1959 biesemeyer resto questions

[59biesemeyer]

Hey guys brand new to RD and been searching the web for weeks and this seems like the place to be and is surrounded with knowledgeable boat people working on cool stuff. I have a 1959 16ft biesemeyer on the original trailer from bies in 1959. This boat has been in my family for 30 plus years and has always been a great boat. 10 years ago the velvet drive slipped a bit and dad removed it. He purchased a brand new Borg warner velvet drive and then became sick. The boat has sat in the garage and He passed away recently,now I have the Biesemeyer and want to restore it. Since i have so many great years of growing up in this boat i thought it would be great to get it back to one. I was thinking about having island boat repair do the gel and stringers to get this boat back to original. Here are some pictures of the boat and please let me know if you have any info on these boats. also any ideas on how to tackle this project would be great!

 

[rivergames]

Great looking boat. I love rebuilding boats. Currently have 5 headaches (v-drives and crackerboxs) going on right now

First, I would take pictures of all the rigging. The more pictures you have, the easier it will be to put the boat back together.

Look at many pictures online to try and get an idea of how you want the inside floors to look. Rick at Islander can do just about anything you want.

Post pics of the current condition of the boat

 

[CampbellCarl]

The model was called a 'Carribean' and other folks (Hollywood Plastics which was actually Campbell Boats) made boats using the same model name.

Quite a classic and a great family ski lake boat. The fact that it is a Biesemeyer (when Rusty Biesemeyer was building boats) doesn't make it the same Biesemeyer boats that were layed up later in the 70's as circle race boats. That said, stick with the small block Chevy and enjoy. More than one person has thought that throwing a blown injected BBC would take it over 100mph.......not that hull, not ever never.

Rick at Islander will be a great choice for a glass guy. Are you mechanical and do the pull out and put back youself? If not, several here can recommend good guys. Where are you located?

CC


Oh, and ditch the hide-a-key box on top of the trans.....................I've got the perfect spot for the boat........

 

[59biesemeyer]

Great thanks for the info. The boat is in pretty good shape and is put together exactly as you see it in The pics just needs the velvet drive installed. Stringers are a bit worn out and defiantly in need of paint or gel coat to rejuve the good look. I am fully capable of doing all mechanical work and rigging on boat just need glass/ stringers done so I have a great platform to work with. I would like to make it so it lasts another 30+ years so looking to have it done right and that's why I figured the great people on this site would be of good help!

Any ideas on what this might cost? Seems like some guys get very elaborate with floors and stringers but like you said its pointless to put 1000hp in a boat like this. I currently have a Howard 22 offshore as well so if I want burn a bunch of fuel I just run that thing at 5000 rpm and it goes quick! I am just looking to restore this back to being a really clean old boat and try to keep it for the most part the same as you see it.

I live in ventura county in california and spend most time at Havasu / river.

As far as the hide a key goes, you have a few to many and leave the keys in the bar and it will always fire !!!!
Think that was dads plan anyway!

 

[CampbellCarl]

OK, so the new velvet-drive is an R&R by you. Start taking measurements of everything thats going back in, motor mounts to stringer, steering pulley locations, battery boxes, trans mounts, v-drive mounts.....EVERYTHING that goes back in. Thinking that during the stringer repair/replace you'll want to plug any not needed holes. Best to plug them all so that new locations can be properly sealed when you drill new locations. Map out locations so that everything goes back exactly as you removed.

Don't have any ideas on glass costs, I just know that whatever budget you agree on.....triple it and then rat hole a tad bit more.......

Nice tribute boat to your Dad......take a twenty out of petty cash and buy yourself and Karma a nice cocktail..........

