A Restored Original 12-Foot Ace


Mark's Ace Now

Mark Morton now owns this 12-foot Ace made from the original plans.  This replaces their Sande Ace of years gone by.  But what is the story of it's restoration?  Read the story below about Bruce's work.   

Click to see a picture of the Morton Sande Ace.


But what is the story of it's restoration?  Read the story below about Bruce's work.


Bruce Landram's Restoration

Bruce found this 1959 homebuilt "Ace" on the Spokane Craigslist.  It was built in northern Idaho by a dentist using the original William Jackson plans from a Boat Builder's Handbook.  It came with it's original 1960 manual start 35hp Twin Evinrude.  It had spent 20+ years plying the waters of the Coeur d'Alene area before being put in a barn for the past 30+ years.  It had no rot, wet or dry, anywhere on the boat.  It was dry as a bone.  Bruce chose to sand the exterior, put new glass on the seams and new paint.  The interior is the same as the day it rolled out of the builders shop.

The motor, an eastern Washington fresh-water-only 1961 Merc 400, had good compression.  Bruce tore it down to the block before cleaning every piece, replacing and/or rebuilding all electrical and fuel components.  A new coat of paint and decals finished 'er up.  It started right up and ran like a top.



Off loading at home.
Bruce's Ace


The Ace transom with its beveled chines.
Those little tail fins were a nice addition to the original plans.
Bruce's Ace


The splash rails at the rear extend beyond the transom
as specified in the original plans.
Bruce's Ace


Ready to flip with the help of a chain fall.
Bruce's Ace


Flipped and ready for work on the bottom and sides.
Bruce's Ace


The hull was sanded and patched.
Bruce's Ace


Very good wood!
Bruce's Ace


The first coat had Penetrol in the paint.
Bruce's Ace



Now for the motor.   Here's Bruce's stripped down 1961 45-HP Merc 400
showing the carbs to be rebuilt and timing marks highlighted.
Bruce's Motor    Bruce's Motor


The cleaned shift lock linkage.
Bruce's Motor


Three coats of a filler-type primer came first.
Bruce's Motor    Bruce's Motor


Three coats of a color called Biscuit did a great job for the original color, Cloud White.
This was followed by three applications of clear coat.
Bruce's Motor


Bruce's finished Merc 400 up front.  Those two Merc 400's in the background
with Mark 58A wraparounds are both mounted on his Powercat!  Oh, yea!!
Bruce's Motor    Bruce's Motor



What a beautiful result!
Bruce's Ace


Bruce's Ace


Bruce's Ace


Bruce's Ace


Warming up for trials on Mason Lake.
Bruce's Ace


Idling out to open water on Mason Lake.
Bruce's Ace