1984 Ski Supreme Restoration

[kenneth5071]

Re: 1984 Ski Supreme Restoration

How did she preform on the water? You said that you spent $8000, can you tell me where the biggest costs are hiding? I'm budgeting $3k for my whole project. Just opened up a total rotten transom today. Stringers are measured and will be started next week!! Going to be using the Kiwigrip, thanks for the idea!!!
Ken

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1984 Ski Supreme Restoration

Those graphics and the teak are beautiful! Very very nice work. Hope you had a great day boating.

 

[salty87]

Re: 1984 Ski Supreme Restoration

wOw....looks fantastic!

 

[Friscoboater]

Re: 1984 Ski Supreme Restoration

Awesome resto man.

 

[iqxoqlms]

Re: 1984 Ski Supreme Restoration

We had wonderful weather in northern Wisconsin this past weekend which is very unusual for Memorial Day weekend.

On Saturday I had the boat off the trailer and floating for the first time ever. The gremlins got me again though! Tightening the distributor lock nut must have settled the distributor deeper into the motor after I had initially set the timing which threw the timing way off. It ran like poop. I didn't get away from the launch ramp. In addition to that, the raw water pump was not working so I had no cooling and did not want to roast the impeller. I decided to enjoy the weekend with friends and family and not frustrate myself trying to troubleshoot and make repairs. I have since solved both problems and anticipate a true (successful) water test on Thursday.

To answer the question about "where does the money go"...

Hindsight always being 20/20 - I paid way too much for this basketcase - $3000. I now have a brand new engine thanks to a 3/8" washer - $2600. I have about $1200 into supplies/wood/tools/epoxy. I have about $400 into the stereo, $350 into the Optima batteries. I bet I have $200 into stainless steel screws/washers/etc at Fastenall. Between West Marine, Jamestown and a local salvage store I have spent another $700+. I bought a new helm seat off eBay for $200. And there are many more small items. The engine was really the expense that put this way over the top.

I will update with pictures and a report on the first water test.

 

[iqxoqlms]

Re: 1984 Ski Supreme Restoration

Boat looks awesome man. Bought an 84 also and taking the engine out tomorrow. Strigers, deck, interior are gone. Hoping mine will turn out somewhat close to yours. Question: The orginal graphics down the side look like they are inbedded, was this the same for you?
Ken

Kenneth5071: We'd love to see some pictures of your project too! Post 'em up!

 

[MTribe08]

Re: 1984 Ski Supreme Restoration

We had wonderful weather in northern Wisconsin this past weekend which is very unusual for Memorial Day weekend.

On Saturday I had the boat off the trailer and floating for the first time ever. The gremlins got me again though! Tightening the distributor lock nut must have settled the distributor deeper into the motor after I had initially set the timing which threw the timing way off. It ran like poop. I didn't get away from the launch ramp. In addition to that, the raw water pump was not working so I had no cooling and did not want to roast the impeller. I decided to enjoy the weekend with friends and family and not frustrate myself trying to troubleshoot and make repairs. I have since solved both problems and anticipate a true (successful) water test on Thursday.

To answer the question about "where does the money go"...

Hindsight always being 20/20 - I paid way too much for this basketcase - $3000. I now have a brand new engine thanks to a 3/8" washer - $2600. I have about $1200 into supplies/wood/tools/epoxy. I have about $400 into the stereo, $350 into the Optima batteries. I bet I have $200 into stainless steel screws/washers/etc at Fastenall. Between West Marine, Jamestown and a local salvage store I have spent another $700+. I bought a new helm seat off eBay for $200. And there are many more small items. The engine was really the expense that put this way over the top.

I will update with pictures and a report on the first water test.

Sure..there is always the "hindsight" issue. Looking back on my boat, I paid to much for it as well, knowing what I know now. However, I now have a boat that I truly love and my family does as well.

To me it looks like you went back in time and bought your boat off the showroom with more upgrades than were available at the time for 8k. I'd say you are doing ok. Here's to hoping it brings your family many years of enjoyment.

 

[tlzimmerman]

Re: 1984 Ski Supreme Restoration

Looks great. Love the graphics, I do vinyl work and like the design. Did you make those yourself?

Also have a question about the kiwi grip. I am looking for an alternative to carpet, weighing the pros and cons and had a couple questions.

