Some boats carry more than just their passengers, they carry the legacies of the families who owned them and the craftsmen who built them. One such boat, a classic 1960 Barbour Silver Clipper Deluxe, has found new life thanks to a generous donation and the skilled hands of students at Beaufort County Community College’s Boat Manufacture & Service program.
This remarkable boat was donated to the college by Rev. John B. Alford Jr., father of Beaufort CCC psychology instructor Joseph Alford, for restoration.
Originally found in poor condition in the Pennsylvania/Maryland area, the boat underwent an extensive restoration after the Alfords acquired it. The process began with a completely new bottom, framed in white oak and skinned with marine fir plywood to match its original design. The hull sides remain the original Spanish cedar from 1960, preserving the craftsmanship that made Barbour boats so revered. Two newly varnished shear strakes of Philippine mahogany now accent the painted hull, adding both beauty and durability.
The decks and transom have been rebuilt using high-grade okoume plywood, known for its strength and its resemblance to mahogany. Every step of the restoration was completed with precision, ensuring that the boat maintains both its historical integrity and its seaworthiness.
This vessel’s restoration journey has already earned recognition. After being brought to New Bern in 2011, it was awarded Best Classic Outboard Power Boat at the 38th Annual Wooden Boat Show in Beaufort, North Carolina, in 2012. The exceptional quality of the work was a testament to the craftsmanship of Will Stahlgren, who meticulously brought the boat back to life.
Beyond its award-winning restoration, the boat remains a functional masterpiece. It is powered by a 1962 Mercury Merc 700 70 HP outboard engine, which, after more than 50 years, still runs smoothly—enough to pull a water skier. This combination of history and functionality makes it a rare and cherished piece of American maritime heritage.
Now, this beautifully restored boat has a new home at Beaufort County Community College, where it will serve as an educational tool for students in the Boat Manufacture & Service program. By working on and studying a boat of this caliber, students gain hands-on experience in restoration techniques, woodworking, marine mechanics, and boat design.
The students have cleaned and worked on the functionality of the components to make the boat operational. They freed the seized engine and got it running. Before graduating this summer, they will replace the water pump and refinish sections of the hull’s wood.
The donation from Rev. Alford provides a valuable opportunity for students to learn from a true classic. The program continues to foster the skills needed to maintain and restore vessels like this one, ensuring that the craftsmanship and traditions of boat building live on.
This Barbour boat’s journey—from forgotten treasure to award-winning restoration to educational centerpiece—is a testament to the power of preservation, craftsmanship, and generosity. It will continue to inspire and educate, just as it has done for decades on the water.
