27 yrs old, never in water...pics!

**SEBASTIAN** · 03-19-2002, 11:30 PM

Hi!!!! Believe it or not...the guy left her in 1975. I Got her last year, 22' fir on oak the guy which whom I bought it from told me that is an "Alaskan Skiff", according to my research she's not,.. so if you know what it is GREAT!!
I would like to convert her into an open day sailer. But for the upcoming summer it'll be just fine to get her in the water with an outboard and next year work on the sailing rig (you will notice on the pics the inboard-engine that hasn't been sold with) So... as far as I know sanding will be first, some refastening ( square galvanize boat nails and galvanize bolts that seem in very good condition all over the structure) and...

what's next, since she's been for such along period of time out of the water...and looks very dry, all she had was a coat of linseed oil. Questions: It'll be perfect for epoxy

??...old wooden boat school

???... great sandbox for my kids

??? in other words what would you do. Many thanks fo your help.

**SEBASTIAN** · 03-19-2002, 11:31 PM

Originally posted by SEBASTIAN:
Hi!!!! Believe it or not...the guy left her in 1975. I Got her last year, 22' fir on oak the guy which whom I bought it from told me that is an "Alaskan Skiff", according to my research she's not,.. so if you know what it is GREAT!!
I would like to convert her into an open day sailer. But for the upcoming summer it'll be just fine to get her in the water with an outboard and next year work on the sailing rig (you will notice on the pics the inboard-engine that hasn't been sold with) So... as far as I know sanding will be first, some refastening ( square galvanize boat nails and galvanize bolts that seem in very good condition all over the structure) and... what's next, since she's been for such along period of time out of the water...and looks very dry, all she had was a coat of linseed oil. Questions: It'll be perfect for epoxy ??...old wooden boat school ???... great sandbox for my kids ??? in other words what would you do. Many thanks fo your help.

**SEBASTIAN** · 03-19-2002, 11:38 PM

hmmm!!! I think this will be better

...soorrryy!! StellaMarys

**PugetSound** · 03-20-2002, 12:03 AM

To heck with the sandbox, let the kids find their own boat. I would fix her up! If the hull is in generally good condition (at least it has been very well ventilated) then she'll make a beautiful launch. Does kind of look like there should be a deck though. Especially if you intend to sail her, the deck will provide much needed torsional rigidity. She looks set up for an inboard engine though. Putting an outboard on the transom may not be such a good idea unless you kept it small and mabey looked into reinforcing the transom. Even then, the balance will be off as the boat looks like it wants the engine right where it is. Shouldn't need very much to bring it up to hull speed anyway.

**Concordia..41** · 03-20-2002, 04:27 AM

As little as I know (which is very little) looks like that engine is right where it needs to be.

inboard-engine that hasn't been sold with

Does this mean you're trying to sell the inboard or that it wasn't sold with the boat???

If it's yours, don't do anything drastic like selling it. Moves like that are often the most regretted - and I could write a book on that subject.

**wolfietuk** · 03-20-2002, 05:11 AM

You have a great looking hull there but slow down. This could be a great boat but it still needs a lot of work. I have to believe that trying to get it into the water this summer with an outboard would be a mistake. At least you should finish the deck so the hull is complete. Puget is right about the deck being a structural part of the hull. Do not put your family on a boat that is structuarly unsound!!

The first thing you need is an overall plan. How is the deck built, where will the mast be located. If you put an outboard on will it mess up the transom and cause you more work later? The first thing to do is get it under some sort of cover and come up with an overall stragety. You have done without a boat thiss long have some patience. If you do not have the time, skills, or money to do this properly you should consider selling it and using the money to buy something you can get on the water quickly. If you are determined to do this welcome to the club, and good luck.

You have been given a fantastic gift, I can see a beautiful boat in this hull. A little time and patience and you will have something that you can pass to your kids and grandkids. Do not epoxy it. Search archives on finishing especially anything Bob Cleek has posted. Also look for CPES. Best of luck

Rick

**lumberdude** · 03-20-2002, 05:38 AM

What a great find! Keep us informed of your progress with status checks!!

