Little
Beachcomber
Registration # - 5F
2521
Dashboard plate
Canada – Department of
Transport - Recommended Maximum Limitations
DOT No.
11386 HP
65 Manufacturer – Aroliner
Boat Co.
Serial Number - 5214 Load 1330lbs Model
CABINAIRE
Year Mfgd - 1947?
Note
from Doug Wagner – Sep 13, 2007
“I think much older than 1968 ....
round corner post has only been seen on Tin Can, vintage late 40s, I have talk
to old timers that skied behind Tin Can back in the 50s ... also appears regis is very old, the Saci is 5F
13078 vintage late 40s, are you missing a digit ? (not
likely when I see the transom number without the wood brace).... large side
windows also are old vintage ... transom corner braces very typical .... large center transom brace does not appear original .... but right hand steering appears late 50s .... blue DOTs, I now take
them with a grain of salt - some have one but the original metal serial
decal on the dash is different from the DOT serial number.”
History
Manufacture > 1995
– history unknown other than Transport Canada
response that 5F 2521 registered to Manitoban who applied on 17 June 1971
1995 > 2005 –
Boat observed resting on ground in open yard at Luke’s Town Service (Luke’s), Elie MB
2005 > 2006 –
No longer visible from highway (Luke Legault
explained he hid boat because of too many inquiries to purchase)
2007
- July 4 > Aug 27 - Boat
once again visible from highway. Informed
Little Beachcomber is owner’s project and not for sale. Email to Luke
explaining long term interest in boat and asking if he might consider
selling. Reply to email stating Luke is willing.
- August 28 – purchase agreed and
confirmed.
- September
3 > 5 - Travel to Winnipeg
& return
- September
4 – Purchase finalized at Luke’s – Old trailer included in deal. Trailer repaired
for travel (new wheels and temporary towing lighting kit (magnetic
mounts) purchased at Westwood Princess Auto, Winnipeg).
A complete, very easy and quick way
for temporary wiring!
Restoration Begins - 2007
- Sep 7
– Boat pre-stripping detail photographed
- Sep 7
> 9 – Boat pre-restoration photos. Interior and transom interior wood
removed from boat (much rot).
Motor controls removed (unserviceable).
- Sep 17
– Rivet removal set and rivet gauge ordered from Cleaveland
Aircraft Tool ( http://www.cleavelandtoolstore.com
)
- Sep 27
– Purchased stock of surplus aircraft rivets @ $5 / box of 200+ @ Ribtor Warehouse , Calgary
(http://www.ribtor.com)
- Photo
of Little Beachcomber Luke received when he purchased the boat from a Portage
la Prairie resident circa 1995 arrives. Written on back of photo is ‘Kelly Smith -
239-0760’. Number no longer in use. Conversation with only Kelly Smith
found in Manitoba
directories not one of interest on back of photo.
- Little
Beachcomber stored indoors near Pincher Creek,
AB since Oct 2007
CATASTROPHE
- Oct
7, 2008
- While
towing boat home to Calgary on Oct 7 (to resume restoration), notorious
Southwestern Alberta winds flip boat and trailer into the ditch on
secondary highway – remains attached to tow vehicle via safety chain. Significant damage to cabin
structure! No injuries or other
damage. A couple of local ranchers/farmers come to aid and help flip
trailer and boat upright. Little
Beachcomber returned to indoor storage.
- Search
of rollover site two weeks later with magnetic detector retrieves the
few parts not found at time of accident.
- Post-accident
self-analysis attributes cause to owner decision to tow in high wind
conditions and trailer coupling not sufficiently tight. Owner in a funk!
RESTORATION RESUMES
- Sep
19, 2009
- Boat
and trailer retrieved from storage and returned to Calgary
- Stopped
enroute at RV repair facility for quote to
repair rollover damage and other minor aluminum work.
- Little
Beachcomber metal repairs to be completed in first quarter 2009
- Other
restoration work to resume as able.