What an adventure! 75 Ski Nautique. |
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seacamper
Platinum Member Joined: June-24-2010 Location: Florida Status: Offline Points: 1056 |
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Posted: November-22-2014 at 10:26am |
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So as many of you saw from the "Interesting Craigslist Finds" threads, a 75 Ski Nautique popped up for $2500 in Polk City Fl. I called, and a nice older gent named Dave Bayhon answered the phone. We talked a bit, and arranged to meet at his place.
Why is it that many times when you go to buy ski boats, you feel like you are visiting a relative? As we started talking, standing next to the boat, it was like the boat became a side issue. The more I talked to the man, the more I wanted to hear, and the boat became secondary. David skied for the Tommy Bartlett show in the early 60's. I actually had to drag the info out of him, but as I told him about the progress of my two boys, he would talk with expertise about so many different types of skiing, that his story partially came out. We ended up going in his beautiful lake house, and his wife, Carolyn, pulled out a DVD that was converted from VHS that was converted from film, that was a TV special on the 1962 Worlds Fair in Seattle, where they built a circular ski river around the inside of a football stadium. While all the "acts" (Ballerina, Jumping, Tricks etc) were covered by the TV show, it was primarily built around "Ollie the Clown", who showcased all of it, and Dave was Ollie. I was pretty blown away by the skill that Dave had. Dave and Carolyn's son has a better copy of the video, and I am hoping that I can help them get it on youtube so I can post it here. Anyhow, Dave wanted to show my youngest, Patrick, his skilocker, and lo and behold here was all kinds of collectible but well used equipment, including a set of well used EP jumpers. I started laughing because of how hard it is to find used jumpers for the ski team, and Dave immediately called his son for permission, and he threw them in the deal. Oh, and did I mention he also had a single Connelly jumper and 2 boots that he also threw into the deal? (To make a Slalom jumper for the team.) Sooooo the boat has 606 hours on it, Davids son did the floor and stringer work. On that narrow boat, the floor to the sides of the engine bearing stringers must have gotten soft, because there was evidence of repairs there, but the main stringers were original and passed the "turn the engine mount lag bolt test" with no problem and also passed the "rap it with a mallet test" for sound. For $2500, I am not going to do a forensic autopsy on the boat. The upholstery is in great shape for the age, but I do not expect it to stay that way, because kids will be climbing all over it, and due to its age, it will probably crack. Neither speedo works because the sending units broke where the rubber tube fits on, so I have two sending units on order. Dave bought the boat in 1992 (that's 24 years ago) and he bought it off a fresh water lake from the original owner. It is a 351 W. Who marinized that motor in 1975? The OO had just replaced the risers, and he got a good deal on this type: risers The only problem was when you lowered the engine cover, the risers hit the side of the cover, so the OO had made up a 2" wedge or lip under the engine cover to lift the cover so that the risers would stay clear. Dave had no problem with that, and never saw a need to change it. Would these fix that problem? 3" Risers Another thing was the rope guard on the back of the boat. Dave had the bar but not the brackets. The bar is the same as in this post: Rope Guard From the look of that guard, it does not seem substantial enough to be used as a hand or grab rail. I sent a PM to Frank about it, but was that rope guard strong enough to be used by a skier to pull into the boat? The one I got with the boat seemed like really thin aluminum. The next issue is no blower system. anyone have a schematic of how that works? I will need one of those. There is a ding in the prop, and a tracking fin is bent. Also the wooden throttle knob falls off. The oil and t fluid appeared clean, and no water in the oil. The water test went fine with no problems shifting, backing, and it ran fine at full throttle. It did not overheat, and the risers did not appear to leak, even though there was evidence of past leakage. The passenger side riser was comfortable to touch when warmed up and the drivers side was a bit hotter. The bilge area was pretty clean with no evidence of oil leaking. It did not appear that the rudder packing was leaking and I forgot to check the drive shaft packing. The trailer had good tires, and is a Custom Hauler. It looks a bit funny, but it is all "C" iron and is pretty beefy and surprisingly easy to trailer. The whole idea of this boat is to get the kids on the club some cheap practice. I needed to stop putting hours on my PAN. I was also able to slip another boat under the wife's radar screen using the old "Noble Cause" dodge. You guys know what I'm talking about! For Adam, I will post pics soon. Tom |
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1980 Ski Nautique Boat Bar
1988 Mastercraft Tristar Open Bow 1988 Mastercraft Tristar Closed Bow 1969 Seacamper Houseboat 1986 Harris Pontoon 2004 Seadoo GTX SC + Flydive Xboard 1999 Adventurecraft |
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skutsch
Grand Poobah Joined: June-19-2008 Location: Racine, WI Status: Offline Points: 2874 |
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Hey what a GREAT story. Looking forward to seeing pictures, of not just the boat, but the jumpers too, in action of course! Get that worlds fair video up too! I bet that is COOL!!!
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dwcar
Platinum Member Joined: February-11-2007 Location: Houston Texas Status: Offline Points: 1103 |
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Cool story!!
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83Ski
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seacamper
Platinum Member Joined: June-24-2010 Location: Florida Status: Offline Points: 1056 |
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1980 Ski Nautique Boat Bar
1988 Mastercraft Tristar Open Bow 1988 Mastercraft Tristar Closed Bow 1969 Seacamper Houseboat 1986 Harris Pontoon 2004 Seadoo GTX SC + Flydive Xboard 1999 Adventurecraft |
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seacamper
Platinum Member Joined: June-24-2010 Location: Florida Status: Offline Points: 1056 |
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1980 Ski Nautique Boat Bar
1988 Mastercraft Tristar Open Bow 1988 Mastercraft Tristar Closed Bow 1969 Seacamper Houseboat 1986 Harris Pontoon 2004 Seadoo GTX SC + Flydive Xboard 1999 Adventurecraft |
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seacamper
Platinum Member Joined: June-24-2010 Location: Florida Status: Offline Points: 1056 |
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1980 Ski Nautique Boat Bar
1988 Mastercraft Tristar Open Bow 1988 Mastercraft Tristar Closed Bow 1969 Seacamper Houseboat 1986 Harris Pontoon 2004 Seadoo GTX SC + Flydive Xboard 1999 Adventurecraft |
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8122pbrainard
Grand Poobah Joined: September-14-2006 Location: Three Lakes Wi. Status: Offline Points: 41045 |
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Get rid of the Osco manifolds. See if you can find a set of original logs. A 2x4 under the dog house isn't a solution. |
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seacamper
Platinum Member Joined: June-24-2010 Location: Florida Status: Offline Points: 1056 |
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Any tips on where to look? I will google it. |
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1980 Ski Nautique Boat Bar
1988 Mastercraft Tristar Open Bow 1988 Mastercraft Tristar Closed Bow 1969 Seacamper Houseboat 1986 Harris Pontoon 2004 Seadoo GTX SC + Flydive Xboard 1999 Adventurecraft |
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Hollywood
Moderator Group Joined: February-04-2004 Location: Twin Lakes, WI Status: Offline Points: 13513 |
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Sure it is. Pete, you'd be surprised by the amount of members here with shimmed up motorboxes. But, logs or even PCM pyramid manifolds and risers aught to let the motorbox come all the way down.