CC

 

[Rickybobby]

59
that is totally a killer boat/project, and the right color too.... you might get tired of people stopping you at the ramp wanting to tell you stories about the time they learned how to ski behind a boat just like that one.... I am with CC on this as far as doing as much as you can yourself and then farming out the rest. I am in VC as well. PM me if you need some resources. I initially thought there were none here but, turns out we have some of the best in the biz around us and the ones I know are totally cool and just as stoked as you are to get to play with boats !!!!!!
rb

 

[CampbellCarl]

You might want to look up Pete Gireaux, Gireaux Boats in Oxnard (I think). He'd be a great resource and a ton closer to you. Not sure that I have the spelling right so if not, play with different variations of the name.

CC

 

[steveo143]

You might want to look up Pete Gireaux, Gireaux Boats in Oxnard (I think). He'd be a great resource and a ton closer to you. Not sure that I have the spelling right so if not, play with different variations of the name.

CC

Giroux Engineering
818 203-8695

 

[gregk1]

this is the carribean 1960 model that is the early boat i have one of each the other is a 1960 also i don't know if he was making both at the same time or not

The model was called a 'Carribean' and other folks (Hollywood Plastics which was actually Campbell Boats) made boats using the same model name.

Quite a classic and a great family ski lake boat. The fact that it is a Biesemeyer (when Rusty Biesemeyer was building boats) doesn't make it the same Biesemeyer boats that were layed up later in the 70's as circle race boats. That said, stick with the small block Chevy and enjoy. More than one person has thought that throwing a blown injected BBC would take it over 100mph.......not that hull, not ever never.

Rick at Islander will be a great choice for a glass guy. Are you mechanical and do the pull out and put back youself? If not, several here can recommend good guys. Where are you located?

CC


Oh, and ditch the hide-a-key box on top of the trans.....................I've got the perfect spot for the boat........

 

[metalman58]

Wow, Very nice boat! Like how your keeping it in the family too. Love the colors and layout on the boat! Glad to find this post, I picked up a 58 V drive a few years ago and was never able to find a picture of any. Maybe mine needs a little buffing out.

 

[jmeads]

this is the carribean 1960 model that is the early boat i have one of each the other is a 1960 also i don't know if he was making both at the same time or not

very cool. i would love to see more pictures of these boats.

 

[detroitguns]

I have a 64 bezzie and have the same trans with no markings but is the same as the 1959 bezzie

 

[gregk1]

very cool. i would love to see more pictures of these boats.

hear you go these are the caribean

 

[KENDOG689]

That was the boat I looked at most on Friday.I really need to find a hull.Very nice!Can you tell me the differance in years from the blue and white boat at the show,I noticed the exhaust ports were different.

 

[jmeads]

View attachment 252765 View attachment 252762 View attachment 252763 View attachment 252764
hear you go these are the caribean

very nice, thank you

 

[2FORCEFULL]

Hey guys brand new to RD and been searching the web for weeks and this seems like the place to be and is surrounded with knowledgeable boat people working on cool stuff. I have a 1959 16ft biesemeyer on the original trailer from bies in 1959. This boat has been in my family for 30 plus years and has always been a great boat. 10 years ago the velvet drive slipped a bit and dad removed it. He purchased a brand new Borg warner velvet drive and then became sick. The boat has sat in the garage and He passed away recently,now I have the Biesemeyer and want to restore it. Since i have so many great years of growing up in this boat i thought it would be great to get it back to one. I was thinking about having island boat repair do the gel and stringers to get this boat back to original. Here are some pictures of the boat and please let me know if you have any info on these boats. also any ideas on how to tackle this project would be great! View attachment 245950 View attachment 245951 View attachment 245952 View attachment 245953 View attachment 245954 View attachment 245955 View attachment 245956

way cool, i had a 58, it was direct drive, i put a powerglide in it:thumbsup

 

[2FORCEFULL]

Great thanks for the info. The boat is in pretty good shape and is put together exactly as you see it in The pics just needs the velvet drive installed. Stringers are a bit worn out and defiantly in need of paint or gel coat to rejuve the good look. I am fully capable of doing all mechanical work and rigging on boat just need glass/ stringers done so I have a great platform to work with. I would like to make it so it lasts another 30+ years so looking to have it done right and that's why I figured the great people on this site would be of good help!