That could turn out fantastic!!

lumber

**nedL** · 03-20-2002, 07:08 AM

Beautiful hull, love the lines! I will agree with all the above. - Forget the fiberglass idea, its the quickest way to put here in the grave before her time. I too would think long & hard before trying to put an outboard on her. An "Atomic Four" would be a perfect inboard for her, they built tens of thousands of them and they can still be readily found on the used market. Personally I think I would stay away from the sailing idea, the hull doesn't look like it would be very stiff in the water & there doesn't seem to be much lateral resistance (other than the dead wood aft). This would mean that you may need to add lots of ballast & a centerboard (I suppose you could add a ballasted keel outside, but she was never really designed to sail). She would be beautiful finished out as an inboard with maybe a small cuddy cabin up forward (couple of bunks). Take your time & enjoy! [img]smile.gif[/img]

**Bruce Hooke** · 03-20-2002, 07:47 AM

I can't tell you the exact design but she sure looks to me like a fairly standard inboard launch. A good launch is a very civilized mode of transportation...they get up to hull speed easily but there is no point in trying to go faster than hull speed (probably about 5-6 knots in this boat) because the hull shape won't allow it. With proper sound insulation around the engine you can cruise quietly along the shore watching the sunset and sipping on something cool. So, were it mine I would focus on trying to finish her off as an inboard launch.

However, if you are determined to try to make her sail it probably isn't completely out of the question since the shape isn't too far away from a decent sailing hull, although she probably won't be real fast. As others have noted you will need to find some way to get a centerboard or something equivalent onto her if you want to sail, which will likely be a substantial project since the keel will not have been designed to accomodate that. Then you will need to design a rig that balances with the underbody, so get out your yacht design books...

I suppose you could put an outboard on her but don't expect any great speed. As others have noted the transom will require some reinforcing to make this work. You will probably need to use a bracket for the motor because the transom is probably too high to accomodate a standard outboard.

**RGM** · 03-20-2002, 10:33 AM

Congradulations! It looks to me as though you have what's known as a "Poulsbo Boat"(pronounced "paulsbow" for the uninformed) or a variation of one. The boats were named after the beautiful little Scandinavian community on the West side of Puget Sound where they were built. It definitly deserves some further research. But that's what I'm betting on. If it's an original then it's a collector's item. Did the previous owner build it from plans or did he purchase it from someone? For a little bit of history on Poulsbo Boats, the builder and a look at a Poulsbo boat half hull check out www.winwoods.com . This guy builds wood knick knacks and half hulls in his wood shop in Hawaii, apparently he is attracted to Poulsbo Boats also. The original boats where available in lengths from 16' to 22' (how about that), fir on oak with a couple different power packages. I suggest that you DO NOT alter or screw with it in any manner. Altering the engine/location would be a diaster. They did indeed have decks on them. They are one hell of a boat and many people around Puget Sound and points farther North would love to have that boat. Me included. Do some research, if it is indeed a Poulsbo Boat (I'm pretty sure that it is)then finish it out according to the original plans and start taking it to wooden boat festivals. You'll get alot of attention and probably offers to buy it. If you would like a little more information on them first try the Musuem Of History and Industry in Seattle (206-324-1126) ask for the Marine History Dept. The old couple that run that are there generally only two days a week I think, they are very nice, very helpful, very knowledgable and somewhat forgetful. You'll find the experience rewarding in more ways than one. Good luck with your research you lucky dog. Great boat, great find.

**Donn** · 03-20-2002, 11:11 AM

I'd say RGM has nailed it dead on. The raised tumblehome transom is the giveaway.

- - - - -

Here's an 18 footer converted to steam.."Beaver" Bainbridge Island

- - - - -

This is a .pdf file with a nice pic of a 16' Poulsbo, repowered with an electric motor

www.smallboatforum.com/PDFfiles/cwbboatfestival.pdf

- - - - -

This might be a good place to research them:

July 27, 28th, 2002 (not firm)
Event: Poulsbo Boat Rendezvous
Location: Port of Poulsbo Marina
Details: A collection of classics built from 1933 to 1965 ( a few new ones!). Take pleasure in seeing 16 ' to 20' Wooden Boats built for the fishing camps in this area, most by Ronald Young (about 900 boats) in his shop in the Young building on Historic Downtown Poulsbo waterfront.
Parade of Boats on Liberty Bay 2pm. Boat & equipment sale, free rides- Poulsbo Skiffs!!!!

