Hal Kelly Wetback

If viewers are interested, you can see one of my other restorations by searching 1915 Gidley. Together, this and the Gidley comprise what I refer to as the navy. With the Gidley, the objective was to complete it historically accurately while preserving as much of its patina as possible. With this, the objective was to take a boat that it made no sense to repair, and restore it anyway. Authenticity and patina were not factors. This time I could change a few things. In the process I wanted to take what was then, due to deterioration, an extremely ugly boat and move it up the pretty scale as far as I could. If you like what you see, then for me it is mission accomplished. You be the judge.

[@timmadison2375]

Beautiful boat

[@moosenbeans903]

Sir our life’s are parallel you gave me mild shivers. I must be about 8 years older. Your hydro is priceless . Moose n beer mate

That is a LOVELY rebuild! Congratuations! :-)

[@spring4522]

Thank you very much!

[@MrClickbang357]

That is a PRETTY boat!!!

[@spring4522]

Thank you. Hal Kelly drew nice lines. The lines make it attractive.

[@jennifercarreau9296]

Dad, it's been nearly 40 years since I've ridden in the boat. Teach me how to drive it this year? 💗

[@keeledover4218]

if he don’t i will ;) i just got one

[@spring4522]

Absolutely! Was a day when you'd ask to borrow the car. Times change.

[@thebluepill1496]

Would I be correct in saying it ws designed for a short shaft outboard?

[@spring4522]

Yes you would. Even at that, in 1984 we raised it. You can probably see the checkerboard plating we used on the transom to get the engine up where we wanted it. In fact it is high enough that adequate water cooling to the engine is nor guaranteed. Hence the plastic tubing.

[@leshudson3627]

Very nice . Can I ask what size prop ?

[@daffyduck9901]

I think now he's got a new prop that he McGyvered out of wood.

[@spring4522]

Right now it has a Michigan Wheel on there. As I mentioned, the Johnson is on there because I bought it for cheap. With the Johnson I am limited in propellor design and pitch. As a result I am getting nowhere near the potential of the boat. However, when I took on the rebuild racing the boat was never in the cards. Its fun anyway.

[@jonnun7713]

How gorgeous!

[@spring4522]

Thank you. The objective was to take what once had been a pretty boat, rebuild it, and see how far I could move it up the pretty scale.