the hull is a blonde color like cedar. BElow the spray rail the boat is 'glassed.

Anybody know this boat?

Sorry, no pics yet.

[Pernicious Atavist]

Hi all,
I came upon a Chetek pwr boat today that the owner wants to have restored. I surfed and found a little info, but hope you guys have more insight.

It was built by the Chetek Boat Co. in WI., most likely mid-50s. THe company began in '47 and burnt down in '65.

It's about 14-15 ft, the "optional" Chetek name plate at the stern. The steering wheel has an inset that features a viking head surrounded by "Vollrath Viking," which must be the model, though it's not mentioned in the site I found.

I did learn the the deck, topside and above the spray rail is mahogany, though the deck is painted, and the hull is a blonde color like cedar. BElow the spray rail the boat is 'glassed.

Anybody know this boat?

Sorry, no pics yet.

[Pernicious Atavist]

it'a '59 mdl

[Pernicious Atavist]

it'a '59 mdl

[Pernicious Atavist]

it'a '59 mdl

[Victor]

I have a Chetek, there aren't many left. It was sold through the Montgomery Ward catalogue as a poor man's Lyman or Thompson. The only real info I could find is this. (http://www.acbs-bslol.com/Boatbuilders/Chetek.htm)

The Land O' Lakes Chapter of the ACBS is your best source of info. Last I heard they were restoring one that had been glassed and rotted badly as a result. Looks like they either finished it or gave up on it. Bob Speltz, author of "The Real Runabouts", had one or two and liked them very much. I adore mine. It's beamy, roomy, dry, and stable up to about 25 mph. Also relatively light.

I got in touch with an old gent in Wisconsin who did most of the cutting for the seats and topsides. His daughter sent me some ads from the day. Email me and I'll forward them to you if you're interested.

[ 11-05-2005, 08:49 PM: Message edited by: Victor ]

[Victor]

I have a Chetek, there aren't many left. It was sold through the Montgomery Ward catalogue as a poor man's Lyman or Thompson. The only real info I could find is this. (http://www.acbs-bslol.com/Boatbuilders/Chetek.htm)

The Land O' Lakes Chapter of the ACBS is your best source of info. Last I heard they were restoring one that had been glassed and rotted badly as a result. Looks like they either finished it or gave up on it. Bob Speltz, author of "The Real Runabouts", had one or two and liked them very much. I adore mine. It's beamy, roomy, dry, and stable up to about 25 mph. Also relatively light.

I got in touch with an old gent in Wisconsin who did most of the cutting for the seats and topsides. His daughter sent me some ads from the day. Email me and I'll forward them to you if you're interested.

[ 11-05-2005, 08:49 PM: Message edited by: Victor ]

[Victor]

I have a Chetek, there aren't many left. It was sold through the Montgomery Ward catalogue as a poor man's Lyman or Thompson. The only real info I could find is this. (http://www.acbs-bslol.com/Boatbuilders/Chetek.htm)

The Land O' Lakes Chapter of the ACBS is your best source of info. Last I heard they were restoring one that had been glassed and rotted badly as a result. Looks like they either finished it or gave up on it. Bob Speltz, author of "The Real Runabouts", had one or two and liked them very much. I adore mine. It's beamy, roomy, dry, and stable up to about 25 mph. Also relatively light.

I got in touch with an old gent in Wisconsin who did most of the cutting for the seats and topsides. His daughter sent me some ads from the day. Email me and I'll forward them to you if you're interested.

[ 11-05-2005, 08:49 PM: Message edited by: Victor ]

[Victor]

Never mind, after several reformats and reloads I guess I managed to lose both the ads and her address. Rats!

[Victor]

Never mind, after several reformats and reloads I guess I managed to lose both the ads and her address. Rats!

[Victor]

Never mind, after several reformats and reloads I guess I managed to lose both the ads and her address. Rats!

[Pernicious Atavist]

yeah, victor, that's the same info i found--not much! i think the owner has some pics--it was her grandad's boat.

[Pernicious Atavist]

yeah, victor, that's the same info i found--not much! i think the owner has some pics--it was her grandad's boat.

[Pernicious Atavist]

yeah, victor, that's the same info i found--not much! i think the owner has some pics--it was her grandad's boat.

