1963? American Skier
Printed From: CorrectCraftFan.com
Category: General Correct Craft Discussion
Forum Name: General Discussion
Forum Discription: Anything Correct Craft
URL: http://www.CorrectCraftFan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=48514
Printed Date: March-06-2025 at 8:12am
Topic: 1963? American Skier
Posted By: thoug
Subject: 1963? American Skier
Date Posted: April-07-2020 at 2:43pm
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Hello, I recently purchased a well worn Correct Craft as a parts donor for a custom runabout (barrelback) that I am constructing. The boat is registered as a 1963 American Skier and the hull identification plate on the stringer under the engine is AM195. Would this align with a 1963? It looks like someone did some "upgrades" in the '80's with some newer generation parts, so I'm trying to sort out what's original and what could be of value to restorers. I purchased the boat because it had a ford 289 interceptor engine and velvet drive transmission. From the Correct Craft brochures on this site, I don't see a V8 interceptor as an option for the American Skier in 1963. However, there is mention in the 1966 brochure of an American Skier with a (190hp 289 interceptor. The casting date codes on the engine components are from late '65 to early '66, so would be consistent with a 1966 model. There are two exhaust trumpets that are original, so it came with dual exhaust. From the hull number, can you tell if this Is this really a 1966? I thought they were using paragon transmissions in the 60s', would the velvet drive be original? The windshield is a straight 3 piece chrome frame with "Water Bonnet" side vents set in black plastic. It looks just like the '80s Ski Nautique style. It looks like there is a 2/81 date code etched on the glass. All the photos I've seen of the '60s vintage show a single piece curved windshield. I assume this is not original, but may have some value for the '80s boats. There is even an outline leftover on the hull side from "Ski Nautique" lettering that someone added. It was also equipped with a nice teak swim platform, which I understand was not an option until much later. The hull side emblems are the same as http://www.correctcraftfan.com/forum/uploads/170/ccemblem.1.jpg" rel="nofollow - these , which I understand to be from later models, is that correct? Thanks for any information that helps me sort out what I've got. Todd |
Replies:
Posted By: Gary S
Date Posted: April-07-2020 at 3:17pm
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Very well could be. I had AM 361 which the factory said was a '64. Are you sure it's a 289? The reason I ask is because the 289 replaced the 260 in '63 and marine engines seem to lag behind the automotive uses. My boat built 12-68 had a 289 in it when cars were already using the 302. Also may have been changed along the way as well. When I got mine the block had already been changed to a 302. 57 years is a long time ago boat wise. Side emblems should be all metal like these-  ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1711&sort=&pagenum=1&yrstart=1966&yrend=1970" rel="nofollow - 69 Mustang HM SS 95 Nautique Super Sport |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: April-07-2020 at 3:19pm
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Todd, The ID plate you found is before the HIN's were used in the early 70's. The "AM" stands for American Skier and the 195 is simply a sequential serial number. Pictures would help identifying the year but there were many inconsistencies back then so what you find in the brochures isn't necessarily accurate The Velvets were used on V8's and manual Paragons were typical on 6's. Yes, the hull side tags you linked are from later years. Your Skier would have been cast. ------------- /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: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: April-07-2020 at 6:41pm
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Todd, Some pictures would help with some of your questions. If you get a chance, post some. A reproduction barrelback? Sounds very interesting. Are you following an old hull design? ------------- /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: 67 ski nat
Date Posted: April-07-2020 at 11:34pm
| Now you need to restore American Skier #195. History |
Posted By: thoug
Date Posted: April-08-2020 at 1:56pm
