1953 Aqua Skier-In Australia

Hi Guys

I purchased a 1953 Aua Skier from the states almost a year ago. It has taken a while to get here...long way to get down under.

We started and ran the old girl up, I have a 112 Gray marine engine, it has a badly leaking exhaust manifold, and a few stuck valve guides.
My biggest problem is the exhaust manifold...does anyone know where i could get a new one (thats if they make them)

Thanks for your help

Thanks Gary
I will get some photo's, she is in bits at the moment as i am making sure it is up to scratch, just got the generator re wired to 12 volt, going to re do the trailer and do paint over gal.

Daniel,
Welcome to CCfan and congratulations on picking up that Aqua. From the picture, it looks like a very nice restoration.

Where is the exhaust manifold leaking?

Gray Marine Parts is notorious for not responding. It's even hard to get him on the phone. The owner bought up all the inventory when the Gray plant finally shut the doors. He has a whole warehouse full of boxes of parts and to my knowledge hasn't even opened them all up and done an inventory!

Very sweet lookin boat and to think its almost 60 years old. You have yourself a treasure

Hello again

i need to do some trailer mods to get it registered, does anyone know the approx weight of trailer and boat, if it is over 1650 LBS which i think it is, i need to put brakes on it....any help would be great

cheers
Daniel

Gary S wrote: I would be real surprised if your boat would weigh as much as a 2001 series. What would be wrong figuring it weighs about 1599 lbs?

The 16' glass boats are 1600 lbs, add 450 lbs for the #2 trailer and youre over 2,000... I would think a similarly sized wood boat would be a few lbs heavier, if anything. A 2001 is ~2200 lbs, not including the trailer (which is probably in the 900-1000lb range). How big is a '53 Aqua?

Either way, I would have no problem towing a rig that size without brakes with a half way capable tow vehicle- Ive towed much larger (north of 3500 lbs) without issue with a midsize SUV.

Gary S wrote: His problem Tim is not if his vehicle can handle the weight,it's his countries laws. I don't know what the consequences would be if he fudged on the weight.

Oh I realize that. But it seems a little reckless to recommend whether or not to fudge the numbers without knowing the local conventions and consequences. I know what Id do in my state though!

Thanks Gents
I am strippiing the trailer now and have to put an Austrlian hitch (50mm) on it, i am just going to put a new axel and brakes on it just to be on the safe side, they way will not have any hassels with the Law...would reck a good day out.
If i do it now at the begining i know everything will be Legal and Safe.

Thank you all for your input, really appreciate it.

will keep you posted as i kick things along.

Cheers
Daniel

Picture of my & year old Son helping me out

Yep that's me...
Small world
if you could keep this under your Hat, will be a suprise for owners reunion.

Ha Ha nice one Kapla

i was waiting how long that would take.
It is a one off Custom Byerly Icon Edition.

Cheers

Daniel,
The drum holding the forward clutch plates needs to be tightened (not the reverse band around the drum). The outer drum is threaded onto the inner drum and you will find a retaining pin. Remove the pin and tighten the drum one turn. The shift should now "knuckle" over into gear. Since the trans shares engine oil, DO NOT use any synthetics or any additives. Straight 30 was used back then but multi is fine. I as well as many I know with the mechanical trans run it. I run 20-50.

Here's a proper link with your pictures.

PLEASE DO NOT BEACH THAT AQUA. I don't even like to see a glass boat beached. I take it this is your first wood boat? Does it take on any water?

Daniel,
I made a mistake with saying the drum needs to be tightened "one turn". What I meant to say is tighten the drum one notch of the retaining pin.

The boat looks great but it's a ply boat and it should not leak except for the shaft stuffing box. If it is leaking at seams, then it only got a "cosmetic" restoration. When you find the leaks, fill me in.