Leo Bentz, Ski Nautique and Boat #1

This is such a cool story and project. Looking forward to following the progress!

A lot of years have gone by, I like to think and imagine the excitement of that boat 55+ years ago. I still remember how excited I would be to see loud, powerful inboards on our lake well before I was 10 years old. So much history.

Very very very cool, #1 the holy grail, it does not get any better. Alan, Dana, Art, everyone involved in this boat thanks for sharing this story and what is to come. Can't wait to see it on the water and pulling a skier.

81nautique wrote: Bruce, The trailer has to go. It's a decent rig but I will need to find an early CC bunk trailer for it.

We have a very decent, restorable, early 60's #2 we'd gladly give you. Not sure whether a #2 or #3 is best for that boat.

I'll try to address some of the questions/comments from the thread.

As to originality, the motor and trans have been replaced with PCM units. I believe the gauges were probably swapped out at that time as well.

To Pete's comment on the windshield though I'm pretty sure it is correct, I think Pete is referring to the one photo where there appears to be a vertical center divider but I think that may be a reflection. All other photos of the boat show the one piece windshield, a call to Leo will answer that one though. We are so lucky to still have him available.

The motor box was extended in height when it was repowered to allow for the Holley carb but those extensions have all broken away revealing the correct size cover.

The motor is standard rotation and turns a left hand prop, that makes sourcing a 292/312 Y block a little easier.

Bruce, The trailer has to go. It's a decent rig but I will need to find an early CC bunk trailer for it.

While on our way home we stopped by the BBC in Mooresville where we met up with Timb, Rico and Reid for a few beers and spent the night. That's always a treat but Tim I wish I had looked at the paperwork before then because we would have had a good time riffling through it all. I spent hours when I got home putting it all in order.

A quick thank you to Reid for the hospitality and the use the BBC to get the boat situated on the trailer properly. The ride from Hilton Head to Mooresville was difficult because the boat was sitting to far back and it had zero tongue weight.. Dana and I actually launched the boat at 2 different ramps in Hilton head but without a running boat or an operating winch I just could not get the boat up on the trailer far enough. The drive to Reids was nerve wracking but before we could even get back to the BBC in the morning Reids Ace Gary had it situated just right and the rest of the drive was sweet. thanks again.

Thanks everyone but I need to make a major clarification before we go any further. The credit for finding this boat goes entirely to Art Cozier. I heard about the boat while down at Greg Fossetts October CCfan gathering and instantly had interest.. I've been looking for a new project since finishing the Hurricane but nothing interesting had come along. After talking to most that knew about the boat to make I wasn't stepping on anyone's toes Art and I contacted the owners and several months later we were able to put together a deal.

I really do owe a huge debt of gratitude to Art because while talking to Mark Cleary it was obvious that Art had "sold" him on selecting Dana and I as the new owners. Mark told me he's had many offers over the years for much more money than we offered but he agreed to sell us the boat because he felt it was going to the right people and we would do the right thing with it..

We are determined to restore the boat as close to original as possible and then haul it around like we do with the Hurricane and make it available for all to enjoy. Give us a few years and you will be able experience it in it's former glory with us at as many CCfan events as we can get to. We will even throw you a rope and give you a pull.....so someone start restoring a set of Cypress Garden Water Skis now.

Congrats Alan! The Cleary's should be very happy that the right people ended up with that boat.

The info that came with the boat is almost as cool as the boat itself! I didn't realize Leo made a dozen boats.... I wonder where the other 11 ended up. Very cool to hear the Higgins story confirmed too!

Looking forward to seeing this one done, Alan... It's in good hands.

Wow Alan, You are my hero. You have a knack for for finding amazing boats, and then documenting them in an equally amazing way. #1 is lucky that it found you, and we are all lucky to get to share in the experience through CCfan. I look forward to the return of Sunday evening updates.

Dave

Great story on an amazing find Alan. Glad it was able to follow you home! We'll be anxious to see and hear updates on this latest restoration project.

Great story, congratulations!

This is great news. I am happy formal of us that this boat has been saved.

Besides the engine, what else isn't original?

Wow is all I can say..

Can we take a ride at Green Lake this summer?

CONGRATS! ...... Could not have found a better home!

Alan what a great story and find.

This site has been the genesis of so many amazing things.

Alan you (& ccfan) have something extremely special and it could not have found a better place......