Any ideas on what this might cost? Seems like some guys get very elaborate with floors and stringers but like you said its pointless to put 1000hp in a boat like this. I currently have a Howard 22 offshore as well so if I want burn a bunch of fuel I just run that thing at 5000 rpm and it goes quick! I am just looking to restore this back to being a really clean old boat and try to keep it for the most part the same as you see it.

I live in ventura county in california and spend most time at Havasu / river.

As far as the hide a key goes, you have a few to many and leave the keys in the bar and it will always fire !!!!
Think that was dads plan anyway!

where are the pictures taken?

 

[CampbellCarl]

Wow, Very nice boat! Like how your keeping it in the family too. Love the colors and layout on the boat! Glad to find this post, I picked up a 58 V drive a few years ago and was never able to find a picture of any. Maybe mine needs a little buffing out.

Do these old eyes see a 'W' style valve cover? As in 348 or 409 vintage?.............................NICE!

 

[gregk1]

That was the boat I looked at most on Friday.I really need to find a hull.Very nice!Can you tell me the differance in years from the blue and white boat at the show,I noticed the exhaust ports were different.

the blue and white boat is a placecraft somewhat of a splash from the biesemeyer but there was some changes hear and there that was the first time we had then side by side and you could realy see the changes they made you say your looking for a hull i may be selling the white and yellow one in the pic's i put in call me if you like at 253-927-5870

 

[44jim AKA Lil Rat Bastard]

the blue and white boat is a placecraft somewhat of a splash from the biesemeyer but there was some changes hear and there that was the first time we had then side by side and you could realy see the changes they made you say your looking for a hull i may be selling the white and yellow one in the pic's i put in call me if you like at 253-927-5870[/QUOTE
Mine is a "Pleasure Craft built by A&M Plastics in Tempe,Az. One of many builders who splashed the design by Rusty. I run a S.B.C. 350 which is plenty for this type of hull. They sit low in the water and can be swamped easily due to its low profile, especially rollers. I was told that when Rusty designed the Caribbean he used the bottom of his 4 point Hydro(1958-1960) when designing it. The bottom design makes it lift quite easily when starting out making the boat effortless to plane.
I ran into a guy from Gilbert,Az. who had a 389 Poncho with three two's, said it was a handful at 109 M.P.H. took all of the pedal to set it under hi speed(s). Most were built with "fixed plates" due to the curvature in the transom. I would stick with the small block due to power to weight ratio. Mine runs in the mid 60's which is plenty fats for such a low profiled boat. I love it for its "Jetson" look and you rarely see another like it. Greg is the only other guy I know who has one (two) in the same vicinity. Keep the S.B.C. run a Duntov "098" solid cam you wont regret it.

 

[Ron Green]

This '59 is a very cool Beismeyer! It looks like some pretty nice work has been done to this one. I think these are great boats. Stable on the water, safe, and they go forever. I had a '58 with a 350 Chevy inboard, with a jet drive. Sold it, and wished I still had it. I just acquired another '58 Beismeyer from my niece -- 125 Mercury outboard -- hasn't been on the water since '93. It still fired up fine and it looks like it will come along great.

Right now, I am searching for the rubber molding that was used on these boats, as the rubber on mine is pretty rotten. It is approx. 1-1/4" wide or so, white rubber, sort of "half round", covering up the flange between the hull and top deck.

Can anyone tell me if this molding is still available anywhere?

It would be a great help to me right now to find a source for this molding.

Regards,
Ron Green
Safford, Arizona
602-421-0458

 

[Hurricane68]

where are the pictures taken?

The first picture was taken San Antonia res A loop camp remember it there Wild Bill these pics same area only other side of cove

 

[Maestro]

Not sure on the year but my twin bro, redid this then sold it. Phoenix flame with ghosted skulls throughout. insane paint. New owner did something to cover the floor:grumble: