Power to the People..errr, ...Higgins.
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Category: General Correct Craft Discussion
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URL: http://www.CorrectCraftFan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16556
Printed Date: January-10-2025 at 1:35am
Topic: Power to the People..errr, ...Higgins.
Posted By: 62 wood
Subject: Power to the People..errr, ...Higgins.
Date Posted: February-15-2010 at 4:07am
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Not as cool as some of the other projects being worked on here , but thought I'd post a few pics of my Higgins. Finally got the motor back in the hull over the weekend.
Im replacing the original Gray135 with a Gray188.. http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2096532220103439384YcansM"> 
man...is this thing Heavy!! http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2298255380103439384iERoAh"> 
Almost "home"... http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2563285600103439384VFLJaY"> 
A long time in the works.... http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2256816140103439384ZLDGBH"> 
now....just a "little" more assembly...  ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1117&sort=&pagenum=6" rel="nofollow - 64 American Skier 62 Classic.. 73 Ski Nautique |
Replies:
Posted By: eric lavine
Date Posted: February-15-2010 at 9:37am
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looking good Steve ------------- "the things you own will start to own you" |
Posted By: Kristof
Date Posted: February-15-2010 at 10:07am
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That looks SWEET Wood!! ------------- - Gun control means: using BOTH hands! - Money doesn't make one happy, but when it rains cats and dogs, it's still better to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle... |
Posted By: peter1234
Date Posted: February-15-2010 at 11:56am
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is higgins named after the landing craft guy? or was it p/t boats ------------- former skylark owner now a formula but I cant let this place go |
Posted By: 62 wood
Date Posted: February-15-2010 at 12:27pm
They built both during WWII. After the war thety started building pleasure boats. They supposedly were bought out in 1963, ending the line. FWIW.. a couple of other interesting facts: 1) The first generation Ski Nautiques were copied from a late 50's Higgins hull. 2) most Higgins were painted. This 62 is one of three boats I've seen that were stained. If your looking for more info, heres an interesting link on https://www.acbs.org/rudder/oldrudder/Rudder/Fall2000/Higgins.htm - Higgins History ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1117&sort=&pagenum=6" rel="nofollow - 64 American Skier 62 Classic.. 73 Ski Nautique |
peter1234 wrote:Posted By: storm34
Date Posted: February-15-2010 at 12:34pm
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Steve, vert cool! Its always good to see someone making some progress! ------------- |
Posted By: Fl Inboards
Date Posted: February-15-2010 at 2:02pm
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Higgins
Higgins produced 199 78-foot boats. The Higgins boats, built by Higgins Industries in New Orleans, Louisiana, were 78-foot (24 m) boats of the PT-71 or PT-235 or PT-625 classes. The Higgins boats had the same beam, full load displacement, engine, generators, shaft power, trial speed, armament, and crew accommodation as the 80-foot (24 m) Elco boats. Many Higgins boats were sent to the Soviet Union and Great Britain at the beginning of the war, so many of the lower-numbered squadrons in the U.S. Navy were made up exclusively of Elcos. The first Higgins boats for the U.S. Navy were used in the Battle for the Aleutian Islands (Attu and Kiska) as part of Squadron 13 and 16, and others (RON15 and RON22) in the Mediterranean against the Germans. They were also used during the D-Day landings on 6 June 1944. A somewhat odd footnote is that even though only half as many Higgins boats were produced, far more survive (seven hulls, 3 of which have been restored to their World War II configuration), than of the more numerous Elco boats, thus seemingly demonstrating the superior construction of the Higgins boat. Of the remaining Elco boats only three hulls (one restored) are known to exist at this time. Very few of these exsist today. It is sad that after the war the Navy burned most of the fleet of PT boats. Steve Keep up the very nice work on the old Higgins. Jody ------------- Hobby Boats can be expensive when the hobbyist is limited on their own skill and expertise. 1993 Shamrock "fat" 20. 2008 Nautique 196 5.0 |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: February-15-2010 at 2:31pm
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Steve,
Couldn't you find a "AMC" fender protector? Chevrolet??? Is it crunch time for the Muscatine show? ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: 62 wood
Date Posted: February-15-2010 at 2:35pm
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WOW Jody.. great history leason! Your right on the fact that most hulls were burnt after the war. Cheaper than bringing them back home. Very sad.
