1967 Super Skeeter Restoration in Progress

[Doug Vahrenberg]

I just acquired a 1967 Skeeter "Super Skeeter" Bassboat. That I will be be restoring. Weare planning on using it at upcoming shows and dealer events to help celebrate Skeeer's 60th Anniversary of building the 1st Bass Boat. Check back as I add images during my restoration.


The Orginal Condition


The Orginal Condition


The Orginal Condition


1967 Super Skeeter Logo

Accessories for my Super Skeeter that I have acquired:

Heath Kit Fish Spotter (Humminbird Started by Assembling)


Humminbird Super Sixty



Humminbird CH Thirty II


MinnKota CDR and HDR TRolling Motors

The restoration Begins: (8/25/07)
Boat Washed and Waxed to see if orginal colors can be seen. Charcoal Gray. Working on repacked wheels, changing bearings and painting wheels to orginal color to get the boat mobile.


washed and Waxed







Modified by Doug Vahrenberg at 11:52 AM 10/10/2007

[Smokymountman]

That looks more like "Old Iron Sides" than a bass boat. I am glad they have made a few improvements since then. Keep us posted, that should be an interesting rebuild.

[Ritchie]

Amazing! Really glad you'll be showing this, how is the boat constructed?

[Rollo331]

that is too cool....this thread really has me interested..........i love the old historic boats plese keep posting pics..who was running skeeter then>Mr burroughs???

it looks like they took a hull mold and cut the keel out and made the sides

[CaneFF]

awesome. look forward to watching this progress!

[bardern]

that is almost identical to a St. Lawrence River duck hunting boat. Was Skeeter the original bass boat manufacturer?

[nebguy]

neat!!!!!!!!!!

[ProcraftMike]

That will be a fun one to work on. Please keep us posted on the progress.

[Doug Vahrenberg]

Holmes Thurmon - invented the Bass Boat in 1948 (60th Anniversary in 2008) made from molded wood. Stemco purchased the company (That is who owned at time this bost was Mfg) then Coleman Comapny now Yamaha owns Skeeter. Here's link to some interesting history of Skeeter:
http://www.bassresource.com/fi....html
http://www.skeeterboats.com/ht....html

This boat is a Fiberglass Top Cap and Hull with a wood floor and transom. Dis you know Skeeter has many first: First Bass Boat, First to use Fiberglass in Bass Boat Construction, First 150 HP Outboard rated Bass Boat, First to use Composite Construction techniques, and more.

Learning alot about Skeeter Restoring this boat.

I'll keep adding images as restore comes along.

[billius]

Believe it or not I've fished out of that same model Skeeter. I have a friend whose Dad bought one of those in 1970. It was a 67 also. It was a very stable boat. It had a 25hp Johnson on it. His Dad lived in Shreveport, La. We fished on Toledo Bend.

[Doug Vahrenberg]

You don't have any old pics from those days? I will be building a backdrop for use in Sportshows and Open Houses and am look for old images (they can be scanned) and some added historical information of stories from the early days. If you can help let me know.

[biothree]

Doug,
Check out this Skeeter for sale.

http://dallas.craigslist.org/boa/407178374.html

[MrGreenJeans]

Definately looks like it would make a great duck boat. Some of your accessories are equally as interesting as the boat. Cool artifacts you have there.

[cart7]

Love those vintage trolling motors.

[boostedone]

Oh man, that thing is going to be cool. Still a face only its momma could love, but will be cool as hell especially with the old accessories.

Looks like it held up pretty good over the past 40 years. I guess they didnt build them like they did 20 years ago. My 88 Skeeter construction is so half @$$ed that the only thing good about it is its super easy to strip all the rotten stuff out since there is hardly any pesky fiberglass to go through to remove whats left of all the wood

[Doug Vahrenberg]

Been working the trailer over to get it road ready and mobile. I replaced wheel bearings and seals, primed and painted hubs, axle, wheels and fenders. Added "new shoes" to the wheels. Started cleaning galvinzed trailer with metal cleaning compound. Next week she head to Shoreline Fiberglass Repair in Smithville, MO for help and advice from owner Todd Eggers on the direction we need to head with boat restoration. I also removed SuperSkeeter nameplates to mold and reproduce the orginal nameplates. Check back as I update with the next steps in this restoration.

[87GT183]

Man that is a neat build. Very interesting.

[StratosNCO]

can't wait to see this one finished.

[okiepoweredbyskeeter]

this one going to be fun to watch, i wish you all good luck with this project

[Doug Vahrenberg]

Thanks for those that are watching. My tournament fishing has gotten in the way a little on the restore. I now have to travel to the FLW Stren Championship since I did too good at the last event.

I finally got the new Nameplates cast last night. This was a very interesting but fun expierence building a casting mold and then casting the new Super Skeeter nameplates.