Help repair this 1947 Matthews
Donation protected
I became the proud owner of a Classic Yacht around 2 years ago, a 1947 Matthews 40' Sedan Cruiser named St. Brendan. She went through a huge restoration around 10 years ago with the previous owners to the tune of around $270,000. All electrical wiring and panel were replaced, any planks that needed replacing or joists that needed to be "sistered" were all taken care of, and the boat is considered a "resto-mod" with her classic lines and interior being preserved, but modernized with many attractive features and updates.
These problems in the transom/stern area were noted by the surveyor and myself before I finalized the purchase, and we decided that for the price, this was not a "deal breaker", and not a structural problem.
Of course, happily, I didn't pay anywhere near that amount for this vessel. I was just the most interested candidate/live potential buyer that showed persistent interest to eventually become this lovely, classic motor yacht's next steward.
I am not now or in the forseeable future, interested in selling this lovely, classic and historic motor yacht, and even if I was, I fully realize that there is not much resale value now for older wooden boats. So I do not ever really expect to ever really get my money out of this boat. It is a labor of joy, love and good stewardship. And we love boating in this incredible area of the Pacific Northwest known as "The Salish Sea".
I had around $3000 worth of overdue engine work done immediatley when I purchased St. Brendan, (new manifolds and risers and an oil change) as well as the bottom paint, which is a job that should be done around every 2-3 years. (Around $1000 +/-)
There is a little bit of wood rot on and around the inside of the transom and port faring that needs to be addressed, and a few other spots that need some skilled shiprights work. Fortunately, I live in one of the Wooden Boat capitols of the world, Port Townsend, WA and I have lined up one of the masters at wooden boat repairs here. His rates are reasonable, and infact, he was on the crew that helped restore this vessel 10 years ago, so he knows the boat well and comes highly recommended.
The boat is due too for a repaint of the hull and superstructure as well as due for a bottom painting, which I had done 2 years ago when I had the boat hauled out and surveyed.
So you might think this is a pretty strange request for funding, but in reality, as gorgeous as this boat is, resale-wise, people just are not buying older wood boats, or certainly not paying top dollar for them. Although we have been in and thoroughly enjoyed being part of 4 Wooden Boat Shows since we've owned St. Brendan, I know most people are afraid to purchase wooden boats, believing them to be just too much work. In fact, I've had to do very little work on this vessel since I've owned her. The top sides and roof have been fiberglassed and/or painted over, the hull is top quality boat paint, and any exposed outside wood is treated with a substance known as Cetol, which is fairly easy to maintain, and is quite durable in this Pacific Northwest environment!
Aside from having the boat "dived" periodically to clean and examine the bottom, props and rudders, as well as occassionally change out the zincs, and have a little paint retouching done this past Summer, there has been very little need for a "lot of work", as people tend to believe about wooden boats. And nothing rides or feels like a real wood boat!
My small retail business is doing alright, but is just getting by right now, holding our own in this economy...and coming up with the $7000 or so I need to do these much needed repairs and updates to help keep this piece of nautical history stay alive and sound, would be near impossible at this point, and at this time of year without going into debt. I want to get this work done before it gets worse though, so I do not want to wait any longer.
Matthews boats were built in Port Clinton, Ohio, and the comany was started in the late 1800's, and went out of business in the 70's.
Matthews boats are prized for their stable and flat rides, and their classic sturdy build and lines.
Matthews boats were used in 2 different Humphrey Bogart films from the 30's, "Key Largo" and "To Have and Have Not".
P.T. Barnum, of Barnum and Baily Circus owned 6 different Matthews boats. Obviously quite a fan as he kept ording larger and larger models.
A Matthews boat was the first gas powered boat to cross the Atlantic around 1912 (I believe) ...and only a 36' version! Could you imagine?
I will take every opportunity to reward those of you that can and choose to help fund this bit of much needed repair, maintenance and small bit of restoration by keeping you posted on what boat shows we will be showing our St. Brendan in, and donors will be given priority boarding and possible invites for cruises, and gourmet wine tasting events on board.
St. Brendan was the name of this vessel when I first saw her at the Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival in 2012. I researched the name, and found that St. Brendan was a 6th centruy Irish Bishop that made an animal skin boat, and with some of his followers, and according to his logs, crossed the Atlantic, making it to Greenland, Iceland, and North America around 500 years before Leif Erikson. Needless to say, I chose to keep the name the same. Ask any Irish schoolchild who discovered America, and they are most likely to answer, "St. Brendan".
Please help me restore the "Mighty St. Brendan" and catch any more wood rot from spreading now.
