BBSB Help

C

Capt. Frank Miller

Active member
I looked at a vintage Van Duyen Brothers BBSB today. Complete with original oars, comming, hatch cover, anchors etc. Two questions. This boat was built in 1975 according to the title. The boat is fiberglass. Not a wood boat that was glassed but a true fiberglass BBSB - feather edges and very light. Here are my questions: I ran the boat and it performed well but I had some water washing across the stearn deck not a lot but a little. The top of the stearn deck with me sitting in the stearn with the outboard (7hp) on it was just about water level would this be normal or do I weigh TOO much lol. Second question I pounded the hull with my hand and it appears sound. But I went to step on the bow deck which is only fiberglass (it doesn't have much framing underneath)I heard a little cracking. Now I am a big boy so I am thinking maybe the front deck isn't made to walk on or is it that the glass has weakend with age? This boat is in perfect shape and I would love to own a piece of history but don't want to throw money away either. Thanks as always for any advice.
 
Did you have an extension handle on the tiller? Try moving yourself forward to trim the boat out. I can submerge my after deck when I am leaning back to tilt the motor up or tie a stern anchor line onto the grab handle. Underway, I either kneel on the floor or sit on the combing near the oar lock.

Tom
 
I doubt it really needs a 7hp outboard. You can't get going really fast anyway. 5hp could even be excess. A smaller outboard might weigh less.
 
Frank,you didn't say if the 71/2 was a 4 stroke or not.Weight ,both the motor and yours,is the problem with the stern awash.If you have a smaller motor use it with a tiller extension,to get your weight forward.My MLB Wigeon runs a 6hp ,47lb engine,with a 30" tiller extenson,so that I can get my weight close to the center of the hull/cockpit.
You mentioned that the boat was light,and no doubt the lay up for the fore deck was kept light.Don't stand on it.Crawl over the side,when boarding.
 
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