[Victor]

I always have a great time with mine, and get lots of nice comments (from old geezers though, never from hot young honeys).

The only issue I had was stopping every so often to clean out the bilge pumps. Finally solved that problem with a scupper valve. Now it's just launch and go.

I don't know enough about Lymans and Thonpsons to compare, but Cheteks were well-designed and well-built IMHO. I know of very few. A family in Massachusetts has one, the ACBS in Wisconsin has a few, then there's me and maybe you. Looks like most of them went up the chimney years ago.

[ 11-06-2005, 02:58 PM: Message edited by: Victor ]

[Victor]

I always have a great time with mine, and get lots of nice comments (from old geezers though, never from hot young honeys).

The only issue I had was stopping every so often to clean out the bilge pumps. Finally solved that problem with a scupper valve. Now it's just launch and go.

I don't know enough about Lymans and Thonpsons to compare, but Cheteks were well-designed and well-built IMHO. I know of very few. A family in Massachusetts has one, the ACBS in Wisconsin has a few, then there's me and maybe you. Looks like most of them went up the chimney years ago.

[ 11-06-2005, 02:58 PM: Message edited by: Victor ]

[Victor]

I always have a great time with mine, and get lots of nice comments (from old geezers though, never from hot young honeys).

The only issue I had was stopping every so often to clean out the bilge pumps. Finally solved that problem with a scupper valve. Now it's just launch and go.

I don't know enough about Lymans and Thonpsons to compare, but Cheteks were well-designed and well-built IMHO. I know of very few. A family in Massachusetts has one, the ACBS in Wisconsin has a few, then there's me and maybe you. Looks like most of them went up the chimney years ago.

[ 11-06-2005, 02:58 PM: Message edited by: Victor ]

[Domesticated_Mr. Know It All]

There's one at antiqueboat.com
some nice photos.

http://www.antiqueboat.com/boats/images/paku14-4.jpg

it's for sale in the outboard section here-----> http://www.antiqueboat.com/

It does look alot like a Lyman but should fetch a better price because it's rare.

Wonderful little toys and good for getting you to the fish.

http://www.antiqueboat.com/boats/images/veli17-4.jpg

[ 11-06-2005, 01:06 PM: Message edited by: Mr. Know It All ]

[Domesticated_Mr. Know It All]

There's one at antiqueboat.com
some nice photos.

http://www.antiqueboat.com/boats/images/paku14-4.jpg

it's for sale in the outboard section here-----> http://www.antiqueboat.com/

It does look alot like a Lyman but should fetch a better price because it's rare.

Wonderful little toys and good for getting you to the fish.

http://www.antiqueboat.com/boats/images/veli17-4.jpg

[ 11-06-2005, 01:06 PM: Message edited by: Mr. Know It All ]

[Domesticated_Mr. Know It All]

There's one at antiqueboat.com
some nice photos.

http://www.antiqueboat.com/boats/images/paku14-4.jpg

it's for sale in the outboard section here-----> http://www.antiqueboat.com/

It does look alot like a Lyman but should fetch a better price because it's rare.

Wonderful little toys and good for getting you to the fish.

http://www.antiqueboat.com/boats/images/veli17-4.jpg

[ 11-06-2005, 01:06 PM: Message edited by: Mr. Know It All ]

[capt jake]

I am kicking myself in the behind for passing up on one here locally. Somebody bought it for $1000 and immediately re-sold it for $2500. Still a decent price though. :(

[capt jake]

I am kicking myself in the behind for passing up on one here locally. Somebody bought it for $1000 and immediately re-sold it for $2500. Still a decent price though. :(

[capt jake]

I am kicking myself in the behind for passing up on one here locally. Somebody bought it for $1000 and immediately re-sold it for $2500. Still a decent price though. :(

[Victor]

So PA, how did you get your handle? Get into it with a female English professor or something?

[Victor]

So PA, how did you get your handle? Get into it with a female English professor or something?

[Victor]

So PA, how did you get your handle? Get into it with a female English professor or something?

