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The Sealander What a strange coincidence that Dan Campbell and his wife, Carolyn find themselves at the St. Michaels 15th Annual Boat Festival, on Father’s Day to display “The Sealander” boat purchased by Dan’s father 46 years ago in Baltimore, MD. Dan reflects memories of accompanying his father, at the age of nine to pick up this unusual boat on the way home from a tiring day as hucksters, delivering fresh produce and eggs to the various neighborhoods in Baltimore. The Sealander is an original, factory built boat, manufactured by the Sealander Company, a division of the Advanced Tool Company in Highland town, a suburb of Baltimore, MD. The company was in existence from the early fifties until the early sixties when it went out of business. The strange configuration of the Sealander is a delight to anyone with an engineer’s perspective to design. Surplus parts from the Republic of Seabee are attached to the boat that entitles the boat to flaunt its ability to be a trailer and boat all in one, hence the name Sealander! Surplus landing gear provides rear trailer wheels that are air cylinder driven. The wheels conveniently fold into the back of the boat upon arrival to the launch site. The front of the boat is designed with electrical outlet for rear taillights that are directly on the boat. The front tong of the boat with hitch conveniently folds into the front of the boat with the press of a lever. Dan recalls strange looks from boaters waiting in line at the ramp, as the Campbell’s pulled up with the car and no trailer to load the Sealander after an afternoon of skiing! The vintage mahogany boat is truly a rare and unique opportunity for the classic collector. The boat sports a Mercury Mark 58A Dyna Float, Super Thunderbolt motor, which was the original motor purchased with the Sealander. The Sealander is a 1956 built boat that sat in the showroom for two years, until purchased by Mr. Campbell in 1958. Being a dairy farmer, Dan’s father, who died of cancer two years ago, had little time for extra-curricular activities, but loved nice cars and boats, even if they spent most of their years in storage. That’s exactly the case with the Sealander. The 1956 charm was in the water less than a dozen times; always fresh water, never saltwater. The boat is it’s exact original state, right down to the turquoise seahorse sport flag, personally selected by Dan, the day his dad purchased the boat and not one accessory has been added or changed since the boat left the showroom. Last used in the early 70’s for a family water-skiing adventure to Long Level, the boat has resided in a storage shed on the family farm for the past 30 plus years. Of the hundreds of visitors to the St. Michaels Boat Festival, Dan recalls only one spectator who remembered the boats' origin. The gentleman approached the display with a gleam in his eye, and recalled the story of the missed opportunity to purchase a Sealander in the mid fifties. With a shake of his head, he sighed and said, “Never thought I’d see one again!” It was a beautiful day in St. Michaels, chatting with boat collectors from all over the country. The beautiful wooden crafts were a sight to behold. The proposed National Boating Museum in Kent Island is on the list of those interested in this piece of Baltimore history. If you have interest in this rare classic, or any additional information regarding the Sealander Co., please call 717-235-4365.
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