The Farmers were proud of their work, plus it was a way to get through a quiet winter in the boat building business. The boat was launched on a Maine lake so that the water lines could be properly set, and then bottom paint was applied. Each new image chronicled how lovely the ugly little duckling was becoming. Greg and Harry Farmer sent photos of the progress made to the runabout. And finally, chrome cleats and chocks with an antique design finished the detailing. What about running lights and a flag pennant? Yes, they were also located and installed. A stainless steel striker guard was attached to the bow to protect the fine entry. Spray rails were bolted to the bow to deflect water away from the occupants. This wheel, located in the aft seat, provided for a better ride in a chop. Seating for four was constructed in solid mahogany, while the cockpit sole was also finished in teak and holly.Ī vintage red boat steering wheel on a polished aluminum hub was found on eBay. A low-profile safety glass windshield framed in mahogany set off the bow. The original curved framing of the foredeck was covered with teak and holly plywood decking and then trimmed in mahogany. The interior frame, stem, and transom were also coated with epoxy and painted. So, Harry Farmer and his son Greg Farmer, who owned Seaway Boats, picked up the hull, and took it back to their shop in Gray, Maine. The Rumba's outside of the hull was faired and painted with epoxy paint.Īs I lacked the time and experience to finish the 1950-era hull, I approached two boat builders in Maine, who were without much work during the winter of 2008. Yet the graceful shear and notched oak transom were Since the boat had been purchased from an antique dealer in Erie, I had no information on the builder or the design. I sanded the hull and found it to be sound and well-constructed. The purchase price was only $500, but I was not sure if I was getting a good buy or not!Īfter transporting the hull back to Maryland, the overturned boat sat in my carriage house garage for about a year. Her bones seemed strong, and the spoon bow and hard chines had nice lines. The plywood had turned dark in color from age and dust in the late builder’s barn. Her gleaming brightwork, mahogany seats, and windshield with teak and holly foredeck are in sharp contrast to the weathered gray hull I found when I first saw her. The hull, built in 1950 of marine plywood over oak frames and stem, has been finally finished to become a gentleman’s launch. After sitting unfinished for 60 years in a barn near Erie, Pennsylvania, a 14½-foot runabout was launched and christened on the St.
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