Second Nature
YEAR OF MANUFACTURE: 1957
MODEL: Bell Boy 16' Express Cruiser
BUILDER: Bellingham Shipyards, Bellingham, WA USA
Production Manager: Art Nordtvedt (currently president of Uniflite)
Hull Design: Ed Monk, Sr. (Naval Architect)
Topside/Cabin Design: Art Nordtvedt
Bow design was called a "battleship flare"
Stern ws called a "spray knocker" design
Bellingham Shipyards was also producing minesweepers for the US Navy
Second Nature was one of 24 produced in this 16' model/style (outboard)
Hand Made interior with a moulded hull/topside
Design was influenced by the '57 Ford T-Bird
Most fittings and hardware, as well as the steering wheel remain original 1957 parts
Lighting is original
Steering station was changed in 1958 to the starboard (right) side
Bell Boy also built in '57 the "super Bikini runabout", designed by Art Nordtvedt & Ted Jones (a hydroplane racer?).The Bikini was capable of 100 MPH. Two of these models were built, both were destroyed.
Bell Boy boats were copied by Skagit Plastics of La Conner, WA.
Previous colour of Second Nature was red
No serial number was ever found
MAJOR MODIFICATIONS
Floor Removed, stringers and entire hull refiberglassed with 20 oz. matting. Over 10 gal. of resins were used.
Under berth and entire floor area was urethane foam filled
Completely rewired with marine grade tin/copper
New electronics, VHF, Sounder/Finder, TV, Shorepower
Kicker bracket and 6 HP
Canvas made by "Fred the hit man Canvas"
Cabin redo: 50 oz. carpet, styrofoam ceiling/hatch, foam cushions, curtains, shore power/lighting, TV, locking slide windows
Restoration of the 60 HP Johnson outboard: completely disassembled and reassembled with new powerhead by Mr. Jim Lamb of Malaspina College in Nanaimo, BC in spring of 1994. The motor was a 1967 model in original condition.
SPECIAL THANKS TO EVERYONE INVOLVED WITH THIS PROJECT!
They called the bow a "battleship flare" and the stern a "spray knocker" design. I should have named this Express cruiser "Express Knockers" instead of Second Nature.
In 1990, I named the boat "Second Nature" after a song that I liked by the Canadian rock band "Rush" (note: the midi on the home page is "Rush"/"Second Nature").
Tim Christiaens - owner