New ’65 Barracuda Owner ! ! !

Thanks to all the love you guys show for your old CC's, (I have now read hundreds of old posts), I have decided to get the '65 Barracuda. Unfortunatly I probably won't be able to pick up the boat until late August, work, work, work, and the boat is out of state, .

One owner, all there, unaltered, rebuilt engine, good drive, I don't know about the hours, I don't know much else about the boat but I am very excited and can't wait to take it on the lake.

I have never owned a boat, and never been around many boats and have been only exposed to one inboard - an early 90's Malibu. All the excitment you folks have for your CC's ahs rubbed off already!

So if you have any suggestions or wisdom to pass along I would love to here from you.

When I pick up the boat I will put together a diary to share the adventure.

Keith, Thanks for this Site, And thanks to all the members for your enthusiasm, I can't wait to take the wife and kids for their first ride.

Welcome aboard,

Can't wait to see the diary. Let us know when it is posted!

Barry- South Carolina

Got a chance to go play on a buddy's '71 Barracuda, this weekend.

What a hoot! draggin' his kids all over the lake in a tube. He has a tower on board. I love the way the boat runs, turns on a dime. I can't wait!

I'll probably go get mine Labor day weekend.

Cuda,

Congratulations on your purchase. I think you'll have a ball with it. The old boats are great. It's getting so the new ski boats are pretty common place, so it is the classics that now stand out.

I hate to be a stick in the mud, but if you can find the time this winter, I would find the local coast guard or state offered boating course. Admittedly, these are geared to off-shore operation, but they offer a lot of useful info, especially safety stuff.

I am pretty sensitive to this. Kids between 9 or 12 and 18 are supposed to take a course to operate a boat, but all of a sudden, if a person is over 18, they suddenly know enough about boats to operate them, despite no training or experience. (I'm not picking on you Cuda, this is just a general observation)

I was out on the lake this weekend (I usually stay home on weekend afternoons, but I had guests). It was deadly out there, mostly tubers that are clueless about rules of the road and general operational etiquite. Mostly stuff you don't learn in a course unfortunately, just not thinking or using their heads...you can't teach that in a course, I guess. Anyway Cuda, I am sure you will be a responsible driver, just something to think about. Enjoy your new boat.

Some other things to think about.

Like David said, go out on a quiet day, not only because of the water, but the ramp too. If you're not familiar with backing and launching, a line of 22 boaters, waiting behind you, can be disconcerting. Practice before going to the ramp.

Have your boat ready before backing down the ramp: gear in it, drain plugs in, gas in, knowledge that it is going to start. All untied when you are ready to launch (I have seen people try to launch boats securely strapped to the trailer)

Know the controls (I had friends launch their new boat, but couldn't get it to start because nobody explained to them the fast idle button on the throttle)

After running a few minutes be sure to check temp gauge and maybe even feel exhaust manifolds to be sure they are cool. Water pump impellers can disintigrate if not properly maintained.

Maybe invite your buddy with the 71 along to offer tips on the move.