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TOPIC: 1960 Larson Sea Lion Cruiser or LOOK WHAT I HAVE!!
1960 Larson Sea Lion Cruiser or LOOK WHAT I HAVE!! 13 years 2 months ago #47486
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Well here it is my newest project that I don't need. I may have to front burner this one over the winter so it is not embarrassing to use next summer.
It isn't in all that bad of shape. There are a few broken spots where it got hit or something, but that is the beauty of fiberglass, easy to fix. I think I'll be using my Sea Lion Runabout as a parts boat to get this one in prime shape. It will get a 61 Evinrude Starflite 75 for power. |
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Re:1960 Larson Sea Lion Cruiser or LOOK WHAT I HAVE!! 13 years 2 months ago #47491
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Nice score Jeepstr, great cruiser! Looks to be in decent shape compared to some we've seen, looking forward to watching you bring her back.
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Mark
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Re: 1960 Larson Sea Lion Cruiser or LOOK WHAT I HAVE!! 13 years 2 months ago #47507
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I've got a Starflite III 75 that I will part out if you need anything.
Motor is still complete but hasn't been used in years. Long shaft. Cal |
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Re:1960 Larson Sea Lion Cruiser or LOOK WHAT I HAVE!! 13 years 2 months ago #47508
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There are about 5 spots where I need to do some structural repair. All on the deck half of the boat. The Hull is solid and defect free.
I even made it back home on trailer tires checked with cracks as deep as my thumb nails! New tires before any more street towing! Good thing It didn't have a motor on it. The guy had a 115 Yamaha on it. Too big for this boat in my opinion. I like the sky blue and white combo. I'd like to "restore" it like the red one in this brochure. www.fiberglassics.com/library/File:1960larson07.jpg If anyone knows why this Sea Lion was painted differently or if it was a special trim model please let me know. The only thing is, I'd really like a folding windshield up on top. Larson was usually open to custom building stuff, so maybe I can do a retrofit of what might have been. |
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Re:1960 Larson Sea Lion Cruiser or LOOK WHAT I HAVE!! 13 years 2 months ago #47509
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jeepstr, is that the boat from the place in rice mn? i wanted to stop and look at it but was late in getting to the doctor and did not feel good enought to stop on the way home. sure would like to have your thunderhawk but the wife says to sell some to get more. frog
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Re:1960 Larson Sea Lion Cruiser or LOOK WHAT I HAVE!! 13 years 2 months ago #47513
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Looks like a nice project there. At least it is in better shape than my crestliner explorer. You should have an easy time on this one. Good luck with it and keep the pics coming. Skip.
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Re:1960 Larson Sea Lion Cruiser or LOOK WHAT I HAVE!! 13 years 2 months ago #47514
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Looks really great already. Can't wait to see the end result.
I wish things like that would turn up around where I live. lol Most who had the kind of $ to buy a boat like that have been moving out of north eastern Michigan starting 25-30 years ago.  |
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Re:1960 Larson Sea Lion Cruiser or LOOK WHAT I HAVE!! 13 years 2 months ago #47516
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I picked this one up near Wilmar MN. About 60 miles from where I live. I've wanted one of these for about 30 years. They are scarce. I have no idea how many were made. I've seen several advertised over the years on e-bay and such but always a 1000 miles away and not in any better condition.
A wise old auto body man once told me: "Do it over once to get it pretty good. Use it for a while. Then go back and really do it right. You will find all the should have dones by doing it that way." I think I'll try it that way. I'd like to get it in the water next year. |
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Re:1960 Larson Sea Lion Cruiser or LOOK WHAT I HAVE!! 13 years 2 months ago #47524
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jepstr,
now i see what you mean ,about the one i showed you, they look some what alike,but the one here doesnt have the sweep on the side. this one has the controls and steering wheel under the top ,not out side, but it does have a snap on cover to close off the cabin.the fellow said it is the modle 20 ,its loa is 20 feet, and its on a tandem axle trailer. woosterken |
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Re:1960 Larson Sea Lion Cruiser or LOOK WHAT I HAVE!! 13 years 2 months ago #47529
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jepstr,that is a great looking cruiser,it will be a real head turner,hurry up i want to see it done,lol,john
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\"too soon old,too late smart\" my pap
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.“ ---Mark Twain |
Re:1960 Larson Sea Lion Cruiser or LOOK WHAT I HAVE!! 13 years 2 months ago #47535
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Oddly enough, he hardest part of this project is going to be finding space. (anybody want a Thunderhawk Jr.? see Glassifiedes)
I am going to have to use a bunch of parts from my old Sea Lion Runabout to get this cruiser back in shape, but I guess I'm OK with that. Does anyone have a source for locking 1/4" window gasket in white? I can find it in black, bunches of places, but it really should be white on this boat. I solved the problem on my runabout by painting the upper half of the boat black rather than to original red. I want to keep the cruiser sky blue & white. |
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Re:1960 Larson Sea Lion Cruiser or LOOK WHAT I HAVE!! 13 years 2 months ago #47545
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krylon paint for plastic?
or the paint for rubberr bumpers on cars? woosterken |
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Re:1960 Larson Sea Lion Cruiser or LOOK WHAT I HAVE!! 13 years 2 months ago #47549
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More, better, Photos. Everybody loves photos!
