1961 Raveau Bomb 16' with original Mercury 800 as my first boat?

[boatme]

I realize a boat like this will take more maintenance and care than a modern one, but it's so beautiful! I would be using this boat mostly on the Ottawa river, and small lakes. I really have no idea about piloting a boat yet, and I'll be sure to study up before I set out. My question is two-fold:

1) Will the handling/comfort of this boat be substantially worse than a more modern fibreglass (yuck) or aluminum runabout or fishing boat?
2) If I take the time to learn about and carefully maintain the old Merc, can I expect it to start easily and run reliably? I don't mind doing maintenance and prep over the winter, but I'd hate to be constantly tuning and tweaking when my girlfriend and I head out for a cruise.

I'm an auto mechanic, and I've worked on everything from old British cars, two-stroke motorcycles, to a late model Porsche...however I don't want to have to constantly tweak and tune out on the water with my girlfriend, and potentially get into trouble due to an unreliable engine. The engine is equally as cool as the boat itself so I'd hate to put a modern engine on it.

Thanks,
Ray

 

[ValleyForge]

Just googled your boat - Wow what a boat ! absolute beauty. No idea really I'm afraid on your points but she looks quite flat bottomed so calm - very calm waters only, No comparison to production grp/fishing boats - you basically have a racing hydroplane kitted out with a bench seat. I think 'cruising' will be rather exciting. 1970's 80 hp Mercury - will sound awesome if you can get it going / keep it going. Not by tinkering on the water though, it'll either go great or need a strip down if my experience of those engines back then still holds true so keep a couple of paddles handy. Mind you, back then I used to try the 'oh dear its broken down - what can we possibly do now ?' trick. Sometimes didn't get a slap. Suggest you try & find a specialist owners club / classic motor boat club / Old speedboats club & forums etc. its there's loads about.

A really interesting craft - keep us posted !

 

[boatme]

Just googled your boat - Wow what a boat ! absolute beauty. No idea really I'm afraid on your points but she looks quite flat bottomed so calm - very calm waters only, No comparison to production grp/fishing boats - you basically have a racing hydroplane kitted out with a bench seat. I think 'cruising' will be rather exciting. 1970's 80 hp Mercury - will sound awesome if you can get it going / keep it going. Not by tinkering on the water though, it'll either go great or need a strip down if my experience of those engines back then still holds true so keep a couple of paddles handy. Mind you, back then I used to try the 'oh dear its broken down - what can we possibly do now ?' trick. Sometimes didn't get a slap. Suggest you try & find a specialist owners club / classic motor boat club / Old speedboats club & forums etc. its there's loads about.

A really interesting craft - keep us posted !

Thanks for the reply. The flat bottom comment is interesting because I read that Raveau (or someone) is making a modern version that's more Vee bottomed. Sounds like it may be a handful on the river around here. I still might have to look into it further though haha.

 

[ronsurf]

I love that motor! I don't see you can compare that with a fishing boat, just check your girlfriend is comfortable at high speed on the water - it feels like you are going three times the speed you go on the land.

Good luck!

 

[ValleyForge]

Thanks for the reply. The flat bottom comment is interesting because I read that Raveau (or someone) is making a modern version that's more Vee bottomed. Sounds like it may be a handful on the river around here. I still might have to look into it further though haha.

Had a go in a 13' hydro in the 60's - had a 40 hp Johnson - went like the clappers, seemingly in the air most of the time, blindingly wet, bone crushingly uncomfortable - you had to kneel on the bare hull floor. Exciting yes, Cruising, no. Had a couple of Searays more recently though, very comfy & easy and ideal for picnics, sunbathing & other water born activities. (Just remembered about said hydro - it was actualy a Canadian one imported to compete in something or other by a previous owner probably in the late 50's.)