BTW, There is a steel hulled Landing Craft, said to be an Elco of 1965 vintage, I saw it a few years ago moored on the Mississippi in the Muscatine area. I think a friend has some pics of it. ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1117&sort=&pagenum=6" rel="nofollow - 64 American Skier 62 Classic.. 73 Ski Nautique |
Posted By: 62 wood
Date Posted: February-15-2010 at 2:40pm
Im looking for a Graymarine fender cover. 
I think I have my work cut out if this girl is going to Muscatine! ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1117&sort=&pagenum=6" rel="nofollow - 64 American Skier 62 Classic.. 73 Ski Nautique |
Posted By: DrCC
Date Posted: February-15-2010 at 3:40pm
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Steve, Planted the wrong engine!
Crusader is way prettier. Side drafts make better anchors. |
Posted By: 62 wood
Date Posted: February-15-2010 at 3:53pm
Thanks for the vote of confidence Al! Agreed, the Crusader would be wayyyy more fun. I know of a 4bbl intake for this motor, but I'm running into good ol engine cover/clearance issues.
Besides, Im hoping to find a mint 73 SN with no motor for the Crusader transplant. I just gotta find em before "those guys" in Missouri do!  ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1117&sort=&pagenum=6" rel="nofollow - 64 American Skier 62 Classic.. 73 Ski Nautique |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: February-15-2010 at 4:36pm
Al, Why? I've never had a problem with my YH's in 30 years! ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: 62 wood
Date Posted: February-15-2010 at 5:25pm
Pete, The 188 had been setting for ten years. When I tried to start it, I had it setting on the floor supported by jackstands. Needless to say time wasnt kind to the carbs. I wasnt too excited about raw gas running and collecting directly below the distributor. 
I do have a set of adapters Im going to run that mount on the carb throats. They have "O"ring seals and change the flame arrestors to a raised horizontal position from the normal verticle position. Should keep any raw gas from finding its way out in case of float or choke problems. BTW, the carbs on the motor are the set I got from Alan when I bought the Gray225 that originally came with his Hurricane. They had been rebuilt and still wrapped in newspaper..... hope they work! 
. ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1117&sort=&pagenum=6" rel="nofollow - 64 American Skier 62 Classic.. 73 Ski Nautique |
Posted By: 81nautique
Date Posted: February-15-2010 at 6:08pm
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Looking good Steve but I really must call foul, if you have more than one 60 watt light bulb and can walk all the way around your boat that's cheating. I'm going to be afraid to pull the Hurricane out of the bat cave into the light and see what kind of work I've really been doing.
EDIT, And a chainfall no less..indoors! ------------- You can’t change the wind but you can adjust your sails |
Posted By: storm34
Date Posted: February-15-2010 at 6:22pm
Steve, get to work on that baby! I want to see her in Muscatine! I'm going to stick with the Ski Tique this year but am hoping to get the Skier there next year! Its 88 days to Muscatine! ------------- |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: February-15-2010 at 6:24pm
Steve, Yes, the latter 312's had modifications to the aft carb inlet/flame arrestor too. Interceptors idea was to replace the aft arrestor carb adaptor with a new casting that went down to the valley. Then incase of a stuck float the gas would go into the valley where it would be drawn back into the carb when running. Maybe I've been lucky with mine but I also know that some don't fully understand how the YH carbs work. If you have starting problems are are making multiple attempts at starting you will get raw gas. This is due to how the accelerator pump works. They are vacuum assisted so each start stop vacuum is gained/lost activating the pump! So, you want to make sure you have a good starting engine - Mine always was even with the 28 year old points!!!! ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: Brady
Date Posted: February-15-2010 at 9:13pm
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Alan
I'm sure you noticed that it is an old fashion differential chain fall at that ------------- Charlie Three Lakes, Wisconsin 69 Barracuda |
Posted By: Riley
Date Posted: February-16-2010 at 11:24am
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Looks good Steve. Not all those old engines came with only side drafts. Our 312 has a downdraft marine manifold. Correct Craft built the motor boxes up to accomodate the difference in height. Keep posting pics of that boat! ------------- |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: February-16-2010 at 3:55pm
Without a doubt, I think that Gray 327 had more configurations than any other marine engine!! Single or double side drafts in the valley. 2 or 4 bbl. conventional downdrafts. The weird manifold that mounted the carb lower and aft over the bell housing. Then mix in the early flywheel forward and the later flywheel aft and the combinations grow!!! Steve, I've never asked you if you know what the condition of the exhaust manifolds are in? They was a problem I believe on the aft ends with cracking at one of the bolt hole bosses. ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: 62 wood
Date Posted: February-16-2010 at 4:20pm
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Pete,
The nice thing about the 188 I bought is, it already has replacemant Barr Marine manifolds on it. The original manifolds from the 135 had holes 'blown' out of the back off them at the rear, as well as one of the "s" pipes! The 225 I bought from Alan has some really cool Gramarine manifolds I wouldnt mind running, but the "S" pipes bolt solid and dont swivel. I'm not sure how they will align with the exhaust in the boat. (btw, The "S" pipes in the pics still need to be rotated to the inboard side of the stringers.) And Alan...you ever try a 100 watt bulb instaed of that 60? ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1117&sort=&pagenum=6" rel="nofollow - 64 American Skier 62 Classic.. 73 Ski Nautique |
Posted By: 62 wood
Date Posted: February-16-2010 at 4:27pm
Charlie, I gotta keep Pete happy by using the correct vintage equipment!