That rope clearance bar is gross. Take everything off, then you have nothing to clear! Blower system is entirely up to you. Whatever works. Try to avoid drilling excess holes to mount the fan. A shift knob isn't hard to find, but hasbeenskier or BuffaloBFN might have some really nice ones left. jackiewdeen (Adam's dad) is the original owner of a really nice 75 Ski Nautique. Lean on him for further details. What a deal on the jumpers! Are the EPs 65"? |
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8122pbrainard
Grand Poobah Joined: September-14-2006 Location: Three Lakes Wi. Status: Offline Points: 41045 |
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I'm not surprised at all and have seen the 2x4 method used plenty of times. The methods appearance looks fantastic. |
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seacamper
Platinum Member Joined: June-24-2010 Location: Florida Status: Offline Points: 1056 |
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The EPs are 68's and the Connolly is 72. When you say take everything off, do you mean the vent cowls are not needed? Will that leave big holes above the gas tank? Also, you say the manifold/risers that were on my 89 SN would allow the engine cover to close? |
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1980 Ski Nautique Boat Bar
1988 Mastercraft Tristar Open Bow 1988 Mastercraft Tristar Closed Bow 1969 Seacamper Houseboat 1986 Harris Pontoon 2004 Seadoo GTX SC + Flydive Xboard 1999 Adventurecraft |
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8122pbrainard
Grand Poobah Joined: September-14-2006 Location: Three Lakes Wi. Status: Offline Points: 41045 |
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I certainly agree on this one! He must have gotten a surplus hand rail from a contractor converting bathrooms to handicap accessible! He sure was a good skier but, ..... |
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Hollywood
Moderator Group Joined: February-04-2004 Location: Twin Lakes, WI Status: Offline Points: 13513 |
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Jesus Pete you're assuming the PO did that. I'm actually thinking Tom slapped it on just to go ski without breaking stuff on the deck. You can get those at any hardware store.
When Correct Craft started using platforms they also changed the rear deck at the same time to eliminate the clearance bar entirely. It was never built to pull on. Inevitably someone will try. |
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Riley
Grand Poobah Joined: January-19-2004 Location: Portland, ME Status: Offline Points: 7953 |
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Great story! You ought to preserve that boat as best you can with a long term plan to restore it.
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74Wind
Grand Poobah Joined: August-02-2011 Location: Georgia Status: Offline Points: 2101 |
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Don't know about 75 but my 74 351 is a thermo electron marinization. Look for an ID plate somewhere If it has one.
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1974 Southwind 18
1975 Century Mark II |
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Gary S
Grand Poobah Joined: November-30-2006 Location: Illinois Status: Offline Points: 14096 |
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do you think that was a commander conversion originally? Looks like pcm risers would solve his problem.
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8122pbrainard
Grand Poobah Joined: September-14-2006 Location: Three Lakes Wi. Status: Offline Points: 41045 |
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Tom, You are correct that the original rope guard was simply that and not meant as a grab bar to aid a skier getting in the boat. As I mentioned in the Craigslist thread, the swim platform is not original and added. The original would have been a optional ladder as pictured in the link you provided above. Since the platform isn't original and if you plan on keeping it, you had better check it's mounting to the transom. The factory wouldn't have done any reinforcing of the transom so hopefully some was added at the time of the install. |
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8122pbrainard
Grand Poobah Joined: September-14-2006 Location: Three Lakes Wi. Status: Offline Points: 41045 |
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Tom,
Since you are missing the bases to the rope guard, there are sources however it's hard to find the old teardrop shaped base. Here's some with round or rectangular bases. railing bases At least they would cover up the holes in your aft deck. |
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Orlando76
Grand Poobah Joined: May-21-2013 Location: Mount Dora, FL Status: Offline Points: 3108 |
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While driving up 95 looking at upside down photos on my cell with a shattered screen, the engine looks to be an Escort. No do not grab onto the rope guard as a handle! Rule #3 for my boat. Dad thinks his can be used as an auxiliary tow bar and as a result he has broken both brackets. West Marine has very similar brackets that will work with No modifications. Man I kinda wish I went to look at that boat but what would I do with another G2 Ski Nautique? Good luck and glad it worked out well.
After a second look that is an Escort, true Escort too not PCM's. Good luck with the logs. Buy PCM manifolds and risers, dog box will close correctly and from the looks of it, the exhaust hoses will be long enough. |
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Gary S
Grand Poobah Joined: November-30-2006 Location: Illinois Status: Offline Points: 14096 |
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Those rails were used on a lot of CC's matter of fact John b's SS had one. I'd check with Tim or Paul Carpenter and see if they have some in their stash
It must just be a phone/pad thing on the upside down pic's,I was on right after Tom posted but was surprised as time went on no one mentioned it. |
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seacamper
Platinum Member Joined: June-24-2010 Location: Florida Status: Offline Points: 1056 |
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We just got back from a pretty good first practice. We adjusted the idle down to about 700 rpm and slapped an extra mirror on, and all went pretty well. JB Weld took care of the shift knob, and the bathroom grip rope guard worked surprisingly well. Granted, it looks like dog crap, but it will work till I figure it out.
So this: Manifold and this: Riser Will fit under the engine cover? |
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1980 Ski Nautique Boat Bar
1988 Mastercraft Tristar Open Bow 1988 Mastercraft Tristar Closed Bow 1969 Seacamper Houseboat 1986 Harris Pontoon 2004 Seadoo GTX SC + Flydive Xboard 1999 Adventurecraft |
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Gary S
Grand Poobah Joined: November-30-2006 Location: Illinois Status: Offline Points: 14096 |
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That should do it Tom and unless you want to source them separately,skidim's part #0804 will be needed too
On a side note I needed new 3/4" plugs for my manifolds so I bought brass ones from McMaster Carr,any problems with using those instead of the iron PCM's Pete? |
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8122pbrainard
Grand Poobah Joined: September-14-2006 Location: Three Lakes Wi. Status: Offline Points: 41045 |
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Gary, No problem with the brass. In fact, I recommend any plug or petcock in the block to be brass. Tom, Before you jump in and order from Skidim, do some searching. Go2marine comes to mind. I'm sure others here will have some suggestions too. |
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seacamper
Platinum Member Joined: June-24-2010 Location: Florida Status: Offline Points: 1056 |
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Thanks Pete, Another great place is Zach at N3. I will check around. Tom |
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1980 Ski Nautique Boat Bar
1988 Mastercraft Tristar Open Bow 1988 Mastercraft Tristar Closed Bow 1969 Seacamper Houseboat 1986 Harris Pontoon 2004 Seadoo GTX SC + Flydive Xboard 1999 Adventurecraft |
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Donald80SN
Grand Poobah Joined: January-12-2009 Location: Denver, NC Status: Offline Points: 3896 |
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Discount inboard marine also sells a wooden knob. |
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Orlando76
Grand Poobah Joined: May-21-2013 Location: Mount Dora, FL Status: Offline Points: 3108 |
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Nearly OEM knobs are available at most places such as West Marine. Randy Arnold has a few rope guards and brackets buried in his shop. Seen them this past summer and asked about them as the brackets are sort of scarce for OEM. IDK if they're actively for sale, bet he forgot he has them.
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seacamper
Platinum Member Joined: June-24-2010 Location: Florida Status: Offline Points: 1056 |
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Thanks guys. Now, how does the windshield attach to the boat?
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1980 Ski Nautique Boat Bar
1988 Mastercraft Tristar Open Bow 1988 Mastercraft Tristar Closed Bow 1969 Seacamper Houseboat 1986 Harris Pontoon 2004 Seadoo GTX SC + Flydive Xboard 1999 Adventurecraft |
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8122pbrainard
Grand Poobah Joined: September-14-2006 Location: Three Lakes Wi. Status: Offline Points: 41045 |
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Tom,
There are T bolts that fit in a slot on the bottom windshield frame. These go through the deck. They may be under some foam so digging may be needed. |
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jbear
Grand Poobah Joined: January-21-2005 Location: Lake Wales FL. Status: Offline Points: 8193 |
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holy cow..great story...great lookin' boat. how can you beat the price.
was on the lake today..sweet set-up you have there! john |
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"Loud pipes save lives"
AdamT sez "I'm Canadian and a beaver lover myself"... |
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63 Skier
Grand Poobah Joined: October-06-2006 Location: Concord, NH Status: Offline Points: 4269 |
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Congrats on the purchase, looks to me like a pretty incredible value at that price!
On your blower, since you have the rear vents can you fish a blower exhaust hose to the base of one of them? If so that's all you need, you can mount the blower so the intake is low in the engine bay and that should rid it of any fumes within a couple of minutes. |
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'63 American Skier - '98 Sport Nautique
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