I needed another project!.....

[Jet Wrench]

No sooner did I finish the 66 Whaler and another sweet deal happened! I was on Craigslist last Saturday surfing the boating section, did a refresh on the computer and up popped an add for a ski boat at an estate sale. I gave the number a call and the lady who answered was in charge of selling the estate. She tells me the sale was being held that same day and the next. I asked her about the boat, but she really didn't have a clue. I told her I would take a ride out to see it within the hour. To make a long story short, I got a sweet deal on this:

It's a 87' Glastron/Carlson CVX18, Mercruiser 260 (Chevy 350) w/Alpha One outdrive! The engine and outdrive are in outstanding shape, the hull is clean (pictures are after the get coat compound), fair interior but I will be replacing the floor. She should scoot along fairly well! Only 1000 lbs! I will post some pics of the progress and sea trials.

Jet Wrench

 

[NHGuy]

Re: I needed another project!.....

I think that will rip. BTW my drive & motor are supposedly 900 some odd lbs. I'd guess that boat approaches 2000 lbs without knowing any better. But either way it will go pretty quick. Looks great.

 

[Jet Wrench]

Re: I needed another project!.....

You're probably right NH, 2K lbs sounds close to what it actually is. I have read these hulls with this power plant can produce about 65 MPH or more, depending on how it's dialed in! Removed the rotted floor and stringers. It's worth the work, hardly paid anything for it. Lots of time and patience required!

Jet Wrench

 

[NHGuy]

Re: I needed another project!.....

I just finally ordered a speed prop after 2 summers on a stump puller 19". Our lake has a speed limit so I really can't stay at the potential the boat has or I'll be paying tickets. The wife can't understand why I want a prop that can max the hull speed if it's not allowed. I have two reasons, one cause it's fun to go fast and I might be able to scoot up to speed once in a while. The second reason is so I can fast cruise at lower engine rev's. Hopefully I extend engine life by staying farther away from redline. On the highway around here people go 6 or 10 over the limit when there's room, that's about what I guess this boat would do, maybe 58 or 59. I'll whet your appetite next weekend with a wide open throttle speed report if you like. I am planning to borrow a GPS and see how it does with a 23. Currently it shows anywhere from 48 to 51 at 4600 RPM on it's notoriously innaccurate pitot tube speedometer.
If you want to see some stupendous stringer & internal reconstruction go into the Donzi registry and take a look at some of those 18 Classic redo's.
I drool over there.
My 14 year old says she's going to get me a Donzi 22 when she's famous, yeah sure.

 

[Jet Wrench]

Re: I needed another project!.....

Hey NH,

Sounds like a sweet ride! I know what you mean about the speedo, they can be some what close at best. The GPS is the way to go. Need for speed! If you can lower your top end RPM and still get your desired speed, more power to you! (pun intended!). I wouldn't worry to much about speed limits, especially if your doing short runs for dialing in. Your daughter is a good kid! You never know, that Donzi may be sitting at your door step on of these days! I got the instrument panel removed this morning and will be R&R the switches/breakers. Lots of corrosion, you know the story! At least there was a main disconnect so each instrument did not have to be removed individually. I've been toying with the idea of a repair on the stringers rather than a complete R&R. I didn't pay that much for her, and I am pretty sure I can get the structural integrity back with a splice repair. My main concern is engine torque just forward of the engine. This seems to be the "Achilles Heal" for most boats. Constant torque changes seem to weaken this area in particular. Thanks for the encouragement. PM me when you get a chance. I'm from E. Dennis, MA originally.

Jet Wrench

 

[NHGuy]

Re: I needed another project!.....

Hey, you just brought up something accidentally. When you go to reconnect the main "cannon" plug take a good look at how your gauges and switches react. I had all kinds of dopey lights and gauge readings, but the gauges tested fine and the lamps were good. I chased a ground fault for two weeks this spring and at the end it was just the contacts on the harness plug were too corroded. You'd know about that because of your salt water boating down the cape...but I fiddled and checked and eventually I just got some fine emery cloth & dressed all the contacts including the females by wrapping emery around a q tip shaft. Then all my electrics were back.
Have fun doing your not so fast for you boat!