TOPIC: 1971 Glasspar Newport Cruiser

Hello All,

New to the site. Please meet my new to me 1971 Glasspar Newport Cruiser.
I realize it's a Larson product and not loved as much as the pre 1968 Glasspars. Still, I've not found another one like it and I'm smitten. I promise to stick to the 70's site in the future.


I made a down payment on the boat back in early May but was not able to close the deal until Labor Day weekend as it was in Canada and the border has been closed.

Back story: The boat is a survivor, apparently spending the majority of its life on Lake of the Woods in Canada. It was apparently pampered, staying in a boat house when not in use during the short boat season and in a garage during the cold months. The gentlemen I bought it from, (has become a friend over the last 6 months) has owned it since 2018. He suffered an engine failure in 2019, lost interest and left it outside. So, it now needs some help, but it's all there.

Details: Built in Minnesota, it's 20 ft long, and is powered by a Mercruiser 215E, with twin 18 gallon Tempo saddle style tanks. Engine is Ford 302 (351 heads stock) and the outdrive (looks massive) turns a 19 inch prop at a 2:1 ratio and appears to be a predecessor of the Bravo series drives. The engine failure turned out to be a dropped exhaust valve (stem broke) in cylinder #4 which destroyed the piston. It appears the cylinder and head seemed to survive pretty well. Machine shop will confirm.





Original upholstery, seats, cushion etc is in pretty good condition along with steering wheel, gauges etc. Includes original Porta-Potty, built in Ice Box and Cooler. The rubber/vinyl flooring needs help. Any advice is appreciated. Has the original full vinyl top although the recent winters have damaged it, so I'll be looking for help to recreate it.





Finally, it rides on its original Holsclaw trailer which towed well on the 630 mile journey to where I live.

My intentions are to restore the trailer (including adding brakes), repair the engine using some mild internal upgrades to boost reliability and efficiency, cleanup the boat (repair gelcoat) and keep it as original as possible.

Hoping to draw on your collective experience and get your advice in the coming months.

I appreciate your interest.......

Hello Larsspar and welcome to Fiberglassics.

That is a real pretty boat and gotta love the color.
Good luck getting her back in the water.

And you are OK posting here on the main page.

Thanks,
Terry

Thanks Terrydi! I appreciate the welcome.

Studying your Sefair Sedan transom, I see you reside in Northern, IL. (I found my boat while searchiing for Seafair Sedans)

I live on the north side of Milwaukee, just off the coast of Lake Michigan.

When I get this project pulled back together, perhaps we can connect at an event.

I hope to do a fair amount of cruising, whether it's a mangeable day on Lake Michigan, Lake Winnebago/Fox and Wolf Rivers, Madison chain of lakes, Chicago/Des Planes/Illinois Rivers, Eagle River Chain of lakes etc. Bigger adventure would be to do some of the Trent-Severn waterway.

With winter not too far off, breaking things down so the coming frigid months can be productive.

Brad

That is a Mercruiser 2 drive. The 215 came as "E" or "H" models. As in electric or hydraulic shift. I know old #1 drives, but not #2 drives. I'm surprised Larson/Glasspar would have offered that engine option, but the biggest #1 was the 188 in 1971.

As you already stated it takes up to a 20" diameter prop. In other words, you have 4" more draft than a #1 drive. May be a problem at the mouth of the Fox or the "wide spot" above the Eureka lock. Also just above Guth's on the Wolf.

Thanks for the information jimandros. I didn't realize the mouth of the Wolf can get that shallow. Have been casually shopping entry level chart plotters/depth finders.

This boat does have the 215E, which honestly looks large hanging off the transom. It is lighter than I imagined....maybe this is due to lack of water intake and pump. (Separate fitting) I agree, the draft the drive requires is a concern as the giant skeg hangs down pretty low. I'll have to measure. But could be as much as 34 inches.

According to literature I've found, 4 or 5 OMC and Mercruiser power packages were options, but the top dog is supposed to be an OMC 215. So, not sure if this was a special order or literature typo.

The prop that came with the boat, is 19 1/2 x 21. According to Mercruiser 215E owners manual, based on length and weight of boat, I should be running 18 1/4 x 27 or 18 3/4 x 25. Apparently Bravo 2 props will fit the 215E drive, but the most aggressive available appears to be a 17 1/4 x 25.

Regardless, want to run something that will properly govern top end engine rpm. Finding the 'best' prop may be very challenging.

