Boating: Sweet Sailing
June 1, 2005
26-foot Hackercraft Dolphin Jr.
Great ideas often spring to mind in the
eleventh hour. Such is the idea behind the eponymous boat—a 26-foot Hackercraft
Dolphin Jr. built by the Hacker Boat Company in 1929 and meticulously restored
by Robinson Restoration in Grass Valley, Calif., in 2004.
Hacker runabouts
were touted as the Steinways of classic boats, and the Dolphin Jr. was one of
four production models available at the time. This particular boat, named the
Eleventh Hour (hull No. 297), was one of the swiftest production boats of the
day and could reach speeds as fast as 45 mph—a speed faster than most 1920s
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Unlike many restored boats and cars, the Eleventh Hour boasts a
restored original engine—a Kermath SeaWolf in-line 6 cylinder—which renders 200
hp. “To have an original engine in a boat is more of a rarity than in a car,”
says Brian Robinson of Robinson Restoration. “It increases the
value.” (Click image to enlarge)
Crafted of Honduran mahogany, with frames of white oak and hardware
of solid nickel, the Eleventh Hour was professionally restored over a two-year
period. It made its return to the water for the August 2004 Lake Tahoe Yacht
Club Concours d’Elegance—the nation’s premier antique and classic boat
show—where it won Overall Best of Show.
Originally built for $4,475, the boat
was drafted by the Navy in 1944 for World War II service as a patrol boat, which
cruised in and around the Columbia River. After completing its military duties,
the boat sat in storage until 2001. Only 12 of the Dolphin Jrs. are known to
exist today.
Instead of being constructed with the traditional screws of the
day, the 10-seat renovation features the same adhesives used in modern boats,
although the dark green top-grade leather seats are upholstered with
original-style steel tacks instead of modern-day staples. Price: $240,000.
Robinson Restoration, 530.274.0464
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