helm steering box for 1972 correct craft

Folks

I'm working on a 1972 Correct Craft (precursor to the Ski Nautique). I think it is 17'.

There seems to be more than a desirable amount of play in the helm. It's tight at the rudder connections and the play seems to be in the helm unit.

Is this a teleflex unit? are there any replacable parts inside ... what's the solution here?

thanks xx rick

Rick,
Welcome to CCfan.
Considering your confusion, please post some pictures. We would have asked anyway!
How are the stringers?

Hello, It looks like the boat is perhaps a 1972 SKIER since that is what it says on the dash .... maybe 16.5 feet?

the teleflex folks also identified the helm as a BIG T. So, how much play should there be at the wheel (holding the rudder stationary) The teleflex guy said several inches was normal.

how does one upload photos? or do i have to link to them somewhere?

thanks xx rick

Rick,
That's for the pictures. I'm glad you figured out what boat you purchased. When you get a chance, take a look at the brochures in the reference section. They are a valuable source of info. It looks like some work was done to the Skier. Tell us more about it. Work done? Engine? Paint buff or re gel? Stringers?

Well, first of all it's not my boat ... i'm just the hired gun with a reasonable amount of planes, cars, printing presses, motor scooters and boat repair skills. I'm more of a cruising sailor than a ski boater although i can water ski, still, at 60. The boat is usually on seed lake in north georgia and it may have come from there or lake rabun. Boats up on those lakes are not driven very far since the lakes are small and they are usually boat house stored and i suspect this one was. The gelcoat is shiny and looks original to me.

The owner and his crew did some floorboard replacement and recarpeting in, i am sure, a substandard manner, but it's solid. I assume you mean the stringers that the engine sits on? i should probe them and see if they are solid.

The less they touch, the better the boat will remain. When it's warmer, i'll go up to the lake and drive the boat and see how it actually is in operation.

thanks xx rick

it's a pretty sweet boat. I actually told the owner NOT to buy it because of its age.... he used to own a mid 80's ski nautique which was a very nice boat with a straight 6 that i used to work on a bit... but he sold that one for some reason This Skier has a ford 351 V-8 .... is that a correct engine or someone's mod?

i'd rather have a straight 6 .... simpler

Just FYI, if a skilled old inboard mechanic is ever required, there is a great shop on Rabun. Lakemont Marine at Halls Boat House. Been there since the 30's. Ben McCracken is the owner.

^ Tim, the PO even marks it as a 351 TE engine in the diary post back in 06'.. Special order??

Nice Skier for sure

Not likely, 351w's were not even common in the 18' SN by that point. It was never offered in any of the 16' boats as far as I know. I suspect it was a 302 originally (and possibly still is), they look quite similar to the untrained eye.