Sunken Treasure

Owner – Rodger and Colleen Wright

Make and Model – 1966 Century Resorter

Power – newer GM engine

History –

  Unfortunately, I can remember more than a couple of times when I had to run one of my boats up on a beach to keep it from sinking to the bottom. (a few stories for another time) So, I have more than a little sympathy for the owners of a 1966 Century 17 ft Restorer after colliding with another boat on Hayden Lake, Idaho watching it slowly sunk to the bottom in 160 feet of water. This was in 1973. Fast forward 11 years when a diver, Tom Michalski, happened to see a ski rope floating up from the bottom of the lake where it was still attached to the Century. Marking its location. He returned two weeks later with his work boat and a crane to lift the boat up into the daylight.

    Tom had a cousin, Dennis Purdy, who bought the boat for 500 dollars and proceeded making many repairs to make it seaworthy. This included but was not limited to a newer GM engine as the original engine was severely rusted and could not be rebuilt. After the repairs Dennis took the boat over to the original owner and he donated the original paperwork. They stepped into the garage and hanging from the trusses was the original sliding soft top which was reinstalled with the original hardware.

    Dennis must have done an excellent job on the boat repairs as the Century was used on CDA quite vigorously, according to one of the Purdy family, for another 20 years. The boat was retired afterward as the bilge pump (also known as a side thruster) and battery were reaching their maximum duty cycle. The boat sat unused for another 4 years until Dennis’s brother, Don Purdy, persuaded him to take the boat to Portland for a total restoration. This project took 2 and a half years and lots of helpful advice from friends and a local restoration shop. Most of the wood was replaced including a plywood 5200 bottom, new frames, new side planks and coving boards. The added finishing touches came from a new interior. A new customized Ryan trailer made the package ready for the launch ramp.

    Dennis wanted to pay Don for the work and materials until he heard how much the materials cost were, so he just sent him the title to the boat which was now named the “Purdy Special” winning several trophies around the northwest.

    Don got an itch to build a gentleman’s racer, so he talked to Sid Young, who had some frames, planks and a keel ready to go for a new 26 ft boat. This was too long for the Purdy garage, so it was shortened to 22 ft. There were no finished plans so many telephone conversations, a few more trips to the mahogany store and 3 1/2 years later. I only mention the new boat to set the stage for the sale of the Century. (pun intended). Fast forward to 2017; Now there was no need for two boats so the Century was offered to friends and family until Roger Wright decided it would look good in his garage. So given its history Roger, appropriately named the boat Sunken Treasure. He and his wife Colleen have taken the boat happily to many shows and club cruises, but they are never going to Beacon Rock on the Columbia River ever again, says Colleen.

Your reporter at large,

Captain Tom

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Second Kiss

Owner – Bob and Wendy

Make and Model – 1953 Chris Craft Utility (U-22)

Length – 22ft

Power – 8 cylinder 275 horsepower Chrysler Marine Hemi

This boat was purchased in Seattle in 1953 with a standard MBL engine. The first owner repowered it with the current Hemi engine, giving it more power and speed. Jump ahead a few years, and the boat belonged to a 16-year-old boy. Bob has met the second owner, and his quote is that he “didn’t have a car, didn’t have a girlfriend, but he did have a hot boat.” The U-22 sat along the highway for years near Seattle, only to reappear in the Portland area. Bob purchased the boat in 2014 and had a trailer custom-built for the boat and length of his garage, with only 12 inches to spare in the garage. The engine was rebuilt in 2015. In 2016 a complete restoration began. “Second Kiss” runs well, is dependable, and has made several 50-mile trips.

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Blackthorn

Owner Name(s) – Tom and Margaret

Make and Model – Gentlemens racer

Length – 22 ft

Power – Ford V8

Description / History – The Boat was completed in 1998. Tom built this boat in a single car garage. He spent 18 months building it while still working full time. Needless to say, he only came into the house for food and sleep during that time period. The boat plans are out of Wooden Boat magazine titled Palmbeach 22. He modified the plans in regard to some of the deck aesthetics. He also made modifications to the framing as well. The deck is made out of African mahogany. Most of the rest of the boat was built using marine ply which was glassed over inside and out with 10 oz. cloth and epoxy resin.

