Leo Bentz, Ski Nautique and Boat #1

[QUOTE=TRBenj] I wouldn't be so quick to assume the boat had a 2-piece [QUOTE]
I don't see where anyone has assumed anything. All that's being done is looking at pictures.

Neat story and nice project Alan. I think we can all vision on how it will turn out,it's in good hands.

Lots of Taylor Made windshields of the era over on Fiberglassics. Here's a split "deluxe" on an inboard Skicraft

jbear wrote: quinner wrote: How he signed his name here, must be a nickname like Kevin is for you you mean Kevin is not his real name? john

Nancy?

Awesome story Alan. I wouldn't have ever thought that boat was still out there.

Looking forward to seeing this one come back to life.

81nautique wrote: what happened to GlassCraft.

There is a GlassCraft section on the Fiberglassics site. I wonder???

Alan, what a great piece of history! It is in great hands. Very excited to see the progress!

Great Stuff Alan.....we all apprecitate the history research that you've done so far. Hope he is thrilled to see the boat safely in a collectors hands who wants to preserve and restore it's history.

Tim D wrote: Looks like the hull has a rib curled out on the bottom edge.

That's the spray rail that CC maintained when they started building them. They were always the first thing to go since CC was making them out of wood.

So this all white boat (presumably) in the pictures is or is not the prototype? It also doesn't look to have the spray rails. Was that a CC modification?

My 62 Higgins has wooden spray rails...how close are they to the early SN rails design?





Note , it also has a shorter.wider rail towards the stern. not sure if that is also for spray?
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Hollywood wrote: So this all white boat (presumably) in the pictures is or is not the prototype? It also doesn't look to have the spray rails. Was that a CC modification?

I've been holding off answering until I get a chance to go and look at the boat again this weekend but sometimes these things take on a life of their own so here is what I know.

The boat I picked up was all white (off white) when built. when it went to NJ the bottom was painted by the Cleary's .   Leo said it was white with a red boot stripe. Leo says the boat in both photos is #1, does that mean the prototype or production boat #1 I don't actually know but I believe he is referencing the prototype.

As to the windshield, I will look for signs of other mounting holes. There are some patched holes where the windshield side frame attaches to the deck but I didn't put that together in my head until all the windshield talk started and I wanted to verify this before saying anything about it.   This may confirm that the boat was built with a deluxe windshield and it was changed at a later date.

The interior is an Aqua color and is how it was upholstered and interior painted. Leo painted the interior panels himself. The seat cushions I rec'd from the Cleary's are the second set the boat has ever had and Mark Cleary told me they were exact duplicates of the original. The cushions are in very good condition due to being stored indoors for 20 years.

The spray rails may have been added after that picture either by Bob Cleary(which I doubt) or by Leo as they were testing the boat. It was after all a "Prototype Test boat" as stated in Leo's letter to Bob so maybe they added them while getting to know the boat and how it handled.

As to the authenticity of the statement that this boat is the first boat out of the mold I can only go back to the letter Leo wrote to Bob in the 90's. He states quite clearly that the boat he sold to Bob was the first prototype test hull to come out of the mold built by Bob Conn. Bob Conn built the mold and one boat, after that Leo contracted with another boat builder to build 12 more. If there is an error in referencing boat #1 it's more likely that William Grimditch bought boat #2, Leo distinctly separates the prototype from the production boat though and considers the Grimditch boat to be the first production boat sold. William Grimditch for nostalgia sake also bought the #2 Mastercraft Bob Shirley built 8 years later. To go off on a real tangent I restored Mastercraft hull #13 many years ago.

My last thought on the prototype is that it was sold to Bob Cleary with the intent that he was going to try to sell the boat to dealerships in the Northeast, his first draft sales letter shows that. You could say Bob Cleary was the first promo boat owner, unfortunalety that opportunity evaporated when Leo sold the mold and name to Correct craft.

That's all I got for now but I'll keep digging and add info as I find it.

Amazing story! I moved to the Carolinas just a few years ago.   Been down to Hilton Head many times. You must have rolled right past us in Fort Mill on your way to Moorseville. That would have been a sight to see! We will be watching for updates here.. cant wait to hear all about it.   

Great find. Art is the person that can get down to the true history of the Gen 1 Ski Nautiques. I have a 1964 SN 1378, and though it is not one of Leo's first boats, it is about as untouched survivor as you can get for a Gen 1 Correct Craft Ski Nautique. I am the second owner of the boat, and Art Cozier has helped me document it's history. I have the boat located up in Northern Wisconsin right now (in storage). Still has all the original panels, floor, and engine. If you need to look at it, during your restoration, I would make it available.

Old skier wrote: Great find. Art is the person that can get down to the true history of the Gen 1 Ski Nautiques. I have a 1964 SN 1378, and though it is not one of Leo's first boats, it is about as untouched survivor as you can get for a Gen 1 Correct Craft Ski Nautique. I am the second owner of the boat, and Art Cozier has helped me document it's history. I have the boat located up in Northern Wisconsin right now (in storage). Still has all the original panels, floor, and engine. If you need to look at it, during your restoration, I would make it available.

Wow I would like to come see this, and maybe I will tow my Dad's up to line them up next to one another. Dad's is also pretty much untouched or at least could be put back to untouched with a swap of cushions (minus the carpet and floor). Who knew there was another Gen 1 so close to his which is located in Dubuque, IA. BTW, Dad's is a little older then your with hull ID SN1330...



Sorry for thread jack...