The largest Mercruiser #1 drive was the 188 302 in 1971. So maybe the 215E was special order. I don't see any reason to need a high torque drive that size to push a 20' boat on plane. Truthfully, between the extra drag and any increase in weight, top speed increase wouldn't be much. I'm sure there was a big jump in dollars too. The Bravo 2 props do fit but I am not sure about the thrust hub, you may need to swap it out. Have you prices a B2 prop? Ouch......

Regarding props, most likely the 20" diameter (max for that drive) were not cupped props in 1971. I know the 16" diameter series were not. So you can expect to drop down one pitch size (2") to achieve the RPM the old charts spec out. I'd expect you to run about 40 MPH when all done.

Be sure you get a depth finder that displays in tenths of a foot. There is a big difference between just over 1.5' and just under 2.5' but if your depth finder rounds to a whole number both will display 2' ! You don't want your prop to be your depth alarm, but on the positive note, it is never wrong.

Regarding the Wolf & Fox, it is the Fox in Butte Des Morts that can be a bit tricky at the mouth near where the Lotus beds are. The Wolf really isn't tricky until north of Gills Landing in a few spots. I used to run a 23' Searay with a 454 Alpha 1 (38" draft if full fuel & water tanks) from New London to Berlin. It can be done. I've downsized to 17' I/O's now. Been boating there since 1974.

Where there is a will, there is a way.

"The Big Chute Marine Railway" on the Trent Severn Waterway, Lock 44, Coldwater, Ontario


Peterborough Lift Lock - Peterborough, Ontario, Canada

At my age, I'll be lucky to see Menasha Lock reopened & Little Croche "bath tub" built before I croak.

Hello Jim,

If I am lucky, I will be doing that cruise along with you.


Hey Larsspar,

When I first saw the shots of your Newport her classic lines immediately reminded me of the all-new for 1961 Glasspar DelMar.


Only 16’ but maybe a Larson tribute to an original Glasspar design a decade later?




Awesome restoration with twin Johnsons to boot!


ACBS Sunnyland event at Tavares in Glasspar Park on Lake Dora 2011

Thanks,
Terry

I agree Terrydi. The DelMar and Newport Cruiser look very similar. The Newport Cruiser evolved into a slightly larger boat with the straight lines of the 70's. Thanks for the videos of the Trent Severn. It must be a bit nerve racking for any boat owner to have their boat placed in a sling and transported out of the water on a rail car. I'm not the best with heights, and wonder how I'd fair on the bath tub lift locks as you travel several stories up in the air.

I just love the twin johnsons on that beautiful restoration!!

I have nearly completed stripping the boat with the intention to deliver it to a local boat/gel coat repair guy. He'll help me reverse a few aftermarket modifications punched throught the bow and transom, along with healing of the bumps and bruises experienced over the last 50 years. The floor, bilge and transom look to be in excellent shape, so thankful for that.


I'll start a build thread and provide pictures of what I have after removing everything.
Some of the resin applied to the plywood flooring have cracked and flaked off, so will be seeking advice on that and a host of other subjects.

jimandros - update on props. I have been able to find originals on ebay and a prop specialist sites. Was shocked to find an OEM in the box 27 pitch prop collecting dust in Michigan for $150 plus tax/shipping. The internet is an amazing tool!!

You have been busy ripping & tearing.

I don't know if you can turn a 27P, I have my doubts. But the price is right.

Sorry way late to this, welcome aboard, obviously. You have been busy and making good progress. I'm with Jim on the 27P prop but you may be able too with that 215 running in top shape. Maybe a tweak on it. I have to say I don't know the area but a depth finder is always good to have. I even bought one for my 18' Wagemaker Clipper since I used to run her in back waters up in Maryland.

Bob

Thanks for the welcome Waterwings!

As fall/winter settle in, I've been working hard to disassemble, cle
an and catalog parts so I have indoor work that will keep me moving. (Engine rebuild including pumps and starter, electrical cleanup, polishing bright work, identify replacement needs) Most of what I have just needs a good clean and polish etc. I'm on the search for certain consumables like hoses, gaskets and carpeting.

Thanks for the advice on props, I recognize you have far more experience than I do. I'm trying to acquire 21 - 27 pitch props (have 21, 23 and 27) to test with. I'll resell the unuseable. The method to my madness is driven by this table in the original Mercruiser 215E owners manual which came with the boat.

If I understand correctly, 50 year old props do not grip the water as well as modern technology.

WOW it even shows a 29P! Yeah give it a shot.

Bob