 
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Re:1960 Larson Sea Lion Cruiser or LOOK WHAT I HAVE!! 13 years 2 months ago #47574
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jepstr,from looking at your last pic's it looks like you have alot of room in your shop. i want your thunderhawk as i had 2 of them years ago and wished i had one back. but no extra cash at the moment, just a bunch of stuff for trading. frog, from aitkin, mn
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Re:1960 Larson Sea Lion Cruiser or LOOK WHAT I HAVE!! 13 years 2 months ago #47595
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Hey Jepstr,
I know a guy in VA who is restoring a Sea Lion for a client and doing a terrific job. I just spoke with him today and should have some pics of it in the next few days. If you need to discuss anything about your SL with him, his name is John Lombardi. His number is 804-725-8299. I can personally vouche for his work. It is nothing shy of FANTASTIC!!! Congrats on your new old boat. Those smaller cruisers are sharp boats. |
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Re:1960 Larson Sea Lion Cruiser or LOOK WHAT I HAVE!! 13 years 2 months ago #47695
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Hey Todd, thanks!
My dad and I restored quite a few boats when I was a kid. This Cruiser is going to be a 100% self restore. I have the skills. It is just finding the time. I got my trailer all adjusted today. Good thing the guy only used it to move it from his yard, down to the access. Even just sitting with the rear end 18" beyond the last support of the trailer I worry the bottom is damaged. I moved the winch stand foreword 18". I reset the roller heights. Placed the bow V stop correctly. I moved the stationary bunkers up so they touch the boat. There is still some more fine tuning needed, but I don't think it will hurt the boat any more. I still need to move the wheels toward the hitch. There must be 500 pounds of tongue weight. |
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Re:1960 Larson Sea Lion Cruiser or LOOK WHAT I HAVE!! 13 years 2 months ago #47697
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Hang your Evinrude on the back before you set your tongue weight otherwise you might be in for a surprise later... Only kidding but the extra weight of the motor will as you know balance some of the tongue.
Beautiful find. I like the cabins on those boats, especially on some of those blustery days when the lakes get choppy. 
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Re:1960 Larson Sea Lion Cruiser or LOOK WHAT I HAVE!! 13 years 2 months ago #47729
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Sabre,
I'm trying to think of a way to have dual steering. In the cabin and out for those early and late season boatings. Perhaps just a good rear enclosure would be best. My local experts says the V4 weighs 218#. I hung a huge piece of thick wall tubing from my shop on the back with a chain yesterday. Probably 200#. I still could not lift the tongue with all my might. (I'm pretty strong) I do have to anticipate the balance point with the V4, 18 gallon fuel tank, and a battery back there. Of course, I'm not sure how I will outfit the cabin either. All cabin items will be ahead of the axle. Nothing worse than trying to tow something too light on the tongue! Currently the trailer is set up like a 14' aluminum fishing boat with a 20 horse. Wheels really far back. I have a whole cabin including 14' of boat ahead of the axle as it sits now. Anybody have a cruiser with a folding upper windshield? |
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Re:1960 Larson Sea Lion Cruiser or LOOK WHAT I HAVE!! 13 years 2 months ago #47737
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There is is now with the trailer adjusted better. I still need to move the axle.
Much better support of the boat though. |
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Re:1960 Larson Sea Lion Cruiser or LOOK WHAT I HAVE!! 13 years 1 month ago #50812
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I have a question for the collective. Before I go any further, I'll just say I have a lot of experience and I know how to do this.
I've been looking over this cruiser and my Sea Lion runabout side by side. My original runabout is in very good solid condition and the cruiser has been beaten to *&$(&*%% by the previous owner and his 150 HP Yamahammer. I'm seriously considering sawing the roof off the cruiser and grafting it onto my runabout which is in far better condition. The windshield frame is perfect on the runabout, the cruiser is cracked and smashed in 3 places. The deck of the runabout is perfect. The cruiser is cracked, caved in and repaired with plywood and bolts. The hull of the runabout is solid. The cruiser has the floor separating from the outer hull. Same is true for the transom. Overworked and cracked on the cruiser, fine on the runabout. 
Here are the 2 boats and the proposed cut line. Thoughts? |
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Re:1960 Larson Sea Lion Cruiser or LOOK WHAT I HAVE!! 13 years 1 month ago #50815
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no no no no no
Andreas |
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Re:1960 Larson Sea Lion Cruiser or LOOK WHAT I HAVE!! 13 years 1 month ago #50822
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This one made me log in. I agree with Andreas, except he was short 2 no's.
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Todd (aka thetudor)
1964 Custom Craft Aqua Ray 1959 Glastron Seaflite 1959 Tomahawk Spirit |
Re:1960 Larson Sea Lion Cruiser or LOOK WHAT I HAVE!! 13 years 1 month ago #50825
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Rather useless opinions without an explanation as to why.
Do you think it will crack? Won't be able to match the lines properly? Different castings of the mold are different shapes?(not) This seems like a logical solution to a problem to me. What are you guys seeing that I am not. Like I said, with the tools, facility and experience I have, this should be a cakewalk. Keep in mind, I will have to trash the runabout for parts to fix the cruiser anyway. The cruiser is a real basket case. |
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Re:1960 Larson Sea Lion Cruiser or LOOK WHAT I HAVE!! 13 years 1 month ago #50826
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I say No because you will destroy a relatively rare boat - the cruiser.
Andreas |
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Re:1960 Larson Sea Lion Cruiser or LOOK WHAT I HAVE!! 13 years 1 month ago #50828
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This is probably one of those cases where the theory looks good, but in practice, it will be hard to pull off...
How sure are you that you're going to get it right?? If you are supremely confident in your fiberglass skills- And know that you'll be able to pull it off without anyone ever knowing that it was done, then perhaps consider it... Far more extreme things are done all the time with boats and cars. But it's going to be a hard one to do right- and if it isn't done right, it will destroy 2 boats. As much work as it will be- I tend to think that you're better off doing the required restoration work on the cruiser.. Although I don't know exactly what that is going to entail, since I haven't seen it- You are certainly a better judge of that. |
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Re:1960 Larson Sea Lion Cruiser or LOOK WHAT I HAVE!! 13 years 1 month ago #50829
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I would say that it is a doable project. Measure everything out and make sure that you transfer the measurements to the new hull as you take them from the old hull. If they are the same width on the gunnels and around the windshield You should be ok.If you do decide to go with it make sure that you make a figure holding jig for the top before you cut it off. Yea I know there will be people here that will say no don't do it because you will be ruining a good boat but sometimes you have to use more than one to make a good boat. I am sure the fiberglass gods will not smite you down for saving one good hull. Have fun with it and enjoy it, Skip.
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Re:1960 Larson Sea Lion Cruiser or LOOK WHAT I HAVE!! 13 years 1 month ago #50834
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thompsonboat wrote:
It sounds like you could be eliminating the originality of 2 rare and cool boats for the sake of getting the one in worse shape ready for next summer. The runabout looks usable, my thought would be use that and be patient with the cruiser. In the end you could end up with two very cool boats. These are just my thoughts, but perhaps give it a couple of weeks to think about it before you come to any judgements. |
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Todd (aka thetudor)
1964 Custom Craft Aqua Ray 1959 Glastron Seaflite 1959 Tomahawk Spirit |
Re:1960 Larson Sea Lion Cruiser or LOOK WHAT I HAVE!! 13 years 1 month ago #50837
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I've had the runabout for years and have stopped using it. So the use of a boat is not the problem. However, the doing it right aspect of this it the key point. Closer examination all day today presents this single problem. The runabout has all rolled edges where the graft would need to occur. Cutting those in exactly the correct place would be problematic. As I said, I possess the skills to do all this, and honestly, fixing the cosmetic and structural problems with the deck and cabin will be a snap for me. (and fun!!!) What concerns me is the flex in the hull, the spongy floor, and the integrity of the transom. The previous owner (he even admitted it) had way too big a motor on it and ruined the boat both in hard use and in loading onto an ill fitting roller trailer. I suppose cutting an access hole in the floor will answer a huge number of vexing questions
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Re:1960 Larson Sea Lion Cruiser or LOOK WHAT I HAVE!! 13 years 1 month ago #50839
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Yes, Yes, Yes Yes yes. Go for it. You know what they say about opinions... Don't ever forget who's name in on the title. Classic or whatever it is still your boat. If you are old enough to remember the 50's cars were chopped and channeled every day and every way. Today I don't hear anyone complaining about the 51 Merc that was destroyed but I do see and hear a lot of oooohs and aaaaaahs about the chopped, lowered, decked, custom Mercs. Be very precise in your measurements, check and double check and triple check and then get the sawzall out, take a deep breath with your dust mask on and giver her a cut. Consider it a donor boat and do your part to recycle and reuse what you can.
I know I'm parting ways with some of the posters but I got the same flak when I refused to "restore" my woodie to original and now I don't hear a peep from the protesters. Whatever you choose to do ask for help, it will be an interesting build to follow, just don't hide your screw-up from us, not for us to critisize but for learning. Good Luck whichever. Cal Here's a "not original" after defying the "purists". 
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Re:1960 Larson Sea Lion Cruiser or LOOK WHAT I HAVE!! 13 years 1 month ago #50843
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63 Sabre wrote:
Actually, I think it is just stupid and a crime what people do to old autos. I call those things "jalopified". YUCK! What a horrible thing to do to a classic auto. But, that's just MY opinion. I went to "Back to the Fifties" auto show at the Minnesota Fair Ground two years ago. I was sickened by the jalopified things. But of course, these are your boats and you can do with them what you desire. Andreas |
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Re:1960 Larson Sea Lion Cruiser or LOOK WHAT I HAVE!! 13 years 1 month ago #50849
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Jepster, From looking at the buildings in the background, Is this boat located in St Cloud? maybe near Lincoln Ave NE. Tom
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Re:1960 Larson Sea Lion Cruiser or LOOK WHAT I HAVE!! 13 years 1 month ago #50854
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Right city. Wrong location. Ickler Company parking lot. 1-1/2St South and 29th ave.
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Re:1960 Larson Sea Lion Cruiser or LOOK WHAT I HAVE!! 13 years 1 month ago #50860
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Andreas. I guess we're not cut from the same cloth but at least our love of boats is in the right place. '58 Chevs look good restored as would a 49 Nash. '32 5 window coups look good chopped and raked with a blown 460.
Sorry to hyjack the thread. Jepster my parts offer for the starflyte is still good if you need anything. I truly wish the Vikings would get going....NOT 
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Re:1960 Larson Sea Lion Cruiser or LOOK WHAT I HAVE!! 13 years 1 month ago #50861
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Andreas. I guess we're not cut from the same cloth but at least our love of boats is in the right place. '58 Chevs look good restored as would a 49 Nash. '32 5 window coups look good chopped and raked with a blown 460.
Sorry to hyjack the thread. Jepster my parts offer for the starflyte is still good if you need anything. I truly wish the Vikings would get going....NOT 
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Re:1960 Larson Sea Lion Cruiser or LOOK WHAT I HAVE!! 13 years 1 month ago #50864
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Sure, Ickler!! I know it well, right across from APH. I was thinking it was by Midway Iron. I knew there was something familiar about the building.
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Re:1960 Larson Sea Lion Cruiser or LOOK WHAT I HAVE!! 13 years 1 month ago #50866
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Oh ya, before APH moved.
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Re:1960 Larson Sea Lion Cruiser or LOOK WHAT I HAVE!! 13 years 1 month ago #50867
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I have chopped a few car roofs in metal. I've never attempted to do what you are thinkin'. I know good bodymen that tried to with fiberglass cars...it just don't work. When doing a car roof you cut it into multi pieces, a '51 Chevy PU I helped a friend do was 13 pieces i think, but it looked good. The problem with doing it to a molded glass body is you cannot shape the edges of the pieces and get a smooth conture. It gets what we called the "Dome House" look. I think restoring the boat you've wanted for so many years would be easier with better end results. It may take more man hours but you'ld know it's sound. If it was a bolt on app you'ld be onto something. You already see the challange matching the edge cut. I think you would also end up relocating the helm station. Oh...those guys that got the good deal on a 2nd hand glass body and tried to chop...ended up with a roadster or Carson top. just my 2 cents.
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Re:1960 Larson Sea Lion Cruiser or LOOK WHAT I HAVE!! 13 years 1 month ago #50870
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The more I think about it, I don't think the graft is the right move. These Larsons are made in two castings and upper and lower. The way I'll do it is to fix the deck, cabin, and any problems with the upper part. After the top section is in good solid shape. I'll use it for a while and see how it goes. If I detect the hull is in bad shape, I can always work it over or divide both boats at the point where they were originally assembled and switch hulls.
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Re:1960 Larson Sea Lion Cruiser or LOOK WHAT I HAVE!! 13 years 1 month ago #50873
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Good thinking. Whatever you decide keep up in the loop.
And lots of pictures. |
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Re:1960 Larson Sea Lion Cruiser or LOOK WHAT I HAVE!! 13 years 1 month ago #50910
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Here is why my idea won't work.
From the windshield back there is a gentle curvature of the gunnel all the way to the stern. On the cruiser, the side of the cabin is straight to allow the window to slide freely in the track. Even on the cruiser, the window binds up, so I will need to reinforce the cabin to allow the window to move easily. Since the whole cabin is weak and broken, it will be necessary reconstruction anyway. |
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