1958 Elgin 14’ Wooden Boat, 35 HP Evinrude, Trailer
I am not a lover of the water, or boating, for that matter. But I recognized the beauty and enjoyment offered by this lovely watercraft and had to pursue it. My hope is that it will land in the hands of someone who has the time and skills to enjoy it. It is in wonderful condition and is ready to be enjoyed.
The woman who sold it to me was in love with this little craft. But she was in a bitter custody battle for her daughter and loved her daughter much more than the boat. I hope the cash helps win the battle.
She hadn’t owned it but a couple of years. And during that time had invested a lot of money into improvements and maintenance. The keel was restored and coated by a top wooden boat specialty shop. The 35HP Evinrude Big Twin was completely gone through by one of the best in the business. The prop is stainless steel and new. The boat was in the water the day I purchased it. It is proven and capable.
The keel was epoxy coated. The motor received a complete tune up, new recoil, carburetor overhaul, fuel system refurbishment and a new battery. It starts easily and runs great.
This boat has Electric Start. It also has inboard controls , a steering wheel and a plexiglass windshield. You will also find a bilge pump, horn, lights, can holders and reupholstered seats. The bolsters are chrome plated. It could seat six, but that might be a big load. The anchor and rope are new. There is a fire extinguisher, dock bumpers, swim ladder and a pair of life vests. It even comes with an American Flag.
The Evinrude motor is a two stroke. So you can expect it to emit some blue smoke and fumes. But it is perfectly period correct. It is a 1958 model. While it is not powerful enough to tow a skier, it is will certainly motivate this craft around the lake. The combination of the boat and motor is simply perfect.
The trailer is much newer and it is titled. It has bunks. It is only ten years old and is in great condition. The tires are good and there is a spare. There is a winch on the front. There is a jack with wheel foot. The lights work and the wheel bearings were recently packed...
If you are not familiar, the Elgin line of boats, motors and trailers were sold by Sears, Roebuck and Co. in the 50’s and early 60’s. You could order from the catalog and have it shipped to you. Some assembly was required. This offered people the opportunity to get into the hobby at a modest cost. The boats and motors were supplied by major manufacturers and rebranded as Elgin. More history and information is available online. Just do a search.
This particular boat has always been in the Illinois and Southern WI area. There is a folder containing quite a bit of ownership history. Recent maintenance receipts will also be supplied. The registration is current and good through 2023.
This is a very attractive outfit. It is completely ready to be enjoyed. The boat was in the water a couple of time already this year, so the wood is swollen and leakage will be minimal. The motor was serviced in the past year and only needs to have a full tank of mixed gas. The battery is brand new. The trailer tows very easily and is prepared for the journey.
If you want to tool around the lake in a fun, reliable, nostalgic and GREAT looking boat, this is just what you need. The cost is very reasonable, especially considering the cost of preparation.
