Hiliner 140 Restoration

Kieth Symmes from Essex, MA sent me the following note and pictures.

Well the “140” HiLiner is out in the sunshine in Essex, MA for the first time in many years! These will serve as some “before” pictures and obviously I have a lot of work ahead of me, but I am optimistic. As I had indicated previously, this was my 93 year old father’s boat and he got it from his older sister who had it on the tiny fresh water river up in Amesbury, MA at her camp many many years ago. I had taken most of the hardware off the deck and started sanding there first. I hope to also strip the paint on the sides and if I can, stain that as well. My dad said this pale green was the color is sister had from way back. The motor is the original 1957 18 HP Holiday Bronze Johnson which has seen very little use, and the trailer is also a classic. I notice the steering is offset to the port side more than the one shown in the 1955 brochure. I wonder if it was offered in  1956 and 1957 as a special order as this was always represented as a 1957. Notice the red “rope” that does the steering!!! Wish me luck? I’ll need it as I start this project. I also have some vintage pennants to fly from the United Shoe Yacht Club that my mother’s father was active in more than fifty years ago. I also have his vintage paddle and gaff hook to lovingly restore. Looking forward to this classic wooden boat being on Chebacco Lake again.

I also have several more vintage green Johnsons tucked away from the 30’s (rope pull 10 HP), 40’s (5 HP), and early 50’s (two 25 HP) in similar condition as we have been here on the lake since 1937.