Info 1956 Berglund

[1Perry]

I'm not sure if this is the place for this or how well something like this goes over as a first post, but, here goes. LOL

I know very little about old wooden boats but I've admired them forever. I ran across one this weekend that I'd really like to make my first. (Yes, I realize they can be a ton of work). I've not been able to find much info at all on Berglunds other than they didn't make many of them.

It's a 1956 never restored boat. Water worthy. Owner is a 72 year old boat mechanic and he bought it off the original owners family. Outboard runs excellent. (so he says). It is currently registered. Any info would be appreciated. Model? Appx value?

THANKS!!

[Tom Hunter]

Re: Info 1956 Berglund

Nice boat

You can get more information from these people:

http://www.acbs.org/

If you love the boat, buy it. Owning a boat is about being happy.

She will take a fair amount of money or time or both to maintain. That may suprise you, and it's more important than getting the right price on the day you buy her.

Good luck

[AndreasJordahlRhude]

Re: Info 1956 Berglund

I was hoping there would be some information on Berglund in the Bob Spletz book "The Real Runabouts" Volume IV. Alas, there is not. Not even one listed in the Antique & Classic Boat Society Directory.

I have definately heard about this builder. Can't recall where or when.

The Evinrude Lark outboard was the top of their line, in terms of styling and electric start, etc... Parts are available. www.aomci.org is a great place to learn about vintage outboard motors.

Andreas

[1Perry]

Re: Info 1956 Berglund

Thanks for both of the replies. I do realize that a boat like this isn't kept up on the cheap. I'm restoring a 56 Pontiac Chieftain at the moment so the boat would likely stay as-is for awhile.

He says that it can be used as she sits though. What's the actual use you could get out of something like this as-is. I have a thing about things only being original once and if it would be something I could use for light use 4-5 times a summer I'd like to leave it original. (I live on the Ohio River which is where it would be used) (well 5 blocks from the Ohio River).

[Tom Hunter]

Re: Info 1956 Berglund

I grew up with a 1928 Chris Craft cadet, and a 1930 Hutchinson 26' footer that my father kept until he died. My grandfather had a much smaller Pen Yan that went to some cousins.

She looks well maintained, and if the current owner is honest she can probably go right in the water and out for a ride. You should still get a survey before buying, talk to the folks at ACBS to find a knowledgeable surveyor in your area.

The maintaniance issue is about prevention of problems down the road, not fixing problems now. You will want to give her one or two coats of varnish almost every year.

If you put a cover over her then the outside will need two or three coats a year, the inside may be able to get away with one, two or none depending on how often you use her and how she is stored.

If you keep her in a garage and use her a few days each summer you can get by with a coat or two every other year.

The main things is, don't fall behind. If you do the varnish will crack, alligator, peel and lift. Then you will have an ugly, grey, decaying boat. That boat will be harder to love, and the downward cycle starts there.

Don't ever let her sit outside in the rain, or uncovered in the sun.

Maintaniance can mean your time and a a couple hundred dollars worth of varnish and sandpaper, or it can mean someone elses time which will run you a few thousand. Your call, but if you have no time and no money let someone else buy the boat.

If there are problems they are likely in the bottom, finding that is what the surveyor is for. But if she is in good shape she will make a wonderful toy. If you are the type of guy who can handle the Pontiac then you can handle this. Just have a two bay garage.

The obvious play here is driving up to the boat show towing the Berglund with the Pontiac. If you do that I want pictures, and so does everyone else on the forum.

Edit: If you keep the varnish up, you can use the boat pretty much all the time. Ours went out several times a week most of the Summer. They are boats, not ancient relics. You just need to stay on top of them.

[1Perry]

Re: Info 1956 Berglund

Just have a two bay garage.

There is the major reason I'm researching right now as opposed to buying. My Pontiac is all over the garage (Not really big enough for both anyways) and I'm researching my storage options.

The obvious play here is driving up to the boat show towing the Berglund with the Pontiac.

That would be my goal. And the fact, that the boat is simply beautiful on it's own.

[Tom Hunter]

Re: Info 1956 Berglund

finally, if I were looking for trouble spots I would look at the places with new caulk at the stern and also right about amidships. It looks as if some screw holes may have been plugged with caulking, and there may be some other problems.

None of these look huge, but I am only going from that pictures, that is where I would look.

[Scott Rosen]

Re: Info 1956 Berglund

Pretty boat.

The stuff at the transom looks kinda scary. The topside appear to be plywood. I'd have someone check the "hood end" of the topsides before you commit. That's just the kind of place where water can seep into the plywood endgrain and wreck havok.

Also the chines. I can't tell from the photos, because they're painted.

[AndreasJordahlRhude]

Re: Info 1956 Berglund

It's your lucky day. I was paging thru the May 10, 1958 issue of "Boating Industry" magazine and came across the following:



Hope this helps!

Andreas

[1Perry]

Re: Info 1956 Berglund

Thanks, that appears to be the same boat only less of it. So mayb emy guess on length was off a little.

[AndreasJordahlRhude]

Re: Info 1956 Berglund

How do you like those "lawn chair" seats??!!

Andreas

[1Perry]

Re: Info 1956 Berglund

They would be easy to recover!

[alannie]

Re: Info 1956 Berglund

My name is Al Black. My father was Bob Berglund's partner in the manufacturing company Berglund and Black Boat Co. I worked part time in the factory from about 1954 to about 1960 when the production of Berglunds ceased. I don't have any paperwork to answer questions re serial numbers, models, etc., but would be glad to answer any questions that I can.
Al

[ddw1668]

Re: Info 1956 Berglund

I worked with Al Black for his father, Hugh Black and his business partner, Bob Berglund back in the day. These boats were terrific little performers and were head and shoulders better than their fiberglass rivals of the time. I can still smell the fresh sprayed varnish that looked like glass. Probably should have worn a respirator as I now own 8 boats and it is clear that some brain cells were sacrificed to the god of wooden boats...........

Dan Weaver

[elkdds]

Re: Info 1956 Berglund

I too have just become the owner of a 1959 Berglund. Slightly different model ( more gauges bells and whistles) but same two-tone exterior wood. As far as value, my insurance agent contacted wood boat specialty insurer Haggerty. While they were not specifically familiar with Berglunds, they were comfortable insuring the boat only at $4000.
This boat has not been in the water for 37 years but luckily had good dry storage the whole time. The only thing I've done so far is remove the inside floor decking to inspect and clean the bottom from the inside. So far so good.
This is my first wooden boat but have always admired their classic beauty. Hopefully it will be cruising Pool 19 on the Mississippi River next summer. When the restoration gets under way, I'll start my own thread because I know I will have lots of questions and post lots of pictures.
To Al and Dan, I'm sure I'll be in contact because I'd like to know as much as possible about the history of the company. They sure made a beautiful boat.
Step 1 is getting the Mercury Mark 78A off the back and trying to bring it back to life. Don't know if I want the headaches with this motor but it is good looking and I'll try to keep everything as original as possible.

Ed Kircher Keokuk, Iowa