I came into possession of what I’ve deduced is a 1962 Lone Star Malibu about a year ago. The serial number is 23410061, which the internet tells me (Would the internet lie to me?) indicates the following. The leading digit is supposedly the last digit of the year, hence a 2 indicates 1962 since the Malibu was only in production from 1958 to 1963. The 341 is common to Malibues (How exactly does one write the plural of Malibu?), but there is no documentation on exactly what those numbers represented. The remaining five digits are the production number for the boat, hence 0061 means my Malibu is the 61st Malibu built in 1962. Another tipoff, I can also barely make out the name Malibu on the name plate on the dash and looking at paint schemes in old brochures seems to point to 1962. The trailer title said 1967 and the 18HP Evinrude Fastwin outboard is a 1968. Unfortunately, Colorado doesn’t title boats, so I don’t have any documentation on the boat itself. My guess would be that someone repowered it in 1968 and got it fixed up, either to sell or after buying it. Whatever it's history, I now find myself in possession of yet another project boat. Lone Star Boat Manufacturing had humble beginnings; founded in Grand Prairie, Texas in 1945 immediately following WWII and initially producing aluminum boats in the 12-14 foot range. The company grew quickly and expanded into fiberglass manufacturing in the early 50s, running fiberglass and aluminum boat lines in parallel. In 1965, the company was acquired by Chrysler and became the Chrysler Boat Corporation, which continued production until 1979 when they closed the doors on their marine division. The original Lone Stars remain popular with collectors and enthusiasts today; with a large and active online community on Yahoo Groups (which, to my surprise, apparently still exist). They were a treasure trove of information and can be found here. The Malibu was at the heart of the Lone Star line in the late 50s and early 60s, when the 14-16 foot runabouts were the hottest market. These small runabouts provided a lot of fun on the water for a family of 4 at a very reasonable price ($525 in 1958, which is just over $4000 in today’s dollars). The Malibu stood apart from other aluminum boats of the time with its stylish design that was more akin to its fiberglass rivals, even including small tail fins. In the 60s, the public began to demand larger vessels and the Malibu was dropped from the production line in 1963. I purchased this classic boat from my aunt a while ago, without any knowledge of its history; just knowing it as the cool aluminum boat with fins that was sitting by her house. They had bought it in 1985, but only used it a couple times that year. Unfortunately, that winter a nasty windstorm ripped the cover off the boat and, in the process, shattered the acrylic windshield. That is where it sat for the next 30-years, which helped give it its current “patina.” I traded her a few hundred dollars’ worth of window air conditioners for the boat, since I thought I could use another project (in related news I’m looking for someone that could add some holes to my skull). Prior to hauling it out here from Colorado, I did complete a few minor items on the trailer (like installing new lights, replacing the 30-year old tires, and replacing the wheel bearings) to make it road worthy. I also removed some excess weight in the form of the rotten seats, various rat’s nests, a few hornet nests, and the 18-HP Evinrude Fastwin; I knew I was going to be repowering the boat to get a little more speed and didn’t see much use to hauling the Fastwin across the country. My plan is to do a full restoration and repower it with a little larger engine…on a budget. I don’t want to sink much more than $1-2,000 into it when all is said and done…and if I do my wife might make me live in the boat. Once I get it done, it will likely find its way down to Lake Powell to act as a tender to the Serenity.
Look forward to more updates as things progress. Until then, here’s wishing you fair winds and following seas.
20 Comments
Kevin Ensminger
9/6/2016 09:15:02
Good luck with the boat. I got a '62 LS Deauville last year at an auction for $175. Didn't take much to get it running. My wife and I piddle on it when we can and take it out most weekends.
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Brent Pounds
10/25/2016 16:31:53
It's coming along slowly; doesn't look like I will get it done before the end of this boating season (I've been working on it most of the summer), but I'm looking forward to next Spring.
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Glen Zygmuntowicz
5/8/2018 09:14:16
Good Luck!! I have a 1959 Lone Star Malibu as well. Thanks for showing us yours. How did you find the paint color for your boat, was it a guess or did you have the exact color reproduced? This is what I'm having issues finding.
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Brent Pounds
5/8/2018 15:00:46
The boat was originally red, but I decided to go with blue that was also offered that year. The color I ended up painting it was not an exact match for the offered blue, but just a generic teal. I know the earlier boats were "Newport Green" and I think someone on the Lone Star Facebook group had tracked down a paint code for that color, but I haven't run into anyone that has the paint codes for the red and blue for the Malibu.
