my Uncle was ahead of his day :- )

[Monte W]

I have an uncle that had such a huge impact on my love for boating, diving , camping , sailing and the great outdoors! I got to live with him and my aunt in Monterey and Forestville California in the 60's! He made houseboats one at a time and would sell them. He called his company (American Houseboats) and as a 8 year old, I had the best summer helping him build this boat! He made this so you could trailer it to use on land when not on water. I remember this boat being in a boating magazine . To me he was bigger than life and as a Italian, no one could tell stories better my uncle! When I looked at him while he told me a story about fishing, I could just picture what he was talking about. I can't help but think that this boat would make a killing in todays market if they were still being made! Just wanted to share this with everyone ! Here is a picture of him in his days in the Navy.
All the best, Monte

[k0wtz]

monte you have every right to be proud of him. what an opportunity to learn things!


bob

[Seabee]

I've thought about this many times and thought an easy way to do it would be to use an old pontoon frame and just build the camper body ontop..........trailer it to a camp ground or use it on the water

[Jon in AZ]

Originally Posted by Seabee

I've thought about this many times and thought an easy way to do it would be to use an old pontoon frame and just build the camper body ontop..........trailer it to a camp ground or use it on the water

How about this? It's an Avion truck camper restored and mounted on a pontoon boat. Nothing redneck about it!

Yes, that's a deck on top.

Monte, your uncle sounds like a pretty amazing person! Thanks for sharing his story.

[LindaandPat]

What a handsome fellow ! Wow what a good looking boat too! And great memories he gave you ! Thankyou for sharing ! My grandparents were Italian too and yes they sure can have you mesmerized with their incredible stories . Pat

[DavidG]

Originally Posted by Monte W

I have an uncle that had such a huge impact on my love for boating, diving , camping , sailing and the great outdoors! I got to live with him and my aunt in Monterey and Forestville California in the 60's! He made houseboats one at a time and would sell them. He called his company (American Houseboats) and as a 8 year old, I had the best summer helping him build this boat! He made this so you could trailer it to use on land when not on water. I remember this boat being in a boating magazine . To me he was bigger than life and as a Italian, no one could tell stories better my uncle! When I looked at him while he told me a story about fishing, I could just picture what he was talking about. I can't help but think that this boat would make a killing in todays market if they were still being made! Just wanted to share this with everyone ! Here is a picture of him in his days in the Navy.
All the best, Monte

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Thanks for the memories, Montie ! I've spent lots of time in Monterrey, including in the little-known city park near the Pacific Grove area where you can camp overnight with tent or RV. My parents built their own house in Forestville, and much of the family lived in next door Santa Rosa . Are you old enough to remember all the RV and trailer sales along Santa Rosa Avenue ? And how is your sailboat project coming along ? Happy Trails ! David in Fresno and Sonora

[TomK]

That really was the Greatest Generation. Cool boat, and and an even cooler Uncle. Thanks Monte.

Tom

[Captleemo]

Do you have any more pictures?

[Monte W]

Hi Lee, Here was the other boat he built! He got the idea from taking 2 cabover camper shells and putting them together! The next model had a deck on top! I wish I had pictures of the inside of them! They were cool boats ! In my eyes, my uncle was so cool! He was never afraid of anything! The one thing that made a huge impression on was to not be afraid to make mistakes in life. He started businesses that he had no idea how to run and made them very profitable .
All the best, Monte

[Jaydeen A.]

I live in Forestville. Grew up in Monte Rio in the 60's. Great childhood. Great memories.

[Monte W]

We lived up on the hill behind the store near the river in Forestville! I loved swinging on the rope that was on the bridge . Great memories in Forestville !

[Mike Magee]

That first boat you pictured looks elegant and graceful. How was the hull waterproofed? Was it wood? Did it have a steel frame underneath for the axle to attach to, or what?

[Monte W]

Hi Mike, I'm pretty sure he use aluminum ribs ( I think ) with wood and fiberglass! She worked like a dream!

All the best, Monte

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2 Chr. 7:14 I did and I'm ready! Take care brother

[Jaydeen A.]

Originally Posted by Monte W

We lived up on the hill behind the store near the river in Forestville! I loved swinging on the rope that was on the bridge . Great memories in Forestville !

Hacienda Bridge ?