First Look

The Wise Boat and Bus Works 1924 23' twin cockpit runabout. 

Warehouse kept by F. Todd Warner since 1978, The Cherup is a time capsule.

It has not been in the water in over 30 years!

The hull is in good shape with no apparent rotted wood.  The hull seems sound to my novice eye.

The transom has a board that is pulling away from the frame at the exhaust pipe, some work needed here.
The hull has a deep V.  The beam is just 6' but appears very broad at the front cockpit. The keel is six inches wide and runs the length the length of the hull.

 The front cockpit with the fold away step to the right.

The rear cockpit.

The motor has oil in it, the valve stems are freshly ground and the fly wheel turns by hand.  The motor is a 1948 Gray Phantom 6-125. Very big and heavy! I hope she cranks.  

Looks to be a 6 volt electrical system.

The wiring looks like it could use some going over.

The rudder control arm and worm gear.

The bow and the spot light control linkage.

The under dash horn!

F.Todd Warner identified the original dash as an Elgin gauge and a black tri-spoke steering wheel.  These and the window parts are from a Gar Wood boat. The interesting thing is that in the early twenties, Wise was building boats in the Minnesota area, he was also building buses.  Gar Wood started his hydraulic empire in the same area around the same time.  Is there a connection here?

Other elements of  The Cherup that come from other boat builders include the vent scoops and the step pads from a Hacker.  The gas cap is from a Dingle, also from Minnesota.
  
What influences are seen in the hull design?  Warner suggests that the boat is an advanced design for the time.   Did these other boat builders contribute to the look of this boat?  What will she ride like?

Stay tuned......

Will the original owner, please stand up?

May I present to you, Colonial Charles Chase.

Colonial Charles Chase

He was a world traveler, who spent some time in the Wayzata area in the 1920's.

You can't make a trunk look this real.

Todd Warner found these pictures in this trunk, given to him by his neighbor.

Todd Warner's Photo Collection of Charles Chase

Colonial Chase commissioned The Cheerup in 1924 from the Wise Boat and Bus Works.

Colonial Chase owned The Cheerup from 1924 to 1929, he then sold it to the Coen family.

Picture From Real Runabouts VI, Bob Speltz

The Coen's, then the Anderson's owned the boat until 1978, when she was purchase by Todd Warner.  Todd's stewardship of  The Cheerup is a whole other story....Check back for that one!

The Wise Boat Works History

The "Cherup" at Wise Boat Works Location on Lake Minnetonka

The Wise Boat Works was located in Wayzata, Minnesota and Mt. Dora, Florida.  There are lots of stories and information out there on the subject, a lot of it in my head.  Here is a link to a very good article that really sums it up.

http://mydigimag.rrd.com/publication/index.php?i=28710&m=&l=&p=11&pre=&ver=swf

Why we did it!

Need I say more?

OH Yeah!

Can we take the boat out, Dad?

We Did It!

The boat is now in Florida.  It is back in the Wise family.  Now it's time to go back to work.  I could not have done this trip with out my two brothers.  Thanks!

We really accomplished something special.  I am still exhausted from the trip.  Sleeping in a Suburban, traveling through the night, I must be Robert Wise's grandson!

Wind farm near Chicago

Minneapolis

5 days on the road with 2 men, no sleep and bad food

We had a lot of fun being together on this trip and saw a some really cool stuff.  I wish that Joe could have gone with us.  I would take these guys with me anywhere because, as they say, they got my back!  So, once again, thanks Mark and Matt!!!! 

OMG!

And then there where two.   We left a snow storm in Wayzata at 7am yesterday.  We have driven in shifts through the night.  Dropped brother Mark of in atlanta around 4am.  Matt and I are on the final leg of our odyssey.  Snow, rain, high winds, 67 dead deer,  we are ready for are families!  See you soon.....

Got Boat?

First let me say, WOW!  This day has been..... there are no words, yet!  Maybe I am just to overwhelmed by all that we did today!  First, I wish Maguire, Jackson and Harrison where with me to share this with!  I will be home soon.  After I get some sleep.

The Wise Family home is  behind the trees.

The Wise crew in front of Mahogany Bay

The 1924' Wise Boat and Bus Works 23'  Split  Cockpit Runabout at  location of the Wise Boat Works

Guess who?!

In front of the Wise Family Plot.  Thomas, Bridget and Martha are at the top of the hill. Front row.

Enjoy!

The journey begins....

Most stories are told from the beginning.  This one picks up somewhat in the middle (the Internet, electronic information, instant messing - get to the good stuff).  I left Florida yesterday with one brother, the family truckster and an empty trailer.

Twenty four hours later, one more brother, 100 miles west of Wayzata, trailer still empty, our minds our beginning to run full, fuller, our hearts beating faster as we get closer to a rendezvous with our family's past.

This trailer will be empty until tomorrow....