GAD-A-BOUT - HACKER CRAFT CO FOR SALE

Runabouts exist—and then there are Hackers. Few names in wooden boatbuilding can claim a century of praise and accomplishment like the American artisans of the Hacker Boat Company. For generations, Hacker‑Craft mahogany runabouts—those classic yachts of burnished timber and shimmering metalwork—have ruled the water from the sapphire clarity of Lake Tahoe to the storied reaches of Long Island Sound.

GAD-A-BOUT is a pristine, triple‑cockpit classic runabout that channels the golden age of wooden boats, when muscular gasoline engines were tucked beneath sculpted decks to propel luxurious speedboats for the privileged few—royalty, captains of industry, and Hollywood luminaries—hungry for drama and pace. These mahogany thoroughbreds burst into a leisure world once defined by rowed skiffs, steam launches, and austere sailboats, and the sport was forever changed. With mirror‑bright varnish, nickel‑chrome fittings, and generous, upholstered seating, the great double‑ and triple‑cockpit vintage speedboats reimagined the pleasure‑craft market. Builders multiplied to satisfy America’s appetite for performance—names like Dodge, Chris‑Craft, and Gar Wood rose on the spray of racing triumphs—yet none surpassed the standard of artistry and balance set by John Hacker. As a gentleman’s racer, luxury tender, and distinguished dayboat, GAD-A-BOUT embodies that pinnacle: a wooden yacht that is both sculpture and machine.

To hold a luxury object from nearly a century past, in such exceptional preservation, is truly uncommon. Think Stutz Bearcat roadsters, Piaget timepieces, Erté originals, Frank Lloyd Wright’s masterpieces—Hacker runabouts belong in that lineage of collectible, heritage yachts. These are not merely antique boats; they are heirloom artifacts shaped by the finest craftsmen of a vanished era. You do not simply own such a prize—you become its attentive custodian, safeguarding the legend for the next aficionado to admire, cruise, and cherish.

GAD-A-BOUT is turn‑key and poised to carve a clean wake—a show‑stopping collector boat ready to cruise, display, and command attention wherever the next harbor, marina, or inland lake calls.

Boat highlights

GAD-A-BOUT is an award-winning, custom Dolphin Deluxe triple-cockpit, Honduran mahogany-planked runabout, originally built for John Dunlap, the founder of the Dunlop Tire Company. Cherished by only four owners over 92 years, she has been pampered and boathouse kept, sheltered from the elements throughout her life. Re-powered in 1980 to enhance performance and simplify service, she exchanged her original Sterling Petrol V12 for the ever-popular Chrysler 318 V8, yet retains all original hardware, fittings, gauges, and controls. Upholstery and finish have been refreshed with reverence for her era, preserving the authentic look, feel, and character that make her a standout classic.

Description

GAD-A-BOUT is a double-planked, Honduran mahogany, triple-cockpit runabout that has been re-powered from her original, massive (and now impossible-to-re-part) Sterling Petrol V12. Boathouse kept for her entire life, used exclusively in freshwater, and maintained to perfection, she remains largely original apart from the engine, carrying her in-period hardware, fittings, gauges, and timeless character.

The helm is to port with a floor-mounted gear selector, a wooden steering wheel with integrated throttle, and a push-button start. A vented windscreen and a foredeck spotlight—mechanically operated from the helm—extend her capability into the night. Two generous forward cockpits and a smaller aft rumble cockpit offer plush seating for 8–10, and every cockpit is appointed with new step pads and an oriental-rug deck covering that underscores her vintage luxury.

Underway she runs with minimal bow lift, staying dry, quiet, and comfortable; the aft cockpit enjoys extra shelter from the optional spray shield. Inspired by the legacy of John Hacker—an award-winning designer and builder who held over 20 speed records and five Gold Cup victories—GAD-A-BOUT carries that spirit of speed forward, delivering a genuinely thrilling ride.

Recent care is exemplary: refinishing with three coats of Pettit Z-spar varnish in 2025 and all-new mahogany coverboards to port and starboard in 2025, complemented by Pettit Vivid bottom paint, a new exhaust manifold and hoses, comprehensive trailer service covering tires, bearings, and brakes, and a fresh engine service. She tows remarkably well on her custom Elite dual axle trailer with brakes, a spare tire, and custom bunking, and she is supplied with a full-boat cover plus individual cockpit covers. Fully appointed and turnkey, she is offered with all lines, fenders, personal flotation devices, and safety equipment. A multiple antique boat show award winner, she has garnered numerous Best of Show, People’s Choice, and Best Triple Cockpit honors.