1914 Historic Faye & Bowen 22 Fantail Launch

An wonderful Fantail Launch at an exceptional price!

Manufactured in Geneva, N. Y., by the Fry & Bowen Engine Co. “Faye” is 22. Ft long and her hull number - 516 – dates her to about 1914. A company catalogue of the period states: “Although we still build the old ‘Fantail’ model to order, the popular type of smart boat is the ‘Torpedo’ hull.” The original Fay & Bowen engine (probably 2-cylinder 10 H.P.) went astray and eventually “Faye” was brought to Canada to be converted to steam. Nothing came of this, and in 1987 she was restored by Clarion Boat Works and fitted with a 60 H.P. Chris Craft engine. She still sports her “noiseless” underwater exhaust, a standard feature of Fay & Bowens of that time.

The boat features a closed fore deck, bench seating port and starboard aft of the fore deck, engine compartment, full bench seat aft of the engine compartment, aft deck. The hull is constructed from Cedar planking reinforced with steam bent White Oak ribs on approximately 6 inch centers and White Oak main hull stringers, White Oak and Mahogany decks, brass fasteners and ½ inch brass bow and stern rails, brass deck cleats and miscellaneous deck hardware.

The boat was restored and professionally maintained by Tim Butson Wooden Boat Builder of Muskoka. A collection of photos and documents come with the boat. A current survey is also available.

Additional pictures will be uploaded following launch.