Between 1957 and 1970 Cheoy Lee produced approximatley 133 folkboats originaly sold as the the Offshore 25, better known as the Frisco Flyer.

There were three versions of this small blue-water boat. 91 in all wood and 42 in Fiberglass with wood. There were 55 Type I's and II's and 78 of the Type III's. The Type I (aka the Pacific Clipper) was an all wood boat, had a mast that was stepped through the deck, a traditional folkboat fractional rig and a smaller cabin. The Type II's had a larger teak trunk cabin and a masthead rig. The Type III's had a larger teak dog-house cabin, some "standing" headroom and a masthead rig stepped on deck. The earlier Type III's were solid teak built onto a fiberglass hull and the later Type III’s (1966-1970) were made entirely out of fiberglass with teak paneling.

This boat, Yard # 1507 is one of approximatley only 30 Type III's left. It was out of the water for the previous 16 years when I got it and then about another 5 more while I rebuilt it. It was an empty, cracked hull when given to me and needed a complete restoration/refit. It took about five years of long nights and weekends of working outside under a tarp, in the garage or in the boat during cold winter nights, wet rainy afternoons and everything in between. The occasionally eager assistant on the project was my four (now ten) year old daughter who can have this boat as soon as I convince her mother to get another one. This blog is the record of all the work that "we" have done to the boat as well as some other somewhat related events with friends and family. Eventually, this will be put together in a book which will stay with the boat.

She still has plenty more to go but for now, Jackaroe has been in the water for a couple years now and thats all that matters...

To see past projects, use the links below.



Questions and comments to Matthewearlgarthwait@gmail.com





Wednesday, August 1, 2007

"New" outboard....

Whats better than a 1965 boat in a million pieces that doesn't sail?

A 1925 outboard that hasn't worked since the 80's.

A friend very generously donated to "the cause"** by giving me his old Johnson outboard. He was given the motor when he was approx 13 by a man who was in his 80's. It ran on and off for 20 years and has sat for the last 20 or so unused. Its a beautiful little motor that I'm determined to get going by spring with a little help. By looking at the model number etc it appears to be a 2 HP Model A25, Waterbug. Almost exactly the same as the very first outboard offered by Johnson in 1922.

Year & Model: 1925 Johnson Waterbug/Light Twin
Horsepower: 2 @ 2400 rpm
Cylinders: 2 - opposed twin
Bore: 2" Stroke: 1.5"
Ignition: Johnson Magneto Point
Gap:.020
Cooling: Water by mechanical piston pump.
Weight: 35 lbs.Oil/Gas
Mix: 1/2 pt TCW-3Spark
Plug: Champion C7

The "A" series was Johnson's first outboard going on sale in 1922. Light & portable, built of quality materials and very well mannered, the Johnson A revolutionized outboard motoring in the 1920's. The Johnson "Waterbug or Light Twin" as it was called, developed two horsepower at 2200 RPM, had full pivot reverse and weighed only 35 pounds. Many of its parts were made of aluminum which was new to the marine industry. The motor was introduced at the New York boat show in 1922 with 3429 units sold that year for $140 each. In 1923 around 9000 units were sold.

I put together some various photos of other 1925 Waterbugs...


The 2 HP is a "touch" small for the Cheoy Lee but might be enough to push the old wooden dory as a nice tender.

**"The cause" is quickly becoming a pile of boats and boat parts in the boat shed that Maki keeps insisting is actually a garage.
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