[Pernicious Atavist]

nahhhh.....i like old stuff, ways of doing things (within reason).

i was a historical reenactor for a couple decades--no military, but emulated mtn men then colonial woodsman types--and was a pr*ck for histrical accuracy. crossed a range of the rockies solo on horseback, snowshoed into quebec, covered lots of ground with a flintlock and a blanket, mostly solo. thus the "atavist."

the "pernicious" bit comes from doing such things solo.

i also published a number of articles on the topic in general and my own experiences, deisgned and did the pre-press work on a ~1k-page history book.

now my atavism is aimed toward boats. the new skiff is in fact named "Atavistic," both an ajective and an adverb in one. :cool:

oh-speaking of lady english profs--i teach high school english. :D

[ 11-06-2005, 07:24 PM: Message edited by: Pernicious Atavist ]

[Pernicious Atavist]

nahhhh.....i like old stuff, ways of doing things (within reason).

i was a historical reenactor for a couple decades--no military, but emulated mtn men then colonial woodsman types--and was a pr*ck for histrical accuracy. crossed a range of the rockies solo on horseback, snowshoed into quebec, covered lots of ground with a flintlock and a blanket, mostly solo. thus the "atavist."

the "pernicious" bit comes from doing such things solo.

i also published a number of articles on the topic in general and my own experiences, deisgned and did the pre-press work on a ~1k-page history book.

now my atavism is aimed toward boats. the new skiff is in fact named "Atavistic," both an ajective and an adverb in one. :cool:

oh-speaking of lady english profs--i teach high school english. :D

[ 11-06-2005, 07:24 PM: Message edited by: Pernicious Atavist ]

[Pernicious Atavist]

nahhhh.....i like old stuff, ways of doing things (within reason).

i was a historical reenactor for a couple decades--no military, but emulated mtn men then colonial woodsman types--and was a pr*ck for histrical accuracy. crossed a range of the rockies solo on horseback, snowshoed into quebec, covered lots of ground with a flintlock and a blanket, mostly solo. thus the "atavist."

the "pernicious" bit comes from doing such things solo.

i also published a number of articles on the topic in general and my own experiences, deisgned and did the pre-press work on a ~1k-page history book.

now my atavism is aimed toward boats. the new skiff is in fact named "Atavistic," both an ajective and an adverb in one. :cool:

oh-speaking of lady english profs--i teach high school english. :D

[ 11-06-2005, 07:24 PM: Message edited by: Pernicious Atavist ]

[Pernicious Atavist]

doesn't seem to have been very popular, huh? almost nothing online, or here, where i'd expect a lot of insight. reckon getting parts will be even tougher! :rolleyes:

[Pernicious Atavist]

doesn't seem to have been very popular, huh? almost nothing online, or here, where i'd expect a lot of insight. reckon getting parts will be even tougher! :rolleyes:

[Pernicious Atavist]

doesn't seem to have been very popular, huh? almost nothing online, or here, where i'd expect a lot of insight. reckon getting parts will be even tougher! :rolleyes:

[Victor]

Look it up in Speltz's The Real Runabouts. He had two, and he oughtta know. I guess it was popular enough, but since it was an inexpensive boat I imagine few buyers felt much compunction about keeping them up. What I really like about it is it'll do anything those overpriced bathtubs will do, except maybe go too fast for your own good. Like to see how many of them are still around 45 years from now. I can also remove just about any piece I like and work on it in the basement.

[Victor]

Look it up in Speltz's The Real Runabouts. He had two, and he oughtta know. I guess it was popular enough, but since it was an inexpensive boat I imagine few buyers felt much compunction about keeping them up. What I really like about it is it'll do anything those overpriced bathtubs will do, except maybe go too fast for your own good. Like to see how many of them are still around 45 years from now. I can also remove just about any piece I like and work on it in the basement.

[Victor]

Look it up in Speltz's The Real Runabouts. He had two, and he oughtta know. I guess it was popular enough, but since it was an inexpensive boat I imagine few buyers felt much compunction about keeping them up. What I really like about it is it'll do anything those overpriced bathtubs will do, except maybe go too fast for your own good. Like to see how many of them are still around 45 years from now. I can also remove just about any piece I like and work on it in the basement.

[Pernicious Atavist]

thanks, i'll check that out! the only "real" problem i found on my cursory inspection was in the lower bow where tapping on the hull gave me some sharp sounds like the wood is gone beneath. i'd have to remove the deck to replace the wood, if indicated. the owner says she wants to use it, so i may propose removing rotten wood and glassing the interior at that point to reinforce it and cleaning and coating the remainder with cpes. the exterior 'glass seems sound enough and may warrant adding a layer to the outside. the rest of the wood needs real tlc and will get cpes as well.

