1960 Atom Skier Fin Boat Recondition

Had a great visit today with Brian our resident fin boat enthusiast. I have been looking at his Atom Skier fin boat for some time and finally dropped him a line to see if it still was on the market. Though he had not been aggressively trying to sell he did still have it and as I was coming out here this month I decided to have a look. The rest is history. So, sometime in July I plan to drive west from CT and tow the newest acusition home, no small adventure in itself. Perhaps someone needs a boat taken west as it would be a shame to go out empty. More to come. Boat fever strikes again LOL.

Nice- nothing like a good road trip!

Wish you were coming back empty instead of heading out... Im sure I could find something that needs to be dragged back east.

Riley wrote: What a great road trip. You ought to grab this while your out there! I'd ask you to grab it for me, but I'm trying to have some self restraint and finish the project's we've got going. http://www.ebay.com/itm/320906864493?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

That's a fine looking power plant Bruce. What does restraint have to do with boat fever. Go ahead and pull the trigger I dare you. I need an excuse to visit an old Vietnam buddy in Cali.

While on the subject of fins I couldn't stop myself from taking this pic out on the Hood Canal. I know it's not a boat so inappropriate but here it is.....

Good looking hot rod boat. Bet it would give one heck of a ride. Time to get a doubly tier boat hauler like on I saw years ago. Had a guy in CT that restored Cris Crafts and he had a boat hauler just for delivery of up to three boats. Our here in Seattle there are many interesting water craft. Th e hydroplane museum is on my bucket list this visit. Only a few days left here before I return to CT and get my van packed for the big ride.

Jack,
Ask Brian to get a set of Bearing Buddy's on the trailer hubs. You won't be putting it in the water when they are really needed but they will keep a constant supply of grease to the hub bearings on the road.

Here is how it traveled from Southern California to Seattle several years ago. I had no idea what the trailer condition was like and really did not want to take the chance since I only had two days to make the trip.



It does have bearing buddies on it now and I am going to be pulling them, cleaning it all up, check the axle and mounts, and then install all fresh so Jack is ready to just hook on and go. The trailer is really an well built unit and the boat sits really low so it should tow great. What a great circle route this little boat has taken. At some point it left Florida and made its way to LA, then up to Seattle, now headed East and eventually back to Florida. Oh the stories it could tell!

As of about 11:00am PST Jack and the little Atom Skier headed...South. Well at least for a little bit, just down to Portland and then hang a left on 84 and start the long journey East. Jack showed up last Friday with a new set of tires and some misc. tools and got the trailer all ready to go. The lights all worked and hitch sat nice and level behind his big Sprinter van. He was going to check the bearings at several stops today just to keep an eye on them. Hope he has a great trip and meets lots of Correct Craft Fans along the way. An old wood boat behind a truck at fuel stops has a funny way of eating up a lot of time!

All thumbs up Jack!! Continue on and I wish the rest of the trip is uneventful as well. Yes, I knew the Bearing Buddy's would help.

Little update, jack is now in Illinois on i80 with broken leaf spring, he did a quick fix and is still rollin eastbound!

juniorwoody wrote: Greetings from an Iowa rest stop. Free wifi at all rest stops here. Three days on the road east and many thumbs up from passers by. Bearing buddies are doing their job and if all goes well this package might just arrive on Saturday. Hit 100 deg. yesterday in Nebraska.

Wish I would have followed this thread closer. Sure would of tried to catch up with ya. It is still hot here!!!!

Tis true, the fin boat has completed another epic journey along with it's new owner. Many thumbs up on the road all the way across the states a feeling I've only gotten once before and that when riding in my old pal's 1932 five window coupe rod. Any ways I tethered the two spring parts back together with my boat hold down strap and cinched the whole package together. Rode it and checked frequently until I built enough confidence to run several hundred. Went through some rough road avoiding tolls in Ind. and Ohio and beat the holy crap out of the set up all the time worrying the other side would let loose. Kept telling the trailer what a fine job it was doing an essential part of the outcome. I have a few pictures to post eventually of the finner in some states for proof lol.

This was an epic twelve day adventure to be sure!

Good story about a very cute boat.
How many of these did they build. I very seldom see anything wood with fins. Amazingly, a guy I met several weeks ago pulled up to my dock today in a Yellowjacket with fins.

john b wrote: Good story about a very cute boat. How many of these did they build. I very seldom see anything wood with fins. Amazingly, a guy I met several weeks ago pulled up to my dock today in a Yellowjacket with fins.

I like to think these fin boats are a bit rare. There sure aren't any around these parts. As for how many we're made that's a good question I would love to have the answer to. Regardless how many made there are fewer and fewer left of these old plywood boats because they just didn't last like the planked ones. This one has not been altered very much over the years with exception of the dog house made larger to cover the four barrel carb which replaced the two barrel set up. Brian did have the original carbs and he had them rebuilt, so I anticipate putting it back stock and a rebuild of the dog house. This should help the looks a lot.