My 71 Skier Progress

BKH, you may know this but the Skier shared the 16'5" hull with the '71+ Mustang (16). The same hull was used when the Skier became the Ski Tique. There was actually one at the GL Reunion:



Skicat, Im a big fan of keeping things original, but the stripe on this '68 Mustang looks pretty good. I bet it would look equally nice on your red machine.

Chris, look again... That was an old Mustang that was brought I believe from a memeber in downstate ILL.(Check out the windshield) The one your thinking of, that is Stang's neighbor was white with the thick maroon and black stripes. It had a platform and a black, period correct windshield.. Great SN !!!

Moj'

Mojoman wrote: Chris, look again... That was an old Mustang that was brought I believe from a memeber in downstate ILL.(Check out the windshield) The one your thinking of, that is Stang's neighbor was white with the thick maroon and black stripes. It had a platform and a black, period correct windshield.. Great SN !!! Moj'

Correct Mojo, Going from memory only, I think that white boat in the first pic is Pat Allens.

The other boat Chris is talking about was Stangs buddy Brian with the fuel injected 318. I think it was a 73 ski. Joel(M3fan) and I got to drive that one down at Shelbyville, it's a screamer.

Now Moj, Don't give anyone any reason to remark about that beautiful Cobalt. That boat was a savior for me that weekend, and the only reason I was able to get out on the lake with my bum back. Besides, with you off playing "the mayor" I got to hang out all afternoon on that boat with your "smoking hot wife" and my "smoking hot wife." Pretty good deal. BKH

skicat,

Many thanks again for the trailer!

it was lots of work but man it turned out good for me!!! I owe you big old buddy!

Man the old Ski is gonna be kick a$$ when your done!!! Keep the pics. comming

thanks again,

sorry i havent been on CC fan site much.....Very busy at work and home....

paul,

That is Pat's boat, in the GL thread with the pics Brian's boat is labeled as "p/allen" which is wrong. Pat's is the "?" boat underneath.

Sidenote: Who was the blonde at the transom of Pat's boat in the above GL pic?

Skicat's revived finish still has me reelin'. When completed it might be the hottest boat on this site.

I attach similar type photos of Marshall Morgan's 70 Mustang (see diaries), which when purchased, looked just like 'cats. We drove from NC to Mich after he bought it off ebay, and after he pursuaded the guy to pull it from auction by paying him 90% up front thru PayPal. Turns out the posted pict was about 10 yrs old and the boat had faded/oxidized terribly since. Well Marshall wanted to back out, but I reminded him he already paid the guy, and deal was a deal, although there was a little misrep here. So we explained to the guy that the picts really didn't reflect this deterioration; he agreed and settled on a lower price. I figured we might be able to bring the finish back a bit, and if not Marshall could sell it and recoup his money. "I" ended up doing the several days of sanding and heavy 3M compounding and it was like magic before my eyes. Once I started I couldn't stop. It was the nicest 36 year-old finish I'd ever seen perhaps until now.   So, Marshall got back to my place and wet his pants when he saw it. I left the port-side transom for him to do so he'd further appreciate the transformation. Guess who ended up doing it?

I've only seen a couple of old hulls that couldn't be brought back finish-wise. You can make any of them shine again, no question about it. But the original color may not come thru. On the old yellow 71 SN that I've partnered with a friend to restore, I sanded/compounded all the way thru the gelcoat in an inconspicuous area without getting the original bright yellow back. I've seen several other of those yellows that turned to a shiny Guldens. And then there's the question of whether it's not just cheaper and better looking just to paint them when they're really bad, and esp if there's body work to do.      

Anyway, great job Skicat! I've got a source for the original style rub rail if you need it. <$200 total.

   

Reidp,
Are you sure that 71 is supposed to be yellow? I had a 71 that everyone called pee green. I have not seen very may of those, but yours looks just like it. I sold it to a friend of mine & he said yours was the same color. Odd color, but looked great!

Yes I do need the rub rail. Someone put a newer style on it. All I know about the original is it was the flat rounded face aluminum style. What size was it, did it have a small return on the bottom? Any help is appreciated!

Thanks for all of the other encouragement. Sometimes you need that to keep all of the projects going.

Greg, I know what you're saying about the color. I thought it was a completely different color as well until we pulled off hdwe from the decks and esp the speedo mounting plate. It was as bright a yellow as you could imagine (see picts). Along the gunnel/top deck I was able to bring some of it back nicely but once I found there was no hope for the transom I pa$$ed and we decided to have it painted, plus it had lots of nicks and gouges.





As for the rub rail, try this site and page. http://www.tacomarine.com/cat--Aluminum-Rub-Rail--cat2_aluminum_rr.html
This is the exact replacement if you're looking for the anodized alum. The model you want is A11-0152. You can buy this thru West Marine, but you'll need to give them this part number as I don't think you'll find it in their catalog. It comes in 12' and 6' strips, and I think I normally used 3-12s and a 6, with about 3 feet left over. Or if you're gonna be up in Charlotte some time soon, I bought a bunch of it and can sell you some. It's a pain to try and ship.     

Greg,
If you come on up soon, we can take a ride, as otherwise I'll be winterizing before it freezes. The 63 Cla$$ic is still hanging, but several others are close by the ramp in the yard and easy to launch. If you can break away during the week I can sneak out, or come on up on a weekend. I'm not going anywhere the next few weeks. We can take a ride in a sweet running 273.

Well finally getting around to some work on the skier. Here it is ready to put back together. Today I went to West marine & purchased new wiring, hoses, vent hose, etc to start putting it back together. TIP-don't make the mistake of taking your wife with you to buy this stuff. It adds up really fast & she knows how much you are actually spending on the boat! I didn't have to replace the stringers, but I did clean up the glass & reglass them over good. They are not up to Skibums standards for looks, but they should do the job. Still on a bilgekote high. Man that stuff is mighty strong!

There was no foam when I took out the floor. It was all in pretty good shape, so I am going back the same way. No foam & plywood floor coated with resin & glassed to the hull. As of now I am going with red carpet, White seats with red piping. The vents were red before, but I can't save them without repainting, so I am between red & white on those. Mine has the same steering wheel as the one in the picture, but I don't know where there would be one. If I see one, I will let you know.

The stringers had some cloth added to them. As bad a job as it was, I think it might have been enough to keep off the water. The foam might have been removed at that time? Up under the bow it does have foam, but that is all. Not a lot of room for foam under the floor in these little boats so I am leaving it out.

Looking good Cat!