New member

[1956 Burchcraft]

Hello, my name is Richard, and I'm a fist time owner as of last year. I got my 1956 Burchcraft from my uncle in May of 2013. the boat had been sitting in his back yard for 23 years since my grandpa had passed. My grandpa bought the boat and trailer new from Busby's in Bremerton WA in 1956, however he bought the 5.5 Johnson in 1955. I became a member to try and find out more information about Burchcraft boats and to see if anyone else may have one.

Richard

[Steve_Kiesel]

Welcome to the group Richard. The boat looks pretty good for setting that long. Here is some info on the Fiberglassics website. Not much, but a place to start your research.

http://www.fiberglassics.com/library/Burchcraft

[1956 Burchcraft]

Thank you Steve it was in a shed for about 10-12 years then tarped over till i got it, the paint was peeling when I got it so I just flipped it over and sanded, removed all the old sealing and wood filler and replaced with new then primed and painted, and now she looks all new again. the motor was in his basement and in great condition he had all the fuel ran out before he stored it. so all in all it's a good boat.

Richard

[Steve_Kiesel]

Nice job. How did you save the Burchcraft logo?

[1956 Burchcraft]

That's a copy of the original I had made at a local decal shop then I just measured and stuck them on in the original place.

[Karl]

Those were made here in Aberdeen. I recently had a great talk with a gentleman that worked for Burchcraft back in the 50s he told me that he and his girlfriend drove up to Bellingham for vacation and he went on a tour of the Bellboy plant and at that time he realize that he wasn't going to be having a job at Burchcraft much longer.

[1956 Burchcraft]

Yep it still has the original placard that says Aberdeen WA, and its hull number it was given when built stamped in the transom. I sure would love to talk to someone who built them.

[Helmar]

Welcome and, Nice Save

Been busy moving things into storage and with the heat down here, slow going.
Nice save like I said and Great info Karl !

Enjoy

[1956 Burchcraft]

Thank you everyone for the information. I hope to bring it to Mason lake on September 13th for that gathering so everyone can see it in person.

Richard

[Chelan]

Great history of your grandfather's Burchcraft. Wonderful story and living memories. I look forward to meeting you soon.

Welcome aboard, Allan

[Garry Painter]

Those were made here in Aberdeen. I recently had a great talk with a gentleman that worked for Burchcraft back in the 50s he told me that he and his girlfriend drove up to Bellingham for vacation and he went on a tour of the Bellboy plant and at that time he realize that he wasn't going to be having a job at Burchcraft much longer.

I think I might like to talk to him in person. Back at Henry Burch's birthday party in 2005, the family had a photo album full of 8 x 10 glossies of the factory interior. I wish I'd known that before I got there, as I would have brought along appropriate equipment to scan all the images. I only got a few with my camera.


I love the high tech lighting.


I'm not sure what year this was. I'm guessing the early 50's.

When I bought my first Burchcraft, the title said "Homemade", so I thought it was a homemade boat, naturally. When I finally got it on the water, someone said; "Hey! That's a Burchcraft!" I said; "What the hell is a Burchcraft"? He is from Montesano, and 20 years my senior, so he knew what a Burchcraft was.

In 2003, we made a road trip.



I can't believe he picked up the prototype. It had a little sign on it that said; "DON'T TOUCH!"

Built in 1938, by Loren Burch, Henry's dad.

ps. Don't ever get me started talking about these boats....... I'm getting to that age....

[1956 Burchcraft]

This is my 1956 Burchcraft

[Helmar]

This is my 1956 Burchcraft

That is pretty sweet.
You may have said what the motor was but I think I have 25 motor that the electric starter was pulled from. Tried to sell it as a Lower unit but most of it is there. Still looking to sell it.

[Garry Painter]

Hello, my name is Richard, and I'm a fist time owner as of last year. I got my 1956 Burchcraft from my uncle in May of 2013. the boat had been sitting in his back yard for 23 years since my grandpa had passed. My grandpa bought the boat and trailer new from Busby's in Bremerton WA in 1956, however he bought the 5.5 Johnson in 1955. I became a member to try and find out more information about Burchcraft boats and to see if anyone else may have one.

Richard

I have 4. Do you have any specific questions? I could fill a book with what I know about these boats.

[1956 Burchcraft]

I'm interested in finding out how many are still around and interested in how many were made.