1961 Larson All-American 14'

[stevewolverton]

Re: 1961 Larson All-American 14'

What kind of helm cam are you using?

I was looking at one from Oregon Scientific, but since the Chinese took over the company, I can't find anything from them now. There seems to have been a complete breakdown in their distribution and marketing in Germany.

Can you recommend one from some one else?

I'm using the ATC2K from Oregon Scientific. They're coming out with a newer version next month I believe.

As for other cams, I don't really know of any others in that price range. I picked mine up for $110 and change.

 

[SnappingTurtle]

Re: 1961 Larson All-American 14'

I'm using the ATC2K from Oregon Scientific. They're coming out with a newer version next month I believe.

As for other cams, I don't really know of any others in that price range. I picked mine up for $110 and change.

Thats the one I was looking at (I think, the website was down today, and I couldn't pull up the page), but now can't find.

Does the newer one offer a higher resolution, and the option to add more memory?

 

[stevewolverton]

Re: 1961 Larson All-American 14'

Does the newer one offer a higher resolution, and the option to add more memory?

I found some more info here: http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/06/oregon-scientifics-atc5k-and-atc3k-action-cameras-are-ready-for/

It seems the 3K and 5K that are coming out (July & August) have double the memory capacity, but they're still VGA quality. The 5K has an LCD screen - I imagine that would eat into the batteries quicker.

I'm having fun with mine. I just got some road bike footage (a little jittery on the handlebars), and tomorrow I'm doing some mountain biking so I'll try to get that put on my site if I make it out there. I think these work much better on the helmets than mounted on a fixed item (handlebars, boats, etc.) I just need to train myself better when making ski videos to be a little more smooth with my turns. It's interesting to watch the raw video feed and see where my eyes are looking.

It takes 2 AA batteries, and I've filmed about 2 hours on my first set of batteries.

 

[SnappingTurtle]

Re: 1961 Larson All-American 14'

I found some more info here: http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/06/oregon-scientifics-atc5k-and-atc3k-action-cameras-are-ready-for/

It seems the 3K and 5K that are coming out (July & August) have double the memory capacity, but they're still VGA quality. The 5K has an LCD screen - I imagine that would eat into the batteries quicker.

I'm having fun with mine. I just got some road bike footage (a little jittery on the handlebars), and tomorrow I'm doing some mountain biking so I'll try to get that put on my site if I make it out there. I think these work much better on the helmets than mounted on a fixed item (handlebars, boats, etc.) I just need to train myself better when making ski videos to be a little more smooth with my turns. It's interesting to watch the raw video feed and see where my eyes are looking.

It takes 2 AA batteries, and I've filmed about 2 hours on my first set of batteries.

That all sounds good to me. But you are right about the LCD screen eating into the battery life.

I know sooner or later my standard camera is going to take a expensive swim.

Maybe I can talk the family into sending me one from the States for a early Christmas!

Look forward to the MB shots.

 

[stevewolverton]

Re: 1961 Larson All-American 14'

Here's a pic of the video setup I have on the boat.

It's very simple and works very well. It's easy to center with the view finder open.

Here's a movie with some of my buddies falling. These are just falls - not the wipeouts. I don't appear on the falls video. I'll be in the wipeout video.

http://www.stevewolverton.net/falls.wmv

It's amazing how much they've improved in such a short time.

 

[douglee25]

Re: 1961 Larson All-American 14'

Sweet vid!

Doug

 

[noahnsteph]

Re: 1961 Larson All-American 14'

I'll try to get some drawings of the setup today and get them scanned and put up later today.

Add me to the list of people who want to see those plans. Love the boat!

 

[stevewolverton]

Re: 1961 Larson All-American 14'

douglee25 - Thanks douglee25. That vid cracks me up because they're much better boarders now. The one that I'm working on makes me wince - there are some pretty hard wipeouts.

noahnsteph - The bimini plans? The can be found here: http://www.stevewolverton.net/bimini.html

 

[douglee25]

Re: 1961 Larson All-American 14'

douglee25 - Thanks douglee25. That vid cracks me up because they're much better boarders now. The one that I'm working on makes me wince - there are some pretty hard wipeouts.

noahnsteph - The bimini plans? The can be found here: http://www.stevewolverton.net/bimini.html

The one that kept cracking me up was around minute 2:25 ish??

Doug

 

[SnappingTurtle]

Re: 1961 Larson All-American 14'

Love the camera set up on your boat. Did you make it yourself?

 

[stevewolverton]

Re: 1961 Larson All-American 14'

Love the camera set up on your boat. Did you make it yourself?

I made the first one I had myself, but I bought the second one.

The first one was about $30 to make. I took a camera tripod, cut the legs off, attached it to ski tow using two u-bolts. I then removed the panning arm, installed a piece of 1/4" rod that I threaded the end on for the tracking arm. It worked very well. I actually can't tell much difference from my creation compared with the purchased one. Mine was uglier.

