70 Barracuda back from the dead!

I finally got a full weekend of use out of the 'cuda! After finding it on this site (and then again on eBay), dragging it out from under a tree (where it had sit for YEARS), an engine rebuild, LOTS of cleaning and de-leafing, new wiring and fuel system, and COUNTLESS hours ignoring good drinking buddies, she is back in action!

The weekend started out kind of ugly with wheel bearing problems on the road:

But then FINALLY got to the water around 2pm and got to run some gas through the old correct craft:

and hang out at the cliffs with the cool kids:

Got caught in a thunderstorm then a little post rain boarding in the fog:

All-in-all, the weekend was a HUGE success for me!


The boat ran great. Someone give me a thumbs up or thumbs down on these numbers:
Max rpm was about 4300 loaded with me, the girl, cooler, full tank, and a little excess water in the bilge.

Temp stood straight at 170, bumping to 190 once.

Oil press stood straight up, and the battery at 14-15v.

The speed-o wasn't working, but my dad ran beside me in the i/o wellcraft and verified a rough 40-45mph. Good enough. I had thought that it might turn a few more r's, but I may be off.

I have some learning to do on the slow speed and reverse aspect of the inboard boat... luckily, this was my slip next to the houseboat at the marina:


BTW: Dale hollow lake is an absolute paradise. We stuck the houseboat in a cove about 400 yards around the corner from one of the 4 hidden slalom courses on the lake. When I wasn't out running the barracuda, I sat and watched skiers of all types take a shot at the buoys!

Sounds good man. I was at Dale Hollow last year for a week. I don't know what course you were at, but we also parked the house boat in the same "creek" in one of the coves and checked out the skiers. How is the water level there this year? When I was there late last year, water level was down a bit because of Cumberlands dam problem. Not sure if that is fixed yet or not, but I would go back in a heartbeat either way!

PS-The pictures did not load for me. Anyone else have problems?

Joe, thismight sound familiar (just not as gnarly quick)

(quicktime cell phone format, I'll get it converted or up on youtube later)

The rest of the photos here

Korey,good job.Addictive isn't it?

Korey,
I see you're smiling and you should be! Getting the boat back running was a great accomplishment.

Actually next step(s) for me:
1- Get the trailer working like new again. I WON'T have another problem on the road again...
2- Get rid of the AN Decals
3- Get a plan for refinnishing, probably sand and polish the deck, sand, fill, and paint the hull (it's pretty rough)
4- not actually paint it this summer
5- use the crap out of it for the next 6 weeks or so.

Damn, priorities change quick...

korey wrote: Actually next step(s) for me: 1- investigate possible blown head hasket in tow vehicle... 2- get some more money... 3- Get the trailer working like new again. I WON'T have another problem on the road again... 4- Get rid of the AN Decals 5- Get a plan for refinnishing, probably sand and polish the deck, sand, fill, and paint the hull (it's pretty rough) 6- not actually paint it this summer 7- use the crap out of it for the next 6 weeks or so.

Yeah I'm thinking paint will be the best course of acton for the hull. The deck is pretty straight, but the hull has several hacks that have to be through the gel. Both have been primed and painted flat black. I can stand to sand through it all on the desk, but all that sanding on the hull may kill me.

As far as the priorities go, you added a few important steps. Fortunately, most ofthe costly stuff is behind me. So far I'm not into it too deep. It's been a pretty economical project, and I couldnt be more happy!

As far as the truck goes.... Found a '01 Jeep Cherokee Classic, 2 door, 4.0l, 5 speed 4x4 for a good price that may just replace it. A cool, but odd combination in that beast!

My brother has a cherokee 4L - it won't pull a small trailer without overheating - he has to turn the heater on to keep it in control (wife drives separate LOL) Apparently this is the way they are, he has taken it in several times.

SNobsessed wrote: My brother has a cherokee 4L....

A discussion for another thread, but quickly:
My family's had several. They have cooling issues. The concensus is to replace the plastic radiator with an aftermarket AL radiator. They are prone to plugging and internal bypassing.

8122pbrainard wrote: gel vs paint

I'll be looking into that for sure. Its still a couple of months off right now.