Leo Bentz, Ski Nautique and Boat #1

Is everyone still using photo bucket or is there a new favorite? The pay by month is kinda a bummer

I have some pictures of the boat I want to upload but more importantly...

Turns out our previous sales manager, Luke,, is selling a house to Leo's daughter in Vero Beach. The owner of Miami Nautique, Henrik, contacted him and told him about #1, he reached out to Leo's daughter and she said talked to Leo and he'd love to see the boat!

He's 95 years old and apparently doing great. I'm going to ask him if he would want to do a little video interview and ask him some questions to fill in the blanks.

If he agrees to this, what questions do you guys think we should ask?

Art, I left you a voicemail a while back but we should call and talk about this.

Hussler wrote: I have some pictures of the boat I want to upload but more importantly... Turns out our previous sales manager, Luke,, is selling a house to Leo's daughter in Vero Beach. The owner of Miami Nautique, Henrik, contacted him and told him about #1, he reached out to Leo's daughter and she said talked to Leo and he'd love to see the boat! He's 95 years old and apparently doing great. I'm going to ask him if he would want to do a little video interview and ask him some questions to fill in the blanks. If he agrees to this, what questions do you guys think we should ask? Art, I left you a voicemail a while back but we should call and talk about this.

I'm looking for an early gen 1 Nautique trailer, if anybody knows of one for sale in florida, I'd really appreciate it. Doesn't have to be in perfect shape.

Hussler wrote: This is the engine that was taken down in the back of the truck, it's a 272 "marine block", looks extremly original. Paint looks original too, I didnt know early Intercepters were blue. I'm going to contact Leo and see if he remembers what color the original was.

Brian,

I have what I think is a 3DV. It is for sale. Not sure if it would fit or not.

Here was my plan for those 2 engines.  I bought "Blue" which is a 272 simply for all the Interceptor parts.  It is a pretty complete set up including a velvet drive and a very hard to find bell housing to adapt the VD to the Y block.  That motor is a running motor but is only 160 hp so my original intent was to bore it to 292 but I have since found that boring to 292 would leave very thin cylinder walls so it is doable but not recommended.

Hussler wrote: I'm looking for an early gen 1 Nautique trailer, if anybody knows of one for sale in florida, I'd really appreciate it. Doesn't have to be in perfect shape.

Huss, that would have been a #2 trailer.  There is one at the factory from under the '61 that is there.  I could probably get some photos of it if that would help.  Marketing has decided that just because it has 10-inch 6 ply tires on it that is is inadequate to transport the boat on, so they had a new trailer built for it.  I am opposed to them having broken up the "package," but there is nothing that I can do about it.  Any trailer earlier than a 1980 will be almost "correct" for it.  What is under it now?  (email me a photo if you like)

juniorwoody wrote: I have what I think is a 3DV. It is for sale. Not sure if it would fit or not.

bwinn wrote: juniorwoody wrote: I have what I think is a 3DV. It is for sale. Not sure if it would fit or not.

A nice update, Keith Rust, whom doesn't frequent the forum much, offered to donate a #3 trailer. Will have to work out the details on that, but that was really cool of him.

I did some measurements, and neither engine has motor mounts that match up to the stringers, pretty weird.

I was thinking to myself, I'm trying to keep this thing as original as possible, but then it hit me: why worry about something trivial like motor mounts for originality if I can just ask the guy that built it if I can change it?

It is a prototype, and he is the designer!

Below is a transcribe of what Leo said to me. Pretty awesome/humbling

I have a 292 Interceptor, rated at 185hp (built in i think 1962) . If thats what you believe was in the boat, thats what I'll install.

Leo: " I appreciate your efforts to keep this Nautique as original as possible. However, only the shape and design of fiberglass hull itself was unique. If the engine you have is the original and is 60 years old, regrettably, that engine may be rusted or corroded from the inside out. Did the person you purchased from have any info on this engine. However, if this engine runs, its surely worth putting back in the boat and using it as is."



I'm having trouble finding motor mounts that fit where you cut the spots on the stringers, I'm not sure what you would have used.

Leo: "I would have use what ever was necessary to have the drive coupling on the rear of the engine meet properly the coupling on the propeller shaft."



With your blessing, I'd like to move the front mounts of the engine towards the bow. This would fix the motor mount dilemma and , theoretically, lower the vibration of the motor due to having a wider stance on the stringers. Please let me know if this is okay with you?

Leo: "This would be fine with me."



I figure since this boat was your idea, and is a prototype, any changes that are made to it that have your approval still maintains its integrity as being a piece designed by you.

Leo: "As I said above, only the design of the hull was my original design."



Kinda funny, 60 years after it was built and I can still request a "change order"!

Leo : "Ha Ha yes you can."



"And I hope to still be around to drive that first Nautique when you are finished.   Leo"


That last part hits pretty hard.

Gonna have to double time it.