So, I sat the Ski Champ down for a little discussion the other day. I let her know it wasn't her fault, it was me - I had to move on to something else. I would be back, but it was time for me to wander a bit, get a taste of what else was out there. I didn't want to rush things with her, I wanted them done right, and I just couldn't do that with any distractions.
For those of you following that thread you know I picked up a 1973 16' SS for a song (600 greenbacks with trailer and a running motor that only needed a water pump and maybe lower unit seals.). She is in GREAT shape, one owner, was kept on a lake in a boat hoist most of the year. Transom is still solid, though I will probably replace that before TOO long (not in the cards at the moment.) Floor was rotten, but I could have used it. The rest of the wood was in good shape, but not great. Since you've read this far, Have some pics!
The admiral getting a look-see.
Shot of the interior + splashwell. Those seats just about killed me - I sat in one to "test it out" and everything crumbled beneath me!
Bow Structure
The first mate approves!
Now that you've had your fix, lets move on.
I've read just about all of the SS resto threads and I love what I see. This hull seems like it'll be a great fit for me - being in the middle of the state it's small enough to hit the smaller lakes, but I could still take it out on the Greats if the desire arose. It's also in the right price range for me - originally I was looking into a chief/islander, but those seem to be a bit out of the budget for the moment.
I'm calling this a "rolling rebuild" because I'm not doing everything at once. Oddly enough, I decided to go this route before reading Huron Angler's resto. (Great job by the way, HA)I think this may be the same idea - I'm not going to do the transom right away (no place for the motor) or worry about the paint. I've got access to cranes at work and I can probably leave it hang over thanksgiving/christmas and have plenty of time to paint/let it dry.
I've already got her stripped down to her birthday suit - all deck/interior is removed (it was stealthy, ninja-esque). Here's a handy to-do list, so we don't get lost!
Buy a real camera
Scrub hull
Gluvit - 2 lb kit (ordered)
Cut up some deck pieces, seal and install.
Cut the rest of the wood - Bow structure, console fronts, splashwell doors, side panels, dash
Vinyl - Nautolex Shark Gray
Install bow structure and consoles
Re-wire everything (P.O. had a rat's nest)
Install seating
Catch Walleye.
Somewhere in there I'm going to have to fit some motor work. Don't think it needs much (she ran great when we test ran before the sale) but you never know with these things! She's got a '73 65 hp 3cyl mercury.
I also will need to fit in a bunch of trailer work, or a new trailer. You can't really tell in the pics, but the trailer has bunks on the rear that are only about 2 feet long. I really don't like that. The tires are also really dodgy - dry rotted pretty bad. I REALLY didn't want to drag it all the way home from the sellers on these tires even though it was only ~20 miles, but it got here. I'll get some better pics of that sometime today. It also needs all new lights and wires - I had to pick up a set of magnetic lights. I already missed out on a sweet 85hp 'rude attatched to a rotted SC glasser for 250$ because I didn't trust my trailer to pick it up.
So, that's about all I have for you guys - I'll probably pick up a new camera today and get some more pics. I hope I can add to the awesome resources that this site has to offer. Without the knowledge contained on this site, I would never have even thought to restore an old tinnie!
For those of you following that thread you know I picked up a 1973 16' SS for a song (600 greenbacks with trailer and a running motor that only needed a water pump and maybe lower unit seals.). She is in GREAT shape, one owner, was kept on a lake in a boat hoist most of the year. Transom is still solid, though I will probably replace that before TOO long (not in the cards at the moment.) Floor was rotten, but I could have used it. The rest of the wood was in good shape, but not great. Since you've read this far, Have some pics!
The admiral getting a look-see.
Shot of the interior + splashwell. Those seats just about killed me - I sat in one to "test it out" and everything crumbled beneath me!
Bow Structure
The first mate approves!
Now that you've had your fix, lets move on.
I've read just about all of the SS resto threads and I love what I see. This hull seems like it'll be a great fit for me - being in the middle of the state it's small enough to hit the smaller lakes, but I could still take it out on the Greats if the desire arose. It's also in the right price range for me - originally I was looking into a chief/islander, but those seem to be a bit out of the budget for the moment.
I'm calling this a "rolling rebuild" because I'm not doing everything at once. Oddly enough, I decided to go this route before reading Huron Angler's resto. (Great job by the way, HA)I think this may be the same idea - I'm not going to do the transom right away (no place for the motor) or worry about the paint. I've got access to cranes at work and I can probably leave it hang over thanksgiving/christmas and have plenty of time to paint/let it dry.
I've already got her stripped down to her birthday suit - all deck/interior is removed (it was stealthy, ninja-esque). Here's a handy to-do list, so we don't get lost!
Buy a real camera
Scrub hull
Gluvit - 2 lb kit (ordered)
Cut up some deck pieces, seal and install.
Cut the rest of the wood - Bow structure, console fronts, splashwell doors, side panels, dash
Vinyl - Nautolex Shark Gray
Install bow structure and consoles
Re-wire everything (P.O. had a rat's nest)
Install seating
Catch Walleye.
Somewhere in there I'm going to have to fit some motor work. Don't think it needs much (she ran great when we test ran before the sale) but you never know with these things! She's got a '73 65 hp 3cyl mercury.
I also will need to fit in a bunch of trailer work, or a new trailer. You can't really tell in the pics, but the trailer has bunks on the rear that are only about 2 feet long. I really don't like that. The tires are also really dodgy - dry rotted pretty bad. I REALLY didn't want to drag it all the way home from the sellers on these tires even though it was only ~20 miles, but it got here. I'll get some better pics of that sometime today. It also needs all new lights and wires - I had to pick up a set of magnetic lights. I already missed out on a sweet 85hp 'rude attatched to a rotted SC glasser for 250$ because I didn't trust my trailer to pick it up.
So, that's about all I have for you guys - I'll probably pick up a new camera today and get some more pics. I hope I can add to the awesome resources that this site has to offer. Without the knowledge contained on this site, I would never have even thought to restore an old tinnie!
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