Leo Bentz, Ski Nautique and Boat #1

The boat is titled in NJ where the Cleary's lived, this may be the original title but there is no date on it. Manufacturer says "GLA"   I haven't looked around to see if there is a hull number or HID placard anywhere yet.

I have sent Leo a list of questions about the windshield, which transmission it had, the disposition of the other 12 boats, what happened to GlassCraft. and I'll post back when I get a reply.

I've also sent him a link to the thread and urged him to create a user name and join in and comment, that would be a treat.   For 91 years old Leo seems quite tech savvy and I wouldn't be surprised to see him sign on.

skutsch wrote: If I am reading the history right this boat was NOT made by Correct Craft

WHOOPS! Not allowed at the reunion.

So being really interested in this history, I was wondering a couple things on the company name and if there was any ties to "Glass Craft" originated in Iowa? From searching the old interweb I didn't see any evidence of that. Did Leo incorporate his " boat company" before selling it to CC and there is no relation to the Glass Craft that was started in 1957.... I have a good guess to the answer to the next question but did the boat come with a title? Stating the manufacturer?
While searching I never saw any curved split glass windshields on any Higgins that look remotely close to the picture Alan posted. Ironically closest thing side by side comparison that came up was a barracuda without the side " Wings". Just thinking out loud... Stated before Leo built the boat before going to Correct Craft with the mold but something not to pass on lightly is that he ended up going to them eventually so he must have been following the company or keeping an eye on what they were building... not to mention they were in the same "area" where only certain products were easier available. Keeping in mind this was the 60's. Buying power, advertising, the amount of suppliers, etc. would have been completely different from what we are all use to in our day and age.
Leo being alive still, he can fill in the blanks and answer most of the questions rising?

quinner wrote: How he signed his name here, must be a nickname like Kevin is for you

you mean Kevin is not his real name?



john

Mustang windshield will be way too narrow.

I wouldn't be so quick to assume the boat had a 2-piece just yet. The 1-piece on the boat is period correct and looks to show up in a bunch of old pics too. The 2-piece had different mounting points so I would expect to uncover a bunch more holes if the boat ever had one.

81nautique wrote: Got the boat washed yesterday and confirmed my original intention of a full gelcoat job, just a little to far gone to preserve.

I liked the idea of preserving the originality with some patina. Somewhat like what the "Rat Rodder's" are doing but without the mods

But we know your judgement call will be the correct one.

Looking forward to my next GL reunion already

If I am reading the history right this boat was NOT made by Correct Craft, so you have to remember that the components like windshields, steering wheels, instruments, etc may or may not have any commonality with Correct Crafts of the same year. Any common components are coincidence or more likely because the specific component was readily available to any manufacturer. In fact the components on Ski Nautique #1 are more likely to have more in common with the Higgins, the boat the mold was thrown from. Hopefully Art can recall what manufacturers were producing windshields back then & start the search from there

Maybe Lee is his middle name. This signature is a little sloppy and looks more like Leo this time. Maybe it's interchangeable!

81nautique wrote: Letter from leo Verifying Bob;s boat is the prototype

Riley wrote: That boat appears to have the deluxe windshield in the first 2 photos with the family riding in it.

Bruce,
I think you are correct. It does look like the deluxe in the first pictures.

Also as mentioned, the later pictures maybe when the PCM was dropped in show the black frame.

81nautique wrote: To Pete's comment on the windshield though I'm pretty sure it is correct, I think Pete is referring to the one photo where there appears to be a vertical center divider but I think that may be a reflection. .

8122pbrainard wrote: Alan, It's the black frame on the windshield that I referred to. Maybe it was just painted?

I've never called my brother Leo anything, but Lee.

That boat appears to have the deluxe windshield in the first 2 photos with the family riding in it.

So did Leo start that ski school? Where'd the name Lee come from?

Got the boat washed yesterday and confirmed my original intention of a full gelcoat job, just a little to far gone to preserve.

It may be a while before I really get started on this project so in the meantime I will post whatever info I find along the way.

Leo sent this to me yesterday.

Awesome boat. Thanks for sharing the story. Another reason this site is so awesome.

#3 for a SN for sure.

The windshield looks to be the original 1-piece plexi and is just painted black. There are a few pics on the 1st page of this thread that clearly show a 2-piece glass windshield... The shape is a little different and the unique hardware is visible in the pic. I assumed it was another early SN but perhaps not #1. Most of the pics from the reference section show the same 1-piece that's still on it.

That is a very cool story!!! Thanks. It will be fun to watch the work. - Fred