[Pernicious Atavist]

thanks, i'll check that out! the only "real" problem i found on my cursory inspection was in the lower bow where tapping on the hull gave me some sharp sounds like the wood is gone beneath. i'd have to remove the deck to replace the wood, if indicated. the owner says she wants to use it, so i may propose removing rotten wood and glassing the interior at that point to reinforce it and cleaning and coating the remainder with cpes. the exterior 'glass seems sound enough and may warrant adding a layer to the outside. the rest of the wood needs real tlc and will get cpes as well.

[Pernicious Atavist]

thanks, i'll check that out! the only "real" problem i found on my cursory inspection was in the lower bow where tapping on the hull gave me some sharp sounds like the wood is gone beneath. i'd have to remove the deck to replace the wood, if indicated. the owner says she wants to use it, so i may propose removing rotten wood and glassing the interior at that point to reinforce it and cleaning and coating the remainder with cpes. the exterior 'glass seems sound enough and may warrant adding a layer to the outside. the rest of the wood needs real tlc and will get cpes as well.

[Andreas Jordahl Rhude]

Hi, I wrote an article on CHETEK BOAT history for "The BoatHouse" magazine several years ago. It should be archived on the website: www.acbs-bslol.com (http://www.acbs-bslol.com)

I did extensive research and went to Chetek, WI several times, meeting with some of the former workers.

Is your Chetek strip built or plywood lapstrake?

Mr. Bob Speltz did own a Chetek cedar strip boat. This is the boat that was being restored by the Bob Speltz Land-O-Lakes chapter of the Antique & Clasisc Boat Society (BSLOL).I am the current president of BSLOL. I was part of the work crew. It is a long story, but our Board was under the impression that BSLOL owned the boat. Low and behold after several years we learn that a private individual owned it and he got a past president to agree to have the club restore it for him. After his presidntial term was up, the "sequence of events and truth" got lost. What a scam! In any event, the boat has been turned back to the owner and he apparently is going to start on it again this winter.

Chetek did make a bunch of boats for Monkey Wards, but they also made and sold boats thru a convential dealer network.

I will be happy to help as best I can. Contact me directly via email: ajrhude@aol.com

Oh, by the way, bless his heart, but the chapter on Chetek Boats in "The Real Runabouts" book by Bob Speltz is full of inaccuracies.

Mr. Andreas Jordahl Rhude

[Andreas Jordahl Rhude]

Hi, I wrote an article on CHETEK BOAT history for "The BoatHouse" magazine several years ago. It should be archived on the website: www.acbs-bslol.com (http://www.acbs-bslol.com)

I did extensive research and went to Chetek, WI several times, meeting with some of the former workers.

Is your Chetek strip built or plywood lapstrake?

Mr. Bob Speltz did own a Chetek cedar strip boat. This is the boat that was being restored by the Bob Speltz Land-O-Lakes chapter of the Antique & Clasisc Boat Society (BSLOL).I am the current president of BSLOL. I was part of the work crew. It is a long story, but our Board was under the impression that BSLOL owned the boat. Low and behold after several years we learn that a private individual owned it and he got a past president to agree to have the club restore it for him. After his presidntial term was up, the "sequence of events and truth" got lost. What a scam! In any event, the boat has been turned back to the owner and he apparently is going to start on it again this winter.

Chetek did make a bunch of boats for Monkey Wards, but they also made and sold boats thru a convential dealer network.

I will be happy to help as best I can. Contact me directly via email: ajrhude@aol.com

Oh, by the way, bless his heart, but the chapter on Chetek Boats in "The Real Runabouts" book by Bob Speltz is full of inaccuracies.

Mr. Andreas Jordahl Rhude

[Andreas Jordahl Rhude]

Hi, I wrote an article on CHETEK BOAT history for "The BoatHouse" magazine several years ago. It should be archived on the website: www.acbs-bslol.com (http://www.acbs-bslol.com)

I did extensive research and went to Chetek, WI several times, meeting with some of the former workers.

Is your Chetek strip built or plywood lapstrake?

