Does anyone know anything about Winchester boats? Thanks.
bump
Winchester boats were built outside of Greenville, NC (where I used to live) near the small town of Stokes, NC. An older gentlemen (who worked for Grady White IIRC) began building them in a small shop and ended up turning out several each year. I have to wonder if he bought some of GW’s old molds.
Those boats were not mass-produced by any means and I don’t recall seeing signs for them at dealer lots so the builder probably sold them out of his shop. I see them mostly around eastern NC and their V-huls have classic hull designs. IIRC, they also built some tri-hulls. The v-hulls I’ve seen up close seem to be well-built and they look alot like older Grady White’s including those with the lapstrake hulls. They are heavy boats, however because they have so much wood in them. I’ll take a WAG and say they built boats in the 14-21’ range, but most of what I’ve seen were in the 16-18’ range. They quit building them in the early 90’s from what I understand.
There is an old dual console, lapstrake hull Winchester in my parents’ neighborhood that has not moved since the early '90’s. I’ve often thought about taking a closer look at it and making a low-ball offer because I figure the motor is probably shot and the trailer is painted steel.
Like other boats that old, transom and stringer rot is a concern especially since those boats had so much wood in them.
Have you found one to buy? If so, what year and size boat?
I was considering it but i’m not too sure now. It’s a long way away from me. It’s on ebay. It’s a 21’ that looks to be in good shape. It’s a walk around cabin. Guy said his reserve was $3200.00 It’s about 4 hrs from me here up in NC. off of 95.
Check it out… If you ebay search 21’ winchester it should come up.
It looks good, but without being able to look at it before bidding (especially the transom and floor), I too would not be comfortable bidding as it could end up being your “white elephant”.
I know… I wonder if you could get it for less than 3200 if it’d be worth the chance, knowing it may take a transom at some point… What do you think that bottom price should be knowing it could need a floor and transom some day?
My only encounter with Winchester boats was at Shearon Harris Lake, NC a number of years ago. 4 teenagers were launching the boat and unstrapped it at the top of the ramp. It slid off the roller trailer and was sitting at the top of the ramp. The kids simply pushed it down the ramp leaving a large white chalk line down the ramp. They jumped in and off they went, just like they planned it that way.
Carolina Skiff Doug
1980DLX Carolina Skiff
quote:
Originally posted by Private IslandI know… I wonder if you could get it for less than 3200 if it’d be worth the chance, knowing it may take a transom at some point… What do you think that bottom price should be knowing it could need a floor and transom some day?
Without seeing it and if you really want it, I’d hit him with no more than $2500 after the auction.