Vehicle Details
- Year: 1940
- Make: Other
- Model: Hydroplane Boat
- VIN: N/A
- Mileage: 0mi (TMU)
- Title Status: Clean
- Seller Type: Private Party
- Location: Madill, OK 73446
- Color: Silver
- Lot #: V-0026621
Boyce & Sons was a boat manufacturer based in the San Diego area that produced a run of four 16’ “PODH’ (Pacific One Design Hydroplane) stepped hull race boats in 1940. This example, the only known surviving boat of the four according to the seller, was acquired from a previous owner, who had acquired the boat in around 1950 after watching it race throughout the decade prior. In 2022, the boat was refreshed and put back into use and went on to win Best in Class and the Mayor’s Choice Award at the Keels & Wheels Concours D’Elegance in Seabrook, Texas. It comes equipped with a 1936 Ford Flathead V8 engine featuring a rare set of 1936 Federal Mogul Thermo-Flow cylinder heads. Accompanied by a collection of period newspaper articles mentioning the boat and its builders, this Southern California race boat is now being offered for auction by its seller out of Oklahoma.
The vessel measures 16’ long and was custom-built 2’ longer than the conventional PODH boats raced in the 1940s. Its nonsoak bottom hull is finished in silver with “A-29” scripts and its deck is constructed of finished wood. Details include dual windscreens, bow and stern flagpole holders, and polished hardware including cleats, deck eyes, engine compartment hinges, the fuel filler cap, and more. A collection of detailed images can be found in the gallery. The seller notes that the sale will include a trailer as well as a display cart reminiscent of period manufacturer boat show displays.
The cockpit features a full-width bench seat upholstered in red leather, an ivory-colored four-spoke steering wheel, a forward/reverse floor shifter, and a suite of centrally mounted instrumentation. The seller confirms that all gauges, electronics, and accessories remain functional.
Power comes from a Ford Flathead V8 engine equipped with a rare set of two-piece 1936 Federal Mogul Thermo-Flow bronze and aluminum cylinder heads. The seller notes that the engine is believed to be original to the boat and confirms that there are no outstanding issues to note at this time. A video has been provided by the seller showing the boat starting and operating.
This sale will include a display cart and a trailer.
Auction Results
- Sold for: $35,000
- Auction End: Feb 03, 2023 08:00:00PM UTC
- Number of Bids: 16
Comments (54)
Injoy my friend she looks like a beuty
Sold for $35,000
@Grandpashotrods Great screen name.
Let’s make this fun guys, I am taking off the Reserve due to my space issues, so someone has the chance at an Awesome Deal.
Bid in the amount of $35,000
Bid in the amount of $31,500
We are in the closing minutes of the auction, and I am super curious how this will go, so good luck to the bidders
Bid in the amount of $29,000
Guys Also understand that this boat is a Functional Boat that was used during the 2022 Lake season here on Lake Texoma, and is also a 2022 Keels & Wheels Concourse D’Elegance winner also.
The custom built display stand was something I built to show case the boat during the off season, and by no means is this boat retired from use.
what a kick ass opportunity for someone... any 40 footer of this vintage and quality is a six figure proposition. With this you get a fully sorted vintage boat with a rebuilt period hi-po motor and killer provenance that can be enjoyed on the water and be compact enough to winter up in a man cave... all that CA talk, its too short for the Catalina Ski Race; this boat would be killer in the Ozarks where the water is flat and fresh. GLWTS
California is where she belongs ?
Bid in the amount of $28,000
Truly a unique and very rare piece of Southern California boat racing history. Very meticulous and beautiful restoration ! I know Al Attig from my days with So Cal ACBS and road in this boat back in the late 90’s in Lake Arrowhead. Whoever wins this auction will truly have a prize.. the display stand is also a beautiful piece of hardware too
Ok guys we are in the last hours of bidding, so please feel free to contact or comment any questions or needed info, and I will be more than happy to assist with any transport logistics needs.
I cannot stress enough the SoCal history of this boat, which is actually pretty rare in vintage wood boat manufacturing, but also in vintage boat racing. This boat is also historic and rare in design with its 2ft longer than normal PODH design, along with this mechanical rarity being equipped with the very rare set of 1936 Federal Mogul Thermo-Flow heads making this boat a true museum qualify piece.
But the extremely rare part of this boat is Mr Al Attig, and the fact that he is still around to discuss this boat from the 1940’s to Today, which makes Al the go to Historian of this boat an the times. It was a pleasure chatting and working with Al as the boat was refreshed, and it will be the pleasure of this boats new owner to continue the conversations with Al, but I do hope someone has the foresight to record or video their education from Al.
Good Luck bidders, and all I can say is, the Cali people really should fight to bring this historic piece back home.
Bid in the amount of $26,000
Bid in the amount of $25,000
@Tvanderveen Al is definitely a treasure and inspiration, so all of my welcomed “very long” update chats with him about the refresh was a very welcomed surprise, and I hope to be as vibrant and sharp as he is When or If I get to his age.
It is really exciting to see such interest in this Boyce Brothers PODH. The original owner is a 94 year old gentleman who could no longer use his pride and joy. Al took great care of this boat and is thrilled to see the high interest by this community. I’m sure whoever ends up purchasing the A 29 ( named for for Al and his birth year of 1929) will enjoy talking to Al and hearing more of the history. He is enjoying the comments and watching the bidding.
