Functional vs. Original

As I work on my classic Correct Craft, I'm often asking myself if I should replace a certain part with a newer/better functioning part. Everything from new upholstery and gauges to adding a radio or depth finder, I'm not what I should keep original at the expense of function. What do others think? What will help resale value?

i dont know about resale. but on mine im goin with function. i have thought about what your talkin bout. and i want it to be comfortable and have a clean look and everything to work, good. i bought it to have fun on not to worry about resale

hey barracuda . post some pics would be interested to see the retro look. i think i might be on the same track

882001,
Do you have more pictures than that? If so, post them to the Diaries section so we can see the entire boat. The outside looks great -- I'd love to see the inside.

-Keith

Quite a topic; purist vs. the daily driver.

My wife recently bought a '78 SN from the original owner, her sister.

The interior was redone a few years ago with more current materials (how can vinyl be up-to-date) and with a bit more flair than the original blue-on-blue. Other than that and a cd player, the boat is original.

This winter I will be rewiring the entire boat, replacing all the engine gauges with new ones from Teleflex (still black-on-black), replacing the switches and fuses, converting to electronic ignition and replacing the anchor/stern light assembly. Just gotta leave those Airguides in place though.

From what I have seen in the marketplace, it is the style of the older boats that attracts people, not if it has the original upholstery, carpet or cigarette lighter.

Biggest problem I am having is finding someone to repaint the exterior graphics. In my opinion, that and the Airguides must remain a constant, see how some people are?

We have 3 TR-6's. A '75 my wife bought new, a '74 I just got out of a farmer's barn and a '76 parts car. When we are done rebuilding them, her '75 will be as it rolled out of the showroom. The '74 will be updated and used as a daily driver. The difference in market value of these cars will be dramatic, but, one is for show and the other for go. Take your pick.

There have been a lot of advances in engine technology in 30 years, why deprive yourself if the boat is to be used for its intended purpose?

Just my humble thoughts,

Don

pk, if your gel coat won't come back with a wet sand, look into the 'awl grip' paint.
is it the green one?   

i know internet pictures are deceiving(sp), but look at http://www.donzi.net and go to other boats topics and look at the hibernation thread. that black hull looks awesome.

When I bought my 81 Ski Nautique my thought was to keep it as orignal as possible. The more original the better.Unless you have a wooden hull they are not considered an antique in the boat world. I go and participate in the antique show and combination APBA functions, believe me if I could I would have my boat there. I participate only as a driver in the past race boat. The older glass boats are past race boat class, not considered a antique.They go out and have drive by's, as antique race boats, however not judged. So put it together as nice, safe as possible and enjoy.

Bring it to the Correct Craft reunions, have a good family get together. The idea of the reunion was just to bring them and show them off. A great get together, they are judged by different class, years etc. If you bought to make money forget it, enjoy it.
P.S if you want to make them go faster you have to make mods. My opinion

Here's a good example of functional vs. original. There's an '82 SN dash mount mirror on eBay right now that I would love to install on my '79 Mustang. There's also brackets for an '82 SN rearfacing bench seat. Now, my mustang didn't/wouldn't have had that mirror nor the rear facing bench seat but they would make the boat more functional as a ski boat. Is there a compelling reason not to go with function in this case?


Thanks,
Keith