SS Mini Update

Man, I wrote this really long post and then accidentally deleted it. GOSH!

Okay, so I'm worn out now and I'll recap. Sorry. It's been a beautiful week here and you know what that made me think of: the SS Mini. My wife thinks I'm crazy, but I cleaned my side of the garage today and brought the boat home. It was nice to have it back in the garage. I leaned against the boat and rested my chin on the side and just stared at if for a few minutes, daydreaming.

The kids were excited too. They climbed in while I pushed the boat into the garage and pretended to drive. My two-year-old boy screamed when I took it out. He's missed having the boat around too - every time we crossed the bridge over the lake he'd say "Wanna go on the boat."

Anyway, I'm going to disappoint many of you, but I'm not going to launch into a full restoration/refurbishing project just yet. My objective this summer is to just get the boat skiable. I'm not sure exactly what I'm going to do with the boat yet, and financially it's not the right time for me to start the spending spree. So, I'm only going to do the things required to ski through the summer and put off the big stuff till next year.

So here's my to-do list. All advice is appreciated and welcome from EVERYONE!

#1: Probably the most important. One of the engine mounts is off. Everything is intact, but the engine side of the bracket is completely off the rubber washer and the little clip that holds it all together is missing. I need advice on how to repair this.

#2: Replacing the floor. I'm not going to replace the whole floor, just part of it. There was a 3' x 3' section of plywood behind the doghouse that fell apart when I tugged on it. This will be a quick job - I'm just going to replace it with a piece of cheap plywood just like the one I tossed out. I'll replace the whole floor next year.

#3: Ski pylon. The boat doesn't have one. Should I get an old style one (ring and finger) or the new kind? Where should I get it? How much is this going to set me back?

#4: Wire harness. Got that covered - my brother's making me a new one.

#5: Gauges - already bought them on eBay, just need to install them.

Finally, I'd appreciate a favor from all of you. I'm an aspiring writer and I've published one of my stories online. I'd appreciate it if any of you who have time would read it and let me know what you think. Here's a link: Alter Ego

Thanks for all the help and encouragement!

    dchris, its great to see you workin on the boat!! I will still keep sayin that Im still jealous of you! For your info, Jbear is the man to get us rollin!! You have a great piece of history in that boat because it sounds like the kids will never forget it! Heck, I wish I could of ridden in the boat when it was on the trailer being moved around!! The funny part is, I was talking to one of my friends about going down Main street this winter with me in the boat and him driving the truck!!
                         Jeff....

dchris and Jbear. when I was a kid, the loudest boat was the best!!!!!

    Dchris, being your first CC, you will prob keep her a long time!! I like loud (not always though in a ski show) and can relate with ours, they just sound like no others being straight piped! I bet you will keep the boat for a long time to let the kids enjoy using it. Its like a part of the family!! When I bought my 76, the sweet mother couldnt watch me drive off with it since the kids grew up with it. She knows though that I take real good care of it and tell her that. It makes her feel better knowing its being cared for!!
                               Jeff.....

    Jbear, did I just read a "LOUD 80 SN NO MUFFLERS"????? COOL! Where there dude!! Keep the cold ones waiting!!!   

                             Jeff...

   Dchris, make sure you get the corrigated type that is extra flexible for tight bends. The straight stuff just doesnt move. Yours should be 3 inch. Also, check the hoses at the rear exhaust thru hull flanges to the copper pipe. Skidim is a good place to get the hose.

dchris thats the hose, it works well. About the pylon, I have no idea on what to do with that. The motor mount parts can be purchased from skidim as well. They have not changed them. My new 350 has the same mount as the old 302 did, just the brackets were different.

   Its my pleasure dchris since we have boats that are sisters!!!!

   Dchris, taking the throttle off is a pain in the butt! Its basically the 3 screws with nuts on the back side, and disconnecting the control cables that are tough. I have had them off several times. If yours is original, it might have the teleflex control instead of the morse control. The 74 had the teleflex and it went in the trash. Getting back to the point, you have to stick your head in behind the control to see whats going on. I also have a digial camera that works finally.

Agreed: dchris stole that boat.

john

    Dave, get the MV3 control. Its built better, looks better and will run for years. The old telefex control looks like something you would see in a fishing boat. The MV3 is little over $200.00 I believe. The only thing I did was disconnect the reverse safety mechanism because it caused more fatigue than it added for safety.
I will take some pics someday for you, its just kinda buried in the back of our shop and isnt easy to get at.

Dave, sorry for my brain cramp, but it is the MV2. Properly adjusted those feel nice and the black knob looks cool. I ripped off the little platic safety device under the knob. I know a lot of guys will say that they put it there for a reason, but where no one unskilled drives the boat, it causes more harm than good-especially when your docking. The one on my 76 is the original Morse control w/o the safety, hense I believe thats where the 2 came about in the MV, but cant be 100% sure.

   Yes, if my memory serves right without looking at mine, its a allen screw on the bottom of the handle. Loosen it, then it will pull off. The shaft is splined and the set screw just holds it from popping off. Good luck!

    Happy to hear that you have heat!!! Also glad youre workin on her!!!! Must of been one of Jbears magical spells!!!

Well, my beautiful Mustangs going to need new/repaired stringers eventually. I pushed my finger right through one of the outside stringers last night!

Thanks jbear, and everyone else who's pushed me to work on the SS Mini.