1976 Correct Craft Martinique Restoration

[JonathanW]

Re: 1976 Correct Craft Martinique Restoration

Thanks guys for the support. I know I've got it coming for me, probably still more than I'm expecting but I'm determined to go through with this. Once I get the boat I will post some more pics and updates on the condition of things and what I have to do.

And of course questions will come.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1976 Correct Craft Martinique Restoration

bring it on, we're ready to help. God knows you are going to need it. but lets get it on.

 

[oops!]

Re: 1976 Correct Craft Martinique Restoration

Straight inboard configurations are the least maintenance of the varied choices. And the least popular on this site.

Enjoy

seven...i dont think they are "least popular"......were all restoration nutz.......there is one or two on the site right now......

i dont think we (any of us) would spit at a project, or a certain kind of boat...we might drool on it !

heck 4 years ago i helped my dad with a 12 foot aluminum boat, bringing it back to life.

in fact... i think we would love to see any type of restoration...because the different designs require different tecniques and we all would learn.

i just think not many true inboards are being done.

the latest true inboard craze started about 15 years ago, with the wakeboard craze,the main sales push came in the late 90's....i just think these boats are not old enough yet to need true restoration or even strings and deck.

thats why this particular craft of jonathans is a super candidate for resto....
if he knows what he is getting in to and has the time and money....

well be lining up to help him !

btw jonathan.....are you gonna keep that cool hood scoop?
looks great.......but unless you channel or block off the air movement from the scoop its gonna make ya freeze yer butt off in cooler evenings

cheers
oops

 

[superpop]

Re: 1976 Correct Craft Martinique Restoration

I would start by looking for a complete drivetrain package. Your 350 Mustang motor is probably really a 351 or 302 since ford never made a 350. Make sure you can find a tranny that will bolt up to this motor. My guess is you will end up with a 350 Cheby motor as these are a lot more common in the drive configuration you are looking at. Above all though it needs to be a marine specific configuration and installation or it will go boom. The Correct Craft hulls have not changed that much over the years for good reason, it is a timeless design. That being said, I would guess it needs a lot of work inside just looking at the picks. That brown residue running down the sides of the stringers is not rust but a mixture of rotting wood pulp and water. Does your uncle know the history on the boat and why it was trashed, i mean decommissioned.

 

[JonathanW]

Re: 1976 Correct Craft Martinique Restoration

oops!:
Of course I'm keeping that cool hood scoop, it just looks wicked
I'm not sure what that goes to actually, I was kinda thinkin it went to help cool the engine because in one of the pics you can see where it's got giant pipes goin from the front of the boat, that end right where the engine mounts.
Am I wrong in this assumption? I'm not to sure about it so any explanation would be great.

superpop:
It was a 351 *typo
I haven't talked to him a ton about the boat, I'm just waiting on him to get it off the stand and onto a trailer I'm gonna use to haul it here. I'm going to look over the boat really good and stuff and take notes and then I'm going to ask questions.
I've actually been looking online for engines that would fit it all day and I can't seem to find any near me (alabama) that are decent finds. I really would prefer to find a used engine, as I do want to buy a brand new engine for it right now.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1976 Correct Craft Martinique Restoration

that scoop cools the closed bow area, they can get ungodly hot.

 

[JonathanW]

Re: 1976 Correct Craft Martinique Restoration

that scoop cools the closed bow area, they can get ungodly hot.

So your saying basically it just runs air through the empty space between the deck, and the hull?

 

[superpop]

Re: 1976 Correct Craft Martinique Restoration

If the gas tank is up there it may be providing some venting.

 

[fixb52s]

Re: 1976 Correct Craft Martinique Restoration

It is plain to see this boat was gutted. From what I see, all the switches, steering, throttle, and of course the powertrain have been picked out. Your best bet would be to find a parts boat that might have all the mechanics and electrical, but a bad hull. Getting all the required parts one by one will take a lot of time and money, more than the finished product would be worth. Sometimes, insurance companies will get rid of later model damaged boats for cheap. While the hull might be destroyed, one can get many parts out of it. Keep an eye out on Ebay.

If you can get the parts, go for it. Correct Crafts in good shape do get some decent money if done right. I like the looks of this vessel, and I have always been a fan of inboard ski machines.​

 

[JonathanW]

Re: 1976 Correct Craft Martinique Restoration

Yeah I have been watching eBay and such with that stuff in mind. From some of the stuff seen on ebay I can get a boat with a perfectly working engine, for just as much as only buying an engine...also I'm in need of a trailer and lot of them come with trailers too.

The switches and stuff I'm not worried about as I plan to redo all of them and the electrical anyway, because I want a different setup.

The main thing that's been "guted" that matters to me is the engine.

If I can find a nice deal on one with a good engine and trailer though I'm going to buy it, use the engine and trailer and sell the boat for a few hundred.

