14' Larson/crestliner rest started today.

[scot-marechaux]

I bought this 14' Larson/Crestliner a couple years back and am starting to work on it today. I removed the aluminum deck and the remains of the rub rails. I have 15 foot 5/4 mahogany to replace them with and the transom and dash. the seats look to be redwood and original rails look to be oak. boat hull # is b6917. age? Scot

 

[LDUBS]

Nice boat. Great that you have the windshield.

 

[mbullen]

Nice find! "B6917" is most likely 1954. It's a Commodore B Decked Speedster.
I say 'most likely' because it's a bit of a guessing game for vintage Crestliner. The factory records are lost to the ages and most sleuth work is by crowdsource.
The now-archived registry has several B models in the serial range of B7xxx registered as both 1954 and 1955. Your 6917 is obviously earlier than the 7xxx's which speaks to the earlier date.
Additionally, the wooden gunnels were largely done by 1955 and relegated to options. (Oak splash guards were also optional, fwiw).
Also, having Larson on the corner caps and on the upper left of the decal speaks to the earlier of the two years -although both of those clues were transitional in 54-55.
1956 introduced a whole list of differences so it's definitely earlier than that.
1953 was badged as "Larson Watercraft". No "Crestliner" yet, so definitely later than that.
Ultimately, that leaves '54 and '55. If I were to wager, I'd put money on 1954.

 

[scot-marechaux]

Nice find! "B6917" is most likely 1954. It's a Commodore B Decked Speedster.
I say 'most likely' because it's a bit of a guessing game for vintage Crestliner. The factory records are lost to the ages and most sleuth work is by crowdsource.
The now-archived registry has several B models in the serial range of B7xxx registered as both 1954 and 1955. Your 6917 is obviously earlier than the 7xxx's which speaks to the earlier date.
Additionally, the wooden gunnels were largely done by 1955 and relegated to options. (Oak splash guards were also optional, fwiw).
Also, having Larson on the corner caps and on the upper left of the decal speaks to the earlier of the two years -although both of those clues were transitional in 54-55.
1956 introduced a whole list of differences so it's definitely earlier than that.
1953 was badged as "Larson Watercraft". No "Crestliner" yet, so definitely later than that.
Ultimately, that leaves '54 and '55. If I were to wager, I'd put money on 1954.

great info and much appreciated.
part of why I bought it was the good condition of the wind shield.
that would have made me one year old when the boat was built. it will be the third crest liner I have.

 

[mbullen]

great info and much appreciated.
part of why I bought it was the good condition of the wind shield.
that would have made me one year old when the boat was built. it will be the third crest liner I have.

Awesome tinnies! I have a couple myself - both also Commodores.
I have a '56 and a '59, both Decked Speedsters but both produced in the Strasburg, Virginia plant. (noted by the suffix "H" on the serials)
Keep us posted on the progress!

 

[scot-marechaux]

Nice boat. Great that you have the windshield.

original seats seem fairly good too.

 

[scot-marechaux]

I think they are savable and i do have some redwood stock.

 

[scot-marechaux]

I decided to use oak for the gunnel rails as was original on this 1954 boat. I got the inner and outer pieces cut and started the steam bending process after a couple of you-tube videos. All went well and I should be installing them tomorrow.

 

[airshot]

Cool little boat !! Anxious to see it finnished !!

 

[LDUBS]

Me too. I'm looking forward to watching this restore.

 

[scot-marechaux]

I bought this 14' Larson/Crestliner a couple years back and am starting to work on it today. I removed the aluminum deck and the remains of the rub rails. I have 15 foot 5/4 mahogany to replace them with and the transom and dash. the seats look to be redwood and original rails look to be oak. boat hull # is b6917. age? Scot

I have the commodore mostly done. our 20 acre lake is electric power only so we have a trolling motor on it. I just purchased a 1956 Johnson 15 hp that was rebuilt by a marine motor mechanic. I am going to install it and the steering wheel next. I have to get smarter on how the cables are done as the is nothing left of the original install. I got the boat and trailer registered so we can go to some local lakes for vintage motoring outings.

 

[LDUBS]

Those new steam bent gunnel rails worked out well.

 

[scot-marechaux]

Those new steam bent gunnel rails worked out well.

they did. not as difficult as you might think. just plan each step.

 

[scot-marechaux]

I bought this 14' Larson/Crestliner a couple years back and am starting to work on it today. I removed the aluminum deck and the remains of the rub rails. I have 15 foot 5/4 mahogany to replace them with and the transom and dash. the seats look to be redwood and original rails look to be oak. boat hull # is b6917. age? Scot

a little more progress on B6917. here is a link to my flickr photo album of the boat. 1954 crestliner 14 commodore I picked this up today at an estate sale. 1957 cd-14 Johnson 5.5 hp.

 

[Drummerman]

a little more progress on B6917. here is a link to my flickr photo album of the boat. 1954 crestliner 14 commodore I picked this up today at an estate sale. 1957 cd-14 Johnson 5.5 hp.

Great photo album! Love the jig you built for bending. How did you establish the radius?

 

[scot-marechaux]

Great photo album! Love the jig you built for bending. How did you establish the radius?

one of the gunnel rails was intact so I used it for a pattern. made it a lot easier.

I bought this 14' Larson/Crestliner a couple years back and am starting to work on it today. I removed the aluminum deck and the remains of the rub rails. I have 15 foot 5/4 mahogany to replace them with and the transom and dash. the seats look to be redwood and original rails look to be oak. boat hull # is b6917. age? Scot

video up date.

 

[scot-marechaux]