Mr. Bob Speltz did own a Chetek cedar strip boat. This is the boat that was being restored by the Bob Speltz Land-O-Lakes chapter of the Antique & Clasisc Boat Society (BSLOL).I am the current president of BSLOL. I was part of the work crew. It is a long story, but our Board was under the impression that BSLOL owned the boat. Low and behold after several years we learn that a private individual owned it and he got a past president to agree to have the club restore it for him. After his presidntial term was up, the "sequence of events and truth" got lost. What a scam! In any event, the boat has been turned back to the owner and he apparently is going to start on it again this winter.

Chetek did make a bunch of boats for Monkey Wards, but they also made and sold boats thru a convential dealer network.

I will be happy to help as best I can. Contact me directly via email: ajrhude@aol.com

Oh, by the way, bless his heart, but the chapter on Chetek Boats in "The Real Runabouts" book by Bob Speltz is full of inaccuracies.

Mr. Andreas Jordahl Rhude

[Andreas Jordahl Rhude]

By the way, "Volrath Viking" is the steering wheel model. Volrath made steering wheels and I suppose they called that particular style the Viking. Volrath still exists I think and they are located in the Sheboygan, WI area. Terry Toilet, er I mean Kohler, was head of the firm at one time. He ran for governor (or was it US Senate?) of WI a number of years ago, and was defeated, and got all huffy and made a spectacle of himself. Nobody loves me.....yadda yadda yadda. What a loser!

[Andreas Jordahl Rhude]

By the way, "Volrath Viking" is the steering wheel model. Volrath made steering wheels and I suppose they called that particular style the Viking. Volrath still exists I think and they are located in the Sheboygan, WI area. Terry Toilet, er I mean Kohler, was head of the firm at one time. He ran for governor (or was it US Senate?) of WI a number of years ago, and was defeated, and got all huffy and made a spectacle of himself. Nobody loves me.....yadda yadda yadda. What a loser!

[Andreas Jordahl Rhude]

By the way, "Volrath Viking" is the steering wheel model. Volrath made steering wheels and I suppose they called that particular style the Viking. Volrath still exists I think and they are located in the Sheboygan, WI area. Terry Toilet, er I mean Kohler, was head of the firm at one time. He ran for governor (or was it US Senate?) of WI a number of years ago, and was defeated, and got all huffy and made a spectacle of himself. Nobody loves me.....yadda yadda yadda. What a loser!

[Victor]

Duh, what's the difference between strip and plywood lapstrake?

[Victor]

Duh, what's the difference between strip and plywood lapstrake?

[Victor]

Duh, what's the difference between strip and plywood lapstrake?

[Pernicious Atavist]

Thanks, Andreas! I'll give a cursory response here and email you as well.

The boat is cedar strip-built, not lapstrake. Shallow (narrow?)above the small spray rail, and 'glass below. It has the "Chetek" name in chrome on each side at the stern. From what I've seen online, this one looks shallower, but that could be my imagination. A small, wrap-around windscreen framed in aluminum instead of wood. THe boat's id plate is missing--so no numbers. etc. The owner may have it.

Any idea what model it may be?

[Pernicious Atavist]

Thanks, Andreas! I'll give a cursory response here and email you as well.

The boat is cedar strip-built, not lapstrake. Shallow (narrow?)above the small spray rail, and 'glass below. It has the "Chetek" name in chrome on each side at the stern. From what I've seen online, this one looks shallower, but that could be my imagination. A small, wrap-around windscreen framed in aluminum instead of wood. THe boat's id plate is missing--so no numbers. etc. The owner may have it.

Any idea what model it may be?

[Pernicious Atavist]

Thanks, Andreas! I'll give a cursory response here and email you as well.

The boat is cedar strip-built, not lapstrake. Shallow (narrow?)above the small spray rail, and 'glass below. It has the "Chetek" name in chrome on each side at the stern. From what I've seen online, this one looks shallower, but that could be my imagination. A small, wrap-around windscreen framed in aluminum instead of wood. THe boat's id plate is missing--so no numbers. etc. The owner may have it.

Any idea what model it may be?

[Andreas Jordahl Rhude]

I have a 1955 Chetek catalog and price list. The following models appear: 15' Fiesta; 14' Holiday; four sizes of Aqua-Flyer; four sizes of Explorer; four sizess of Navigator; 16' Great Laker; 14' Sportabout; and 14' Resorter.

