18-19 foot Higgins motorboat
I found this off Welch Island while looking for an El Camino that sank in the '70's and a truck with a trailer attached that sank as I recall in the 70's or 80's.
Search as I may I cannot find any Higgins brand boat that looks like this nor have I heard of a Higgins before. Found stuff on Higgins on the 'Net but what I saw looks nothing like this. Interesting small glass windshield. Straight-6 motor. Hull completely intact (fiberglass?). No signs of scuttling. No plate or bow numbers. No decent side-scan image to post. Terrain brutal for a good scan. Can anyone tell us more about this make/model boat? Age? <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UulZdHnmKxw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UulZ...ature=youtu.be |
Higgins speedboat
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This looks like it
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Great video and in excellent shape. Was that a gas pedal on the floor like you would have in a car?
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Higgins 17' Runabout
I looked around Google, targeting the windshield with the three braces—two of which are strangely manufactured in a re-curved style. It appears this Higgins was a post-war runabout. The left-side steering was moved to the right side in the 1950s models. Its actual length would nail it down to one model.
Here is the Higgins 17-footer: http://www.antiqueboat.com/GetImage....400&Height=300 I gather that the license plate had corroded away from the frame. :confused: Someone in the Madison, WI area can check this at the boat show, July 31 – Aug. 1st 2015: Quote:
The solid appearance of the hull may be due to Higgins' (New Orleans, LA) long experience with plywood—including the wartime PT boats. (Though it's also possible that it's a restoration, lost on a rough Broads day). |
wow. crazy good vis. 20'?
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Yes viz was nice. As many know this changes radically on the lake depending on where you are.
I sent the video clip to the Higgins (Owners) Association; So far all they can say is that it is not 'glass but instead made of plywood. |
I have a friend whose dad lost a couple of tractors 35 years or so ago. I will get details if you are interested. Their business was supplying and renting bobhouses for years and sometimes Winni won!
I love your photos. Great history! |
Spaced out on one question re: gas pedal; As I recall it does indeed have a gas pedal. I thought I saw some of it in the clip.
And yes viz was terrific even at 56 feet. |
Higgins info
2 Attachment(s)
There doesn't appear to be a middle seat so I think it is probably a 17 ft Sport Speedster. There aren't a lot of obvious differences between 48 and 54 so it could be either year. I found a picture of a 52 that looks close and sales info from 54 all from Bob Speltz's Real Runabouts books.
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more higgins info
2 Attachment(s)
here is some additional information. PM me if any one wants the PDF file
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Quote:
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This one looks very similar...
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1dcOeUFwMO8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dcOeUFwMO8 |
Another Higgins link
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