1973 Correct Craft Ski Nautique Restoration

Fairly unmolested for a 40 year old boat but you never know what has been done by previous owners who may or may not remember things correctly...

Is there any evidence of a hyphen between Ski and Nautique?

Ha, no harm no foul... The boat doesn't need a fictitious back story to be cool! Plenty of folks out there with good intentions but bad memories who can't keep correct crafts and mastercrafts straight. The 50-yr anniversary he mentioned also implies that he's not very good at math.

Gary S wrote: Should have Art look it up and if it went thru Angola Ken just might remember that combo

I wouldn't wast your time, i'n not going to mention the name of the marina other than they just got bought out, I think this guy was talking out his *** I just called him and asked again and this time he mentioned something about a mastercraft, so either I miss understood him, or who knows, I'm would like to remove the references to this as to to not muddy the waters how can I do that?

pcjeeper wrote: Hollywood wrote: "stars and stripes" ??? When I showed the local marina the photo of the original boat above, the guy at the counter said it was a stars and Stripe edition, once I get all the paint off the original lettering I will verify my findings, so far it is looking exactly like that photo. He was only aware of a few 75 SNs as part of the 50 year promotion that ever came with that package. Which leads me to believe that maybe it is not a true "Stars and Stripes" package but a neat looking combination non-the-least.

I'm going to call this guy and see what he is smoking! I cannot find any other referance to a stars and strips version...now that i'm digging deeper

TRBenj wrote: I still think that CA boat is bogus... At least in terms of the graphics and options having been done at the factory. This one is not the same- it is likely the (relatively) typical red/blue scheme shown in the brochure. One of the classiest looking SN's ever made... And it was a 73-only scheme as far as I can tell. But I do not see any stars. The 440 is a big bonus and might make this example one of the coolest, rare CC's we've seen here in some time. I hope you do it justice!

There are 4 stars on the back of the boat that have been painted over. after rubbing some of the paint off, you can see the outline where they were, but they appear to have been buffed away.

I still think that CA boat is bogus... At least in terms of the graphics and options having been done at the factory. This one is not the same- it is likely the (relatively) typical red/blue scheme shown in the brochure. One of the classiest looking SN's ever made... And it was a 73-only scheme as far as I can tell. But I do not see any stars.

The 440 is a big bonus and might make this example one of the coolest, rare CC's we've seen here in some time. I hope you do it justice!

Its patriotic anyway -
That boat definitely has some story behind it that 440 didn't fall into it without some money or influence being extended.

I can't for the life of me figure out what they gained by the exhaust crossover complication other than riser height. I am pretty sure that the typical bb Chrysler manifolds would have gotten the exhaust hoses down next to the stringers with essentially the same amount of overall length. However with the weight of that beast and the low nature of the SN they might have had issues keeping the water out of the engine?

"stars and stripes" ???

OldSchoolBlue84 wrote: pcjeeper wrote: OldSchoolBlue84 wrote: pcjeeper wrote: Any idea of where to take it near northern Indiana? What part of Indiana? Nice boat Marshall County, so Valpo/Michigan City wouldn't be to far. That's great, need to meet up one day over beers and bs........we dock/boat in Culver, Lake Maxinkuckee, need to meet up over the summer, normally head out during the week for smooth water. Good luck on your boat!

I've skied max a couple times, a friend of mine grew up there...Might just have to take you up on that beer sometime...

Are there any Correct Craft Reunions in this area?

Update from tonights work:

"Fingers Crossed"

While going over the motor I found 2 freeze plugs in the bottom of the boat, it appears that both middle plugs were pushed out at some time over the last 3 years...in reading some other post on the forum I went to the auto parts store and got some brass rubber plugs and put them in, there would be no way to properly press plugs into the block with it in the boat. i inspected all the cylinders and spark plugs for rust and compression all seems to be ok, an I didn't find any crack on the block (on the outside at least) I checked the oil again and it is right where it should be and not milky. So I guess I will put water to it tomorrow or Friday and see if there are any leaks or water gets in the oil. I was able to turn the motor over tonight after replacing the starter solenoide. However I determined that I am not getting spark, I have 12v on both sides of the coil and to the distributor, but that is where I stopped for the evening to come do some more research.

On another note, I pulled the buffer out and did a small test area on the bottom of the hull, and it did clean up nicely. I also determined that this was originally a stars and Stripes Model???...as the bottom blue strip is actually red and it and the lettering plus red strip on the starboard side has been painted over blue. I really am leaning towards returning it to its original finish. I buffed some of the blue paint off and the original graphics are faded and spotty (I think from being over buffed sometime in the past, hense why they were painted over)

What is the best way to get that paint off?

So this is what I think it was from the factory:

74Wind wrote: When you get to the interior, you might try Indy Covers in Indianapolis. They did an outstanding job on the new interior of mine. when you get to that stage I can send you some pics if you'd like. I can also send the receipts if you'd like a ballpark cost.

Thanks, I will keep them in mind, I have a local gal lined up to do the seats and cover patches, i was going to lay the carpet my-self...

pcjeeper wrote: Any idea of where to take it near northern Indiana?

What part of Indiana? Nice boat

Adam, you have waited ten years to get that boat. Do it right. Bring her back to her original glory. She is worth it. Nice boat
Drag her to a local CCFan reunion. I will buy you a beer and toast your accomplishment.
Probably everyone on this site would do the same........that is a lot of free beer!

pcjeeper wrote: Let me clarify something here... My idea was to wrap it until I can get (afford) to get the boat re-geled since it can always be easily taken off, now that is unless getting the glass fixed cost less than a grand....

I don't feel anyone here is too excited about the wrap idea ether! Some supplies, effort and time go a long way with a wet sand and buff. Spend some time searching and reading how well it's worked for our members. If you still want to do a wrap, I'm sure sites like PN or WW would be a great help. . BTW, if it is wrapped, you'll have to change the title of this thread!

Might want to check the cost of a wrap as well... Those usually run in the thousands believe it or not! I'd wear the scars proudly!

The cracking at the floor/stringer joint and your mention of a "partially rotten" floor are typical signs that the stringers are at least partially mushy. Even well preserved boats aren't immune- ones that weren't stored properly for even a short amount of time usually don't fare well. Your description of the previous owner doesn't paint an optimistic picture! You'll know a bit more once you dig in.