[1970Columbia34]

I don't really understand what is going on with this bboat, but found it interesting when I was out making some site visits for work and thought I would share some pictures.

The grid work is like a 2" welded steel pipe around the whlole boat including the deck and cockpit. very odd.

 

[sailingdog]

They're converting to a Ferrocement boat..

 

[LookingForCruiser]

My first guess is that it's a sculpture. The sculptor is using the hull as a mold, and will now cut the sculpture in half, transport it to the installation site, and re-weld it together. Then he'll build the mast & sails at the installation site.

My second guess is that it's the marine version of "The Club".

 

[1970Columbia34]

Interesting idea on the sculpture, the amount of vines and stuff that are on the boat if thats the case he has lost his vision, and given up on the project.

 

[Gramp34]

It's the production molds (hull and deck) for a boat. The pipe framework supports the mold:

Based on the shape, it looks like something from the early 70s. Probably someone picked it up at a builder's bankruptcy auction years ago thinking they'd build themselves a custom yacht. (His wife probably told him to hide it somewhere.)

So, yes, it is a project opportunity. From the gelcoat up.

Tim

 

[sailingdog]

I don't think so...that one looks to have a deck and cabintop... Tough to use the mold if it is enclosed like that.

It's the production molds (hull and deck) for a boat. The pipe framework supports the mold:

Based on the shape, it looks like something from the early 70s. Probably someone picked it up at a builder's bankruptcy auction years ago thinking they'd build themselves a custom yacht. (His wife probably told him to hide it somewhere.)

So, yes, it is a project opportunity. From the gelcoat up.

Tim

 

[Gramp34]

I don't think so...that one looks to have a deck and cabintop... Tough to use the mold if it is enclosed like that.

That's molds, not mold. Someone put the deck mold on top of the hull mold. Makes them easier to move together, and protects the mold surfaces from the weather.

(Some builders would lay up a hull and not take it out of the mold before storing the mold outside. This would protect the mold inside surface from the weather. There's a story that when Migrator Yachts bought the molds for the Block Island 40, they found a hull inside... )

 

[merc2dogs]

I think I saw that a while ago, was doing some work in saginaw and kawkawlin, wandered over to check out the bay. (I'm a wanderer, if there's a direct route somewhere, I prefer finding a more interesting route) Remember trying to figure out what the deal was with it.

Gramp's post clears it up.

The only molds I've seen were for smaller boats, and the stiffening and supports etc were built up out of fiberglass and wood as part of the molds themselves. Now htat it's been pointed out, it's one of those 'duh' moments


Ken.

 

[fullkeel7]

I don't really understand what is going on with this bboat, but found it interesting when I was out making some site visits for work and thought I would share some pictures.

The grid work is like a 2" welded steel pipe around the whlole boat including the deck and cockpit. very odd.

It's sad to see passion lost, a dream unfulfilled, even if one tries it unconventionly out in a field. Luckily the passion lives on, in those who dare to be unconventional. Well, like these guys...YouTube - EDS airplane television commercial

 

[1970Columbia34]

Ken I see you are from west michigan, if you seen this you seen it closer to home we live in battle creek, but keep our boat in bay city where my wifes family is from. this boat/ molds was here in our area that the light there in downtown allegan head south and its about half way to copper or so on the east side of the road. I work for consumers energy and was out making some field checks and seen it, and thought it was interesting.

Scott

 

[merc2dogs]

That might have been it, I helped friends move to cassopolis a while ago.
Plus a cousin lives in my namesake town south of allegan.

Ken.