Retro Crestliner Discussion Forum

Homer · Joined: 08 Oct 2010 Posts: 5 Location: Dade City, FL

My wife and I just drove from FLA to Niles Michigan and back to pick up what was advertised as a '59 deep v fishing boat. What it turned out to be was a 17' '58 Flying Crest, with a '58 super seahorse 50 HP and a trailer original to the boat. I felt like a possible guppy all the way up since the pictures on e-bay only pictured a partially uncovered boat with little description. The gods were smiling and it turned out to be completely original 2 owner. Needs painting and re-chroming but everything is there and appears to be a great time capsule.
My first question is looking at the ’58 catalog I can’t tell the difference between a Flying Crest and an Explorer? My front light is different from the catalog and the rear running light is on the opposite side. But looking closely at the catalog you can see that the copy right date is 1957 so there were several changes including the stiffeners running along the side of the hull and the final chrome pieces are different.

lvflyncrest · Joined: 20 Jul 2009 Posts: 34 Location: Dubuque, Iowa

Hey, way to go on getting the Flying Crest!! I just have almost totally restored my '59 Flying Crest, ( I actually think it's a '58 registered as a '59)-- you'll love the boat on the water!! They handle great and are built to handle almost anything. Now, as for the difference betweeen the Flying Crest and the Explorer... they are the exact same body design, except in the Explorer's case for the roof it was Crestliners first foray into the fiberglass marketing.. so it was just the roof, nothing else.. infact you could take the name plate off of an Explorer and put it on a Flying Crest and not tell the difference as long as the roof was off. I personally am abit more partial to Flying Crests because I've been in an Explorer on the water and with the fiberglass roof on they can be cumbersome, but they still handl great on the water!! Good luck with your restoration!! Pat
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pj

'59 Flying Crest

lvflyncrest · Joined: 20 Jul 2009 Posts: 34 Location: Dubuque, Iowa

Hey, I forgot.. if you get a chance post some pics!!
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pj

'59 Flying Crest

Homer · Joined: 08 Oct 2010 Posts: 5 Location: Dade City, FL

Here are pics when I brought her back to Florida. Go to
http://funin58.shutterfly.com

lvflyncrest · Joined: 20 Jul 2009 Posts: 34 Location: Dubuque, Iowa

Way to go!!!!!!! It looks like a great boat!!! You'll love it! Most likely as with alot of these boats of this vintage, you'll have to replace the plywood floor, tighten up some rivets and maybe if you want seal the hull.. I think it's great that your saving this boat from a much worse fate! It is really complete.. Good Luck w/the restoration. Pat
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pj

'59 Flying Crest

OutBdNut · Joined: 27 Mar 2005 Posts: 593 Location: Minnesota

Nice find!
If that Fat 50 Johnson is a 1958, there was an upgrade kit to improve gas mileage. I thing the 59's came with the modification. If I remember right, it did something with the throttle linkage to change the timing advance characteristic. The 50s used much more gas than the later 60s and 75s!
Best thing you can do to improve mileage is get a lower unit from a 1960 or newer 60 or 75 HP V4 (avoid those with electric shift - takes a lot more to make them work on a 50). I'm told they bolt right up. They are MUCH slimmer/sleeker. The Fat 50 lowers are like dragging a big club through the water. You can post on the "Ask a Member" board at Antique outboard club's site for info on these items from the pros. Go to www.aomci.org
The 50s make a really cool sound when they are up and running on plane!
Dave
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57 Commander 12 Custom Deluxe 550
58 Commodore 14 Speedster (modified)
58 Cadillac Riviera 14 split deck
Dozens of old outboards

bean · Joined: 19 Nov 2004 Posts: 6

Very nice find!!!