64 American Skier updates!

Finally thought Id post some pics of what pretty much occupied my month of June.
It all started out as "just installing a bilge blower". After finally finding a bow scoop that looked right on the boat, I started to install the blower. When I took up the old carpet and floor to install the vent hoses,
I found some minor rot in the outside floor stringers. So,I "sistered" some new one along the old.

Of coarse that called for a new floor..it had 1/2" treated ply that felt like a sponge, so I replaced it with 5/8" bc that I treated with an epoxy.


Also a good time to detail the big 6 banger...

After the new floor , I was having a hard time re-installing the blue interior..(red and white had been screaming at me for months)
,
so one night a friend who builds street rods and does some upholstery work, and I were talking over a couple of cool ones. I showed him a sketch I had drawn of what I thought would look good..he agreed and with less than 3 weeks to Green Lake, we decided the time was right to re-do the interior!
This pic shows the new side panels installed. I copied the outside body line of the hull and two-toned them.


While he was making a new interior, I re-painted the red bootstripe. I also installed a new depth sounder. I used an Autometer chrome cup to mount it in. I wanted it to have a "60s tach" look, so I mounted it just above the steering column.


We were leaving for Green Lake on Thursday (July 13) . On the 12th I was picking up the last yard of material from ups at 8 in the morning (kinda figured too close) to finish the seats. That night at 10, I was installing the last of the interior and engine cover..

Other things that have been done were..some re-wiring and a new fuse panel installed..an original ski mirror and windwings installed. New bilge pump. A new "Correct Craft" pennant for the bow light, made by a friends wife..re-chromed gas cap and misc fittings.
heres a pic of the boat right after I bought her..


and a pic of her as she looks today..


as Ive told a lot of people.. its hard to beat the "dollar to fun" ratio in this old girl!

Really cool...and sadly very familiar...if I may share


old boat



stripped



new stringers



almost done

I did the same way...1/2" plywood with resin coating, glassed to the hull.

Lookes great Atom splitter. BKH

There sure are some talented folks on this forum. Another great job!

oh yeah, how could I forget?
I broke the strut support for the prop shaft a couple weeks before GL also!!!
Heres a little better pic of the interior..

I commend you on your superb job. I sure hope you enjoy her as much as I would. Totally awesome!!!

Steve don't be too down on that 6 banger i believe there are more go fast parts for it than you think. Earlier this year I stoped by my Dad's shop and he was gone helping another buddy of his dial in a progressive linkage and tweak the carbs on a dual carb set up on a hot rod he had just finished. So I decided to cruise over there and check it and razz dad a little since he haddn't done much carb work in awhile and I was amazed that Ron had an inline 6 in his coupe and not a V-8 and got a lesson that the motor was brand new not rebuilt and that was what they used to do in the old days. Listening to the motor you would have never know it was a 6 banger if the hood was down and the thing would scoot alone pretty good so there is hope you might be able to hop your's up and give some a run for their money. There suppose to be pretty torquey and thats what you want in a boat motor not HP.

both of you guys have done some great work. I love to see these old boats redeemed and find new life. Thanks for your hard work and showing it to us. Very cool!

81 Nautique and I had taken a break to swim in the middle of GL, and 62 wood came by.....I would've bet you a weeks pay that he had a V8 in there. It sounds (and looks) absolutely fabulous. He did a great job!!

Rob

also have a 1964 am. skier,resurected from a near death ,interior complete,new stringers,floor etc.now the need for speed,331 stroker due for install before fall. boating season is long a La. we wont winterize till Dec.new windsheild on order also,boy do i love these old CC's...... boat dr

64 Skier wrote: Have you guy's tried Ford 6 Performancce Parts? It's a great website for adding HP to the 6 cylinder. Great looking boats!

64, I did go to that site a little bit right after I got the boat.. What I was trying to find out if theres a way to tell if the motor has a solid lift or hydaulic cam? Sounds like thats the era that ford was changing from solids... Its running pretty good , but i would sure like to set lifters to the right specs..

Anyone know a way to tell ?

boat dr..you got any pics of your ride?

Paul!
I was beginin' to worry...hadnt seen any posts from you for a while! Alls well I hope?


I am really starting to appreciate the ol 6 beater...most of the time its just my wife and I for an evening cruise. We still pull an occasional recreation skier...still plenty of power for that..

And as you said... gas ...we went out Sun. for almost 3hrs and used less than 4 gal of fuel...cheaper than going to a movie and a WHOLE lot more fun!