Ken B 3,116 #1 Posted June 16, 2015 Well, I really wasn't planning on another boat project! The boat is a 1955 Dunphy mahogany ply with its original 1955 Johnson and original trailer. It is almost 13 ft. long. Being a wood boat I really doubt there are many of these left out there and most buyers opted for the 14 ft. model. The boat was a barn find by my brother and he just HAD to tell me about it. I purchased the boat from the original owners son. (His father is still living at 87 but now lives in New Hampshire) The boat was last used in 1977. I got it home safely this past Saturday and immediately started working on it. I'm up in the air about what color to paint the bottom. The bottom color on it is the original factory color, Dunphy painted all the bottoms of their boats this color. I really don't mind the bottom color, Mr. original himself Stevebo says, red bottom and red interior cushions. I was thinking factory color on bottom and maybe hunter green cushions or a medium blue? maybe even red cushions? I promised the previous owners pictures when done and they can even go out for a boat ride with it. They were pretty excited too hear that.Since it is rainy today, when I got home from work I pulled the carb to clean it and pulled the flywheel to have a look at the ignition. Carb was spotless clean and after cleaning and checking the gap on the points I had good spark. I put it all back together and decided to try starting it. Within a few pulls she was off and running. Nice to see that after 38 yrs. being idle this is still a great motor. I will now order new maintenance parts for it.. You can tell the old timer really took care of his stuff, the paint and decals on the motor are near perfect, I won't do doing anything in that area other than keeping it clean and waxed. 13 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevebo-(Moderator) 8,041 #2 Posted June 16, 2015 (edited) I saw this boat in person on Saturday and it is about a clean of an original 1950's wood boat was they come. It is in good hands now. I am sticking with my thoughts on colors.... bright red and off white all the way. Of course the seats need to match...I kinda like it without the windshield too... Edited June 16, 2015 by stevebo Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aldon 4,826 #3 Posted June 16, 2015 Nice. I like the idea of original color with hunter green seats. Maybe two tone...i liked the the two tone upholstery in your previous boat. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ken B 3,116 #5 Posted June 16, 2015 I saw this boat in person on Saturday and it is about a clean of an original 1950's wood boat was they come. It is in good hands now. I am sticking with my thoughts on colors.... bright red and off white all the way. Of course the seats need to match...I kinda like it without the windshield too... Stevebo didn't mention that when he was at my house I had mentioned I will be selling my Duratech Runabout. He asked how much, within seconds he was in his truck digging the cash out of his wallet! (or his secret safe?) I know if he ever decides to sell it I'll get first crack at it. I told him the next day I probably should have waited till I was done restoring this boat to sell that one, his reply, I can rent it out to you by the week! Always the nut buster! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevebo-(Moderator) 8,041 #6 Posted June 16, 2015 I saw this boat in person on Saturday and it is about a clean of an original 1950's wood boat was they come. It is in good hands now. I am sticking with my thoughts on colors.... bright red and off white all the way. Of course the seats need to match...I kinda like it without the windshield too... Stevebo didn't mention that when he was at my house I had mentioned I will be selling my Duratech Runabout. He asked how much, within seconds he was in his truck digging the cash out of his wallet! (or his secret safe?) I know if he ever decides to sell it I'll get first crack at it. I told him the next day I probably should have waited till I was done restoring this boat to sell that one, his reply, I can rent it out to you by the week! Always the nut buster! Come on Ken.... I just wanted to "motivate" you to get er done !! I had no intentions of buying back my old Duratech even tho my boy has been asking me to take him tubing/skiing. Non of the other boats I have will do that. From a previous barter Ken and I made I had a rare 1958 Johnson 35 (with a 40hp power head) just sitting in my basement waiting for the right boat. It happens to be the same year as the boat which is a good thing. When Ken told me about this Dumphy he asked if I wanted to do a barter for my 58' motor for the 25 hp that was on it. I said sure. Then Saturday when I stopped over to see it he tells me that he wanted to keep the original motor on the boat that came with it which I agreed it should stay as is. That 25 is really clean... So I put 2 and 2 together and quicker than I knew I was dragging the Dura home again. This time a "little" nicer than when I sold it to Ken. This is very typical of Ken.. He almost ALWAYS improves whatever he gets and if not he will maintain the quality of it.When I got home I put the motor on the boat and Sunday we were tubing !! 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevasaurus 22,233 #7 Posted June 16, 2015 Nice boat Ken...that green bottom does go good with the grass though. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 36,945 #8 Posted June 16, 2015 You should paint your Johnson...blue like the boat. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 38,965 #9 Posted June 16, 2015 (edited) You should paint your Johnson...blue like the boat. Careful there Craig! Steve's not a smurf! and I would hate to see him ban you! Edited June 16, 2015 by squonk 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 36,945 #10 Posted June 16, 2015 (edited) For what? I was referring to the big Johnson on the new boat. Edited June 16, 2015 by Big Show or Bust. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevebo-(Moderator) 8,041 #11 Posted June 16, 2015 You should paint your Johnson...blue like the boat. Careful there Craig! Steve's not a smurf! and I would hate to see him ban you! Craig now that would not be original. That would like painting a 420 JD green... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 36,945 #13 Posted June 17, 2015 You should paint your Johnson...blue like the boat. Careful there Craig! Steve's not a smurf! and I would hate to see him ban you! Craig now that would not be original. That would like painting a 420 JD green... OK, I get it...similar to painting the Dunphy red. Not original. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevebo-(Moderator) 8,041 #14 Posted June 17, 2015 You should paint your Johnson...blue like the boat. Careful there Craig! Steve's not a smurf! and I would hate to see him ban you! Craig now that would not be original. That would like painting a 420 JD green... OK, I get it...similar to painting the Dunphy red. Not original. Point taken... IMO this is different tho. That motor is a clean original and while I agree it would look much better blue or even all white i would not be able to get it nback to original again. You should paint your Johnson...blue like the boat. Careful there Craig! Steve's not a smurf! and I would hate to see him ban you! Craig now that would not be original. That would like painting a 420 JD green... OK, I get it...similar to painting the Dunphy red. Not original. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ken B 3,116 #15 Posted July 2, 2015 With all the rain we have been getting progress has been not as fast as i'd like it to be. So, I will be taking the boat to work and work on it real early in the morning and late at night in a 7000 square foot warehouse that is empty. Shoot, I might even just sleep there.. I do have the bottom repairs done and three coats of red done. The sides were sanded all the way down and 8 coats of varnish applied, Might do a few more coats.. Topside was taken down and one coat of white applied.. Topside will take a bit of time as there is quite a bit of masking off to do around the parts that aren't painted. Also need to repaint the inside and some varnish work there as well. Then, its off to the upholstery shop! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aldon 4,826 #16 Posted July 2, 2015 Wow. That looks so good compared to what it started out. And I like the red:-) 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dclarke 4,011 #17 Posted July 2, 2015 I never get tired of watching you work your magic on these boats, Ken. Amazing!! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevebo-(Moderator) 8,041 #18 Posted July 2, 2015 Red looks great against the wood. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ken B 3,116 #19 Posted July 2, 2015 Wow. That looks so good compared to what it started out. And I like the red:-) The red has grown on me and it matches the trailer I put the boat on last night. Even though this isn't the original trailer to the boat (which I do have) it is better suited to this boat. Not too mention the trailer already matches and it looks good. I now have the boat at work in the warehouse. I'm really going to be able to rock this thing out now! I brought it here at 5am this morning and I got more done in 2 hrs. than I got done in 2 days time working outside at my house. It seems every day by the time I got home from work the rain and thunder storms would start! Red looks great against the wood. I agree, I knew all along it would. I was just being a little too picky in keeping it original. It took plenty of pushin from you to help me to decide... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ken B 3,116 #20 Posted July 2, 2015 Today I finished the second coat of white and prepped the inside floors for paint which I will do tomorrow along with varnishing the inside of the boat and painting the wheel red.. With the boat inside now I'll be able to get a lot done fast.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevebo-(Moderator) 8,041 #21 Posted July 3, 2015 I am digging the cigar lighter..... Need to check that out a little further Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ken B 3,116 #22 Posted July 3, 2015 Its gonna see plenty of use! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fireman 1,021 #23 Posted July 3, 2015 Looks sweet Ken! As usual, real nice job . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ken B 3,116 #24 Posted July 4, 2015 Hopefully I can drop it off at the upholstery shop this week... 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 36,945 #25 Posted July 4, 2015 Yeah, OK...the red looks better. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites