1987 Ski Centurion Restore

[rellis1962]

Hello, I am new to the forum and thought I would start out by showing off my little baby. Well I started this restore in 2002. It's not as bad as it sounds. I did the floor/stringers, seats, upholstery, carpet, dash, some minor engine and electrical work and much more in 2002. I used it for about 7 years with good reliability until last summer. At that time the engine began to act up. Not starting. So I embarked on a partial refurb of the engine this winter. New: exhaust manifolds and risers(man were they clogged up with rust), electronic ignition, plug wires, flame arrestor, rear mounts, all hoses and clamps, upper and lower stat housing, water pump elbow, reworked and soldered some electrical connections leading to the coil, etc. etc. She purrs like a kitten now. My wife and I really enjoyed working on this little project. It is our first boat and it caused me to have to buy a second house on the lake. My next thing will be the gas tank. The sender is rusty and needs to be replaced. Anyway, here is a link to some during and after pics.

http://photobucket.com/1987_Ski_Centurian

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1987 Ski Centurion Restore

welcome to iboats, nice job.

 

[J. Mark]

Re: 1987 Ski Centurion Restore

Great looking job. I am redoing a similar boat from the ground up, I'll be looking back at your work for inspiration during these cold days when I can't seem to get much done.

 

[Mark42]

Re: 1987 Ski Centurion Restore

Holy Cow! Thats looking so good! I especially like the upholstry work. Can you give a little tutorial on how you upholstered the bucket seat? Like the materials, and the steps to applying the vinyl? I would appreciate that very much.

I would really love to make a nice captians seat like that for my boat.

Very professional looking.

Yep, I am drooling over that upholstry....

 

[rellis1962]

Re: 1987 Ski Centurion Restore

Well, you have hit on the only thing I did not do myself. The upholster was done by a fella here in south Houston. He was very reasonable and was very willing to please me when I started being a bit particular about a couple of things. He actually completely recovered the motor cover after I was not satisified with some of the sewing on the initial cover. I did do everthing else though. Once I go past the stringers and floor it was all gravy. I enjoy wood working so building the seat frames was a breeze.

Mark 42, It looks like you've done some very fine boat projects yourself. I learned a lot from you pics. I will be looking for another project boat soon. Something like your little boat project would be cool. For now I am still piddling with the Ski Centurion. I am actually making a couple of parts on my lathe out of brass. The bilge exhaust through-hull fitting and part of the through-hull fresh water flush connection. I can buy them already made but what is the fun in that? I will take some pics and post.

 

[88skiboat]

Re: 1987 Ski Centurion Restore

Very nice. I have an 88. I just build a rear bench seat for my boat and went off your photo. It's out being re upolstered. I'll post some pics in a week or so. The engine looks great. Any tips you can give me regarding the engine maintanence, etc.. would be a big help. Do you have a stereo? I'm looking to install one.

Good job brother.

 

[Miasman]

Re: 1987 Ski Centurion Restore

Hey there - first off SWEEEEEEET!

I brought my 1987 TruTrac II with me to Sweden when I moved here from California 2 1/2 years ago. Alas, former owner did a hack job patching the floor and it is as rotten as a halloween pumpkin at Thanksgiving.

Can you give me a little insight as to how you cut-out/removed the floor at the sides of the boat? Since you cannot see behind the side tray panels I was wondering what tools you used to get rid of the floor all the way to the sides.

thanks

 

[Miasman]

Re: 1987 Ski Centurion Restore

Hey if you send me your email address and can take an attachment that is between 13-14 MB I can send you a PDF or .zip of the PCM engine manual. I have an 87 Tru Trac II with a 351. I also have phone numbers to PCM tech support and maybe a wiring schematic lying around.

 

[BigBoatinOkie]

Re: 1987 Ski Centurion Restore

Didn't know if yall noticed, but this thread is from Feb. of last year.

 

[system-f]

Re: 1987 Ski Centurion Restore

HOLY GAWD, finally another inboard boat! I want to see more inboard boats.

 

[BigBoatinOkie]

Re: 1987 Ski Centurion Restore

You would if anyone could afford 'em Most of the guys are here because we bought cheap old boats and had to fix them. Actually, I would like to have one myself, but they don't look like they would handle choppy water very well. Do they? Lots of chop here in windy Oklahoma. I was actuall just looking at this craigslist add. http://fortsmith.craigslist.org/boa/1765604236.html I have a four wheeler I would trade for that. Not trying to hijack, sorry.

 

[Miasman]

Re: 1987 Ski Centurion Restore

We can only hope that rellis1962 comes back - his work was awsome and we can only hope he will share his knowledge!

I will be working on my beast tonight and hope to snap a few pics.

 

[iqxoqlms]

Re: 1987 Ski Centurion Restore

Miasman:

You can take a look at my recent thread on the resto I am doing of a 1984 Ski Supreme. At the top of page two there is some info on how I tied my deck in...

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=372895

 

[Miasman]

Re: 1987 Ski Centurion Restore

Thanks Seaman

 

[xstein61]

Re: 1987 Ski Centurion Restore

Wow Nice work! I bought my baby, a 1986 (was told it was an 87, but I drove 9 hours to pick it up... SOLD) Bad title, and got hit on the ICE on the way home!!! I was looking for a project anyway! I will try to update after the repairs.

http://s1095.photobucket.com/albums/i471/xstein61/Boat/?action=view&current=Left1.jpg

 

[Mike O.]

Re: 1987 Ski Centurion Restore

Hello, I am new to the forum and thought I would start out by showing off my little baby. Well I started this restore in 2002. It's not as bad as it sounds. I did the floor/stringers, seats, upholstery, carpet, dash, some minor engine and electrical work and much more in 2002. I used it for about 7 years with good reliability until last summer. At that time the engine began to act up. Not starting. So I embarked on a partial refurb of the engine this winter. New: exhaust manifolds and risers(man were they clogged up with rust), electronic ignition, plug wires, flame arrestor, rear mounts, all hoses and clamps, upper and lower stat housing, water pump elbow, reworked and soldered some electrical connections leading to the coil, etc. etc. She purrs like a kitten now. My wife and I really enjoyed working on this little project. It is our first boat and it caused me to have to buy a second house on the lake. My next thing will be the gas tank. The sender is rusty and needs to be replaced. Anyway, here is a link to some during and after pics.

http://photobucket.com/1987_Ski_Centurian

I just bought a 1987 Ski Centurion and love it so far. Don't know much about them yet but eager to learn more.