1963 Correct Craft American Skier

Hello all! I'm new to the forum so like any forum I may be repeating questions found in other strings and for that I apologize. Way too much information here for me to digest immediately.

Anyhow, I purchased a 1953 Correct Craft American skier several days ago with the intent of restoring it. Great boat I found it on Craig's list just as it was posted. it's in pretty good shape after 25 years of storage and appears to be worth the effort. I have just a few general questions at this point and no photos available to me at this time, I am going to pick it up sometime next week (hopefully)when they can move it out.

Great boat, was not advertised more widely seemingly sound hull and motor stringers etc.

So, here I go. It has what appears to be the original 170 cu. in. 100 HP Interceptor, reported to run at time of storage. I have several ideas for the little motor to improve performance and tips or experience would be appreciated. And in it's stock form approximately how fast would it propel the 16ft boat?

I have plenty of view points on improving performance (rat rodders)and I am curious how much knowledge still exists of the mods (if any) beyond maranization did Eaton make to the base Ford Comet engine before I start spending my machine shop budget.

The boat had been painted over what I am told is the original blue of the boat. The paint job appeared to be a faily good one done 25+ years ago using DuPont Imron. so I can't really see the original gel color until I strip a small area when I get it.

Like all fiberglass boats it's vintage original gel coat on hull and topside are spidered and I am planning on taking the boat down and re-gel coating it. Therefore, not having run the I.D. yet, can anyone tell me what colors were offered in the 1963 model? Most likely I am going to go back to the original unless it's hideous!

Thanks for now!

Welcome to the site. Pete, that's a baccerds engine. We've got a Mustang with that engine. Ours is stock and runs about 32 mph and cruises nicely in the 20's. A little more speed would be nice. What are you thinking of doing? From the age of yours, it probably has a Paragon transmission?

Hey thanks all for the interest. Well with winter on my doorstep my first thoughts are to work on bring the motor back to life. Tear down and inspect internals. Hopefully rebuild able with replacement of rings, bearings etc. Have the head re-done with SS valves and seats installed to cope with modern fuels more easily.

Cook out block and head, mill the head and deck the block to improve compression, re-ring as necessary. Hone cylinders and probably with stay with stock pistons / diameter unless cylinder boring is necessary.

Generally as modest as possible with the overhaul. I would like to stay as close to original as possible while enhancing performance. I don't expect 60 mph passes out of it. I don't want price the motor portion too high or expectations too great or I'm into re-powering becoming a consideration which I would like to avoid unless necessary.

All emblems etc. remain so aesthetically I have neat little boat to restore.

Glassdog wrote: Anyhow, I purchased a 1953 Correct Craft American skier several days ago with the intent of restoring it. Like all fiberglass boats it's vintage original gel coat on hull and topside are spidered and I am planning on taking the boat down and re-gel coating it.

Thinking perhaps you meant 1963 on the year

Glassdog wrote: I don't expect 60 mph passes out of it.

Shoot for 35. Great little engine though. I like the way it sounds and it has decent acceleration.

Sorry must have misstated something. Anyhow, yes it is a 1963 (typing fast) and no I'm not trying to make the boat into something it's not. As stated, I am doing a resto and prefer to keep the motor original. Having said that, like the original production motor introduced into the Ford Comet in 1963 the Interceptor had a few shortcomings that were later improved upon in the 200 cu. in. inline 6 cyls.

We are planning to use the boat and I am quite fond of the sound of an inline 6 cyl. My family has several vintage woodies, one of which a (Greavette) 1947 has a Kermath Marine, flathead six (Pontiac base)which is unmistakable.

My thoughts center on the fact it's a vintage motor, compression was a little light etc. So, modest compression improvement better internal fasteners etc. leading to improved reliability and compatability with modern fuels. I'm not against additives, however we boat in several different areas, some extremely remote so I don't really want to cart around much more than stabil and deal with low octane fuels. I plan to let my kids ski behind it as it's range of speed is just right for them, just want to make sure the old girl is up to being leaned on a little.

Any thoughts on the range of colors that particular year?

Let me start off by saying until you get the word from Correct Craft you really don't know what year it is. Standard color for the American Skier in 63 was white with red waterline stripe,clipper grey floor. Sales sheet says optional colors - Solid color deck in red,buckskin tan,turquoise. No mention if hull came in any color other than white.Seat backs came in turquoise,red,blue,beige. Life preserver cushions came in turquoise,red,or white. Boat with Interceptor 100hp was $2565.00

Glassdog wrote: compatability with modern fuels. I'm not against additives, however we boat in several different areas, some extremely remote so I don't really want to cart around much more than stabil and deal with low octane fuels.

Christopher,
What additives are you thinking about? Hopefully it's not a "lead substitute" since there's no such thing. I stopped using it over 25 years ago. As a ACBS member I encounter plenty of classic as well as antique engines and their owners. I honestly do not know one that still uses the so called "lead substitute". Keep in mind that our old engines ran on marine white gas which is a straight run gas with NO additives (no lead ether) in it at all. Keep the money you save for the valve job when the time comes. (it may take years!) BTW, none of my engines are in need of a valve job!

Welcome aboard! Yes to the pictures!

Here's a picture but you know this one

62 wood wrote: Carter YH sidedraft and you cant get many CFM's pushed thru it. I was not willing to alter the doghouse, so had to stick with the stock setup.

150 CFM is the YH rating.

Steve,
I'm sure happy you stayed original and didn't cut a hole in the doghouse. I do know several who haven't especially the 312's converting the dual YH's with a downdraft.

Hello all and thanks for earlier input. Anyhow, been meaning to get back on and haven't had time. Here are a few pics of my "63" American skier just shortly after getting it to my home. Read on after the pics..


Anyhow, was supposedly garage kept and only not run for 25 years because they bought a pontoon boat and I was advised it had not been properly laid up.

So as expected there are a few hiccups. Going to pull motor and tranny for the winter. Well found out they had attempted to winterize, just not thoroughly. Exhaust manifold cracked interior and exterior of water jacket, still had water in it, no glycol. Then pulled the head and found the intake valve on #2 cylinder missing a chunk! And a corresponding pushrod that was nicely bent nearly into an "s" and a crack extending out into the head from the valve seat. Fortunately all cylinders are unmarred.

So, I may be able to retain the original 100 h.p. However, I'm adding the costs at my labor rate, new / used manifold, head, alternator and starter are shot, got my winter cut out for me.

Lots of cosmetic work ahead, haven't gotten a reply from Art through correct craft, however I believe it to be the standard white under the red imron that was applied some time ago. with red water line.

Was told it had blue paint on it, I think they had boat confused or did a good job of stripping and painting over, no evidence.

Oh I'm sure he will, I received a very nice email from him explaining his interests and his retired status. I'm in no big hurry, just interested holidays are close so my fun money is tight!

OH WOW! Very Nice Welcome to Team Red!