1935 32' Bristol Bay

[lchrisns]

I have the opportunity to purchase a floating Bristol Bay with (he says) a rebuilt 4 cyl Mercedes diesel, for $1,500. The boat is in fair shape (a 4 out of 10) but is in the water without any leaking. 6 inches in the bilge but looks like rain water from the winter storms (roof blew off).

I have been trying to find information as to dollar value of a boat like this, or overall value in the restoration market.

I was after a Columbia River Bowpicker but could not find a good base to start from. I have a retired shipwright that is willing to consult in the rebuilding. What is your collective opinion on having a Bristol Bay?

Chris
NW Coast.

[Yeadon]

This is an old gillnetter? A double-ender? Do you have any photos? Maybe there's a craigslist ad you could point us to? Sorry about all the questions.

[lchrisns]

yes, an old gillnetter, double ender. No ad as it is a private sale. I would like to keep it close to the chest for the moment until I fully understand what I have in hand.

Can you point me to any specific source that can provide value, historic or financial?

[C. Ross]

Welcome to the forum.

Your questions might suggest you are thinking about spiffing up and flipping this boat for a profit, as a collectible.

I'd be very wary of buying an old wooden boat as an speculative investment for profit. Wooden boats are a lifestyle, not an asset.

Apologies if I'm wrong and you are just gauging whether this boat is worthy of restoration. Others can say if this is a unique or historic boat, and if it is you should definitely get a survey to judge how much it is going to cost to restore. Certainly restoration will cost many multiples of the $1500 sale price, even if it is in very good condition.

[pcford]

The Center for Wooden Boats in Seattle has a restored Bristol Bay. (to original configuration) These have also been turned into yacht conversions.

$1500 is a negligible amount of money compared to what you have in it when it is done....whatever course you take.

[David G]

I'm no expert. Grew up in Astoria and fished on a bowpicker. Watched the fishery deteriorate... and a lot of boats along with it. The best of them were very well built, indeed. Afloat sounds good. Rebuild mercedes diesel sounds good. Water in the bilge, and roof blown off sounds ominous.

I'm just thinking out loud. Without fotos, it's hard to say too much. Not a boat I've paid a lot of attention to, though I've seen a couple restored. On one hand, the boat probably isn't worth a whole lot as is. Possible exception is the engine, if it really is recently rebuild, and solid. The ones I know, I believe they got the hulls for free. On the other hand, $1,500 is a drop in the bucket to what you're gonna spend putting her back into shape. If it's the boat you want, maybe it's worth it. Only you can say for sure.

Do you know what you're in for, in terms of time and money? These old girls typically need a lot. If you have a flinty eyed, realistic idea of the costs, and the resources to back you up if your estimate doubles or triples, then I'd applaud you rescuing this bit of history.

You might ask of the folks at the Columbia River Maritime Museum.


"Truly great madness cannot be achieved without significant intelligence" -- Henrik Tikkanen

[BETTY-B]

No roof? Or working bilge pumps? Wow. It really is your own call here. Especially since you dont want to show pics. Try and get the boat for free. Saving history and all....

DAN

[Yeadon]

Do you have any photos?

Do any of you forumites figure that a competent wooden boat surveyor could give a reasonable estimate for what a boat is worth? They could give an estimate for what it should be insured for, right?

I've seen gilnetters that are open boats, such as the one at CWB. And then there's that fellow up here who took an old gilnetter that had sunk ... then turned it into the most amazing little flybridge troller. The owner of that boat gave away postcards at the last CWB festival ... I'll have to look around for it.

[BETTY-B]

Here's a bowpicker that's been listed again and again in Tacoma:

http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/boa/731825006.html

[Kaa]

The boat is in fair shape (a 4 out of 10) but is in the water without any leaking. 6 inches in the bilge but looks like rain water from the winter storms (roof blew off).

I have been trying to find information as to dollar value of a boat like this, or overall value in the restoration market.

I don't think boats like this have a dollar value.

Most often they are given away free.

Sometimes the owner will pay to have the boat taken away.

Sometimes the buyer will pay some amount for the boat, the amount entirely depending on the buyer.

Kaa

[portsample]

Here's a bowpicker that's been listed again and again in Tacoma:

http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/boa/731825006.html

This is one of the old CRPA bowpickers from the Bumblebee plant in South Naknek. The seller (I believe) was the shipwright that worked across the river at the Nelbro cannery in the early 90's. This could be a really good deal for the right person.

[lchrisns]

update: the boat stills sits in the water, moored, waiting to either sink or be fixed. The owner does not live local and does not care anymore. The harbor wants it gone but the fees have been paid. I have been unsuccessful in getting any further than I had 1 year ago.

I will check in once I make contact with him agin in April.

[2MeterTroll]

depends on where its been for the last 60 or so years. down here they rot a bit but if its spent its life up north it could well be a diamond. some great old bow pickers out in the world.

[James McMullen]

Your money spent to get an expert's opinion on this will be far more valuable than the free opinions of us forumites who haven't even seen a picture! If this boat turns you on, invest in a little bit up front and pay a shipwright or a surveyor for a couple hours of time and he will be able to give you a much more accurate picture of what it will take to make this boat viable.

If the boat itself doesn't make you excited but you're just looking for an "investment". . . . . . well, you probably already know the realistic answer to that. Even brand new boats in perfect running order at ridiculously low prices are going unsold these days .

[portsample]

Here's a bowpicker that's been listed again and again in Tacoma:

http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/boa/731825006.html

Good news: I talked to Bob a little while ago and it looks as if his boat has found a new owner. Here is a link to his boat back in the day,
http://66.154.152.16/gallery/view_ph...tol_Bay_CWF_32

[lchrisns]

Ok, now 2.5 years later and I will follow-up. I took a good hard look at the boat, the potential cost of restoration, and the desire to have a 5 year project where my $ is not retrievable. I did not go after the boat and it was removed from the marina due to lack of port fee payments. The owner would not release the boat and I suspect it ended up in his back-40 with great visions attached to it. Sad.

Now, I am looking for a great source or resource for old wooden Columbia Bowpickers (gill-netters). Anyone?

Chris
LChrisNS@hotmail.com

[portsample]

"Legacy and Testament: The Story of Columbia River Gillnetters" Irene Martin. Washington State University Press. 1994

as well as, http://historicfishing.smugmug.com/

Cheers.

[AstoriaDave]

Chris, that site of Jon Norgaard's is my go-to reference, also. What a labor of love!

You might also contact the director at CRMM: http://www.crmm.org/

Sam has initiated a project to archive the lines and other facets of boats like that one and may have a line on "project" boats to your liking. You will find some in dry storage at Pier 39, my town; contact Floyd Holcom at the pier for ownership information.

[BETTY-B]

It's too bad the new historic fishing doesnt have a functioning search. The old one was super basic, but it worked anyways.

[lchrisns]

It's too bad the new historic fishing doesnt have a functioning search. The old one was super basic, but it worked anyways.

New year since last post but found a rebuilt 32' Bowpicker last year in Alaska. This is the boat that I really wanted from the beginning. It has been moved to Anchorage and I will go up in June to go through it. Appears to need new caulking on starboard side near keel, batteries, and hull paint. all else is rebuilt!

[Jay Greer]

I once owned a thirty two foot double ended Columbia River gill netter. "Sherry Lee" was powered by a one lung Hix engine and a small jib and main. She was tight seam planked with Port Orford Cedar and had her bilges filled with poured cement up to the top of the keel. She was a darn seaworthy boat! We sailed her all the way from Astoria to Newport beach CA when we bought her. We actualy sailed most of the way to save on fuel. I sure wish I had her now!
Jay