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Hello again, and thanks for your responses. Gary, yes, I'm confident the engine is a 289 with casting numbers consistent with late '65 early '66 production. It's also a reverse rotation as compared to typical automotive engines. One of my other hobbies is collecting and restoring Mustangs (cars not boats!). So, I am very familiar with the evolution of the SBF through the '60s, and the differences between the early 221/260 through the 289 and transition to the 302 in '68 (at least in the cars). The engine and trans in this boat was the only thing that I paid attention to when I purchased it, since I was primarily after the small block ford marine components. I've got numerous automotive 289 and 302's laying around, but needed the trans and drive train components. My original suspicion was that this motor was transplanted later in life based on the '65 date codes, and '63 registration. However, it sounds like the AM195 hull number may be consistent with a '66 model year? 8122pbrainard, thanks for the info on the velvet drive vs paragon. I didn't realize the velvet drives were typical on V8's of the era. Yes, for mt barrelback build, I'm using an old hull design based closely on the original Chris Craft 19' barrelback runabouts from around '39. Here's a couple photo's of the boat and windshield:     67 Ski Nat, as a car restorer, I understand the desire to restore and preserve. As with cars, anything can be saved if you put the resources into it. The stringers in this boat are completely rotted out, and the gel coat is cracked everywhere, which is why I only paid $700 for the complete boat. I do understand how some of these parts could be valuable to those who are restoring, which is why I'm making the effort to identify what could be useful to other restorers and will follow up with posts in the for sale section, Thanks, Todd |
Posted By: Gary S
Date Posted: April-08-2020 at 2:16pm
Todd don't see how that can be,even in the automotive world a car with an earlier serial number is not newer than the one with a later one. I suspect that it's a later engine put in an early boat. The factory records would show what it left with but I suspect getting those as time goes on will be difficult. Hardware wise I see nothing original anyway,it's all been changed and things from newer models added. ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1711&sort=&pagenum=1&yrstart=1966&yrend=1970" rel="nofollow - 69 Mustang HM SS 95 Nautique Super Sport |
thoug wrote:Posted By: thoug
Date Posted: April-08-2020 at 2:25pm
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Thanks Gary, when I wrote this I mis-read your post and had the '68 model year you reference in the back of my head. I agree that AM195 should precede your '64 with AM361 hull number. Based on that info, I would conclude that this engine was a later transplant into that hull. Anyone have any feedback on what the windshield may be from? |
Posted By: TRBenj
Date Posted: April-08-2020 at 2:32pm
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82-83 mustang most likely. http://correctcraftfan.com/reference/bview.asp?id=17#image4" rel="nofollow - http://correctcraftfan.com/reference/bview.asp?id=17#image4 |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: April-08-2020 at 2:46pm
Todd, I see you list Minnesota. as home. Are you a BSLOL member? ------------- /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: thoug
Date Posted: April-08-2020 at 2:46pm
| Thanks, that would be consistent with what I believe is a February '81 date code on the glass. |
Posted By: thoug
Date Posted: April-08-2020 at 2:55pm
Not yet, but I have attended the Gull Lake Classic the last couple of years. My lake cabin is only about 30 miles from Gull Lake, so I drive by John Allen's place on Hwy 371 all the time. My project is still in the early stages so haven't connected with too many classic boat people in the area yet. |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: April-08-2020 at 2:59pm
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Todd, They have great tech seminars if needed. Post some pictures of the project in the off topic section or email me some. I'd love to see it. ------------- /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: Donald80SN
Date Posted: April-08-2020 at 3:06pm
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The Ski Pylon is also from the early 80's. ------------- 1980 Ski Nautique SOLD Back to Cypress Gardens 2002 Sport Nautique, GT-40, FCT2, Cover Sports, Tower Bimini, Inc., Wet Sounds Audio System, Star Gazer Wake Edition S. 1968 Ski Nautique, Project. |
Posted By: Gary S
Date Posted: April-08-2020 at 3:31pm
Don anything jump out at you about Cypress Gardens ?  ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1711&sort=&pagenum=1&yrstart=1966&yrend=1970" rel="nofollow - 69 Mustang HM SS 95 Nautique Super Sport |
Posted By: thoug
Date Posted: April-08-2020 at 6:35pm
Thanks Don, that's exactly the kind of info I'm looking for. I would not have caught the newer ski pylon. It looks like this boat had some upgrades to resemble an early '80s Ski Nautique (windshield, ski tower, swim platform, and engine). There's even an outline left from the "Ski Nautique" lettering that was on the hull sides. Later upgrades were not as elegant, check out the hand(?) throttle it came with:  Yes that's a throttle foot pedal, with a handle screwed to the pedal! Todd |
Posted By: 67 ski nat
Date Posted: April-08-2020 at 9:49pm
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Bummer bout the rotten stringer floors, I see your thinking Good luck with replica Can I do a foot throttle. Cool |