All lengths are measured around the gunwale, not along the centerline.

Fiesta has varnished hullside above the spray rail with what appars to be planked decks with the white deck seams ALA Chris-Craft. Bottom is panted yellow. The Holiday has varnished hullsides above spray rail and decks (possibly plywood) and yellow painted bottom as standard. These two models are twin cockpit jobs.

The Aqua-Flyer has varnished decks only -- the hull is painted. It has a mid deck between front and rear seats but no decks around the motor well behind the reat seat.

The Exploerer has a fold down front seat backrest only. Decks are varnished.

The Navigator has a smallish deck and bench seats. The Great Laker has a deck and bench seats. The Sportabout and Restorter are basic open fishing boats.

A factory applied below the spray rail fiberglass option was availale on the Aqua-FLyer, Explorer, Navigator, and Great Laker.

If any windshields are shown they are either wrap-around Plexiglass or plate glass with chromed brackets.

I have never heard of Chetek placing any type of ID on the boats such as a hull ID stamped into the wood or a metal plate.

There are only 11 Chetek boats listed in the directory of the Antique & Classic Boat Society. I know two of them, one being the former Bob Speltz boat and the other a lapstrake.

Andreas

[Andreas Jordahl Rhude]

I have a 1955 Chetek catalog and price list. The following models appear: 15' Fiesta; 14' Holiday; four sizes of Aqua-Flyer; four sizes of Explorer; four sizess of Navigator; 16' Great Laker; 14' Sportabout; and 14' Resorter.

All lengths are measured around the gunwale, not along the centerline.

Fiesta has varnished hullside above the spray rail with what appars to be planked decks with the white deck seams ALA Chris-Craft. Bottom is panted yellow. The Holiday has varnished hullsides above spray rail and decks (possibly plywood) and yellow painted bottom as standard. These two models are twin cockpit jobs.

The Aqua-Flyer has varnished decks only -- the hull is painted. It has a mid deck between front and rear seats but no decks around the motor well behind the reat seat.

The Exploerer has a fold down front seat backrest only. Decks are varnished.

The Navigator has a smallish deck and bench seats. The Great Laker has a deck and bench seats. The Sportabout and Restorter are basic open fishing boats.

A factory applied below the spray rail fiberglass option was availale on the Aqua-FLyer, Explorer, Navigator, and Great Laker.

If any windshields are shown they are either wrap-around Plexiglass or plate glass with chromed brackets.

I have never heard of Chetek placing any type of ID on the boats such as a hull ID stamped into the wood or a metal plate.

There are only 11 Chetek boats listed in the directory of the Antique & Classic Boat Society. I know two of them, one being the former Bob Speltz boat and the other a lapstrake.

Andreas

[Andreas Jordahl Rhude]

I have a 1955 Chetek catalog and price list. The following models appear: 15' Fiesta; 14' Holiday; four sizes of Aqua-Flyer; four sizes of Explorer; four sizess of Navigator; 16' Great Laker; 14' Sportabout; and 14' Resorter.

All lengths are measured around the gunwale, not along the centerline.

Fiesta has varnished hullside above the spray rail with what appars to be planked decks with the white deck seams ALA Chris-Craft. Bottom is panted yellow. The Holiday has varnished hullsides above spray rail and decks (possibly plywood) and yellow painted bottom as standard. These two models are twin cockpit jobs.

The Aqua-Flyer has varnished decks only -- the hull is painted. It has a mid deck between front and rear seats but no decks around the motor well behind the reat seat.

The Exploerer has a fold down front seat backrest only. Decks are varnished.

The Navigator has a smallish deck and bench seats. The Great Laker has a deck and bench seats. The Sportabout and Restorter are basic open fishing boats.

A factory applied below the spray rail fiberglass option was availale on the Aqua-FLyer, Explorer, Navigator, and Great Laker.

If any windshields are shown they are either wrap-around Plexiglass or plate glass with chromed brackets.

I have never heard of Chetek placing any type of ID on the boats such as a hull ID stamped into the wood or a metal plate.

There are only 11 Chetek boats listed in the directory of the Antique & Classic Boat Society. I know two of them, one being the former Bob Speltz boat and the other a lapstrake.

