I wanted to save this one for a special occasion sometime down the road, since it really is a special boat. But with today being 1963 Day, I couldn’t resist posting this 50-year-old runabout.
What you’re looking at is a 1963 Crestliner Flying Crest. It’s a real survivor, still sporting all its factory parts and original paint, and powered by a 65 horespower Mercury outboard of the same year. I found it hiding in a suburban garage near St. Paul this spring, where an elderly gentleman had been keeping it since becoming its second owner in 1966.
According to the seller, the boat was rarely used – mostly for taking the kids and grandkids waterskiing once in a while. Outside of that, it sat – sometimes in his garage, sometimes in cold storage at the State Fairgrounds. Its condition was simply amazing, and its price more than fair; despite having a perfectly good 18′ deep V at home, I couldn’t pass it by.
I didn’t attempt to unfurl the canvas top before buying it, mostly because the seller confessed that it was shot (as best he could recall). Turns out it was factory original and in great condition – perhaps one of the last ones of its kind that’s still in one piece.
About the only incorrect modification to be found is the horn, which works fine. The seller claimed it was off of some prewar Chevy, but I’ve been unable to determine exactly what it is. Can you identify it?
If you like Mercury marine products – and I do – this motor is a thing of beauty. It still looks new, inside and out. Even the inspection stamps are still visible. And dig that manual hydraulic tilt – it’s operated by a hand pump near the driver’s seat!
And that interior! It, too, might well be the best-kept original set in existence.
What makes this boat even cooler (to me at least) is that it was born and raised in Minnesota, just like yours truly. The hull was manufactured in Little Falls; the seats in St. Cloud (by the Stearns company, best known for their lifejackets and other hunting/fishing equipment), the trailer in St. Paul. The whole package was sold by a dealer in Minneapolis, whose tags are still intact on both boat and motor. And, just like myself, it has spent its life having fun on local lakes and rivers.
The boat and motor required little more than a tune-up and new tags to be operable again. It handled great, scooted around just as fast as any new boat it encountered, and was a blast all the way around.
But I know what I’ll always remember most about it: the one and only family outing we took with it, to Lake Mille Lacs. One afternoon and six gallons of mixed gas made for priceless memories. Everyone got a chance to drive – even my little sister (12) and my grandmother (85).
I really never needed two boats, and since I have no indoor storage for it, I decided to resell it rather than see it get weathered. (Seems like every time I get my hands on something truly nice, I end up passing it on.) A deal has been negotiated to place this boat in the Crestliner Museum. They’re very excited to acquire the boat, and I’m glad to know it will be well cared for.
Though I only had it for a matter of months, it was both an honor and a pleasure to have owned.
Postscript: Unfortunately, the museum deal didn’t end up working out. The boat is currently in the hands of another private party, who I understand is giving it all the loving care it deserves – and still taking it out a few times a year. Just as it ought to be, I think! –KT
Awesome find, and so nice to know it’s going to the best possible home. It really reminds me of the boats in Iowa during those years, out at the reservoir and Lake MacBride. I have a funny story to tell about my grade-school friend’s fine 18′ Thompson runabout (wood) and its 110 hp Mercury. Another time, but I’m glad you jostled the memory.
I love the motor. Mercury always made the coolest-looking outboards. I have fond memories of my family’s 20-horse 1976 Merc in about a thousand pieces on the dock one summer. Probably five grown men standing around it, looking important and smart, when I don’t think any one of them could even identify the propeller.
I love old ski boats. What is that – 15 ft? Growing up in Northern Indiana, we had a lot of lakes around too, and there were a lot of these old boats around. My dad bought a used 1960s-vintage Sears Roebuck boat and motor (and trailer) back in the 70s for not much money.
65 horsepower is a lot of engine on that boat – bet she scoots. Dad’s was only a 45 (Sears-branded McCulloch) and it would groan a bit getting someone up on skis. I knew some folks with older boats, and 35 horse motors were not all that uncommon in that era. Yours was a hot rod.
Thanks for sharing this.
It’s a 16 footer. And yes, it surely would have been a hot rod in its day. Surprisingly light and lots of horses… be it wheels or water, that’s the formula 🙂
I love these old boats. New boats at the lake we frequent seem to be like of the “bigger is better even if it’s not” variety. No style, just supersized. It’s made my wife and I to think we’d rather restore one like this than buy new.
I am also Minnesota born and raised- but had no idea Rochester has a Crestliner museum. Probably because I’m the only Minnesotan who doesn’t own a boat. Oh well, I learn something new here every day!
Keith, what a find! A gorgeous looking runabout seldom, if ever seen in this condition. And it’s nice to know of your generosity in donating her to the Crestliner museum so she may bring joy to many outboard runabout fans well into the future. A wonderful act on your part. But what draws my eye is that Kiekhaefer Mercury. That outboard looks like it came off the showroom floor, just an exceptional looking piece.
The story of the man behind Mercury, Carl Kiekhaefer, is your typical American success story. And then some. His story, found in the book “Iron Fist”, is a fascinating read about a titan of the indurstry. Ole Evinrude may have invented the outboard, but Carl Kiekhaefer brought reliability and speed to the outboard motor. His Nascar team’s dominance in the 50’s made him the Rick Hendrick of his day.
