30 Repco

Anyone want to chime in on the history of the famous 30 repco.. I have been doing some reading but not a lot of info out there..

 

I too would love to learn more here. Classic lines and were early fiberglass models. According to this article Bill posted it is how Glenn Holland got his start.

>>Fishermen's Voice Monthly Newspaper, Gouldsboro Maine

 

Repco

I know that they were the first to be made in fiberglass in the late 60's... they are a good boat to get started in the downeast world....plus there is alot of good deals on them

 

Ya from what I understand they were the first fiberglass lobster boats and glen holland extended it to make the red barron..

 

repco

there are alot of 30's for sale but you dont see many 37's ...and that is a sweet looking boat

 

One of my favorite DE boats. I would love to have a 30 footer to run a dive charter on and island hop when I get back down south.

 

Bill,
The black one in the bottom picture was mine, built in 1968 and powered with a 120 hp Ford.
Solid glass boat, was slow and steady but don't put her beam too. She would roll like a empty Coke bottle.
Great starter boat, very narrow beam and easy on the fuel.

 

From a classic look perspective, it is one of my favorite boats. I had a 21' and would love to get a 30'. A great shear ala jonesport style.

 

the repco 30 was pulled from a plug made by the famous jonesports. The 37's are a well found hull so you don't see many of them for sale. I think at last count they built about a million and a half of the 30's . I like the looks of them and you never hear of problems with the hulls , its usually the decks and houses that rot out on them. What surprises me most is the huge price swing in used repco 30's you can find them from 5 grand to 50 grand. I actually know of someone selling one now thats rigged for tuna . Its in the 15 grand range.

 

1968 Repco

 

Beautiful Repco! Is that the 30'? I think I saw on another post that you rebuilt the pilothouse. Any photos of the rebuild? Thanks

 

Eastporter,

It is the 30. Not sure I have any pictures of the pilot house while I was doing it. It was all done with Baltek panels, de-cored at all the joints and around all the windows. I will have to go looks and see if I can find any pictures from 20 years ago. I have moved a few times since that project.

 

Nice work by the way. What are Baltek panels? Composite honeycomb? Did you sell her to buy your current boat?

 

Kinda cool how this guy finished this one..

30 ft glass downeast cruiser

 

Eastporter,

Baltek panels are end grain balsa core fiberglass sheets. They come in 4x8 and 5x10 sheets. The fiberglass skin on the balsa is very thin and when using them you still have to layer on the glass but the core is already bonded and saves building time. If I were doing it again I would use foam or Nidacore, and a host of other things.
I sold that boat because I got into a home renovation project and did not have the time to use it and purchased a Pickerell Garvey instead.

Bill, I like the set up of that boat but I could not have done that with my boat as the engine was in the cabin.LOL

 

Thanks for the info. Blitzen. I learn a lot from all of you. I think I saw the Baltek sheets used on the 23' Crowley that Maccafray built (pilothouse)- but I may be wrong. I like the bed, microwave, and refrigerator combo- it would make an awesome weekender.

 

I would like to see pictures of this!

The Original 30' Repco Wooden Boat

 

I am not sure what hull number my 30 was but it was built in 1968 and I was told that it was made from a old wooden Jonesport boat design.

 

the guy just posted the pics of this


30 ft Repco Lobster Boat

 

Yes, that is Alfred Alley Juniors boat, he fishes along side of me everyday. I believe he has a 292 CI chevy? Something to that effect, anyways, that boat cruises better than my 33 YB with that Gas engine in it, and it is more economical than my 33 with the new 300 Deere. I believe he bought that from the designer of the boat back in the mid to late 80's, she still looks good, thats a long time for a old wooden boat! One of the best Bay boat designs ever built IMO, they have real smooth skins.