Ski Boat - Biesemeyer/Mercury Mark 78

[JohnRuff]

Are any of you familiar with this boat and should I avoid it for $2500. Pictures of it are in near new looking condition.<br /><br />-----------------------------------<br /><br />16 foot 1958 Biesemeyer Ski Boat <br />Mercury Mark 78 outboard engine <br />with trailer and cover. <br /><br />It has been covered and stored in a garage for all these years. Only used in fresh water. <br /><br />The original custom upolstery is in great shape, <br />front & rear benches and two rear facing jump seats. Seats 8 people.

 

[JohnRuff]

Re: Ski Boat - Biesemeyer/Mercury Mark 78

Here are the pictures -- to me it looks like a classic old style boat. Suggestions?<br /><br /> http://www.users.qwest.net/~john_r/blueboat1.jpg <br /> http://www.users.qwest.net/~john_r/blueboat2.jpg <br /> http://www.users.qwest.net/~john_r/blueboat3.jpg <br /> http://www.users.qwest.net/~john_r/blueboat4.jpg

 

[JohnRuff]

Re: Ski Boat - Biesemeyer/Mercury Mark 78

Sorry - link two was in error -- here it is corrected<br /><br /> http://www.users.qwest.net/~john_r/blueboat2.bmp

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Ski Boat - Biesemeyer/Mercury Mark 78

Hi John,<br /> That's a true classic! The builder's name (I think) was Rusty Beisemeyer. He was one of the more prominent West Coast high performance gurus of the day. His boats were regularly featured in old issues of Hot Boat and Power Boat magazines...<br /> I wouldn't use it as an everyday runner - at least not with that motor unless you've got access to a top notch mechanic familiar with the old Merc Dockbusters. Your motor has the "silent neutral" feature where-in the motor is shut off then restarted backwards for reverse. You needed a perfect running motor and a strong battery to execute tight docking maneuvers.<br /> You've got a true show piece!<br /> Might be some info over on Fiberglassics....<br /><br />- Scott

 

[JohnRuff]

Re: Ski Boat - Biesemeyer/Mercury Mark 78

Here are a bunch more photo's. I am driving 400 miles each way this coming weekend to pick up this boat. If you have any comments -- please post them now (I hate I told you so's) <huge smile><br /><br /> http://www.msnusers.com/Biesemeyer/shoebox.msnw <br /><br />I have been assured by the seller that the floor and transom are solid. The boat has been sitting in a garage - covered for the last 28 years!

 

[Laddies]

Re: Ski Boat - Biesemeyer/Mercury Mark 78

Wow what a find, vintage High Preformance the only way it could get better would be a Mark 75 H get yourself a pre 64 Mercury Manual go thru the tune up in the exact order and manner as it says and you will love it. One great help would be finding a test wheel for the engine--Bob

 

[Pun]

Re: Ski Boat - Biesemeyer/Mercury Mark 78

Wow! Great boat. Good luck with it.

 

[CalicoKid]

Re: Ski Boat - Biesemeyer/Mercury Mark 78

That's very cool! I wish it were in my garage!

 

[JohnRuff]

Re: Ski Boat - Biesemeyer/Mercury Mark 78

Laddies - thanks for the tip! Any idea where I could find the Pre64 manual?

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Ski Boat - Biesemeyer/Mercury Mark 78

That is a very nice boat, to be sure. A true classic high-performance boat for its day. It looks to be in fine condition, as well. If the outboard is in equally good condition, once you get it running again, you'll have quite the outfit to impress the folks at the lake.

 

[JohnRuff]

Re: Ski Boat - Biesemeyer/Mercury Mark 78

Thanks CATransplant -- but it may be a bit of a challange as it has left hand controls and I was born without a left hand <br /><br />(Sometimes logic has nothing to do with anything

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Ski Boat - Biesemeyer/Mercury Mark 78

I'll bet you can figure something out. Maybe a binnacle mount control set next to the captain's seat.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Ski Boat - Biesemeyer/Mercury Mark 78

With the DR motors you really need the original controls - which fortunately are ambidextrous. They should be able to mount on either side.<br /><br />The Pre-1965 manual can be had through Grubb's at www.oldmercs.com. I'd go to them for pretty much any of the parts you're likely to need...<br /><br />- Scott

 

[WSUDERMAN]

Re: Ski Boat - Biesemeyer/Mercury Mark 78

Just gota say that is one sweet boat!<br />I'll be watchin' for it on the water...<br />wes

 

[JohnRuff]

Re: Ski Boat - Biesemeyer/Mercury Mark 78

I will never own my dream car - a 1957 Chevy. So this is going to be my next best thing to it and I want to make it nice. Who has suggestions on what I should do to make the engine on this boat look nice? Re-paint it anew with the same color it is currently? Any and all comments on restoring this boat will be sincerely appreciated.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Ski Boat - Biesemeyer/Mercury Mark 78

Actually, the hulllooks pretty good in the photos. Maybe you can just polish it up. I know that with some classic cars, originality is important. If you can make it look great with some elbow grease and polish, that's what I'd do.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Ski Boat - Biesemeyer/Mercury Mark 78

Oh, sorry...you're talking about the engine. I kinda like that the boat owner or designer painted the engine cowling to match the boat. Others might feel differently, I suppose.<br /><br />Some folks would want to see the old Merc in its original finish. I don't know what that finish is, though.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Ski Boat - Biesemeyer/Mercury Mark 78

It would appear that the motor has already seen a little bit of customizing, as there appears to be blue on the chrome wrap. The wrap should have originally been all chrome. <br /><br />Decals and paint are available (see links page from AOMCI.org). Being that the motor is already non-original, you can't hurt it by restoring it to original, or leave it as is. <br /><br />As for running it, I'd start with that 1965 and Prior manual from Grubb's...<br /><br />- Scott

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Ski Boat - Biesemeyer/Mercury Mark 78

Definitely go to that oldmercs.com site. Feel around, and you'll find a page for your motor, with a photo of it as it was, along with gobs of good info, parts availability, and more.

 

[Pickels]

Re: Ski Boat - Biesemeyer/Mercury Mark 78

Wow! I picked up the boat yesterday and it was a shocker. This boat is a time capsule! I has not been used in 30 years and was garage kept its whole life. It's 47 years old and has zero oxidation and the chrome on everything looks brand new.<br /><br />The upholstery on the seats was custom ordered from the factory and still looks brand new with zero wear. <br /><br />Oh, and Chinewalker, I found out that the paint on the motor was custom ordered when the boat was built by Beisemeyer.<br /><br />We had a trailer shop pack the wheelbearings and they said they were the original 1958 bearings but were in fine shape.<br /><br />I will give it a bath and post some pictures later today.<br /><br />To be honest -- I had planned to restore this boat. But now I realize there is nothing to restore on it -- it is like a brand new boat, but a 47 year old new boat. It even came with the original manual for the engine.<br /><br />Now I am afraid to do anything with her as it will only start to show age and abuse. Even the wife loves it -- so what do I do? Just cover it up and put it in the garage too?