76 Ski Tique themes

Pete's boat has 4 pleats in the center of the driver's seat (see picture above). That seems to be consistent with these boats, which appear to have original interiors:

'79 Tique

'79 Tique

'78 Tique

Had you mentioned a need for a rear step earlier, I would have suggested doing something similar to what I did in my Tique. Instead of making the back seat bottom out of 6-8" thick foam, I made it 2-3" thick and put them on a carpeted base. It was easy to remove the bottom cushion entirely, leaving the carpeted step there for easy entry/exit without stepping on the vinyl. It also made for a better-than-nothing impromptu seat if I needed to carry a few more people on a whim.




Hopefully the shop youre working with can recreate the original look of the seats- I assume you provided lots of pictures on how you wanted the skins to look? That blue cushion you have is the original style, though it obviously doesnt have any detailing/pleating in the center panels (which I would add, personally). Im still doubtful that you can get the work done right for cheaper than Christines could do it, but I guess you'll find out! Hopefully you had the local shop order the Dolphin Naugahyde blue vinyl?

I actually really want the back seat for three reasons. The first reasons is that I love the look of it. I think it really finishes the boat off nicely and makes it look more complete. The second reasons is that my mom shattered her ankle a couple years back and stepping into the boat is tough for her to do. I know the seat does not offer much of a difference as of height for her to get in, but it will make a worlds of difference for her. She really enjoys watching me ski and I want to make it easier for her to get in and out of the boat. And the third reason is more of why the Tique is perfect for me. I live on a very small lake and dock space is very limited. The lake is approximately one mile long and a half mile wide and big wakes are seen as evil. Our camp shares the property with another camp, and we have very little lake front between the two camps. Dock space is very limited and I was given hell for bringing this small of a boat in the first place. Because the lake is so small, everyone on the lake meets in the middle and hangs out. I do not cruise the lake with many people in my boat, but I do go to the middle with more than two people and just hang out. Because of that, many people get in and out of my boat and with all the traffic, I am afraid that it will take its toll on the back bench.

My next door neighbor has a 70s Chris Craft and I have always wanted a boat similar to his. I did the research and I love the look of the Ski Tique better, hands down. I do not have the money to make her perfect right now, but I am trying to restore her slowly. Since I do not have a lot of money, whatever I do for the Tique is a big deal to me and I want to make sure it is done right. I am sorry if I ask a lot of questions, but it is the only way I can learn more about the boat.

It seems like whatever I do to the poor boat, it goes wrong. I had a custom made cover for the boat made last year and the guy did not follow my instructions at all. Instead of putting the snaps on the side of the boat where the original ones were, he put new snaps on top of the sides. Whenever I have a skier now and they fall off, the relaxed ski rope gets caught on each snap. It also messed it up a couple of other ways, but I wont go there

    I just gave my two front seats to the upholstery shop today. He is going to make the vinyls himself instead of ordering from Christine. As soon as I get the front seats back, we are going to work on the back seat.
    We were trying to think of a way to protect the back seat from people stepping on it when they get in and out of the boat. We are going to build a teak platform that will cover a small portion of the back bench. It will have legs that go to the floor on the front and the back will clip in behind the back rest. It will be removable so it will not take away from the original look. Its hard to explain, but as soon as it is done I will show you some pictures.
      I really can't wait, I am excited to restore the Ski Tique. It is going to be a slow project, but it will get done sometime in the future. My next project is to work on the trailer a little. I want to make trailer guides for my trailer. I just need to find a fabricator that will bend the pipe for me.

    Here is a picture of the seats that I gave to the upholstery shop today:

Thanks, I just saw that 8122pbrainard has a 54 Atom. There is one for sale around me that is not to far off the price that he bought his for.

http://westernmass.craigslist.org/boa/2780015977.html

It might be a members, I didn't check.

Thanks, when you order from Christine, do you know if the original pattern is in the vinyl or do the pleats have to be added?

I have an interior maker coming today to look at the Tique. I also contacted Chritine and have that all priced out. I think I am going to buy the interior from Christine and see if this guy is interested in installing it. But I am definately going to keep it original. Depending how much the interior costs, I might even try to replace the carpet to the original color (whether it will be this spring or next.)

From what I am understanind, my interior is Dolphin Naugahyde DOL-71 and the carpet is blue grass? Or at least that is the closest I can get it?

Here is SamB's 73 that took home a trophy at last years GL reunion. It's a beautiful boat and I think the Red, White, & Blue theme is awesome although not original. He probably has a better shot of the interior in the diaries section so you if you wanted a better idea then do a search. I took this shot as he was coming into the campground last July. Just throwing this up there as a thought if you wanted to go with a patriotic theme. Looks good if done right and Sams boat was done right IMHO.

I see your point about the motor box. Thanks for the advice!

Sounds good, I think I am going to make the driver seat and the passenger seat the same. Even though my motor box is gel coated, I think I am going to see if I can fix what is left on there.

I just need to decide what to do with the back seat. I would prefer to have the bench as the backseat. If I go with the bench seat in the back, how is it attached to the floor? Or does it just sit there? Also, does anyone have the measurements for the bench in the back?

Thanks for the help and the advice!

Here is another Ski Tique, this one has the pillows

Yeah that is the same color as my back rest. Did the Tique come with a bench in the front? My passenger seat is a little wider than my driver seat, but I don't know if that was original.

I would highly recommend getting in touch with Christines (Nautique Skins) as they have all the old factory vinyl patterns. I have found their prices to be VERY reasonable, as compared to local shops. They can give you the proper shaped foam as well, if needed. Normally I would say that you can take a chance with a local shop if you know theyre really good... but without a good factory pattern to work from, youre really taking a big chance it'll look right.

The proper medium blue color that matches our Barefoot Nautique is Dolphin Naugahyde Blue (DOL-71), as I indicated above. Christines can get this for you, as they are getting the Burgundy Naugahyde for the '80 Ski Nautique interior that I am getting set to order.

I am going to stick to the original scheme. I was going to attempt to do it on my own, but the sewing machine my mom has is not strong enough so I have been calling up local interior shops. My 76 Tique has a blue interior, does anyone know the name of the color or who makes the closest color to it?

That's the one Tim, as always you are spot on. And now, looking at the two together, I like the blue letters and red stripe best.