Dont think I wasnt looking at the framework of the chainfall while lifting the motor 6 feet in the air!  ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1117&sort=&pagenum=6" rel="nofollow - 64 American Skier 62 Classic.. 73 Ski Nautique |
Posted By: kapla
Date Posted: February-16-2010 at 4:52pm
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nice boat!!!
but is that a fram oil filter there? LOL... ------------- <a href="">1992 ski nautique |
Posted By: 62 wood
Date Posted: February-16-2010 at 4:58pm
Thanks Sebastian, yeah, the Fram was already on the engine, plus its 10 years old...maybe better back then?...it wont be there when I run it.. btw, I'm still trying to figure out how not to spill oil all over when changing it!Some brilliant technology,ehh? ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1117&sort=&pagenum=6" rel="nofollow - 64 American Skier 62 Classic.. 73 Ski Nautique |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: February-16-2010 at 5:21pm
It may be more brilliant than the location on the side of the block? The oil should drain out of the filter when the engine isn't running! How's the shaft alignment going? ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: kapla
Date Posted: February-16-2010 at 5:29pm
wow sounds clever!! wonder if it really works that way!! ------------- <a href="">1992 ski nautique |
Posted By: Riley
Date Posted: February-16-2010 at 5:30pm
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I was wondering about that filter, too. Would you use a filter with a rubber diaphram to keep the oil from draining into the engine which would be better on startups, but make a mess or would you use a regular filter that would drain out? ------------- |
Posted By: 62 wood
Date Posted: February-16-2010 at 5:31pm
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Most of the oil would hopefully run back into the block, but there was still some leaking from it when I took it off the engine....maybe in the lines?
As for shaft alignment? I'll let you know ...I still hafta install the shaft log.... The 225 from Alan has adjustable mounts I wouldnt mind trying to use, but the rubber grommmets have taken a "set" from old age. While at it, I'm also planning to change from the original 7/8" shaft to a 1" ...easier to find props. ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1117&sort=&pagenum=6" rel="nofollow - 64 American Skier 62 Classic.. 73 Ski Nautique |
Posted By: kapla
Date Posted: February-16-2010 at 5:38pm
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Speaking of oil, this weekend was the first time since I own the boat (10years) that I was able to drain the oil using the oil drain hose through the hull drain plug, man should have solved that way before!! its so easy...
------------- <a href="">1992 ski nautique |
Posted By: jbear
Date Posted: February-17-2010 at 12:53am
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Wow.....what a garage err shop. You oughta be able to fix most anything with a set-up like that.
john ------------- "Loud pipes save lives" AdamT sez "I'm Canadian and a beaver lover myself"... |
Posted By: 62 wood
Date Posted: February-17-2010 at 3:01am
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Thanks John,
Been a ten year project...Still lots of stuff to finish in the shop yet tho. I always said I could live out there...as long as Pam doesnt find out how to turn off the water and gas feeds coming from the house!
Someday maybe I'll get it cleaned up and get some better pics... Heres a pic from another angle. http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2978310080103439384XVdXTW"> 
I "twisted the arm" of one of the cabinet reps to get a deal on Cherry wood cabinets. Pam wouldnt let me put granite countertops in tho.. 
. ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1117&sort=&pagenum=6" rel="nofollow - 64 American Skier 62 Classic.. 73 Ski Nautique |