Performer Boats?
 

What does everyone know about Performer Boats? Build quality, models made, anything?

I have found what I think is a '73 Center Console, Hull #PER240138M73 in really rough shape. Looks to be complete except for the engine. The Trans, TRS drive and everything else is still there.

I have done restorations on smaller boats, so I'm familiar with the fun of replacing the deck, stringers and transom myself. I'm just trying to figure out if it is worth saving. If I could get it for the right price (free), is it worth saving or better off parting out.

Pics can be seen in this thread. http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/g...r-console.html

Performers where built just like all the other boats of that era. the glass guys where employees of other boat companys (like Cig, Cary, Cobra etc) Their 24' was the same hull Harry Shoell designed that was used by other company's like sonic. I worked for performer in 1990-93, they built top quality boats, some with no wood at all.

the donzi registry has a write up about them boats

Fast, The company you worked for was Performer that was located out of Richmond, VA? This boat would been built by the previous generation of Performer boats in Florida. Possibly owned by Billy Elswick at the time. The later Performers as you said, seem to have a rep for excellent build quality. I have seen nothing about the earlier (72-83) ones. I can't even find what models they made.
I keep digging for info and can come up with bits and pieces. I guess I have to break out a tape measure and go measure this thing to get the exact hull size. It's looking like either a 24 or 28, but I'm not really sure. Tough to judge when it's surrounded by overgrown bamboo. It really does look like a Donzi El Pescador 24, but that didn't show up until '76.

That serial # looks to be the 1st 24. When I worked in Richmond my boss (who sold performer to the guy in Richmond) also worked at/then owned performer after elswick. at one time Performer and Sea-Bird where basicly the same company since they where built in the same building in Ft. Lauderdale.

And yes the hull is just about exactly an el Pascador. Pretty good boat. at Performer we had one that went 114mph with twin staggered big blocks, it was built to beat Reggie in the Rudee Run (a 200 mile race to the beach and back) and it did. he was hot when he got beat by a little fishing boat :)

Hull #1 is a pretty cool find. Any history on that mold? What was it before a Performer and where did it go? Were these cored hulls? I know, lots of questions.

I have located the previous owner and it turns out he left it on the property where it sits now about 10 years ago then he sold the land. I'm not sure who currently holds the title. I'm hoping I can work out one of those "If you can get it out of there it's yours type deals".

What should this hull run with a single big block? I could keep costs under control by using a take out motor warmed up to the 400-500 hp range.

The guy who put that # on there is in the next office from me. I just showed it to him. He said that hull is different than the Sea-Bird/Performer 24's. He said at that time they built about 3 24's a week and most went north. and that number is probably 138 not #1.

OK, That's interesting. Can he provide any more info? Is "different" a good or bad thing?

I have two 24' Performer / Sea Bird cuddys' for sale, both powered with 502 straight inboard carb, fwc crusaders. These boats have radar arches and are in excellent shape, fresh water use only.

24 performer
 

i have a 24 performer cuddy with hardtop 454 volvo with duo prop boat is like a tank very well constructed handles well in the ocean and chespeake bay i have all specs from company and literature from when it was built if your interested i can scan and send to you [email protected]

Saltydogg, I am definitely interested. I'm hopefully going to have a piece of property soon that I can store this boat on, then I can work on trying to get it from the original owner. I would love to see what it was supposed to look like. As you can tell from the pics, she's pretty rough now.

SpeedDoc: I spoke with your friend a while back. He coulden't tell me much from memory except that fact that the Center console version was a somewhat rare variation.

I'm still hoping to bring this one back to life. Someone local mentioned that the owner (Gary Roemer) who at the time raced dirt track cars was also tinkering with racing boats. I'm not sure if it was this one or not, but the paint job is loud enough to be a race boat. Anyone from the NJ area in the late 70's early 80's remember this thing?

Since most of the foliage around the hull is gone now I was able to get a few more pictures of the whole boat instead of just little pieces. Here she is.

http://inlinethumb35.webshots.com/43...600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb60.webshots.com/46...600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb40.webshots.com/49...600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb46.webshots.com/13...600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb55.webshots.com/47...600x600Q85.jpg

i've never seen a CC Performer ever..... what a find.... any inside pic's?

how the he11 did you find that?

I've been looking at this boat out the window of my girlfriends apartment for almost 3 years before I just had to take a walkover and look at it. It's siting on the property of the apartment next door. She was left for dead there by the previous property owner. I'm trying to get in contact with him through a friend to see where the paperwork is for it. I have a few interior shots, but nothing too good. The rear engine cover / hatch os completely missing, so i don't know what that used to look like. I don't won't to go poking around and uncovering things too much until I get permission to do so. The trailer is clearly too long for this hull, hopefully I can cut off the excess length, re-bunk it, and move the axles forward to make it fit properly. Of course that is if it's not too rusty to salvage.

Looking at other pictures I think this is very similar if not the same as a Formula 233 hull. If so, it should ride pretty nice.

http://inlinethumb05.webshots.com/34...600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb46.webshots.com/45...600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb02.webshots.com/49...600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb39.webshots.com/44...600x600Q85.jpg

Just to update this a bit. A friend contacted the previous owner and was told for 2000 it could be mine. :eekdrop:

I'm not sure what he's smoking, but I'm not paying that for what was a cool CC but is now a shell full of rotted wood with no engine.

There is one other option I may have. Does anyone know what the rules are concerning abandoned property? The boat was left where it sits about 15 years ago when the owner at the time sold the property it's on and moved out of state. I'm pretty sure I can get the current property owner to let me drag it away.

----The boat pictured is definetly not a Donzi 24 El Pescador repop. Im looking out the window at mine on the lift and the strakes are way different. Formula 233 does look closer.......Bill S

That one was surely built before they got the 24' Donzi mold. It does look like an early Formula Hull.

233 performer 1976
 

Fast donzi - I just picked up a 1976 performer fresh water boat with the original stickers still on the 292 twin 6clys fresh water cooled and had to be a garaged boat
also owned a 24 seabird with the Harry Shoell flare -- the question I have is where were they built in 1975 /1976 and does any one have any info on pictures ect --

I will up load some any info on these boats would be greatly appreciated

PICTURES OF the 233 performer
 

http://www.palmbeachcustoms.com/proj...storation.html

Ok, can somone tell me what happened to the moulds for the Performer 36' and does anyone know how many boats were built?
[ATTACH=CONFIG]516273[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]516274[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]516275[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]516276[/ATTACH]

This one is for sale in Sweden, a 77´ raced by a Weingartner, rebuilt as a pleasure boat by the owner in 80´-82´ later sold to Weingartners mechanic in 2012 and now in Sweden.https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...0664e2c013.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...0942971699.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...0019492479.jpg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...b4abbff494.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...5de55db652.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...b3fbcfc48a.jpg

According to Charlie Mccarthy on FB today "Okay... the boat is a Performer, built by one of Billy Elswicks companies. He used this boat as the Miami Boat Show boat for 1977. As the APBA for racing back then, did not allow a race boat to have more than 1,000 cu inches, this boat was never built for any Professional racing. Maybe they are using the term "Race Boat" because the owner liked to race around with it."

Performer mold's
 

a guy out west had them for sale . They had been laying in a field for years . I think he wanted $12,000 back then . He had like 10 mold's for sale at the time . I was going to buy them but the shipping was to much . I tried emailing him last year and no response. I think they went to the landfill

is it possible you still have those performer boats
 

possible

i just bought a1993 performer 24 with a radar arch , straight inboard, 502 gm, that was a police patrol boat. . Looking for info and parts.