Aug 18, 2023 4 min read Project Background

The Mutineer

No such thing as a free boat

In my adventure of figuring out how to get into a boat, I have focused a lot of attention and energy on weighing out the feasibility of building a boat. In fact, I had settled on building a catamaran design by Wharram in the UK. I worked out lumber suppliers, epoxy and fiberglass and rigging, and on and on and came up with a total build cost of about $4000. That price would not include tools (or mistakes). While I was pulling these plans together I kept my eye on Facebook Marketplace and local boat listings in case a terrific deal emerged and changed my mind. However, I was so committed to the idea of building my own boat that I really did not expect anything to come along and push me off the course.

Then along came the Mutineer. It was missing a lot of pieces, notably a boom and sails. It had some shoddy repair work and had held standing water for years. It included a serviceable trailer that my small SUV could accommodate with a hitch installation. I was smitten. Maybe it appealed to something in me that wants to restore broken things and give them another chance. Maybe I am just so ignorant of what a hole I am climbing into that I am missing the warning signs. Whatever the case may be, I am into this boat. The history of this model of boat is fascinating to me and it surfaces a tangible result of an era that did things so differently from today. Also it was cheap.

"A free boat is the most expensive kind of boat." These are the words (or a close approximation) of a wise young man I met recently. I, of course, know what he meant by that and if I had to source replacements for the missing and broken parts for this boat along with the repairs and restorations, the cost of this project would surpass the cost of a brand new Mutineer. After all is said and done, this may end up being a lot more expensive that I expected, but part of my aim to understand the boat inside and out. I am very confident that this project will fulfill that aim.

Slice of Americana

When I started digging into this boat's history a little, I discovered that Chrysler had a marine division in the 1970's. Apparently, it was not only successful, but shaped much of the direction of performance motor boats. Chrysler at that time was known for high build quality and attention to detail which contributes to their sailboats still being raced fifty years later. Sadly, the 1970's was a tough era for automobile companies and, in order to save the company, Chrysler sold off the marine division to another company and it went on to change hands a number of times.

Between 1971 and 1980, when Chrysler was manufacturing boats, over 6000 Mutineers were built. During this time they were also building the Buccaneer, the 18 foot predecessor to the Mutineer, which shared a lot of the rigging and hardware. Taking into account that Chrysler built over 4000 Buccaneers, original parts are still available across the country. This is good news, because my Mutineer is missing a lot of parts.

What may be even better news is that Mutineers are still being made today! This design has been modernized somewhat, but most of the original parts can still be had, albeit at considerable expense when compared to buying new old stock second hand.

Active Community

I have been surprised and encouraged to see that the Mutineer community is alive and well on the internet, particularly on Facebook. Apparently, dozens of these boats are still being raced in one-design race clubs up and down the East coast. Enthusiasts online share their approaches to solving many of the problems that I will be facing soon and they do it with photos and explanations.

In addition to the guidance provided by the group, many in the community are selling pieced-out boats from time to time. This is an economical alternative to buying new parts or fabricating part myself. Some fabrication is exciting to me, like a rudder assembly or centerboard. Others give me apprehension, like the mast and boom.