My favorite Carl Kiekhaefer story finds him one day at his Mercury factory, walking the floor. He spots a man sitting on a crate next to the soda machine, drinking a bottle of pop. Mind you, Carl was intolerant of slackers. He was known for driving through the front gate of his factory if the security guard was slow in opening the gate.
Carl walks up to the man and asks him how much money he earns in a week. The worker tells him. Carl reaches into his pocket, rips off a few bills and gives it to the soda drinker, firing the man on the spot. Turns out the worker slacking off during the workday was just the soda delivery man…..
That was the man behind the black outboard,
Correct about the story of the pop delivery driver, but Ole Evinrude DID NOT invent the outboard, it is explained in “Iron Fist” as Carl bent over backwards to prove the point, and he did. Great book, great man, and anytime I feel my motivation waning, I pull it out and reread it. Mercury Outboards rule.
Thanks for the story. He does indeed sound like an interesting guy!
But I’d hate to collect kudos wrongly. With summer ending and long-term indoor storage not available, I began looking for a good home for the boat. My intention was to sell it for a little more than I bought it for.
While I was doing so, the museum contacted me and made an offer. It was less than my asking price, but not so low that I’d take a big loss. Knowing that this would be the ultimate “good home” for it, I accepted.
They got a lovely piece for their collection, I got a few bucks to put into some future find – everybody walked away happy.
I’ve pulled some pretty wild machines out of barns over the years, but so far this is the first one to end up in a museum! Needless to say, I’m very happy with the outcome.
Hopefully next spring I’ll have a chance to go visit it at its new home.
And we must not forget that Carl always underrated his engines, as far as HP ratings were concerned. 🙂
Nice find! We had old friends whom we met in 1969, and at the time, they lived in a house on a lake in the community of Lakewood Washington. The lake was Gravely Lake if I recall, and they had a boat, similar to this one, though I have NO idea who made it, though it was fiberglass, and red/white like this one.
It was kept mostly at the dock at the back of the property, may have been year ’round, I don’t recall now, but it had a Johnson outboard on it though.
I do recall it at times was difficult to start, but they always got it running. Man, good times! It even had the running lights so you could take it out on the water after dark if you needed to.
I miss those days visiting them, especially on the 4th of July.
Our other good friends, the Bishops for a time had a later model boat for a time, it was turquoise and white, and I think dated from ’67, and we’d go out in that on summer evenings to find places on islands to have picnic suppers, and do a bit of water skiing, though I never got to learn how.
The only reason they had it was one of their sons bought it back in the mid 70’s.
Also fun times!
Beautiful little boat! Thank you for sharing!
Nice boat and well done getting it in the museum. That is where it belongs. If it only had a Johnson 85 on the stern it would be perfect, but that’s just me. (-:. Good Job.
Lovely. In the considered opinion of 9-year-old boys in 1969 central Florida, the Merc was the hot rod boat motor. Black and chrome looked badass too. The Merc 9.9 was what junior fishermen aspired to – much more prestigious (and plenty faster) than Dad’s elderly 3hp Evinrude, or the pedestrian Johnsons. Not old enough to drive a car, but a boat – sure.
Late to the party again!
When we lived in Florissant, MO over 20 years ago, someone had a small runabout in their yard about the size of the boat here, but it actually had tail fins! I was tempted to make him an offer just to own an oddball like that! Should have taken a photo. It was blue & white.
A Jetstreak, perhaps? That’s the Crestliner that everybody seems to want.
Cool boat Keith, and nice to hear it’s going to be preserved. I did a Dockside Classic on my dad’s similar-vintage Chris-Craft, but it’s a bit bigger: https://www.curbsideclassic.com/slideshow/dockside-classic-1968-chris-craft-35-commander-dream-boat/
Keith, I found your page doing research on a Crestliner that I now have. After calling Crestliner I found they only had records of their boats only going back to 1983. I have a 1963 Sandpiper in mint condition and canvas top still white and never taken out of the package. I’m curious what you sold it for. I can’t find much on the boat or have i found any other boats like it.
I have one too Marty
Looking for 1963 crestliner boat sandpiper do you have or know were one is? Rob
rd.harris@att.net
where can I find parts for a 1963 crestliner sandpiper?
Do you use the top I am looking for one as mine was destroyed I’d buy it off u if you would sell it
Anyone have a close up picture of the Crestliner Decal?
I just found a 1964 14′ and the decals were worn off. I’m trying to restore it to original.
Any help is appreciated. You can also try 7817337633 as my number
Hello! I have a 1958 crestliner barn find. It appears to be all original except the engine, so I’ve been told. The carpet is great, paint shines but has some scratches. The windshield has a crack and a little tear in the seat but they are all original as well. The gauges and lights are also from the factory. It’s a great running boat with a 60 HP Johnson (not sure of the age) that runs like a sewing machine. I would like to sell it and I’m not sure what a good asking price is because I’m unfamiliar with the pricing of these older boats. It is located in LaPorte Indiana. If you have a minute to reply and give me an idea of what its worth, please let me know! Thank you all and happy boating.