Andreas

[Andreas Jordahl Rhude]

Victor, a strip built hull is made of smallish wood strips about 1/2 inch thick by maybe 1 1/4" deep. Most builders use a bead-and-cove profile so that the strips formed a tight seal with each other. The hullsides of these boats are smooth.

Plywood lapstrake is where the planking laps over the adjacent piece, sorta like clapboard siding on a house. Thompson and Lyman are prime examples as is the Chris-Craft Sea Skiff line.

In the power boat world, cedar strip built construction gave way to lapstrake in the mid 1950s. Laptrakes could handle the bigger outboard motors.

Chetek dropped their strip built line circa 1959, switching to lapstrake. Thompson Bros. Boat Mfg. Co. began making lapstrakes in 1904 but their greatest output up to the mid-1950s was in strip built hulls. These were dropped in 1956 in favor of lapstrake.

Andreas

[Andreas Jordahl Rhude]

Victor, a strip built hull is made of smallish wood strips about 1/2 inch thick by maybe 1 1/4" deep. Most builders use a bead-and-cove profile so that the strips formed a tight seal with each other. The hullsides of these boats are smooth.

Plywood lapstrake is where the planking laps over the adjacent piece, sorta like clapboard siding on a house. Thompson and Lyman are prime examples as is the Chris-Craft Sea Skiff line.

In the power boat world, cedar strip built construction gave way to lapstrake in the mid 1950s. Laptrakes could handle the bigger outboard motors.

Chetek dropped their strip built line circa 1959, switching to lapstrake. Thompson Bros. Boat Mfg. Co. began making lapstrakes in 1904 but their greatest output up to the mid-1950s was in strip built hulls. These were dropped in 1956 in favor of lapstrake.

Andreas

[Andreas Jordahl Rhude]

Victor, a strip built hull is made of smallish wood strips about 1/2 inch thick by maybe 1 1/4" deep. Most builders use a bead-and-cove profile so that the strips formed a tight seal with each other. The hullsides of these boats are smooth.

Plywood lapstrake is where the planking laps over the adjacent piece, sorta like clapboard siding on a house. Thompson and Lyman are prime examples as is the Chris-Craft Sea Skiff line.

In the power boat world, cedar strip built construction gave way to lapstrake in the mid 1950s. Laptrakes could handle the bigger outboard motors.

Chetek dropped their strip built line circa 1959, switching to lapstrake. Thompson Bros. Boat Mfg. Co. began making lapstrakes in 1904 but their greatest output up to the mid-1950s was in strip built hulls. These were dropped in 1956 in favor of lapstrake.

Andreas

[Victor]

Thanks for that info, Andreas. I believe mine is a Contessa, one of the larger models, built in 1960 as far as I know. It has a hull number plate, I believe. Varnished topsides, wood-framed windshield similar to the one above, painted hull.

Duh two, what's the difference between cedar stripped and carvel planked?

[Victor]

Thanks for that info, Andreas. I believe mine is a Contessa, one of the larger models, built in 1960 as far as I know. It has a hull number plate, I believe. Varnished topsides, wood-framed windshield similar to the one above, painted hull.

Duh two, what's the difference between cedar stripped and carvel planked?

[Victor]

Thanks for that info, Andreas. I believe mine is a Contessa, one of the larger models, built in 1960 as far as I know. It has a hull number plate, I believe. Varnished topsides, wood-framed windshield similar to the one above, painted hull.

Duh two, what's the difference between cedar stripped and carvel planked?

[Pernicious Atavist]

well, the chetek (as of yet unidentified) is with me now. it's not too bad, but the old trailer cracked the area around the keel just forward of the cockpit. someone tried fixing it by filling the area inside with goo. should be a fun project!

[Pernicious Atavist]

well, the chetek (as of yet unidentified) is with me now. it's not too bad, but the old trailer cracked the area around the keel just forward of the cockpit. someone tried fixing it by filling the area inside with goo. should be a fun project!

[Pernicious Atavist]

well, the chetek (as of yet unidentified) is with me now. it's not too bad, but the old trailer cracked the area around the keel just forward of the cockpit. someone tried fixing it by filling the area inside with goo. should be a fun project!

[Victor]

That's not the keel under there, that's just a skeg, I believe. Isn't it plywood on the bottom? I'd remove it and see what's underneath. I wish mine were a little smaller, I'd really like to turn it over.

