Restoration Notes
The restoration of the Parsons Corporation of Traverse City, Michigan, 1959 Lake 'n Sea 16' Arrowhead started in March 2009. The boat had been purchased online in June 2008 and missing hardware purchased up until the beginning of the restoration.
After being purchased and transported to my shop, I scrubbed the entire hull and documented key features of the boat and took notes on which pieces of hardware were missing or inaccurate, according to brochure images, other Lake 'n Sea Arrowhead models and factory memos.
Next, I sent the hardware, mostly pot metal, off to the chromer for an estimate. At the same time, I had the upholsterer began making the new seat cushions that were missing from the original boat. She used the patterns found on a 1960 model and that matched the brochure images from 1959.
The owner wanted a vintage outboard motor for the restoration that would both look good and make the boat go fast. The brochure from 1959 listed the 75 h.p. as the maximum for this model. With a new transom going in we decided on a 1960-61 Mercury Merc 800 (80 h.p.). After finding one online I purchased it and will deliver it to the mechanic for a tune up before restoring it.
