TOPIC: Wood Row boat value?

I got a Shell Lake boat from a guy at "the lake" many years ago. It is a 14' Shell Lake row boat. I don't think he ever used it. It came with the cabin and was stored in the basement for years. I've had it at least 20 years. I think it is a late 40's post WW2 model. It has only one layer of paint over the original paint and varnish which has mostly pealed off. The wood condition is like new. No rot, no wear areas. It looks like it may have had a small motor mounted on it once or twice. Mainly I collect Larsons, but I couldn't let him take this one to the dump.

It is hanging from the roof in my shed. If this thread sparks any interest, I'll snap some photos.

Please do. And I love the Jeepster, great old car.

I'd love to see pictures.

An article on the history of Shell Lake Boats is in the "Classic Library" here. It appeared in the Sept/Oct 2009 issue of Classic Boating magazine.

Value is difficult to say. A few hundred dollars to maybe a thousand. Altho the little row/motor boats and duck boats at yesterday's Warner Collection auction sold for twice or up to four times what they were worth. So what does that tell us????

Andreas

An article on the history of Shell Lake Boats is in the "Classic Library" here. It appeared in the Sept/Oct 2009 issue of Classic Boating magazine.

Value is difficult to say. A few hundred dollars to maybe a thousand. Altho the little row/motor boats and duck boats at yesterday's Warner Collection auction sold for twice or up to four times what they were worth. So what does that tell us????

Andreas

Those were probably the only boats "normal" people could afford! LOL

If this were a worn out former resort boat,I'd know it was worth $100 tops. However, in this kind of original condition I had to ask.
I'll get some photos. If I do restore it I will want to do as much research on Shell Lake as possible. I'll want it to look like it did when it left the factory. Not "too" good. I'll quote a Larson factory worker who was looking at a restored Larson wood boat, "I wish we'd had time to make them look like that". I love restored cars and boats, but I like original ones even better.

.....and Yes Crosby, the old boats like the ThunderHawk, Falls Flyer, and maybe this row boat do look oh so fine behind the Jeepster. Even if the Jeepster is a little too new.

i would love to see pics of this classic too! scott

OK, I took the photos. Of course I left the camera at work so I can't post them. Oops.

J: Interesting post. No knowedge of Shell here in our Eastern region. . However you seem unsure of its usage, having for many years.. If storage space is at a premium, then advertise to find a "Good home."

. My vote would be to display it for another year while letting collectors know it is available for sale or TRADE towards a Larsen , etc. . I recently got back to roots of antique tillers & enjoy 2nd or 3rd time around. Friend just gave my 1940 ELTO for free last month , so a older open flywheel motor still esy to find / buy .!! Also the wood canoe people get some of the "Old Town" rowboats, even though the $$ are not driven upwards.. Rowing is also a good exercise, as I had back problems in the kayak, fishing was excellent though.

. Lastly here is a pic my friend SCORED this spring & will make its show debut Oct 30th. eARLY 50'S WOLVERINE, but came with rare SUSPENSION TRL. Almost now talking a musuem pkg. Have a old TRL ?
........

Greetings Jeepser,

I haven't seen any shell lakes at recent ACBS rendezvous however there are about fifteen listed in the ACBS directory. Looks like they are mostly in the midwest. You may be able to get more info through your local chapter.

BTW..... majorly cool Jeep

yes i would like to see some pix. i live about 40 miles from breezy point. frog

Here are some photos of said craft,