Beautiful boat!

**RGM** · 03-20-2002, 12:55 PM

For Dave, Yah sure ya betcha. Nice job on the research donnwest. They are beautiful little boats, better appreciated when seen up close.

**SEBASTIAN** · 03-20-2002, 10:45 PM

Thank so much for the advices, I am relly enjoing this forum. Unfortunatelly the inboard engine wasn't sold with the boat, it really does go there. I am discourage of not been able to turn her into a sailboat, but in the other hand for what I've read it saunds like a crime not to respect her pedigree, it is a really beautifull boat... but I like to sail...
Thanks again! Sebastian

**RGM** · 03-21-2002, 02:07 PM

Respecting the pedigree and design is the proper thing to do. However, all is not lost, you might be able to trade it to somebody for a sailboat that suits your needs or sell it out-right for cash. This forum is not the proper place to do that, it's against the rules. Try advertising it in any of the PNW boating periodicals and see what happens. I'll try to come up with a phone number for a Poulsbo Boat interest group. Good luck.

**plimsol** · 03-25-2002, 12:49 AM

Sebastian,
Having restored several Ronald Young built Poulsbo Boats, I will advise you not to try and convert it to a sailboat. Poulsbo Boats are designed to be motor boats for salmon fishing from resorts. They are not built to be sailboats. The backbone and framing of a Poulsbo Boat is very light and flexible. Adding a keel and rig will just pull the boat apart. The amount of time and money you will spend doing the conversion would be better spent on restoring a real sailboat.
A 22' Puulsbo Boat is a very rare speicmen. It is rumored that several were built for hand trolling in Alaska but no examples exist. So if this is one, keep it as it is.
A monograph concerning the boats was published by the Center for Wooden Boats and is out of print. the monograph is a concise history of the boats. The plans for the 16' standard hull, has serious errors in it, as the lines were taken from a hogged boat and were not corrected.
Keep searching and find a great sailboat.

**Walcheren** · 03-27-2002, 10:25 PM

Hello Sebastian. What a find. About 10 years or so ago I bought the Center of Wooden Boats' publication about the Poulsbo Boat in a second hand store. I thought I might build one some day, I liked it so much. After two Wee Lassie's and a catspaw I started this summer with lofting and now I have the first 6 planks on. I am so glad to hear about this boat. This thanks to AERIII from Seattle who pointed out this site to me. I will keep a close tap on this and might have more questions myself. Please look up "painting a small cedar dinghy" under Walcheren. For propulsion I will be using a 8 HP Kohler which came out of a similar boat with a Hurth transmission I bought second-hand from someone in Missouri whom I got to know through Ebay. What a world. Dirk

**Walcheren** · 07-08-2002, 11:05 PM

Sebastian. I was in Bremerton a few weeks ago and visited someone who has been repairing Poulsbo Boats for many years. I got his name from Dick Wagner of the Center of Wooden Boats. He has a 1946 model in his yard. I spent an evening and a Sunday morning looking and discussing the boat. As well we went through many but certainly not all, his photo albums related to Poulsbo boats. I then went to Port Townsend to talk to people in the marina there about the boat and its engine. They all new about her and I picked up a lot of information. I asked the gentleman I visited whether he would mind if you contacted him. He said no problem. So if you or anybody else is interested in the Poulsbo Boat, he is a real source of information. Let me know if you are interested and I'll get you in touch with him. Dirk

**gary porter** · 07-09-2002, 12:27 PM

RGM, Walcheren, or anyone, do you know what these boats were traditonally powered with?

**RGM** · 07-09-2002, 12:40 PM

Gary, Wisconsin engines for the most part I believe. I could be wrong. I think there might have been a few options. I think some engines might have been air cooled, some may have been water cooled and had heat exchangers.

**Walcheren** · 07-09-2002, 11:25 PM

Hello again. The boat I saw in Bremerton had an original 3 H.P. Wiscounsin.(1946) I'll be using a 8 H.P.Kohler single cylinder aircooled engine (1968) which came out of a similar boat. My exhaust will go up.( not sideways dry or water cooled or down through the bottom. I'll be using a Hirst transmission (20 lbs) which I bought via E mail so I can at least slow down and maybe go backwards a little bit. Dirk.

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