So how bout that reenacting? Looks like fun, but I guess it can get expensive. Met a woman at the Hessian Baracks in Trenton who with her husband does both Revolutionary and Civil War reenacting. She told me about farbies.

Also met a guy working at a gas station wearing a really nice hat. Turns out he assumes the character of a German aristocrat who became a Confederate officer and had his arm shot off at Shiloh I believe. For the rest of his life he flew the Confederate battle flag at his home in Bavaria.

Speaking of the Hessian Barracks, it was a 7-mile march from Washington Crossing State Park to the Trenton Barracks. I guess it was a good idea to get there before the sun came up!

[Victor]

That's not the keel under there, that's just a skeg, I believe. Isn't it plywood on the bottom? I'd remove it and see what's underneath. I wish mine were a little smaller, I'd really like to turn it over.

So how bout that reenacting? Looks like fun, but I guess it can get expensive. Met a woman at the Hessian Baracks in Trenton who with her husband does both Revolutionary and Civil War reenacting. She told me about farbies.

Also met a guy working at a gas station wearing a really nice hat. Turns out he assumes the character of a German aristocrat who became a Confederate officer and had his arm shot off at Shiloh I believe. For the rest of his life he flew the Confederate battle flag at his home in Bavaria.

Speaking of the Hessian Barracks, it was a 7-mile march from Washington Crossing State Park to the Trenton Barracks. I guess it was a good idea to get there before the sun came up!

[Victor]

That's not the keel under there, that's just a skeg, I believe. Isn't it plywood on the bottom? I'd remove it and see what's underneath. I wish mine were a little smaller, I'd really like to turn it over.

So how bout that reenacting? Looks like fun, but I guess it can get expensive. Met a woman at the Hessian Baracks in Trenton who with her husband does both Revolutionary and Civil War reenacting. She told me about farbies.

Also met a guy working at a gas station wearing a really nice hat. Turns out he assumes the character of a German aristocrat who became a Confederate officer and had his arm shot off at Shiloh I believe. For the rest of his life he flew the Confederate battle flag at his home in Bavaria.

Speaking of the Hessian Barracks, it was a 7-mile march from Washington Crossing State Park to the Trenton Barracks. I guess it was a good idea to get there before the sun came up!

[Pernicious Atavist]

keel-skeg--whatever...it SEEMS to be glassed in-place, but i haven't really checked it out--thanks for the idea! it could be a real help if it is a seperate piece. i think i need to add another layer of glass, and it would be nice if that were out of the way.

my 'reenacting' wasn't the miliatry-type. i emulated woodsmen and made extensive trips (often solo and unsupported)living off the land using the period technology. the military reenactors risked only their wigs and--as you know--often slept in motels, not mud, rocks and snow....

[Pernicious Atavist]

keel-skeg--whatever...it SEEMS to be glassed in-place, but i haven't really checked it out--thanks for the idea! it could be a real help if it is a seperate piece. i think i need to add another layer of glass, and it would be nice if that were out of the way.

my 'reenacting' wasn't the miliatry-type. i emulated woodsmen and made extensive trips (often solo and unsupported)living off the land using the period technology. the military reenactors risked only their wigs and--as you know--often slept in motels, not mud, rocks and snow....

[Pernicious Atavist]

keel-skeg--whatever...it SEEMS to be glassed in-place, but i haven't really checked it out--thanks for the idea! it could be a real help if it is a seperate piece. i think i need to add another layer of glass, and it would be nice if that were out of the way.

my 'reenacting' wasn't the miliatry-type. i emulated woodsmen and made extensive trips (often solo and unsupported)living off the land using the period technology. the military reenactors risked only their wigs and--as you know--often slept in motels, not mud, rocks and snow....

[Victor]

Oh right, it's glassed. That's a whole nother kettle of fish. Do you think it was done at the factory or added later?

[Victor]

Oh right, it's glassed. That's a whole nother kettle of fish. Do you think it was done at the factory or added later?

[Victor]

Oh right, it's glassed. That's a whole nother kettle of fish. Do you think it was done at the factory or added later?

[Pernicious Atavist]

yeah, this was a standard factory buiold for this type.

[Pernicious Atavist]

yeah, this was a standard factory buiold for this type.

[Pernicious Atavist]

yeah, this was a standard factory buiold for this type.