- Location: Junction City, Kansas
- Engine: Corsair Navigator Outboard
- Registration: KA-25-P
In the 1950’s there were countless American manufacturers trying to meet the demand for boats. While many worked with the then-new fiberglass, some focused on wooden construction. Today, you don’t come across many of the smaller brands. They were either never built in large volumes or were left to the elements and are no longer with us. This 1957 Geneva Wood Runabout is quite rare, as the brand didn’t build all that many boats, and the ones that they did build have all but disappeared. It has been hiding out in a barn in Kansas for much of its life and is believed to have only seen one season of use before going into storage. It is being offered by its 3rd owner here exclusively as a Barn Finds Auction.
The seller purchased it from a friend, who purchased it from the original owner. It comes with the 1963 Kansas registration slip, which is believed to be the one and only season that it saw use. Given how old the registration is, it’s being sold with a Bill of Sale. Having the old registration slip is an awesome piece of the boat’s history! It’s hard to say what it will need to be ready to hit the water again, but it really does look to be in amazing shape.
This Corsair Navigator outboard motor looks rather large on this 14-foot runabout, but if you want to get water skiing, you’ll put all 30 horsepower to good use. The seller hasn’t attempted to start the motor and who knows when the last time was that it ran. Hopefully, all it needs is to be serviced and given some fresh fuel. Corsair was built by Scott-Atwater which was purchased by McCulloch in 1956, meaning this is likely one of the last Navigators outboards built. It features a push-button electric starter, remote gear select, and a 6-gallon fuel tank. The vintage water skis are included in the sale and make for a great display.
The seller believes this boat to be very original inside and out. Given how few of these there are, there aren’t many references to go from on what would be original. Based on the condition of the internal wood structure, it seems likely that it is quite original. Geneva went on to build fiberglass boats in the 1970s, but there aren’t many records on the brand.
Overall, this boat looks like an interesting and fun piece of history. Getting it back on the water won’t be an impossible task and it sure would be fun to take it out for a cruise! Wooden boats from this era really have a special charm that you just don’t get from a fiberglass boat. The Corsair motor should allow for a top speed approaching 40 mph, which is plenty fast for most of us. And it would be an interesting conversation piece at any antique boat show you might take it to. So, if you’d love to be the next owner of this fine craft, be sure to cast your highest bid below!
Bid On This Auction
- Marc bid $4,000.00 2023-10-26 10:04:32
- RickGM bid $3,800.00 2023-10-26 10:03:33
- Marc bid $3,750.00 2023-10-26 10:01:56
- Jbasco1 bid $3,500.00 2023-10-26 10:01:50
- RickGM bid $3,450.00 2023-10-26 10:01:15
- Jbasco1 bid $3,400.00 2023-10-26 09:59:19
- RickGM bid $3,300.00 2023-10-26 09:56:25
- Marc bid $3,250.00 2023-10-26 09:55:50
- Jbasco1 bid $3,200.00 2023-10-26 09:47:03
- RickGM bid $3,050.00 2023-10-26 09:39:28
Steele bid $3,000.00 2023-10-26 00:16:49- Boboso bid $2,600.00 2023-10-25 16:52:36
- Steele bid $2,500.00 2023-10-23 13:14:19
- Dopnn0212 bid $2,000.00 2023-10-19 07:49:52
- TL Morgan bid $1,101.00 2023-10-18 11:43:25
- NextExit bid $601.00 2023-10-18 10:35:21
- Kidlocke bid $100.00 2023-10-18 10:33:26
If I had covered storage I’d throw out a bid. Looks to be in really good shape. I’m kind of a sucker for old boats.
It is definitely fiberglass covered in a few of the photos. Port stern quarter for example and port bow photo. In the port bow photo it appears that the fiberglass reinforces the bow and is laid over the bottom of the hull to just above the water line. It does not appear that the fiberglass continues up the hull sides along the port side.
I did some more research and it looks like Geneva was a subsidary of Bowman Manufacturing. I haven’t been able to find more info on this model specifically, but it looks like Bowman built a similar model under their own name called the Sportster. Here’s a link to an old Bowman brochure: https://www.fiberglassics.com/library/images/4/4e/Bowmana5x003.jpg
The hull features what they call Ply-Glas, so plywood with fiberglass over all the joints and seams as seen on this boats hull.
Never seen one of these. Beautiful wood boat. Somewhat unique styling.
That is a really snazzy old boat, it speaks of yesteryear from a middle-of-the-road perspective, not from the ‘Tiffany’ style, high end rig like a Chris Craft, which I have always thought to be exquisite boats, with exquisite pricing. I’d love to put this one in my collection of old things, I’d park it beside my 57 Spartan Imperial Mansion, on it’s colorful ‘little tykes’ trailer. A really neat piece of history here, love to be the next owner!
I’m glad it’s half way (or so) across the country or I’d have to bid. I could actually tow this behind the Woodie…….
When I look at the simplicity of design,the lack of amenities, whatever they be, all I can think is we were a hardier people :) with lower expectations of luxury even in a runabout.
For years I used to read Wooden Boat magazine and as a kid many friends had wooden Lightnings, although mine was an early glas and wood boat. Someone hopefully will get his in the water.
Be aware these old boats have flat hulls because of the low HP motors . they are a blast on smooth water, but almost any chop at all will beat you to death.
They are perfect for early morning and sunset cruises when the water is flat.
Absolutely true! Like hitting concrete!
The reserve is off!
It would be great for the lake, but then only on calm days with a mostly flat hull. Back in the 60s we had a wood boat the my uncle had built in the 50s with a 40 hp Johnson. It had more of a V-hull, so it could manage the waves.