1961 Wheeler 26 Sea Skiff

Wheeler Fibre Glass Boat Corporation 26' Sea Skiff as purchased in 2019.

1961 Wheeler 26 Sea Skiff

As purchased in 2019 with custom Trailer

1961 Wheeler 26 Sea Skiff

Fibre Glass stands the test of time, not the wood.

1961 Wheeler 26 Sea Skiff

Gutted interior. A blank canvas.

1961 Wheeler 26 Sea Skiff

10' long open fishing deck. 9'-0" wide

Monday, January 24, 2022

A nice trailer that comes with a boat....

That's what I was told when I brought my new project home. Truth be told, she was right. It was a very nice custom-built trailer.  However, I was interested in the boat that sat upon it.  A 1961 Wheeler 26 Sea Skiff.  Built by the short-lived Wheeler Fibre Glass Boat Corporation, a division of the famed Wheeler Yacht Company, known for building all of Hemmingway's boats.  It was their very limited foray into this new material, fiberglass.  The interior was completely gutted and the motor was in 100 pieces but the hull was sound. Enough to start with.

1961 Wheeler 26 Sea Skiff
LOA. 25-10", Beam 10'-3"
Chrysler Sea V M80 ,177HP









 

Sunday, January 23, 2022

Wheeler History

                                        Wheeler Fibre Glass Boat Corporation advertisements.


In 1961, 3 models were offered.  A 30' Family Express Cruiser, a 30' Semi-Sedan Sportsman, and a 26' Semi-Sedan Seak Skiff,


A photo from the 1961 Boat Show in New York.  Supposedly, this boat is shown in the front left.  
Hard to see any detail but the shape is clearly the same.