Couldn't agree more.:ernaehrung004:

Great to see that Squadron hull..... if that's what it truly is...and I'm not saying it's not. So what is it's story?? Someone said "lots of people know about it" ? Well I'd love to know. I'm a big fan. How about a story? I love stories..........

But here's my lowly .02 based on what I've seen/heard, and NOT having the full story because "it's a long story"?. So, NO story leaves me with the following conclusions:

#1 Sure, it may not matter whether or not it has a VIN, but if it is a 30 year old uncut hull, why wouldn't it have a VIN?? They don't add them after they come out of the mold. So where is it? It would be one thing if the boat had been repainted because the gelcoat was dried out, damgaed, well used, needed paint etc, or maybe the owner or painter didn't care, so they sanded it down or covered it up, or maybe the transom had rotted and needed to be redone - but in this case there was never any reason to do any of that - was there?? This one has never even been rigged. Can't imagine why anyone would remove the only clue to what that boat was for no reason? Yes anything is possible.

#2 The hatch looks to be off of hull #18. Too coincidental with paint condition and exact same stripes. #18 just happened to have its deck cut off it's hull, and then sold with no hatch recently. Hmmmm. Only reason I can think off to cut a deck off a hull, (when they are glassed together extremely well) would be to spash it - to make a mold for making more boats. So here is a boat with no VIN, and it just happens to have the hatch off a boat that was more than likely cut up to make a mold. See where I'm going here? Sure one was a 27 and the other is a 24, but they are still connected by the hatch - makes it look like they have both been in the hands of somebody making molds.

#3 I've seen the 24' hull #001 here in MD, and never heard/seen of another 24'er - Squadron even used a picture of the 27'er in thier only brochure for the 24'er.

#4 It's a fact that another company had the mold for the 27'er, and built some boats in the mid 80's with VIN's for that company - IMP I believe - so if this hull wasn't done recently, who says it's not from that company? Why does that matter?? Well, frankly because the small Don Aronow Squadrons seem to be built like a brick ****house. Much better than the old 20' cigs and possibly 28's (ie: I looked at one of those in nice shape, but it had lots of bulkhead and crossbrace seperations/cracks. One that looks exactly like it, but not using Don's race layup, as the 27's and 24's were, just wouldn't be the same boat - but that doesn't mean it couldn't be a great boat....depends on how it was built.

By all means, I hope somebody can prove my conspiracy theory wrong :)

Pics:
#18 with it's hatch before it was cut up:

24'er brochure - sorry, looks like I lost the pic of the back of the brochure.

more paint ideas:

I really like the FLY squadron 12 brochure colors. Brians 24 that hasnt been rigged would look awsome those colors.

Looks like its the same boat from the brochure in post 42

more....

last ones

Eddy, After a nice conversation with Brian last night it looks like the hatch in question is coming home to its rightful boat. (it didn't fit the 24 correctly anyway).

Thanks Brian! I look forward to helping you with your project! Anything you need just give me a shout. I am sure Eddy will be more than helpful as well, I learned a lot from him about the 27s!

Lets see some pics of the 24 in detail please..

-----There was a husband and wife scam-artist team involved in this saga a ways back. They had control of both boats and didnt do either one any favors. Probably where the hatch problems arose from. Neither one of them even remotely knew the meaning of the word "truth". I have been told that the husband is dead and the wife went the gray-bar hotel direction. Since they nicked me too, I sincerly hope that both are suffering........Bill S

If anyone has a 24 or 27 for sale--please send me a PM. I am interested in buying one. I do not want a restored one. But I am like Sean, it must have the correct VIN attached for registering purposes. Thanks,

sorry to hear that Bill....your troubles that is....the others sound like they got thiers......... :)

Squadron came after magnum........I believe they share the same hull.

Originality
 

I've restored a few classic cars in my days. Always kept them correct and actually made a few bucks in the process. However, I find the number of original cars that are unrestored and correct are rapidly dwindling and the costs escallating. That's why I've turned my desire for originality and love of boats to a few classic Checkmates and now a 76 Chris Craft Lancer. I think restoring a classic fiberglass boat offers more bang for the buck than nearly any classic car. To me, early fiberglass boats are under appreciated and under valued. Frankly, I look at restoring one as saving a piece of history that may not be appreciated by all but still very important. Even the highest production classic boats pale in numbers compared to the rarist muscle cars. Not to mention, an original restoration doesn't really cost any more than a resto-mod.

only real difference is the outer strakes. They are huge on the squadron - probably as large as a 35 or 40'er's. This gives more lift at cruise speeds - resulting in better cruise speeds , but also gives a rougher ride - a pad on the bottom would have worked better.

I believe restored Original equipment race boats will be the next big Muscle car type boom!

The age is right for them and the ability to be used has not been hindered by super high prices yet. You restore a HEMI, RAM AIR 4, YENKO, STAGE 3 Etc and you cant even use the car after because its worth too much and cost to much to bring back up to #1 condition. Boats dont have that problem yet.

Brian has the whole story on his hull. I have heard it before but dont remember it. Wasnt really paying attention I guess.LOL

I know that one of the arnows was trying to buy the hull at the point where Brian ended up with it and that is a tell tale sign to me that its legit Why would they want it if it was a fake.

Now even if it was a knock off ( not saying it is) its still the only Version nof the hull out there that's unrigged that anyone knows about so that alone should make it a sought after piece.

If your looking for a numbers matching Squadron hull Its not for you Copy or not. Because simple fact is there no number either way.
However if you love the classic lines and the shape and performance of a squadron 12 then whats the difference? Its still got all of that going for it either way.

One way or another the boat has a great story and people love to own Items that have astory behind them.
Look at that HEMI belvadere that sold on Barret Jackson that was used in the bank robbery. Sold for more than any other at its time Because of the story.

Thanks Brian!

The hatch to the 27 has made it to its home where it belongs.

The 24 Squadron has a new home next to the 27 as well!

Figured I would update this thread a bit with some pics...
The 24 has made it to the water recently.. On the rev limiter it ran 93 In the LOTO shootout..
Project is not done yet!!

----WOW!!! I think thats the unrigged hull I saved from the crusher up here in Michigan. You have obviously done it proud. E-mail me if you want a bit more history.......Bill S

Nice Job looks like the set up that was going in the 27? whats the plan for that one? looks great though

I am totally digging it!!!

Yes, I would like more history than what I have already found...

This 24 will be toned down a bit with a "smaller" engine this winter, and the big engine and a B-Max will end up on the 27.

Man, you went for a little bit a motor, didn't ya?? Looks great! I love all that room in front of the motor that the standoff box gets you. The windscreen area looks great too. That motor should be more fun in the 27 - but the last guy to build one with that much power put it on the market immediately - I presume he scared the **** out of himself, LOL. What kind of power did you end up with? 850? more?

I had one of those orphaned 24's. Boat it uncut in Miami. It came as a White hull with a red and black stripe with USA Racing decals. It was a right side drive. We added a 330 & Alpha one. Nice boat but shallow.