1964 Sport 13: Height of Missing Handles

[Danny Shilk]

I am working on a 1964 SPORT 13. The handles for the front storage area are missing. I can determine the length from the wood hatch but can anyone give me the height of these handles so I can build them?

[Jefecinco]

Are you referring to the mahogany anchor locker cover? If so, I don't recall seeing any handles on it. If I recall correctly it is held in place by a bungee cord. Try a site search for articles on the Sport 13. There are photographs on the site which could answer your question. You may also wish to post a photograph of the item you are asking about.

[jimh]

The wooden hatch that covers the anchor locker on several early models of Boston Whaler boats did not have a hinge or other retainer, and as result the original cover is often missing. I had a very early model SPORT 15 that was completely original in every way except that the anchor locker cover was home-made; I assume the original was lost when it flew off on the highway.

[jimp]

We had a 1963 Sport and the locker cover did have handles. Attached picture is the best I can do. Shinnecock Inlet, Long Island, 1969. You can see the handle on the port side.

JimP

[AZdave]

When I bought my sport 13, the locker cover did have handles. The cover was in very bad shape and I made a new one from solid lumber rather than plywood. I made the handles from 3/4 inch stock about 1 1/4 in high. The top edges were shaped with a round over bit in a router. I then cut a round bottom groove in each side with what is called a core box bit. This was a close match to what was on the boat when I bought it. I have no idea whether that hatch was actually original. I thought the "handle" was also a stiffener which kept the hatch flat. The interior of the boat was all solid wood so dimensional stability would be a consideration when building parts.

[specracer]

Probably too late to be helpful for you, but our c.1959 has just a board with the two handles or grips. No hinge or any type of fastening as others have mentioned. The handle at its longest point is 9-inch (ends are tapered), at the widest and tallest point they are both 1-inch. My family bought this boat new, so to the best of my knowledge this is the original locker cover.

Boston Whaler early 13-footer hatch

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Boston Whaler early 13-footer hatch

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Boston Whaler early 13-footer hatch

IMG_20160302_3.jpg (15.53 KiB) Viewed 9881 times

[specracer]

Boston Whaler 13-foot hatch detail

IMG_20160302_4.jpg (21.18 KiB) Viewed 9883 times

[jimp]

specracer--Same handles we had on the 1963.

[Jefecinco]

To me those "handles" look like the pieces on the bottom of the anchor locker cover which keeps it from sliding around when it is closed.

[jimp]

Butch--No. The handles were on top. The cover was recessed into the bow locker and wouldn't slide around. Also, no hole in the cover to lift it up if the handles were down.

[Jefecinco]

Jim--Thanks. Unfortunately my only real reference is the cover on our 1981 Sport 13. Our cover is recessed on the front and sides but not the rear if I'm remembering it correctly. It's not original and has been screwed down to the deck and has a fishing seat mount permanently attached. I've had it off once to ensure there were no problems with the drain. Restoring the area is going to be a pain in the rear so I've been putting off. The locker gel coat is a mess so I may have it professionally repaired and get a new set of interior lumber as the console also needs a lot of work.

From pictures I've seen the cover originally had a "finger hole" to the rear and a bungee cord arrangement to secure the cover. When I finally get around to the work I'll figure it all out.

[jimp]

Butch--the later models, after 1963, had the finger hole instead of the handles; my brother-in-law's boat had the finger hole and was a late 1960s model, a 1967 or 1968. We never figured out the bungee to secure the cover. It would have run it down through the drain hole and clogged that, defeating the purpose of the hole. We 14-year olds (at that time) just ignored it.

JimP

[jimh]

Probably too late to be helpful...

The information about the design of the early 13-foot Boston Whaler forward hatch cover is very good, and don't worry for one moment if this helps the original poster in this thread. I will keep this information on-line for the next 20-years and it will help plenty of people. Thanks for the contribution and the photo-images.

[specracer]

Jim if there ever are posts like this, feel free to reach out if I miss it. Happy to provide what ever help I can.

[knotreek]

I have a 1964 sport in my driveway...did the orginal poster get his answer?