Crestliner Retro Boat Restorations
 Viewer Photos

1946 - 48 Larson Watercraft
12' Seaman

Restored by Lyman Hughes II

 
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9/30/02  most recent updates listed first

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9/30/02

Work on the Watecraft is going well. It is just a great little boat and am really happy to have it.  The motor I have for it is a vintage Mercury (50s era) so it should compliment it.  I brought home the cowl and transom corners  to have them polished professionally, and have found newstainless screws and fasteners.  Also having them polished (those that will be exposed).  I am even going to have some cushions custom made for the seats.  All in all it is progressing well.  If I only had more time at LakeVermilion. 
  
The pics of my boat reflect the progress on its restoration, i.e. paint stripping
completion, installation of new seating and new transom. 
6/14/02
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details of the Larson Watercraft "Seaman"
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Possibly the original oars?
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Posing for the holiday card

 After cutting & pasting into Lake Superior, the card was ready!

New owner, Lyman Hughes II comes from CA to pick up boat in Duluth, MN.
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Loading the boat



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Dennis says goodbye On the way to Lake Vermillion


 At Lake Vermillion, the work begins
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Lyman Stripping the paint


Boat is stripped, aluminum in good shape

Larson WaterCraft to Crestliner history, from American Dreamboats: An Illustrated History of Larson Boats ñ The Company, The Boats and Their Times by Laura Sommers, © 2000		 dreamboat2small.jpg (54523 bytes)
14' Seaman in upper right hand side , 1940's Larson catalog, from American Dreamboats: An Illustrated History of Larson Boats ñ The Company, The Boats and Their Times by Laura Sommers, © 2000

More information about Larson Watercraft
Larson Watercraft & Crestliner
by Andreas Jordahl Rhude

Other Links:
Bslol Member spotlight
About Larson boats
More Larson history

Steve Hurley's Larson Watercraft

 

6/14/02
1946-48 12' Larson Watercraft "Seaman"

The "Seaman" , formerly owned by us  found  a new owner, Lyman Hughes II, via this site!
 ~ Pamela/Dennis Matson

In October, 2001, Lyman Hughes II  emailed us that he was interested in purchasing a 12' Crestliner fishing boat or cartopper .

By November,  we found a 12' Larson Watercraft Seaman fishing boat, a rare find! It is one of the earliest boats made by Larson Watercraft.  According to Crestliner expert, John Monahan, it was probably  built between 1946 - 1948.  Larson Watercraft originated in Little Falls, MN in 1946 & was re-named Crestliner in 1955. With oak top & side rails, the boat was very unique.  We loved the boat, but since we already had a similar boat (see viewer p.7), plus another unfinished Crestliner runabout, we decided to sell it. We couldn't resist using it for our holiday greetings first, cutting & pasting us into a Lake Superior scene.  Next, we contacted Lyman in December, 2001 to see if he was interested.

Lyman agreed to buy it & pick it up in the spring at our Minnesota home.  Traveling from California to Duluth, he loaded the boat & transported  it to his Lake Vermillion place.. (about 3 hrs away from us). It was fun to meet a buyer & new friend all the way from CA.  Lyman has already stripped the paint, itís looking great. He'll be working on the new seats & side rails later this summer.  We look forward to more photos  & details  from him as he progresses.

6/02   Added Note:

The boat is numbered on the seats and on the aluminum hull  #K84.  This may be an  indication that it was a early production run.  I have been looking for a KE4A Mercury motor to compliment this boat.  The KE4A was built in '47 and is a 6hp motor. If not, I do have a restored Mark 7 Mercury that I can use on it.  My brother has already made the replacement wood seats; so next will be reproducing the splash rails. I think those might have to be steam bent. 

I am looking forward to resuming work on the Watercraft in August.  I should be able to complete stripping the boat and polishing it, and putting in the new seats. 

Lyman Hughes II
949-742-0738