Paul_ACL
Member
Hi Everyone,
I just picked-up a 1955 Wolverine Wagemaker 16ft Semi-V hull with a 77 Johnson 35. The PO added a side console at some point. This boat was owned by one guy since 1956 and then he gave it to his daughter and son-in-law. He had added a front and back casting platform also. Amazingly the plywood is still solid although a bit dried out. I am planning on doing some quicker modifications this year so I can get some fishing in and then do a complete overhaul in the winter. I have been hanging out looking through all the different projects and reading up on the various threads on here for the past month. Gave me the idea and motivation to go out and buy a fixer-upper. I have no experience with this type of thing so it was definitely a leap of faith. I have seen the great feedback and advice that members have provided so I hope you all can help me past some of the more tricky parts as I work through this project. The steering cables and throttle controls are working fine. The motor was overhauled with new lines, ignition, water pump, etc.. It starts right up and runs like a top. I did run into a ventilation, high revving with loss of propulsion, issue when in rough waves. I did some research and found out that the converging ring was missing. Just got the new one and hammered it on. Hope it takes care of that issue. I have some loose rivets to replace on the hull and several holes above the waterline to fill...was pretty leaky on the water but it did come with a beat up bilge pump that kept us from having to bail. Transom is solid but feels dried out also. Thinking to go ahead and replace that too while the boats apart. Let me know if you have any suggestions or comments.
I just picked-up a 1955 Wolverine Wagemaker 16ft Semi-V hull with a 77 Johnson 35. The PO added a side console at some point. This boat was owned by one guy since 1956 and then he gave it to his daughter and son-in-law. He had added a front and back casting platform also. Amazingly the plywood is still solid although a bit dried out. I am planning on doing some quicker modifications this year so I can get some fishing in and then do a complete overhaul in the winter. I have been hanging out looking through all the different projects and reading up on the various threads on here for the past month. Gave me the idea and motivation to go out and buy a fixer-upper. I have no experience with this type of thing so it was definitely a leap of faith. I have seen the great feedback and advice that members have provided so I hope you all can help me past some of the more tricky parts as I work through this project. The steering cables and throttle controls are working fine. The motor was overhauled with new lines, ignition, water pump, etc.. It starts right up and runs like a top. I did run into a ventilation, high revving with loss of propulsion, issue when in rough waves. I did some research and found out that the converging ring was missing. Just got the new one and hammered it on. Hope it takes care of that issue. I have some loose rivets to replace on the hull and several holes above the waterline to fill...was pretty leaky on the water but it did come with a beat up bilge pump that kept us from having to bail. Transom is solid but feels dried out also. Thinking to go ahead and replace that too while the boats apart. Let me know if you have any suggestions or comments.