The one I bought I got it from: http://www.wakevideo.com/Trakker/

I think I may have the one I built laying around. I can take some pics/measurments if anyone is interested in building their own.

 

[SnappingTurtle]

Re: 1961 Larson All-American 14'

I made the first one I had myself, but I bought the second one.
...

Mine was uglier.

I really don't think you could exactly call that ugly, Steve.

Lets say utilitarian, maybe.

Form follows function, as designers like to say, and it did function rather well!

If you want to see ugly, I'll show you ugly!

Well on second thought, I better not, I would probally get banned.

 

[stevewolverton]

Re: 1961 Larson All-American 14'

A few weeks ago I installed a boarding ladder on my boat, but I just now got around to taking a couple of pictures.

I used the Garelick double ladder:
http://www.iboats.com/Garelick_Over...15101871--**********.666689987--view_id.38596

It's a platform ladder, but with a simple modification it works well as a transom ladder. There are two little curved parts on the ladder mount that need to be ground smooth for it to work as a flush mount transom ladder. It took me all of 2 minutes to grind those things flat and mount it. There are 4 mounting holes for the setup.

It's nice to have after boarding all day so I don't have to flop myself into the boat when my arms feel like jelly. The ski tow doubles as a handle too.

I use a small strap on the bottom of the ski tow to keep it tied up.

I mounted it up as high as I could with just enough clearance for to allow a foot at the top rung and bottom of the hull.

I did just notice where I started polishing the aluminum trim on the port side but never finished. Now I have to go finish that or it will drive me nuts.

 

[SnappingTurtle]

Re: 1961 Larson All-American 14'

Just noticed the name of your boat.

Sprichst du Deutsch?

 

[stevewolverton]

Re: 1961 Larson All-American 14'

Just noticed the name of your boat.

Sprichst du Deutsch?

Nein.

I think Wasserdamon means "Happy Puppy" in German right?

 

[SnappingTurtle]

Re: 1961 Larson All-American 14'

I think Wasserdamon means "Happy Puppy" in German right?

uh, ja, genau! Happy Puppy thats it!

 

[mike64]

Re: 1961 Larson All-American 14'

Great looking boat! This is one of my favorite restoration threads. I will definitely be rereading it from the beginning if/when I restore my boat.

How has the Petit Easypoxy paint held up? Is it very durable, or does the paintjob require regular touchups?

 

[tcindie]

Re: 1961 Larson All-American 14'

Steve, I love how your boat turned out..

I'm pretty sure I will be picking up the exact same one this weekend. Can't beat the price either -- FREE, well more or less.. It'll be in trade for a Honda motorcycle I've been neglecting all year. Sounds like it's ready to get on the water too, so hopefully I'll be able to get some water time in yet this summer/fall and then start a refurb over the winter.

I may hit you up for some tips, given that it's either an identical or at least fraternal twin to your boat.


EDIT: The deal just got a bit sweeter.. The guy really wants a bike, so he's giving me the boat, trailer, motor, anchors, life vests, etc -- AND $100.
I should have taken some photos while I was there looking at it, but that will have to wait 'til the weekend when I pick her up. The floor will need to be redone, and I'll have to take a closer look at the transom too, but it was last in the water at the beginning of June, so apparently she's seaworthy, and that should get me through the rest of this season and give me a nice winter project to keep me occupied once the snow flies.

It is the same size and year as your boat Steve, but it appears to be a different model, the upper deck is different, it's got fiberglass front seats and a walk thru area from the back, the front seatbacks are all part of the upper deck piece, so tearing her apart may prove to be a bit of a challenge. But anyway, I'm happy.

EDIT 2: After looking through the old brochures at the fiberglassics site, I've determined that the boat I'm picking up is the '61 Larson Playboy.

 

[stevewolverton]

Re: 1961 Larson All-American 14'

How has the Petit Easypoxy paint held up? Is it very durable, or does the paintjob require regular touchups?

I'm sorry it took me so long to respond to this.

I'm not real sure about the paint yet. I think it's losing some of its gloss. The paint isn't as hard as some of the others out there. I will probably repaint it using Perfection paint next time. I've heard Perfection was a really nice paint.

 

[stevewolverton]

Re: 1961 Larson All-American 14'

EDIT 2: After looking through the old brochures at the fiberglassics site, I've determined that the boat I'm picking up is the '61 Larson Playboy.

tcindie - I hate you.

Congrats on a cool find. I was really, really, REALLY wanting a Larson Thunderhawk Jr., or a Larson Playboy. I'm jealous.

One of the benefits of the All-American design is the rear facing seats. This works well for waterski spotters. I've had my boat out probably 20 times this year, and I've never had more than 2 in the boat so those haven't been used yet.

What are your plans for the boat -restoration or modernize it a bit? What motor?

Very cool - please post pictures when you get her!