Is it cool to the touch on a hot day in direct sunlight. I am a big fan of bare feet on the boat. Also is it hard to the foot, or a rubbery texture?

Love the boat, I bet you could sell it for 2x what you have in it, not that you would want to.

 

[iqxoqlms]

Re: 1984 Ski Supreme Restoration

Searching the net I found graphics from the early/mid-90's that I liked, except they had a checkered flag effect on each side at the stern. I found the font and eliminated the checkers - took it to my local sign shop and had them made. I kept the "competition tow boats" slogan as that is what they carried in 1984. By '85 or '86 they went to "competition ski boats" and then in the early '90s they went to "tournament series."

KiwiGrip is very user-friendly. You can alter the height of the peaks and valleys on the non-slip by adding or reducing pressure on the special roller/applicator. Mine came out "moderate" and is not problem to walk on with bare feet. Kneeling on it can be painful though. It stays very cool in direct sunlight.

Thanks for the kind words everyone! I have poured a ton of time and sweat into this thing - it is encouraging to hear the compliments that you think it turned out well.

 

[iqxoqlms]

Re: 1984 Ski Supreme Restoration

The boat hit the water last night and actually performed pretty well! I took the entire family out for a cruise and dinner at a local lake-side bar/resteraunt. We didn't have any trouble to speak of. The only concerning characteristic is a fairly significant drive line vibration. We checked the prop shaft before installing and it is true. We were very careful to align the engine and prop shaft coupling properly too. There is a stainless 13 x 13 prop on the boat...I am wondering if it is bent or out of balance. I am going to check a few things on my own first, then likely pull the prop and shaft to have them checked.

Aside from that - it was a treat to actually get behind the helm and put the boat through its paces.

More updates and some water pictures to come...

 

[tlzimmerman]

Re: 1984 Ski Supreme Restoration

Woo hoo...can't wait to see it on the water!

 

[iqxoqlms]

Re: 1984 Ski Supreme Restoration

First off - here are a couple of pictures taken by a buddy of mine with his camera/phone.

It was good to have her on the water and finally get to see her attitude, etc.

I got a prop puller and pulled off my SS prop. The blades were not straight and one had a small crack near the hub. A local prop rebuilder looked at it and he agreed with me - it will make a good spare. There is a very good chance it is causing my vibration. So - I have an OJ 4-blade prop on the way. More tuning this coming weekend. There are 3.4 hours on the new motor!

 

[tinkeringwackyone]

Re: 1984 Ski Supreme Restoration

looks great, another boat back on the water. love those ski boats.

 

[archbuilder]

Re: 1984 Ski Supreme Restoration

Good to see her on the lake!

 

[iqxoqlms]

Re: 1984 Ski Supreme Restoration

OK...I admit, this is not very exciting, but I had to post.

I got my prop from OJ today and WOW!

CNC machined, brass, 4-blade 13 x 13 LH prop (their recommendation for my application).

It is bolted on and I WILL be testing on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. More water pictures (better quality) and an update to follow next week.

 

[MrsBoatinOkie]

Re: 1984 Ski Supreme Restoration

Been keepin' track of your work and got to say your boat is pretty slick..

I love the look of the ski supreme's, and tryin' to get BigBoatinOkie on board to fix up a similar inboard such as yours someday as our next resto/fixer upper project.

Congrats on a job well done so far and hope you have a good weekend.. Make sure to have some fun too!!

 

[Spritch78]

Re: 1984 Ski Supreme Restoration

Hi,
I've got a 1978 Ski supreme and I'm about to tear the floor out of mine and I was wondering how or what tools you used to cut the plywood deck away from the hull. I don't want to seperate the top from the hull... Also what type and size decking did you go back with? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Steve

 

[Matt17155]

Re: 1984 Ski Supreme Restoration

I am doing a similiar project with my 1990 Ski Supreme and really like the decals you have installed. I am having trouble finding decals that match the Ski Supreme font exactly. Could you tell me where you were able to find your decals?

Thanks

 

[Spritch78]

Re: 1984 Ski Supreme Restoration

What type of caulk did you use to bond the pieces of the floor together? Also did you fasten the floor with screws or just glue it to the runners?

 

[Djdjr123]

Re: 1984 Ski Supreme Restoration

What did you use for a template on shaping the stringers