1964 Cruzion Ski Boat. Sell, Restore, Run as is?

[omegajosh]

I bought this boat a few months back at the Salvation Army Charity lot for way cheap. Its a fiberglass over wood hull, V8 Buick powered shaft driven Ski boat. I spent a few bucks getting it running and am pretty confident in the mechanical parts. Im not too sure on the hull, but it looks like it has hardly ever been used. I did notice that the glassing covering the wood is pretty bad, and inside the boat some of the wood is unprotected. Ive only owned aluminum boats before this, so Im not to sure if it is safe to take it out on the lakes. Here are a few pics of it. Tell me if it worth it to sink a few more bucks into it (Im not rich), or sell the thing. Any help would be appreciated<br />

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[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1964 Cruzion Ski Boat. Sell, Restore, Run as is?

Ship it to me, i'll dispose of it for you for FREE. it's classic. beautiful lines, great engine. they usually had 2 bench seats, one forward and one across the stearn, as a show piece definately worth restoring.

 

[anyfishlldo]

Re: 1964 Cruzion Ski Boat. Sell, Restore, Run as is?

X2!<br /><br />That thing has serious potential, could be a beautiful boat with some love. My neighbor has a '62 Chris Craft that is real similar to that other than it's wood all the way 'round and it has a sweet 'vette engine in it. He has rebuilt that boat twice in 25 years, once after a serious wreck while trailering it and the damn thing looks brand new. <br /><br />I would look on here in the Chris Craft forum (if there is one, I'm pretty new) and maybe even look on the net for Chris Craft clubs and forums, that'll give you all the wood restoring info I would think.<br /><br />But all things considered that will be a hot boat once restored, and it's in pretty damn good shape for a 42 year old boat.

 

[omegajosh]

Re: 1964 Cruzion Ski Boat. Sell, Restore, Run as is?

Yeah, I can tell this boat has potential to be an awesome ride, but I want to use it now! If anything I just want to take it out on the lakes a few times just to see what it can and cant do. Ive got another boat to tow it back to the dock just in case it breaks down, that my buddies will drive. But with the cracking glass on the bow, Im concerned with ruining the wood. I really cant afford to start restoring it right now, and I dont want to start a project I cant finish. So I guess I have a couple of questions. Should I run it as is? Or should I sell it? If I do decide to sell it how much is it worth?

 

[thunderroad]

Re: 1964 Cruzion Ski Boat. Sell, Restore, Run as is?

Definitely take it out...at least for a short shake down run. Surely you won't do any real damage by doing that. Look it over closely before and after, then decide how to proceed. Above all....don't just dump it in haste. It has SERIOUS potential.<br />That Budweiser can looks waaay to natural sittin there to just bail on the project.

 

[B.M.W II]

Re: 1964 Cruzion Ski Boat. Sell, Restore, Run as is?

Dude!! that thing is smoken hot. It would be worth the time and money to fix. It doesnt look all that bad in the pics. I dont think it would do any harm to take it out and run it to see what it will do, or to see if you like the way it rides and handles. Like (thunderroad) said this has some SERIOUS,SERIOUS potential. And dont bail on project. I would think it would be worth alot of money to the right person. It looks better than my 1983 bass boat that take out all the time. GORGEOUS BOAT !!! Good luck, Joe

 

[VADER8674]

Re: 1964 Cruzion Ski Boat. Sell, Restore, Run as is?

restore it

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1964 Cruzion Ski Boat. Sell, Restore, Run as is?

that boat right now is stronger than a lot of new ones.

 

[fshnne1]

Re: 1964 Cruzion Ski Boat. Sell, Restore, Run as is?

restore it thats a great boat

 

[michael-lagrange]

Re: 1964 Cruzion Ski Boat. Sell, Restore, Run as is?

Take your time with it and DO IT RITE THE FIRST TIME<, that would be a great project to keep you out of trouble. and well worth it in the end. <br />post pictures during and after.

 

[seven up]

Re: 1964 Cruzion Ski Boat. Sell, Restore, Run as is?

enjoy

 

[CalicoKid]

Re: 1964 Cruzion Ski Boat. Sell, Restore, Run as is?

Keep that boat protected from the elements and do a little work to it when you can afford the time and materials. You don't need to get it all done at once, it looks beautiful as is. Just don't start something you can't or won't finish. If you don't plan to keep her at least do her justice and find a GOOD home for her!! What a great boat!

 

[omegajosh]

Re: 1964 Cruzion Ski Boat. Sell, Restore, Run as is?

I replaced the impeller on the water pump before I fired up the motor, as well as check all the fluids. The trans is a velvet drive, which has what I guess is gear oil. The problem Im having now is that it doesnt want to idle, regardless of how much I adjust the mixture screws or set the idle stop. Im guessing Im gonna have to rebuild the carb, which I hate having to do. I put a inline fuel filter and new gas in it, but I think the old gas probably varnished up inside the carb. The big problem I have with rebuilding the carb is that I dont think its a marine style carb. The floats got stuck the other day and with an electric fuel pump, it poured gas all on the OUTSIDE of the carb. Not something a marine carb would do. Oh and this boat is loud. My neighbors dont like it. Im gonna try to get the boat on the water this weekend, so I can do some adjusting and what not. I plan on covering the exposed wood with a tarp taped down over it. Ill post pics.

 

[Kevin70]

Re: 1964 Cruzion Ski Boat. Sell, Restore, Run as is?

Some projects like this (and mine) are only for those who have a serious passion and a willingness to see the project through..........man, that was deep.

 

[seven up]

Re: 1964 Cruzion Ski Boat. Sell, Restore, Run as is?

enjoy

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: 1964 Cruzion Ski Boat. Sell, Restore, Run as is?

Great find! Restore it and it will prove to be more valuable than any current savings account! Seven up has given you sound advice. My advice is to hit the books and research everything. A fantastic boat you have there!

 

[Bsturkie]

Re: 1964 Cruzion Ski Boat. Sell, Restore, Run as is?

I've been looking for one of those!! I wish I could find one at a deal like that!

 

[seven up]

Re: 1964 Cruzion Ski Boat. Sell, Restore, Run as is?

Enjoy

 

[COR-RAND]

Re: 1964 Cruzion Ski Boat. Sell, Restore, Run as is?

I bought this boat a few months back at the Salvation Army Charity lot for way cheap. Its a fiberglass over wood hull, V8 Buick powered shaft driven Ski boat. I spent a few bucks getting it running and am pretty confident in the mechanical parts. Im not too sure on the hull, but it looks like it has hardly ever been used. I did notice that the glassing covering the wood is pretty bad, and inside the boat some of the wood is unprotected. Ive only owned aluminum boats before this, so Im not to sure if it is safe to take it out on the lakes. Here are a few pics of it. Tell me if it worth it to sink a few more bucks into it (Im not rich), or sell the thing. Any help would be appreciated<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

 

[COR-RAND]

Re: 1964 Cruzion Ski Boat. Sell, Restore, Run as is?

omegajosh, How's the cruzion project going? Have you found any info on it yet? I have a boat just like it, but it has an olds rocket engine. I've searched for years for any info but there seems to be nothing on it . My boat is in rough shape, but complete. If you've got any info on prod. numbers?, value once restored? or even websites would be great. Thanks and nice find!