Name/Title
MallardEntry/Object ID
2013.1.1Description
Mallard
This model of Cliffe Craft was one of the designs that Charlie Cliffe continued to produce after he purchased the moulds from the Link Manufacturing Company.
The original owner of this boat was Audrey Pullaw who had the boat licensed at the Gananoque Customs office in 1959 where it was issued a registration number.
The "Mallard" design has a centerline length of 15 feet, a beam of 58 inches and a mid ship depth of 24 inches. When Link originally started building this particular model of boat they used "Phenol Bonded" mahogany plywood planking over oak frames but this was changed to a longitudinal cedar strip over oak rib design after a couple years of production. The "Mallard" is slightly wider and deeper than the similar "Widgeon" model, which made it the preferred choice for use on larger bodies of water, such as the St. Lawrence River. Other design features that helped to strengthen the boat included two keelsons, or stringers, that ran well forward, a solid frame under the centre seat, and extra-long gunwale to transom cheeks. The transom was also reinforced by a long centre knee bolted to the keel and two heavy side knees that were bolted to the keelsons. The "Mallard" was delivered from the factory varnished inside and out with a red painted bottom and was rated for up to a twenty five horsepower outboard motor. The four foot long forward deck, two removable wooden back rests, removable floor boards, and a full length splash rail were all standard equipment on this model.
The latest owner of the "Mallard", Richard Graham Bell, Audrey Pullaw's nephew, obtained the boat in the late 1990's and then completed a major overhaul of the craft. He contracted Ian MacDonald of "Sugarbush Shavings" to repair and refinish the planking and ribs, and to fiberglass the lower portion of the hull, both inside and out. All of the varnish was sanded and redone and the bottom was painted bronze in place of the traditional Link red colour. He also had custom boat cushions made by Brennan Marine and installed carpet mats on the floor. Richard preserved the 1972 twenty horsepower Evinrude outboard engine that the Pullaws purchased in the spring of 1973.
The boat was always kept in the family boathouse below Bluff Park, and Richard drove it all over the St. Lawrence. It has not been in the water since 2003.Collection
Boat CollectionMake and Manufacture
Manufacturer
Cliffe CraftModel
MallardManufacture Place
* Untyped Manufacture Place
Wilstead, ONManufacture Date
1957Contributors and Customizers
Contributor or Customizer
Charlie CliffeVehicle Numbers
Number Type
License No.Number
15E 1491