Cruiser
Name/Title
CruiserEntry/Object ID
1996.005Description
Most visitors to the Museum are surprised to learn that the 40-foot carvel cruiser, Seagull, was built by the Lyman Boat Works. Lyman is best known for its rugged, lapstrake, small runabouts and utilities. The decision to build custom cruisers was made by Bill Lyman to keep his skilled carpenters fully employed as the company was starting to emerge from the throes of the Depression. Lyman built a number of 33-foot carvel-planked fishing boats for two commercial fishing companies as well as workboats on special contracts. Lyman built four custom cruisers during this period including a 33-footer, a 36-footer, a 38-footer, and a 47-footer. The 38-footer was the Seagull that was built for Wade Dauch at a reported cost of $6,850. Even though she was listed as a 38-footer it actually measures 39'-10" overall and weighs 12 tons. The planking is 1-1/4" mahogany over heavy white oak ribs. After two owners in the first few years, Seagull became the property once more of Bill Lyman and he cruised the Great Lakes extensively with her for several years. It became known thru out the region as Bill Lyman's personal cruiser. After Bill Lyman sold Seagull she had a few owners before becoming the property of the Great Lakes Historical Society. The Historical Society sold her and after two more owners she was purchased by Donald Doebler who traveled south on the Intracoastal Waterway to his winter home in Florida aboard Seagull. The following spring Mr. Doebler returned to the Thousand Islands aboard Seagull where he has a summer home. Seagull was donated to the Antique Boat Museum in 1996 and has been maintained in the Museum's special in-water fleet for regular use on the St Lawrence River. Seagull is often used to take Museum guests on special tours of the River and she also participates in regional boat show events. She always draws an interested crowd of spectators who are surprised to learn that Lyman, the famous builder of small craft, built this fine cruiser in 1935. The Museum's Curator believes that Seagull is the only carvel-planked Lyman cruiser that has survived and is still in regular operation.Collection
BoatsAcquisition
Accession
1996.005Source or Donor
Doebler, Donald W.Made/Created
Manufacturer
Lyman Boat WorksDate made
1935Place
Location
Sandusky, OH, USANotes
Early Date: 1935 Propulsion: inboard diesel Engine: Perkins model 6354 serial #37116660MF MPH: 11 0.0 Cylinders: 6Dimensions
Width
11-1/2 ftWeight
24000 lbDimension Notes
Length: 39.5833333333 ftLocation
Wall
EastRoom
Bay 8Building
*Don Doebler Collections Storage FacilityWall
EastRoom
Bay 7Building
*Don Doebler Collections Storage Facility*Cleveland E. Dodge Memorial Launch Building
Bartlett Point Barn 1