Ski Boat - Biesemeyer/Mercury Mark 78

[WSUDERMAN]

Re: Ski Boat - Biesemeyer/Mercury Mark 78

Sell it to me cheap!...<br /> <br />If you are looking to make some money on it you could put it in the Barrett-Jackson auction and see what it gets. Otherwise I say use it, but use it wisely...

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Ski Boat - Biesemeyer/Mercury Mark 78

Hi Ahrmles,<br /> I would do whatever mechanical stuff needs to be done to it , leave the cosmetics as is, and make it into a "Sunday driver" type of rig. Keep it as clean and maintained as possible and treat it as you would a classic car. Use it, but don't abuse it. If you want an everyday runner, get another boat and keep that one for special occasions. Show it off, take it to shows, etc. There's a fairly active antique boat community out West, and a good bit of Fiberglassics activity, too. Enjoy the boat! You've got a true piece of history there!<br />- Scott

 

[JohnRuff]

Re: Ski Boat - Biesemeyer/Mercury Mark 78

Here are the pictures I took of it.<br /><br />Guess we are going to be a two boat family <br /><br /> http://www.users.qwest.net/~john_r/bluebird 002.jpg <br /> http://www.users.qwest.net/~john_r/bluebird 003.jpg <br /> http://www.users.qwest.net/~john_r/bluebird 005.jpg <br /> http://www.users.qwest.net/~john_r/bluebird 007.jpg <br /> http://www.users.qwest.net/~john_r/bluebird 017.jpg <br /> http://www.users.qwest.net/~john_r/bluebird 018.jpg <br /> http://www.users.qwest.net/~john_r/bluebird 019.jpg <br /> <br />Anyone know someone who they would recommend to check out the Mark 78 motor - in Arizona?

 

[JohnRuff]

Re: Ski Boat - Biesemeyer/Mercury Mark 78

Well - $1000 later and the motor is up and running. I just picked it up today from the only mechanic that would work on it in Arizona (he was 91 years old!)<br /><br />Will take some pic's for you this weekend when it hits the water.

 

[QC]

Re: Ski Boat - Biesemeyer/Mercury Mark 78

Where do you boat? I would love to see that up close and personal. Parker by any chance? That's where she belongs IMHO . . .

 

[txswinner]

Re: Ski Boat - Biesemeyer/Mercury Mark 78

I had a '57 lonestar boat with the same color. I also had the 2 dr chevy to match. If I am not mistaken that is robin egg blue. A former friend ran the boat up on an oyster bank in Sabine Lake and sunk her. <br /><br />What a wonderful prize you have.

 

[JohnRuff]

Re: Ski Boat - Biesemeyer/Mercury Mark 78

Believe it or not - I hope to take it to Canyon Lake early tomorrow morning. I need to put AZ lettering on the boat and remove the old first.<br /><br />Need to clean out the two original 6 gal gas cans - am considering making a box type jig and rotating them in a cement mixer with a gallong of gas and some steel ball-berrings.<br /><br />Any thoughts?<br /><br />(Quietcat - I am always looking for someone to go boating with (wife hates boating). I am available most weekends

 

[AguaSki]

Re: Ski Boat - Biesemeyer/Mercury Mark 78

Get some good pictures with those canyon walls as a back drop.

 

[bigboy]

Re: Ski Boat - Biesemeyer/Mercury Mark 78

Flat bottom... Had a flat bottom to. There's one thing i can say: watch out for waves, your butt and back! It doesnt cut the waves like a V. This boat looks nice! Only that bottom... Had it once and never again!

 

[JohnRuff]

Re: Ski Boat - Biesemeyer/Mercury Mark 78

Yikes! Switched cars and forgot the camera. Boat ran fine -- but somehow lost the decal to the steering wheel Any way to find a replacement? <br /><br />Boat does not idle well --

 

[SeaKaye12]

Re: Ski Boat - Biesemeyer/Mercury Mark 78

Geez...that's a super find...it's **SO** unusual to find anything like that in original condition.<br /><br />What's the boats history? Were you able to talk to the people who used to use it? Maybe you can get copies of vintage photographs of the boat in use when it was new...with people in that era's garb? What a blast!<br /><br />I wonder what lakes it was originally used on?<br /><br />I'll follow this thread for sure!<br /><br />Thanks for posting all your experiences.....an interview (with pics) with that 91 year old wrench would be awesome also! The stories that guy could tell...<br /><br />Chuck

 

[JohnRuff]

Re: Ski Boat - Biesemeyer/Mercury Mark 78

Know the whole story of the boat. I am the second owner. The original owner of the boat only used it on local lakes here in Arizona. They moved away to california 27 years ago and the boat was parked in the garage ever since. They build the house with an extra garage slot just to house the boat and it was never in the way. Then the husband died and the widow proclaimed "Sell that damn boat!" <br /><br />Sady - there was a decal on the steering wheel that the glue had dried out -- and it flew off on the boating trip. Anyone got a spare?

 

[Liberal623]

Re: Ski Boat - Biesemeyer/Mercury Mark 78

Wow I think I just got that same boat !!
I was trying to find some info on it everywhere, and could not find any on it.
It is a Biesemeyer and it looks exactly the same, (minus all the interior)
Any info on this boat would be great, I want to restore mine back to that condition.
I will post pics, or maybe start another thread, I will need the help of the "pro's"
here at iboats. Im super excited now I have a template of what my boat looked like originally.
Oh and by the way, I live in Phoenix, maybe one day I'll see ya on the waters

 

[LastDollar]

Re: Ski Boat - Biesemeyer/Mercury Mark 78

Oh, sorry...you're talking about the engine. I kinda like that the boat owner or designer painted the engine cowling to match the boat. Others might feel differently, I suppose.<br /><br />Some folks would want to see the old Merc in its original finish. I don't know what that finish is, though.

White I had one and I'll bet that wheel is a lefty!