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Classic Plastic

Boat Name – Classic Plastic

Owners – Jim and Sharon

Make and Model  – 1966 Century Fibersport

Length – 17′

Power – 390 Ford Interceptor 300 hp

History / Description – This 1966 Century Fibersport sold new in Seattle Washington. I aquired the boat in 2001 and after trying to get the engine to function the engine decided on a big no. Since I restore other peoples boats for a living it took me about 3 years to restore my Fibersport. My goal was to create a factory model that you could not buy no matter how much money you put on the table, So with thought this is what I created.

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Minnow

Boat Name – Minnow

Owner – Trux Dole

Make and Model – 1930 Dodge Runabout

Power – Original Lycoming straight 4 cyl – 40 hp

History / Description – “Minnow” was named by her original owner, my grandfather, Charles Minot ‘Minnie’ Dole, as his play on people’s inability to pronounce his name. One of a handful of 16′ Dodge runabouts left in the country, she is basically all original and lived most of her life in the back boathouse at our family’s Adirondack camp on on Spitfire Lake. I inherited her from my grandmother in the late 80’s, but for a variety of family politics she wound up sitting on a trailer in one garage or barn after another. From that time until last year, she did not touch water. After one of the longest restoration efforts ever (1995-2022), she has a new 5200 bottom by Snake Mountain Boatworks complete w/all new herringboned mahogany planking, a rebuild of the original motor by Henkel & Son, new upholstery by Jack Mayeaux, and new finish by yours truly. This labor of love has been a most therapeutic way to stay connected with my grandfather while also connecting to the amazing people and subject matter experts in the CWC club.

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Gossage Spirit

Boat Name – Gossage Spirit

Owner – Don Cameron and Sheri Feinstein

Make and Model – 1989 Fletcher

Length – 14′

Power – 40 HP Mercury outboard

Description / History – Hand-crafted by Fletcher Boats in Lancaster, Virginia in 1989. Purchased by Ellis Feinstein (Sheri’s father and Don’s father-in-law), who enjoyed its use for several years, then moved it to storage for about 15 years. In 2017 Ellis gifted the boat to Don and Sheri. It is a 14′ Speedliner Trophy Replica. The original Trophy models were popular during the 1940’s and early 1950’s.The name of the boat, “Gossage Spirit,” is in honor of Ellis, who grew up in a farmhouse on Gossage Street.

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Civil War

Boat Name – Civil War

Owner – Mike & Linda Stevens

Make and Model – Mullins Row Boat 1935

Length – 17′

Power – Oars

Description / History – This is a 1935 Mullins galvanized steel hull with oak wood ribs, fir gunnels and seats. Apparently it came from a member in the Okanagan region of British Columbia, Canada who balked at the price of professional restoration. It got passed around the Pacific Northwest from Mike Mayer, Dick Werner, and others to me for temporary ‘storage’. I had enough parts and pieces to rebuild her from the inside out and only had to purchase the gunnel boards, fasteners, and some of the paint. She’s a celebration of the University of Oregon and Oregon State rivalry.

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Nostalgia

Boat Name – Nostalgia

Owners – Mike & Linda Stevens

Make and Model – Hacker Craft double cockpit

Power – Crusader 350 CID About 250 HP

Length – 24.5′

Description / History – The Hacker Craft boat company is the oldest continuously operating boat manufacturer in the US. This boat was designed by John Hacker in the early 1930’s and is still produced today. Our boat was built in 2005 and was acquired from a previous owner in the Muskoka region of Ontario, Canada. I had to purchase and modify a trailer to pick her up in the fall of 2017. We love being able to take her out on the Willamette River where we have a dock. The electronic fuel injection is especially nice since we don’t have an old motor to fuss with.

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Mid Century Rumours

Boat Name -Mid Century Rumours

Owners – Mike & Linda Stevens

Make and Model – Monson Captains Launch

Power – Electric Yacht DC motor

Length – 16.5′

Description / History – This boat was built by Marty Monson of the Monson Boat Yard on Lake Union, Washington. The actual age is unknown, but my guess would be pre-WWII. We think she’s one-of-a-kind. She’s cedar planking on oak ribs with a mahogany keel and teak foredeck. Her life was spent in the Los Angeles/Newport Beach area of California actually working as a harbor boat. Original power is unknown but when I got her she had a Universal Atomic engine. The conversion to electric power was a decision made because I’m not an ‘engine guy’ and could never get the old things to run!