 

[jcsercsa]

Re: 1976 Correct Craft Martinique Restoration

Hi , yea i agree your best bet is ebay or craigslist !! ebay is where i found my motor !! when you get her home , keep the pics comming !! good luck John

 

[seven up]

Re: 1976 Correct Craft Martinique Restoration

The scoop on the foredeck is used to ventilate the bilge. A brilliant idea in my opinion. Not only exhausting fumes but helping keep everything dry.


But if an automotive engine is what your after then a bell housing has to be used to match the tranny. One of the combos were the Ford 351Windsor(W) and Borg Warner Velvet Drive. Then add on the required marine components and brass freeze plugs. A truck engine usually. The wrenchers in your family will know.

Are you antsy to get your boat home ?



Enjoy

 

[JonathanW]

Re: 1976 Correct Craft Martinique Restoration

The scoop on the foredeck is used to ventilate the bilge. A brilliant idea in my opinion. Not only exhausting fumes but helping keep everything dry.


But if an automotive engine is what your after then a bell housing has to be used to match the tranny. One of the combos were the Ford 351Windsor(W) and Borg Warner Velvet Drive. Then add on the required marine components and brass freeze plugs. A truck engine usually. The wrenchers in your family will know.

Are you antsy to get your boat home ?



Enjoy

Ah I'm far beyond antsy. I've been thinkin so much about this boat...I know I have a TON of work but I can't wait to get her on the water

 

[lmannyr]

Re: 1976 Correct Craft Martinique Restoration

Hey, best of luck and post often with updates. I'm in the middle of a project myself. Oh boy, let me tell ya, it's tuff. There are times it gets really frustrating and wish I would have just spent 30K on a 2000+ model cruiser. But there is something about restoring a boat essentially from scratch. It feels good to get through mile stones. If you can, keep a site for your restoration project. You have found a great site!!! GOOD LUCK!!!

 

[oops!]

Re: 1976 Correct Craft Martinique Restoration

ive never seen a working hood scoop on a craft that goes bow to stern.....

and btw......youll have lots of time for the motor......you are a minimum 6 months away from that bud.......the structural area that holds the motor mounts will be the same for a small block as a big block...they will need to be replaced before you can even think about installing the motor....

cheers
oops

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1976 Correct Craft Martinique Restoration

get your drive system before restructing the mounting area. all mounts are not the same.

 

[JonathanW]

Re: 1976 Correct Craft Martinique Restoration

Hey guys,

unfortunately my friend and I are scrapping this project.

Through all of this research and advice you guys have given me, and from what else I have found online, this is way to hard for us to try on our first time restoration. One thing we did want is to get a boat on the water this summer and with this boat, it just wasn't going to happen.

I thank you guys for all of your support, help and advice.

I would like to say that I will stick around the forums simply because I like the atmosphere here, and also I'm probably getting a little fishing boat from my uncle that was my grandfathers that just needs some slight engine work...although we will probably just replace the engine.

It's just a small little boat with nothing really complicated about it, no fancy decks, etc. Just a boat that will let my friend and I fish.

I might be posting in the engine help forums soon to see if I can get the old outboard that's on it working...my grandfather had some special way that he could get it to run but he was a mechanic for his whole life so none of us really know what his trick was...I would just ask him but he's passed on now but I'm going to try to figure out what that trick was and how to fix it so it will run normal.

Ah enough thinkin about old memories now, so anyway, I'm still going to have a fun summer, and we should be able to do some tubing and skiing behind this boat...so it will have to do until I am ready to take on a project, or save up the money for a nice ski boat.

Regards,
Jonathan.

 

[JonathanW]

Re: 1976 Correct Craft Martinique Restoration

One last thing, we haven't scrapped this project all together, we will probably start working on this boat about a year from now, we just want to get some basic boat restoring under our sleeves first...also we need to get a little money saved up.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: 1976 Correct Craft Martinique Restoration

First, and as was pointed out earlier, at one time Correct Craft and Mastercraft were pretty much the ski boats to own. I would not be afraid of this restoration as long as the basic shell of the hull is intact, and you know what you are in for from both a financial and time perspective.

I would start by ripping out any remaining flooring, steering components, wiring, etc. Next would be to redo the stringers and, while you can do them yourself, I would be inclined to send the boat to a glass shop that has experience with similar boats. Let them replace the stingers and floor and gelcoat the inside of the boat. When done properly, the inside of the boat can look brand new. I think I would do all of the "inside" work next (motor, manifolds/exhaust, tranny, driveshaft, stuffing box, wiring etc.) and then paint or gelcoat the exterior.

You will definately spend a bunch of money on this boat but, if you compare the cost to buying a new one of similar performance capabilities, it will be a bargain. You will also have the fun of a now classic boat that will turn heads.

Have fun with it!

 

[JonathanW]

Re: 1976 Correct Craft Martinique Restoration

Yeah we might do this as a "background project" and just take it really slow when we have time. Believe me, I'm bound and determined to get this boat restored eventually though.