mystery Florida built "launch" help with ID?

[VikingSailor]

Hello all.......having a bit of early "wanna get on the water" soon springish fever, and all our lakes here are still hard with ice, and my boats all still covered for the winter.....rising temps in the 50's over the next few days has my boat blood stirring though.....

I had asked this question in previous posts some time ago, but thought I would try again.....I have a bit of a "mystery boat" that I partially restored a few years ago, all mahogany little 14 ft open launch / rowing type. I would really like to learn more about it and the builder from Tampa FL, called "Akelburg Boat Works" or something similar....anyone every heard of this builder, or know where I might try to learn more about it?

The boat has a small decked area up front, live wells in the middle, and takes an outboard motor, and also has dual oar locks for rowing....the boat is beamy and heavy, seam and batten planked construction, very high sides, and through bolted lifting points on the foredeck and transom....I am guessing this boat may have been used on a larger yacht as a launch / tender, and lifted from the deck into the water......

I would like to learn this boats vintage ( I am guessing 1930's-40's, but really am not sure)....have had folks from our local antique / classic boat group look at it, but no one seems to have any knowledge.....have also contacted a few museums, etc, looking for info on the builder, to no avail as yet.....

Any suggestions? (I just tried to attach a few pics, but files are too large....will try to adjust and re-submit)

VikingSailor

[willmarsh3]

Hi, and welcome to the forum. If you can supply a picture that would help immeasurably in helping us to help you. You can easily put a picture on photobucket or similar picture hosting service and then post a link to it. Thanks.

[VikingSailor]

Thanks Will.........

See below link from Photobucket for some pictures of this 14 foot mahogany launch......

Looking forward to some potential identification help!!

Many thanks!!

http://s577.photobucket.com/albums/ss214/VikingSailor58/

[Thorne]

Looks nice.

http://i577.photobucket.com/albums/ss214/VikingSailor58/Jun23614.jpg

Have you tried contacting the builder?

[VikingSailor]

I have tried to contact them, via phone, mail, etc. but they are apparantly long gone and no one seems to know anything about them.....hence this posting! There is not a boat builder at this address in Tampa........

Would really like to learn more about this boat and the builder....

Going to be entering it in several antique boat shows this season, and would prefer to know more about the boat's age and builder details.........

Thanks!!

[Thorne]

If you don't get much information on this thread, try another thread (you can't change the name of this one) with the builder's name in the subject/title line. We have a number of Florida folks on the Forum.

Speaking of the builder's name, hard to say what it actually is, but maybe someone local will know?

http://i577.photobucket.com/albums/ss214/VikingSailor58/Jul06508.jpg?t=1236273757

[VikingSailor]

Thanks, Thorne.......

I would be very happy to post again, after I see if anyone here might have some info!!

I love a mystery, but not knowing much about this builder or boat, kind of bugs me!!

The boat is very cool, and has a wonderful history of my neighborhood neighbor who used to fish on Lake Erie with this boat for "blue pike" (cousin of the fabled walleye Erie is known for now) back on the 1950's.....I call the boat, the "Blue Pike Hunter".....like my Bolger Folding Schooner "Dark Star", names are part of the fun!!

It is in the low 50's here today, birds are singing, and spring "officially" arrives in 2 weekends, so things are looking up for all of us longing for the water and being in and around boats!!

Cheers!

[Meadowlarker]

Have you called the Florida Maritime Museum in Cortez? Ask for Bob Pitt, he is a wealth of knowledge for that area, 941-708-4935. Or the museum director, Roger Allen, might know something too, 941-708-6121.
Good luck, she's a beaut!

[VikingSailor]

Thanks for the contact info.........no, I had not contacted that museum in FL before, but I just emailed him......appreciate the suggestion!

Hopefully they may have heard of this builder in Tampa previously!

[Don Kurylko]

The name is spelled “Akelewicz”. It’s Polish in origin, if that’s any help. Pronounced: Akelewitch.

[VikingSailor]

Thanks, Don........do you know the meaning of that Polish word?

I tried to look up a translation online, but could not find anything....

I am hoping to hear back from the FL Maritme Museum folks I contacted Thursday about this boat......

Supposed to be over 60 here today........really need to get out on the water soon.......the ice on our lakes locally is starting to get mushy with the warmer temps......may have to drag a boat out over the weekend!!

Thanks for reading and the input, guys!

[pipefitter]

I have lived in Tampa for 27 years and never heard of the builder. I have worked with boats for the last 20 years here on/off. That section of West Shore Blvd is mostly small businesses, such as antique stores and residential, a school, some convenience stores etc. I will ask around though.

[Don Kurylko]

Akelewicz is the builder’s surname. Try the phone book - maybe something will turn up.

Good luck,
Don

[VikingSailor]

Thanks, Don........some FL wood boat folks are also doing some checking for me, hoping to turn up something about this builder....seems to be pretty much an "unknown" sort of company!

The mystery continues!

Thanks to all those who have helped / offered suggestions! This forum is great!

[Don Kurylko]

Try Googling the name too. You never know.