Bid in the amount of $22,250
Bid in the amount of $21,940
Guys, I have had a few larger boats shipped across the country, and I am more than happy to assist with the shipping logistics with this one also, which should be easier being the trailer is narrow enough to fit into an enclosed trailer.
Bid in the amount of $15,000
Bid in the amount of $12,500
Bid in the amount of $12,000
@240zGuild beautiful work as always. Buy with confidence, recently bought a 911 Outlaw from 240zGuild and the car was exactly as described and couldn't be happier with the purchase. Now if I only had room for this boat....Good luck!!
Additional content has been added to the gallery for this listing.
I have uploaded additional pics of the Federal Mogul Thermo-Flow Bronze/Aluminum two piece heads showing casting and patent numbers, and do keep in mind it is thought that the 1 year only production was 100 sets of this two piece multi metal version, so this boat and display would fit perfectly into any Ford Flathead enthusiast’s collection/museum.
These heads were not marketed as marine duty heads back in the day, and this early marine application is the only reason this set exist because boats don’t hold water in the block/heads, so the typical demise of these head due to electrolysis didn’t come into play.
These heads were promoted/tested for the automotive world as a performance and efficiency head, as seen in the provided tech publication circa 1936 that boast a .0051 cent a mile fuel savings, along with other testing processes and results for a fun read.
Additional content has been added to the gallery for this listing.
Guys. We are finally at the dollar amount I was offered for the 1936 Federal Mogul Thermo-flow two piece heads alone. These are literally the only set known to exist and run, and are much more rare that than the already very rare Federal Mogul Thermo-Flow one piece solid bronze heads that seldom pop up, along with this contrasting Bronze/Aluminum two piece being a work of art in function and appearance.
When I bought the boat from Al Attig who owned it since 1950, I made him a promise that I would not cannibalize the boat, so I could not and would not sell the heads separately during the refresh, because I make the promise and also felt they were part of this boats history.
Bid in the amount of $10,000
@jdonaghy This is a cracker box style boat, so the exterior wood on the bottom and sides are a molded plywood for weight savings, which can be seen by the lack of planking with the inner hull pics. But a 5200 bottom was applied by the previous owner who owned it since 1950. I hope that helps.
I don’t really know what this gorgeous boat is worth but it’s got be worth more than what’s bid. Who knows. Maybe I get lucky?
@240zGuild Beautiful. Can you elaborate on the bottom? Was it originally planked and replaced as a 5200 bottom, glassed over original plank, or molded plywood? Hard to tell from the pics. Thanks!
Bid in the amount of $7,777
Additional content has been added to the gallery for this listing.
I just uploaded some Before and Strip Down pics to the gallery, and they should demonstrate how solid and clean the boat was prior to my refresh.
Additional content has been added to the gallery for this listing.
@Alfadriver Thanks, it wasn’t in bad shape when it got it, and I will load some of the pics of when it came out of storage after I bought it.
The Concours D’Elegance pics and Win were from 2022 also, along with all the usage videos and pics.
I’ve owned a number of antique wood boats and appreciate the time and expense of restoring one. You did what appears to be a great job!
@Alfadriver Yes guys, this is a Non Soak Bottom. Just drop her in the water and go.
Is the bottom treated so you don’t have to soak it before using it?
Was the bottom restored with a no-soak material, or is it necessary to swell the bottom planks prior to use?
Bid in the amount of $6,000
Bid in the amount of $5,500
@elipper Yeah, Keels & Wheels is a great show for sure, and as you can see in the pics, I was inspired to pic up an early analog Ferrari also, so thanks for the kind words
I had the 1989 Ferrari 328 that was right by the pool at Keels & Wheels and saw this boat. It is a very nice Never thought I would own a wood boat but this one might be the one to make me start.
@240zGuild thank you !
@puddleduck.39 Literally just add Gas and Oil to drop her in the water. I probably didn’t need to drain the oil, but I felt it best due to the sitting angle on the cart.
I am waiting for Pcar to upload another video of the boat idling in the boat slip before it was put up for the end of the season.
@puddleduck.39 All the water pics, show pics, and video are from the 2022 season up to Nov here.
When was this boat last in the water and is it a completely functioning watercraft ?
Bid in the amount of $5,000
In these additional pics, I demonstrate now the lift from boat trailer to display cart works, where you can also see the custom lifting bar for a proper centered lift.
Additional content has been added to the gallery for this listing.
Here is an outside the box offering, but it is a very interesting piece of SoCal history, along with being a very nice usable display piece.
The boat has a normal trailer to load and unload it in the water, and the pictures roll cart also comes with a lifting bar that will work for a level lift using a forklift, two post car lift, or a A-frame and hoist, so it is super easy to go from Use to Display. The cart tilts the boat hydraulically, and rolls around with ease, along with being to be transported on the display car in the lowered position.
Please let me know if there are any questions about the boat or the setup, but it is a super rare piece that is also running super rare set of Federal Mogul Thermo-Flow heads from 1936, and they are so rare that most Flathead Ford experts don’t know they even existed.