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Princess

Boat Name – Princess

Owner Names – Roger & JoAnn Rollins

Make and Model – Chris Craft Capri

Length – 19′

Power – Chris Craft KLC 120 H.P.

Description / History – These pictures display Princess the 1955 Chris Craft, 19 foot, Capri runabout that my wife JoAnn and I owned for approximately 20 years . Advancing age was the only reason for selling her after many years of enjoyment on Oswego Lake. Prior to our acquisition she was a multiple prize winner at the Lake Tahoe Concours de Elegance show, and the poster boat for the 1990 show. The restoration prior to our ownership was performed by the Tahoe Show’s chief judge Paul Mahus. Once purchased, we commissioned a second restoration by Dave Jerome and Jim West. Jim West continued to maintain her throughout our ownership. Highlights of our ownership include participation of more than 17 Classic boat shows in Portland, Tomahawk Island, and Lake Oswego; a trip to Priest Lake Idaho for the Dry Rot festival; and a winter long display at Portland’s World Forestry Center.

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Dream

Owner – Bob & Becky Brown

Boat Name – Dream

Make and Model – Homebuilt Triple Cockpit Barrelback – Glen-L / Ken Hankinson “Belle Isle” design.

Power – MerCruiser Scorpion 350 V8

Description / History – Having helped my Dad build a Glen Wooldridge designed sled boat in high school, I always wanted to build another boat. A visit to the Sierra Boat Company on Lake Tahoe in 2009 inspired me to make that next build a mahogany runabout. My family gave me the plans and work started in 2010. Progress was pretty good the first two years then work and other priorities interfered. After retiring in 2018, progress resumed and she was flipped in 2019 and taken for a test launch in 2020. The deck was finished in 2021 and several shakedown cruises completed. Upholstery and ceilings in the forward cabin were completed in 2023.

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Margaret's River Queen

Owner – Tom and Margaret Horn

Make and Model – Fantail Launch

Length – 23 ft

Power – Electric

Description / History – 2011 fantail launch, built by Schooner Creek Boats, fiberglass hull with wood deck and interior. Uses 12, 6-volt deep cycle batteries to power an Elco electric motor, direct drive. The controls use an inverter to give variable speeds and reverse. Over the last 4 years, I have been repowering, rewiring, refinishing and sewing up some new thicker cushions.

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Decked Out

Owner Name – Dick and Kristen Winn

Make and Model – Chris Craft Custom Runabout

Length – 17′

Power – Chris Craft 283

History Description – We are the 5th owners of “Decked Out” and have tracked down most of the previous owners. A proposal of marriage was made on the boat and we heard a story of the boat pulling 5 slalom skiers. “Decked Out” was a gift from Kristen’s brother, who sent it out from Michigan. We restored the boat, with help from Dave Jerome and Jim West, in our garage. The turquoise (original color) seats are a big draw at boat shows.

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G Whiz

Owner – Dick and Kristen Winn

Make and Model – 1959 Glasspar G3

Length – 14′

Power – Mercury 1000–“Tower of Power”

History / Description – “G Whiz” was headed to the Dump, when Tom Horn called Dick to let him know he could have a free boat if he picked up the Glasspar in Seattle that day. Dick returned with a shell of a G3, but with a beloved memory of his youth. We restored the boat with help from “Dr. Frankenmerc”, Jim West, Don Purdy and Ken Bakke. “G Whiz” recently won the “Boat of the Year-Non Wood” at the ACBS International Show in Couer d’Alene.

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Sentimental Journey

Owner – Dick and Kristen Winn

Make and Model – 1955 Century Coronado

Length – 20′

Power – Chrysler Hemi 210 HP, 8 Cylinders

History Description – “Sentimental Journey” is truly a barn find. A neighbor, who had observed our five-year restoration of the Chris Craft, told us that his Century should be our next garage project. Of course, we said “yes” and began the restoration with lots of help from Jim West. The Coronado is a perfect boat for its home port of Priest Lake, Idaho.

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Das Wasserauto

Owner Name – Frank Robinson

Make and Model – Dodge Watercar model 422

Length – 22.5′

Power – GM350 ci

Description / History – Manufactured in Detroit MI in 1928, this boat has been in my family since 1939. Originally powered by a 4 cylinder marinized flathead Dodge Brothers motor. My father installed a 1930s vintage Pontiac straight 8 flathead which I have replaced with a 350 ci GM motors that once powered one of the Crater Lake wooden tour boats before they were retired from service. All wood above the waterline is original 1928 lumber. everything below the waterline was replaced and strengthened to accept the higher power of the engine.