Thank You,
Joe Euro
Owner, 1947 Matthews Sedan Cruiser
St. Brendan
PS. Here's some pictures of the inside transom, stern and port faring that will be repaired.
These problems in the transom/stern area were noted by the surveyor and myself before I finalized the purchase, and we decided that for the price, this was not a "deal breaker", and not a structural problem.
Of course, happily, I didn't pay anywhere near that amount for this vessel. I was just the most interested candidate/live potential buyer that showed persistent interest to eventually become this lovely, classic motor yacht's next steward.
I am not now or in the forseeable future, interested in selling this lovely, classic and historic motor yacht, and even if I was, I fully realize that there is not much resale value now for older wooden boats. So I do not ever really expect to ever really get my money out of this boat. It is a labor of joy, love and good stewardship. And we love boating in this incredible area of the Pacific Northwest known as "The Salish Sea".
I had around $3000 worth of overdue engine work done immediatley when I purchased St. Brendan, (new manifolds and risers and an oil change) as well as the bottom paint, which is a job that should be done around every 2-3 years. (Around $1000 +/-)
There is a little bit of wood rot on and around the inside of the transom and port faring that needs to be addressed, and a few other spots that need some skilled shiprights work. Fortunately, I live in one of the Wooden Boat capitols of the world, Port Townsend, WA and I have lined up one of the masters at wooden boat repairs here. His rates are reasonable, and infact, he was on the crew that helped restore this vessel 10 years ago, so he knows the boat well and comes highly recommended.
The boat is due too for a repaint of the hull and superstructure as well as due for a bottom painting, which I had done 2 years ago when I had the boat hauled out and surveyed.
So you might think this is a pretty strange request for funding, but in reality, as gorgeous as this boat is, resale-wise, people just are not buying older wood boats, or certainly not paying top dollar for them. Although we have been in and thoroughly enjoyed being part of 4 Wooden Boat Shows since we've owned St. Brendan, I know most people are afraid to purchase wooden boats, believing them to be just too much work. In fact, I've had to do very little work on this vessel since I've owned her. The top sides and roof have been fiberglassed and/or painted over, the hull is top quality boat paint, and any exposed outside wood is treated with a substance known as Cetol, which is fairly easy to maintain, and is quite durable in this Pacific Northwest environment!
Aside from having the boat "dived" periodically to clean and examine the bottom, props and rudders, as well as occassionally change out the zincs, and have a little paint retouching done this past Summer, there has been very little need for a "lot of work", as people tend to believe about wooden boats. And nothing rides or feels like a real wood boat!
My small retail business is doing alright, but is just getting by right now, holding our own in this economy...and coming up with the $7000 or so I need to do these much needed repairs and updates to help keep this piece of nautical history stay alive and sound, would be near impossible at this point, and at this time of year without going into debt. I want to get this work done before it gets worse though, so I do not want to wait any longer.
Matthews boats were built in Port Clinton, Ohio, and the comany was started in the late 1800's, and went out of business in the 70's.
Matthews boats are prized for their stable and flat rides, and their classic sturdy build and lines.
Matthews boats were used in 2 different Humphrey Bogart films from the 30's, "Key Largo" and "To Have and Have Not".
P.T. Barnum, of Barnum and Baily Circus owned 6 different Matthews boats. Obviously quite a fan as he kept ording larger and larger models.
A Matthews boat was the first gas powered boat to cross the Atlantic around 1912 (I believe) ...and only a 36' version! Could you imagine?
I will take every opportunity to reward those of you that can and choose to help fund this bit of much needed repair, maintenance and small bit of restoration by keeping you posted on what boat shows we will be showing our St. Brendan in, and donors will be given priority boarding and possible invites for cruises, and gourmet wine tasting events on board.
St. Brendan was the name of this vessel when I first saw her at the Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival in 2012. I researched the name, and found that St. Brendan was a 6th centruy Irish Bishop that made an animal skin boat, and with some of his followers, and according to his logs, crossed the Atlantic, making it to Greenland, Iceland, and North America around 500 years before Leif Erikson. Needless to say, I chose to keep the name the same. Ask any Irish schoolchild who discovered America, and they are most likely to answer, "St. Brendan".
Please help me restore the "Mighty St. Brendan" and catch any more wood rot from spreading now.
Thank You,
Joe Euro
Owner, 1947 Matthews Sedan Cruiser
St. Brendan
PS. Here's some pictures of the inside transom, stern and port faring that will be repaired.
Organizer
Joe Euro
Organizer
Port Townsend, WA