Dobbin's Seabird

DAVE & LEE DOBBIN'S
1951, 18 ft. Port Carling Boatworks
Seabird

The Story

One of Dave's favourite boats is the Seabird, a boat he recalls from his childhood. He was thrilled to find a 20 ft. Seabird a few years ago in the Muskoka area. A real project boat, Dave couldn't resist it, and brought the boat home to his garage on Clear Lake for a 'someday project.' When a member of the Trent-Severn Club saw an ad for a Seabird in nearby Lindsay, John called Dave and suggested they check it out - it might just be less of a project than Seabird # 1.

What a find it was! This Seabird had been owned by a local dentist, and had been kept in a boathouse for many years. After the owner passed away, the boat came up for sale. Yes, it will need a complete restoration, but it comes complete with all its hardware, and most of the original wood is reusable, unlike Seabird # 1.

Slated as the next job in the shop, it promises to be a great touring boat for the Dobbin family from their soon-to-be finished home under construction on Clear Lake. Dave hopes that he and his children and grandchildren will be the caretakers of this beautiful little vessel for many years to come, until it is ready to be passed on to a new caretaker.

Before:

Starting to strip the boat:

More to follow in 2009...

September 09 ... swelling in the pond:

During:

In the shop, ready to flip ...

The flip is done .... Sanding begins ...

West System epoxy bottom begins...

Transom repaired (waterline down new wood, top is original):

Flipping back:

Taking off original decking, to restore and replace:

Staining begins:

Decking removed, and re-installed - all original

Chrome catalogued and sent out for re-plating:

Preparing for motor installation:

First coats of overall varnish:

Reinstalling rebuilt Gray Marine 4 cyl motor

original stem polished and installed

seams caulked and filled

Final varnishing begins (9 coats total - 7 coats, then decals, final fittings, plus 2 ending coats):

Installing the flooring, new wiring and dash board gauges:

After Seabird decals - 2 final coats of varnish:

After:

Seabird finished - ready for Water testing:

Heading to Clear Lake

The Launch:

Award Winner!

Shortly after launching, Dave and Lee attending the Montreal Antique & Classic Boat Show, where the Seabird took first place in its category (Best inboard runabout in show)