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Glen Zygmuntowicz
5/9/2018 04:34:15
Thanks. Mine is the red color as well and I remember it exactly as your picture shows. It is an orange red color. This boat was originally my father's and then went through a couple of owners and back to me. My goal is to make her almost as great as she was when she was new.
Brent Pounds
5/9/2018 10:29:26
If you read my painting post (https://www.thecaptainsblog.net/home/lone-star-paint-by-numbers), you can get the details of how I painted mine and, in stripping it, I found that it had been previously repainted. If I do it again, I will be using an HVLP gun or maybe rolling and tipping; rattle cans are not the way to go.
Bob
8/23/2021 17:28:10
I just pick up a red 1957 Malibu from someone who had way too many projects. I do have the steering helm but unfortunately, the steering wheel is missing. Have you come across anyone or place that has salvage parts?
Brent J Pounds
8/25/2021 07:16:28
Bob, I haven't found anywhere that specializes in salvaged parts, but you can find a lot of parts on eBay; I picked up my NOS windshield and a steering wheel center cap there and I've seen cleats, name plates, and a host of other parts there. I set up a saved search and get notifications whenever someone posts something for sale that contains the words "Lone Star Boat".
Judson Wheeler
12/16/2018 18:26:25
Great parts ... Almost have read the whole thing. I picked up a '57 Malibu in NH, just finished sanding and bugging (saving painting for some other time. I'm looking for a windshield... Find this: https://www.updplastics.com/lonestar-boat-windshields/. Where did you get yours and the hardware?
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Brent J. Pounds
12/17/2018 16:57:04
I was lucky enough to find a NOS TaylorMade Acrylic windshield on eBay that was about the perfect size for my boat and came complete with the mounting hardware; if you keep an eye out, one will probably come up (mine cost about $300 with shipping). On Amazon you can get the vinyl deck channel (https://smile.amazon.com/Taylor-Products-826500-White-Windshield/dp/B000XBBCXK/ref=sr_1_1) and the hold down hardware (https://smile.amazon.com/Taylor-Made-Products-1607-Windshield/dp/B0000AZ7RC/ref=pd_sim_200_1), but I haven't found the corner brackets. I've heard the UPD windshields are a pretty good fit, but don't believe that they come with hardware. I've also heard of guys buying Plexiglas and sluffing it onto a form with heat; I think you can find YouTube how to videos on that.
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Brent J. Pounds
12/17/2018 18:19:34
Checking eBay, I came up with this one that looks like it would be feasible for a local pick-up for you and might include hardware. 55" might be a little narrow though.
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9/2/2019 18:57:44
I want to see the finished product if you have finished it. I have one just like it. I want to take to boys fishing in it. I think it would be fine for them. Mine is a little different in the ass end of it. And it does not have the seat rails anymore. Do you think they could be aluminum welded on?
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Brent Pounds
9/2/2019 20:03:10
I did get her finished and the whole process is chronicled in this blog; you can filter out only the posts regarding the Malibu by following this link (https://www.thecaptainsblog.net/home/category/lone-star-malibu).
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Dave Yoder
4/15/2020 19:35:49
I bought a 1963 Lone Star Malibu 14' boat last year. And added a new floor,paint scheme, and new seats. I love it!
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Brent Pounds
4/15/2020 20:08:37
They're fun little boats; what size engine are you running on yours? Do you have any pictures posted online? There's a pretty good Facebook group where you can join and share photos.
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bill cochran
8/10/2020 15:15:30
Mr Pounds, what type of wire and gauge did you use and what brand and diameter is your steering wheel? Thank you very much!!
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Brent J Pounds
9/22/2020 19:13:17
Bill, sorry for the late reply on this question, I was searching through old orders and couldn't fine the order for the cable I used for the steering system. I think it was 3/16" jacketed cable I purchased from McMaster-Carr. The steering wheel is the one linked here: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N75JA7S
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Mitchel shell
1/28/2021 20:21:54
I just bought a lonestar malibu that has been untouched in a garage since the 60s.
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Josh Hergy
3/31/2021 01:48:05
https://mansfield.craigslist.org/boa/d/nova-boat-14-foot/7299504534.html Here is a 58 in Nova Oh for $350
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AuthorBrent Pounds has over a decade of experience in the maritime industry and has been involved in recreations boating since he was a child. See the About section for more detailed information. Archives
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