73 Skier Restoration

sent

srbranum wrote:    I think others have become frustrated with my bellyaching and incompetance and that I have not done things by the book and don't hear from much anymore. scott

Scott,
I don't believe the above to be true. Give yourself more credit for the work you have done. Remember you didn't want to undertake the stringer job at first and I actually believe it was me that convinced you to do it. It came out fine!!! Now, just because of a misplaced steering cable, don't get bent out of shape. It too will get fixed.

Keegan,

I am very impressed with you work.

I also may be able to give you some help with your Ring and Finger problem. When I purchased by 1980 SN two years ago, the finger on the Ring was half gone. The finger is held in place with a set screw. I removed the screw and tried to pull out the broken finger. My plan was to go to a machine shop and reproduce the finger and place it inside the ring again. I was unable to get the finger out with the Ring still on the pilon.

I was able to locate via CCFAN a very nice ring and finger from another boat. I have now removed my damaged Ring and Finger and have installed the replacement unit. When I removed the old Ring it got slightly twisted as I was trying to pull it out. The twist can be removed if it is heated and put into a vise and worked with a bit. The old finger can probably be removed now that the Ring and 1/2 finger are off of the pilon.

I am willing to give you this damaged Ring and Finger for your boat. You may be able to fix it and make it complete, or you may just use it until you find a better one. It is not perfect, but it is better than nothing. I can send you a picture of the item if you send me an E-mail to tilley166@bellsouth.net. I do not need or want the items that you spoke about in trade. I can not sell the ring because it is damaged.

Send me an E-Mail if you want to take a look at it.

Nice Work ,

Donald
Denver, NC.

Lay cardboard on top of the carpet to prevent damage. I got your e-mail and I just sent you some pictures. Just let me know if you can make it work. I have your address.

Donald

Looking good, Keegan.

FYI, you can get a new stern light receptacle from Whitelake for ~$17.

I would definitely install the carpet while the motor is out... much easier than working around it. Use the cardbard trick for the reinstall as mentioned.

Keegan,

I shipped you the Ring and Finger today via US Postal. You may have it tomorrow or Monday.

Donald

Here is my 200th picture. The carpet is in. Now I have to cover the pressure fitted battery cover and removable rear.   

Keegan, I'm fired up for ya man! All the other guys are at GL this weekend, i'm sure they'll be impressed when you get back. Have a great vacay, nice to leave one vacation and come back to a boat ready for another!

Keegan,

Btw, go back to page 1 and look at those pictures compared to now and you will really get a sense of self accomplishment. Wow!

When someone brings a old boat back from the brink is secures our history for future generations.You should be proud of your accomplishments.

srbranum wrote: Keegan, Btw, go back to page 1 and look at those pictures compared to now and you will really get a sense of self accomplishment. Wow!

You know I did that just now and it really puts it in perspective. The simple questions I had to ask, and the discovery of each problem, and then later the solutions that I brewed up to solve them.

I have learned a lot on the way and I thank the CCF community for all their time and effort educating me. Storm, Wakeslayer, Pete, Tim, AT, MARTY MABE, D Tilley, the all knowing Chris who gets a rise better than anyone, and Scott for making me look like a slow poke.

Most importantly my wife should be thanked for standind behind me, wanting it done right, wanting it done a month ago and wishing it had cost half as much as it did! And if that engine is not installed, alligned, and roaring like a horny lion when we get back on Saturday- I won't have to say a word. Shakespear already said it "Hell hath no furry like a woman's scorn, She'll take care of it.

Keegan, even if it isn't done...just think you'll have 20 some more years to enjoy it!

If you want new decals for the back let me know.

The transom is all decals. Until I hear back from Art Cozier at Correct Craft I don't know what is original. The missing letters are due to the fuel tank breather line dripping down when the tank is really full. I want to replace them as they are because there has to be some sun fade. Funny thing about this red is that it does not fade. It is actually lighter under all of the stickers and fittings and gets darker with the sun. My boat gets a tan!

Mr Cozier said that by the hull id number he knows that the gelcoat was done in May 1973. The Seatek fuel tank has 6-1-1973 hand written on the decal so it did not leave the factory any before June.

My wife wanted to put the name on the transom and I told her no way. It is going back the way it came. I do like Form and Function's smaller name lettering on the sides. Our name is "Floor It" because I spent the $2K I was supposed to use to buy new floors for the kitchen and living room to buy the boat and trailer. I love the name but am not sure I want to put it on the hull. My thought was to have a flag made for the stern light socket with the name.

I ended up getting nicer floors than we were looking at when a gym by our house went out of business and my friend bought 6000 sq ft of maple hardwoods for $500. I paid him $250 and got to take all that I needed and he helped me install it! Just think- I would have spent all that money on some crappy floor and had no boat. Sometimes leaps of faith turn out for the best!

Keegan,
The naming of a boat has come up in threads. The general consensus is it's cool with wood hulls but not with more modern glass hulls. So, tell your wife the story!! The threads covered some of the "off color" names we've all seen on transoms! Leave that to the Bayliner folks. We're certainly a step above them!!