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Wood Duck

Owner Name – Jack Coulter and Cheryl Wyborny

Make and Model – 1962 TollyCraft ‘Roustabout’

Length – 17′

Power – Mercury 1150 outboard

Description / History – Wood Duck was complete, unmodified, and powered by the original Mercury 700 outboard when acquired in 2015. Suffering mainly from neglect, wood Duck required a few hull repairs, refinishing, and a new interior to get back on the water. The Merc 700 has now been retired in favor of a newer, more powerful, Merc 1150.

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PT-658

Owner Name – Save the PT Boat, Inc.

Make and Model – Higgins PT 625 Class

Length – 78′

Power – Mercury 1150 outboardThree Packard 5M-2500 V-12 Marine Engines

Description / History – For more information about PT 658 visit the website:

Save The PT Boat, Inc. PT658 Heritage (savetheptboatinc.com)

PT658 is a 625 Class Motor Torpedo Boat built at Higgins Industries Boat works, New Orleans LA. The keel was laid down 2-24-45, launched on 4-11-45. and completed on July 30, 1945. The boat was originally slated to be part of Squadron (RON) 45, which was never placed in commission. It consisted of 11 Higgins PT’s 649-660, and 11 Elco PT’s 773-784 and assigned to the Pacific Fleet.

Near the wars end in mid-1945, RON45 was scheduled to be “Lend-Leased” to the USSR. Several boats in the group (649 to 656) were already shipped to Russia when the transfer was halted; just before PT 657-660 were to be sent over. The Elco construction contract was also canceled at this time. PT657-660 had been moved from New Orleans to Seattle on an LST, where they would be piggybacked onto a transport ship bound for Russia. When the war ended (Sept ’45) PT’s 657-660 were in Bremerton, WA. ready to start their trip to Russia. PT 657 was sold in 1946 and was converted into a sport fishing boat. 657 is still operating today as the Malahini, in San Diego, Ca.

PT’s 658-660 were shipped to Pt. Hueneme, Ca. to be assigned to duty there associated with the Navy’s Pacific Missile Test Center at Pt. Mugu. PT 658 was assigned primarily to transporting USAF personnel and supplies to Santa Rosa Island where the Air Force had a radar base.

PT 658 was sold as surplus in 1958 to the Brown family in Oakland, CA and converted to a family pleasure boat. Eventually PT 658 fell into a state of disrepair and 35 years later was acquired by a group of PT veterans in Portland. OR and restored.

PT 659 continued to operate with the USN until 1970 when it was sold for surplus. It eventually was moved to Portland, OR where it was eventually scrapped with the remains supplied to World War II Museum in New Orleans for restoration of PT 305. PT 660 was accidentally sunk by a Navy Bullpup missile in 1968 while on picket duty on the missile test range at PT Mugu. The six-man crew, on board that day, received minor and some serious injuries but all were rescued and survived.

PT 658 is powered by Three Packard-Marine 5M-2500, V-12 Engines. These engines 12 cylinder, 4 cycle, water cooled, 60-degree, V-type with a 6-3/8” bore and 6-1/2” stroke, for a total of 2490 cubic inches of displacement. Each engine has 48 valves, 2 intake and 2 exhaust valves per cylinder, operated by a single overhead cam shaft for each cylinder bank. The cylinder compression ratio is 6.4:1 and the engines are fitted with a gear-driven centrifugal supercharger and intercooler. Fuel is supplied by a Holley 1685F aircraft-type carburetor, The engines develop 1850 hp at 2800 rpm. Maximum revolutions at 3000 rpm. Engine weight is 3100 pounds.
Four fuel tanks (2 forward tanks at 800 gallons and 2 aft tanks at 700 gallons each) with a total of 3000 gallons of 100-octane aviation gasoline (AVGAS). Range varied depending on overall operating speed. Typically, 12 hours or 520 miles could be expected with engine speed limited to 2000 rpm/35 knots cruising speed or 6 hours with maximum rpm/42+ knots top speed. The 700-gallon aft fuel tanks have been removed from PT658 as the two 800-gallon tanks are more than adequate.

PP-658 currently is docked in a boat house on Swan Island in Portland and is open for tours by appointment.

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