Banana George's Barefoot Nautique

Gary S wrote: I really think it's a age thing I like the look of the tops too and would put one on in a second. But then Hollywood reminded me that now with my console and a top up it would be next to impossible to get into the seats.

75 Tique wrote:    They are part of the charm. Right, Bruce? (I know I've got at least one ally in this battle)

I'm joining the "fuggly" (as Tim would say) old group here and say I like the tops as well! Yes, they snap on but bimini hardware screws to the deck as well.
Gary,
Getting to the front seat is an "age thing" too!

Hollywood wrote: There must be some reason those tops aren't around anymore.

They are more expensive to make since each is boat specific. Bimini's are a fit all with given standard sizes.

I would be very careful about a "pro" stringer job, regardless of the guys resume. Be sure to require pictures at every stage of the job and post them here for us to critique. A few people here have paid dearly for stringer rebuilds only to receive very shoddy work. Scary stuff.

I really think it would be a disservice to the boat to put in a non-original interior... I think you're tied to the brown. Check dolphin Naugahyde for some brown shades- their line of vinyls have some marbling in them which match the original 70's and early 80's style reasonably close. Try and recreate the patterns as close as you can, diamond pleating included.

Art, It is really nice to hear any info on the BBBB#II, from someone who was there and saw it.

I do have a picture I took of Banana George with my 4 kids in 1992 after his barefoot performance at Cypress Gardens, high flyer off a tower, and around the bay, back to the grandstands.

If there is any way you could get any copies of any records of the build, spec sheet, or suppliers, I would greatly appreciate it and reimburse any expenses. I am preserving the boat and history and all copies of any records. He was a real ambassador of the sport and CC's and will always have a place in my heart. Also, I did receive the wayward CC script. Thanks.

Tom is working on restoring the BBBB#1 and we are planning to reunite them, maybe even this summer. But that is only a rumor and is a surprise, so don't mention it.

Todd

Well you can't just put any speakers on, you have to watch ebay and buy the best you could buy in 83 As to a tower since they hadn't been invented yet, any muffler shop should be able to produce something but I think a good plumbing supply shop might be better as you could do it yourself. Keep in mind if your going to show the boat you'll have to find USA made pipe and fittings,there were no Chinese krap available yet

All I know is the kids like to go tubing with their friends and I need to get that rope higher so someone doesn't get their head taken off.

Yes on the graphics and open bow... a sawzall works best if you have a steady hand. I cant help on the tower, but Pete knows how to dial in the tubing set up, so hopefully he'll chime in.

Boat, motor, trailer- $4995.00! 15' of pure ecstacy !! Happy April Fools day everyone.

You guys have me pointed in the right direction, can't thank you enough. Pete, I'll trade you a Bayliner for that X55 straight up any day. That Dunphy was, and is, one of my all time favorite boats. My first boat was a 20'1962 Chris Craft Holiday, but I really wanted an X55 (or a Besotes).

Also, you can go with YELLOW under water lights. Bring on the Bling and Pimp that ride.

Spoffie1962 wrote: Hollywood, I am on CCF, I just tend to stay somewhat low key. The boat itself is sound, although it has been on a steady decline since the PO bought it off of George in '86 as a teenager. The PO barefooted with George in the 80's, so when BBBB2 arived in '86, he was first in line to buy BBBB1. As you can see though, not much love lavished on it since then. It was used up until last September, when the BBC gave up the ghost in the middle of a barefooting run. I hope to have it on the water this summer, even if it's not 100% restored. Just to be able to dock it next to Todd's BBBB2 someday would be a thrill! Anyone out there with pictures of BBBB1 back in the day? I'd love to see what she used to look like.

Last I heard about the '86 BBBB was that a guy in TN or KY owned it. His name is something that sounds like Buttafucco. I worked on the transmission for him a few years ago. I think the Hull ID is CTC08035C686. A former co-worker of mine was doing some work on it in Cookville, TN.

Art

JamesRFrom wrote: I was warned earlier this summer from a friend of mine that has a particularly rare yellow barefoot nautique that created a stir a few months back when he initially bought it. He told me to steer clear of this site and some of its members for this very reason. People like YOU.

(Taken from James' “STROKE THE EGO” thread.)

I took it to mean that Tom didnt appreciate our input in his BBBBI thread. But maybe Im wrong.

Spoffie1962 wrote: Todd, all advise is welcomed and appreciated! As we were once told, it takes a village.....

For all of you who met and knew him, Banana George Blair passed away October 17 at age 98 in New Jersey, where he was originally from.

There was an article about him in the Orlando Sentinel on Oct. 21 and a couple more followup articles.

50 years of barefooting, footed on all seven continents, a two broken back injuries, and he still footed until age 92. An amazing, wonderful guy and very generous to all of the skiing sports, and a great supporter and contributor to the Water Ski Museum at USAWS Headquarters in Polk City, FL.

Art

Art,
Thank you for posting that about George. After writing back and forth with JoAnne about 6 months ago I got the feeling things were going downhill fairly quickly, but George was one tough guy. My wife was the one who encouraged me to buy the boat, as it was a magazine article on George over 15 years ago that inspired her to get back into horse riding in her 40's. She will ride till the day she dies, and she credits George as her inspiration. From a practical standpoint, I needed another Nautique and another project like a hole in the head, as a '70 Chevelle and a '75 Triumph Trident T160 are all waiting to be finished. This boat was something I couldn't pass up though. This all transpired while I was being transferred to Georgia, and I'm still in temporary housing while I attempt to get a house completed. That is why the boat will unfortunately be on the back burner until spring. The busyness of life and work has directed my attention away from this site lately, but you need to know that I consider my fellow Correct Craft brethren a vital part in the restoration of this boat. This task will be 1000 times more difficult without you. The knowledge, experience and passion is not something you'll find anywhere else on any other site, and we, and our boats, are all better off for it. Please be patient with me and my timeline. Here is what I can tell you about it so far- I found black paint under the PO applied yellow on the .060 over 454, so I'm thinking some sort of Mercruiser replacement along the way. It would have been silver from PCM. Art C. has assured me they didn't paint it yellow at the factory. I will need a complete set of original gauges including replacement or restored Airguides. The little details like a new in-dash compass (original I believe)and getting the windshield wiper operational will probably be a bugger. Love it or hate it, that style top is original but I don't where to find one. Oh, and a new steering wheel would be nice (are you listening Santa?). This site will be my go-to source for just about everything when I get going on this, so I'm going to thank you all in advance for your help. I know I could do this by myself, but I couldn't do it correctly (or is that Correct Craftly?) without you. Tom

Tom when it's time I think any competent canvas shop will be able to make you one. It's good you have a picture to show them so they will know what your exactly talking about. I think the hardest things to find will be the gauges but the fact it's an 80's boat and so many were built will sure help. The good thing is the fact that even if it takes awhile to find them it won't hold you up,you can change them out as you get them. Here is a quick google search result and they show them under the boat tops section. I think it's great that you and Todd are bringing these two icons back to life.