Well after more than a couple of years of talking about, we finally added a new member to our family: A 1973 BellBoy 22' Hardtop Sedan. The boat has been in my family since it was purchased, not only was it the first boat I was ever on but also where I caught my first fish! My grandfather took great care of this boat and after he passed a few years back it became my mothers. As it turned out she was not able to give it the attention that it needed and passed it down to me.
Amanda and I had been planning to get it all summer and with our work schedules we were finally able to make it happen. The boat was in Salt Lake City so we loaded up the truck and away we went. When we arrived we found the boat covered with an old canvas tarp which had seen better days. The boat had been unused and sitting for 11 years due to my grandfathers Alzheimer's. After pulling the old girl out of the barn, we began to dust off the layers of dirt to find the boat still in good condition. So after new tires, new tail lights, and a thorough check of the surge brakes, we once again were on the road. The boat towed beautifully and we finally got her home with no problems.
We have been cleaning her with all of our available spare time. It was so dirty that even pressure washing could not get it completely clean. We have been scrubbing it by hand using Miracle sponges(which we should have bought stock in) and yesterday afternoon she was sparkling again. I know that grandpa would have been proud.
Still many things to do to get ready to hit the water but soon she'll be ready for her first NWCBC event. This will provide us with the long desired ability to attend those Puget Sound events we've been missing. Here are a few pics of the day after we brought her home, dirt and all. And yes it came complete with the original "Harvest Gold/Burnt Orange" shag carpet!
Amanda and I had been planning to get it all summer and with our work schedules we were finally able to make it happen. The boat was in Salt Lake City so we loaded up the truck and away we went. When we arrived we found the boat covered with an old canvas tarp which had seen better days. The boat had been unused and sitting for 11 years due to my grandfathers Alzheimer's. After pulling the old girl out of the barn, we began to dust off the layers of dirt to find the boat still in good condition. So after new tires, new tail lights, and a thorough check of the surge brakes, we once again were on the road. The boat towed beautifully and we finally got her home with no problems.
We have been cleaning her with all of our available spare time. It was so dirty that even pressure washing could not get it completely clean. We have been scrubbing it by hand using Miracle sponges(which we should have bought stock in) and yesterday afternoon she was sparkling again. I know that grandpa would have been proud.
Still many things to do to get ready to hit the water but soon she'll be ready for her first NWCBC event. This will provide us with the long desired ability to attend those Puget Sound events we've been missing. Here are a few pics of the day after we brought her home, dirt and all. And yes it came complete with the original "Harvest Gold/Burnt Orange" shag carpet!
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