Huckins Yachts

Nice to see they use it too. Solomon's to St Mikes is a nice cruise.

Long Time No See!!!!
A quick update on the restoration of AVIDA (ex twos enuff).
I paid a Jacksonville trucking company a deposit to truck her from Galveston tx, to the Huckins yard. Unfortunately she was to big for them and they'd spent the deposit money. (yet to get it back!!!!)
So I then contacted a Tampa based shipping company via Uship to have them blatantly steal a good chunk of money from me. He was actually locked up for selling one of the boats he transported.
SO....... I opted to do a light fix in Galveston and bring her to Florida on her own bottom. (date TBA)
The budget took a hell of a knock and my wife currently hates the boat as we've been ripped off not once but twice in the first few months of ownership. HOWEVER for me, being stubborn it means yet another story to tell when the old girl is to her former glory.

Hull repairs are finished and really surprisingly was very minimal. A couple of deck repairs are still to be completed.
New engine room hatches installed.
Shafts, props and rudders are now reinstalled.
Genset was removed last week to investigate rebuild potential and alas NO, I think a new one is needed.
Davit removed for service but I'm hoping to find an alternate system to help keep the air draft down.
Garmin electronics and wave wifi ready to install.

Questions for those in the know:
- The batteries are missing (36v, 24v, & 12v), does anyone know what would have been the batteries used (36v is my main concern) and if they are positive earth?
- If they are positive earth, can I and is it worth converting to negative?
- Does anybody have a nice 15KW genset rolling around they don't need?
- Have you heard of a 36v invertor/charger?
- Any idea what the fuel burn is on the 8V71N detroits?

Nice to see the great pictures of my baby. I have ownedWatermark for just over three years!
The previous owner had Huckins completely rework the interior and Huckins kept it all original and redid all the bright work-- it's gorgeous below decks!
In 2001 the the DD were replaced with Cummins C450 turbo charged and new gears!
All the engine room wiring was replaced
Since I have owned the boat I have:
Replaced the bow thruster
Installed new four bladed props-- much less vibration then three blade she had
Huckins painted the hull and top sides! Used ALEXSEAL
Bottom was skinned-- new fiberglass installed
Half of the bottom magahony planking had been replaced by previous owners and it is in remarkable shape
I think resorcinol and solid upkeep is responsible for condition of hull
A lot of wooding top sides including new engine hatches
Interesting tid bit--- I have been told that the sixtys boat had fiberglass installed when new on top sides decks but not on vertical surfaces-- like around the windshield-- resulting in a lot of wooding being required on those surfaces!
All twelve battery's were replaced- two 32 volt banks( two sets of four eight volt golf cart)and four 12 volt engines, generator and dedicted battery for bow thruster
New 32 volt invertor OUTBACK
New refrigerator
Rebuilt air compressor
Rebuilt anchor windlass

Reading this list I'm wondering how we had time to run the boat over 4200 miles in the last three years but we did!!
Of course I have hit the high lights!
Had a lot of fun!
I'm a retired career Naval officer and love being on the water!
Fortunately my wife enjoys life on the water as much as I do!
So" Watermark "is for sale and we are buying a larger boat to live on for six months of the year!

Any updates on SIGO?

For anyone interested, a few years ago I posted some comments on my restoration of a 1946 Offshore 48 originally named Nirvana to another thread here. Unfortunately she ultimately proved beyond saving and I had to have her scrapped back in 2014. A very sad day. I posted a full write-up of the project on the WoodenBoat Forum if you are curious. It's a somewhat grim story but probably familiar. Lots of money spent and many lessons learned but in the end a formerly good boat put down.

Also I have a bunch of hardware that I saved including rudders, hatches, misc. proprietary aluminum castings, full stainless exhaust for the aft-mounted 671s, v-drives... Would be useful to anyone restoring a 48' or 52' narrow-hull boat, maybe others as well. Photos here. Contact me if you are interested. (With apologies if this post violates any terms of the forum - I couldn't find any policy on posting items for sale...)

- Chris

You've really got some nice old hardware there. Good that your loss can perhaps help save another Huckins.

I think that posting parts for sale here is fine. Not sure about the link to the photos, or the email link on a public forum. Mods may have a word about that.

Sent you a pm am interested in the compass

Any update on my old lady? Do you still have her?

Saw some photos from your run south. Replacement blower seals and setting the racks will get those 8v71s running clean again. Simple fix.

We did a LOT of wood work, then the buyer from us redid soft wood under the engine beds and a portion of the transom. Seaport Marine got her back through litigation and redid the entire transom. There should be very little rot as long as the pumps kept the bilges from filling.

The flying roof should probably be redone and get rid of the unsightly stanchions.

Any new photo's or news on Si- go?

A recent photo of Sashay escorting Meridian into Newport after her successful 3500 mile winter voyage which was down the coast, around Florida to the west side across Florida, over to the Bahamas, and back up the coast to Newport. Her last day of the trip was a 14 hour run outside from Ocean City, MD to Newport nonstop at an average speed of 19 knots! Who said these lively vessels can't compete with todays modern yachts?

I reached out to Blake via social media. Si-Go has been sold along, no further info on her new owner nor has he kept in touch with them.

Rumored to have headed back to the Jax area, but no news from Huckins either. I hope she doesn't succumb to the saws.

I was checking out the Hukins' for sale and I see all the models, Atlantic, Linwood, Offshore, Out Islander and Sportsman, etc.
In a few pictures, different models have the " Fairform Flyer" insignia as well.
I was under the impression that a Fairform Flyer was a model but now not so sure.
Was the FF the style of the hull used with many models ?
Just curious as I have always admired these boats as I do many others .......
Anyone know ?

I've seen them now and then around here. They are unique and the pedigree and history is fascinating. They are not really my kind of cruiser but I like them nonetheless.
I can find something I like in almost any boat but the Hukins and Elco's, Burgers and Browards sort of take me back.

Yes, Trumpy is another one. Nice to look at but not for me.
Thank goodness there are still people who take care of them and use them.