My 82 year old grandfather purchased this boat brand new in 1966 here in Maine and used it exclusively on Thompson Lake. I found it abandoned in the woods at his farm, uncovered. It was last registered (used) in 1987. I asked him if I could restore it and with much delight he began searching for the paperwork. I now have the original folder the dealer gave him with the original owners manual tucked inside, however he couldn't find the registration. I pulled the boat out of its tomb and started tearing into the restoration. Pulled the seats and the floor boards. Since the 40 horse Big Twin is seized I found a good running 1962 Lark IV that you see in the pictures. I've never worked on an outboard so this forum has and will provide major help along with parts! Going to get a service manual too. I'll be giving the carbs a rebuild and tuning it up and anything else I should find faulty. This restoration will involve a new floor, paint, new seats, rewiring and various other items. The trailer will also be wire wheeled, repainted, new bearings and tires.
I also found the water ski's that my mother, aunts and uncles used to use behind this boat!
When I asked my grandfather if he had a shop vac to suck out the 20+ years of dirt and leaves he went into his garage and took out a shop vac as old as the boat itself! It worked flawlessly and you can tell it was built when things were built to work and last!
Now this is where the story gets really interesting! So while I was at his house cleaning up the boat he asked if I could help him with his VCR. So we went inside and he said there's a tape in the player already and he's not sure what's on it but it says on the label that it's from when my mom was a baby. So I showed him how to hook it up and what buttons to push so he can watch it. After a few minutes of various old film from the early 60's and even a short segment of the family clearing the land for the camp they built, a clip started of the boat being put in the water for the first time!!! I've recorded it on my cell phone and will be posting it here!
I hope this will turn out to be a fun and rewarding project and I can't wait to see the look on my grandfather's face when I take him for a ride!
I also found the water ski's that my mother, aunts and uncles used to use behind this boat!
When I asked my grandfather if he had a shop vac to suck out the 20+ years of dirt and leaves he went into his garage and took out a shop vac as old as the boat itself! It worked flawlessly and you can tell it was built when things were built to work and last!
Now this is where the story gets really interesting! So while I was at his house cleaning up the boat he asked if I could help him with his VCR. So we went inside and he said there's a tape in the player already and he's not sure what's on it but it says on the label that it's from when my mom was a baby. So I showed him how to hook it up and what buttons to push so he can watch it. After a few minutes of various old film from the early 60's and even a short segment of the family clearing the land for the camp they built, a clip started of the boat being put in the water for the first time!!! I've recorded it on my cell phone and will be posting it here!
I hope this will turn out to be a fun and rewarding project and I can't wait to see the look on my grandfather's face when I take him for a ride!
