Info on the Popular Mechanics PM 38 13ft runabout

by David
(Melbourne Australia)

Hello all,

Does anyone know about the PM 38?

Its plans were posted in a 1962 Popular Mechanics.

Back then they bragged about it costing $38 dollars to build, will do 38mph with a 28hp outboard.

I remember one of these attractive boats that was used to follow and train rowers on the Yarra river in Melbourne Australia in the early 60s, but have not been able to find any reference to another.

I'd love to hear from someone who has built one or knows them.

I was considering building one with a few mods like putting a bit of V instead of a flat bottom.

Here is the link to the plans I'm considering. Free Boat Plans

Thank you in anticipation
David (www.board.net.au Melbourne Australia)

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Info on the Popular Mechanics PM 38 13ft runabout

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Florida Memories
by: Anonymous

My father and I built that boat - dad had a regular subscription to PM as long as I can remember - and when we both saw the picture of it, dad ordered the plans.

We reinforced the seams with fiberglass and beefed up the transom to handle a 35 HP motor.

I do not recall where we got the windshield but my dad used to sell boats at one time, so he had the connections.

I raced the boat until I went into the military and dad sold it to a neighbor.

He got himself a little aluminum fishing boat that he could easily get on and off the trailer by himself.

Get the plans, build one with your son or daughter and someday when you're gone, your child will remember the good times and what a great dad you were.

RIP dad 6/24/2010

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PM 38
by: David

John, that is a great story.

I'm exactly your age and cut my teath on boats, but we built in 1962 the "Minimax" hydro.

Not nearly as much fun.

Have you got any pictures of the boat in action.

Regards David

The most exciting thing in my life.
by: John Ahearn

I built my first PM-38 in 1962 shortly after the plans were published.

It took about a year to build with the help of my younger brother.

I was 14 at the time.

The cost at that time was about $50.00.

I folowed the plans allmost exactly as published.

The bigest problem I encountered was bending and fiting tke two bow plywood pannels to the frame and bending the chines.

The boat was powered by a Sears Elgin 28 Manufactured by Scott Atwater.

The boat never got to 38 MPH, 33 was the best it would do, but it would pull a single skier at 25 MPH.

My brother, my best friend and I used the boat allmost every day on the Pamlico River in eastern North Carolina for the next three summers before a leak developed at the transom.

The leak was cured with reinforcment at the transom and fiber glass on the botom and sides.

This cure reduced the performance of the boat significantly.

We replaced the 28 HP Elgin with a 35 HP Evenrude with a slight increase in speed.

We used the boat for six wonderful summers before my brother and I headed off to join the Army and Airforce for The Class of 69&70.

I built the same boat while living in Lincoln Nebraska in 1977.

The second PM-38 was constructed much better than the first but it fell way short on pleasure and excitement.

I've been researching to build a PM38
by: Jerry

I've been staring at these plans for about two years, researching the cost of materials and also considering a vee bottom modification as well to accomodate the use of a jet pump possibly from a larger jet ski doner vehicle.

I've been anxious to find photos of completed boats as I am concerned about the height ot the sides of the vessel mainly for the purposes of jet pump assembly and modification to a shallow vee at the transom.

I have drawn out full size plans from those offered on the internet and also opted to make all the bulkheads one piece cut from ply versus the original build specs.

I think the one piece option will build a little more sturdy and still retain the lightweight.

Comments are appreciated and photos of ocmpleted project are welcomed. installwiz@aol.com

Last ZIP link was broken try this
by: David

http://www.glen-l.com/picboards/picboard16/pic856a.html

ZIP symilar to PM 38
by: David

Here is another design not too different from the PM 38.

It's called a ZIP. Here is the link http://www.glen-l.com/picboards/picboard13/pic680-frame.html

PM-38 information
by: Anonymous

I posted some pictures of the boat this evening that should show up on this website eventually if I did it properly.

The steering wheel is on the right side.

I have never been in the boat without a passenger.

I don't know about the cavitation plate.

This is all new to me.

Thanks,

Mark

Boat lifts on right side
by: David

Hello Mark, need a bit more info.

Is your steering wheel rigged on the left or right side?

The propeller rotation will cause the boat to dip to the left, that is why most boats are rigged with a steering wheel on the right side to counter balance when the boat has the driver alone.

Is the cavitation plate level with the bottom of the boat?

Strange that you are experiencing this with a flat bottom boat, generally it is a problem with unbalanced veed hulls.

Also it would help to maybe put the fuel tank on the right side.

David

More information on PM-38 boat...
by: Mark Reynolds

I am running a 25 Horsepower Evinrude that was made in about 1987.

The boat cruises along pretty good but likes to lift the right side up when at full speed.

I don't know if this is from something I did wrong building it, ( I don't see anything so I don't think so ) or if it is just from the engine torque.

It is a fairly light weight boat. I think the boat could handle a 30 hp or maybe a 35 if you could find a light weight motor.

I will post pictures in a few days.

Then there was two
by: Anonymous

Good to hear Mark, that makes two.

What size motor are you running?

I'm looking forward to the pics.

David

"PM-3800"
by: Mike

Hi Mark,

Great to hear about your "PM-3800";).

We would all love to see some pics of her and hear more about building her.

Why don't you add something to the Projects page.

I have just built this boat winter 2010.
by: Mark Reynolds

I spent the past winter from November 2009 until May 2010 building one of those PM-38s.

It is a good boat to build.

I suppose it took around 4-5 months and cost a lot more than 38 dollars.

It should be renamed the PM-3800.

I fiberglassed the bottom of mine and added a few extra frames and so forth to tighten everything up.

It runs good in the Potomac River.

The hardest part for me was getting everything to fit at the curved bow.

I broke a chine and a few sheer rails putting them on as well.

I also had to design and build a front windshield for it that was modeled after the old Cris Craft type windshields.

It is a great boat that seems to attract a lot of attention due to its old style looks.

People are amazed when you tell them you built it yourself.

I have the same boat
by: dave cusson

I have the same boat!

It was made by my dad and uncle in the early 60s my email is davecusson11@mac.com I can send you pics.

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