Leo Bentz, Ski Nautique and Boat #1 |
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63 Skier
Grand Poobah Joined: October-06-2006 Location: Concord, NH Status: Offline Points: 4239 |
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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. |
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'63 American Skier - '98 Sport Nautique
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8122pbrainard
Grand Poobah Joined: September-14-2006 Location: Three Lakes Wi. Status: Offline Points: 41040 |
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Alan,
It's the black frame on the windshield that I referred to. Maybe it was just painted? |
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Fabcon
Gold Member Joined: August-27-2012 Location: Buffalo. Mn Status: Offline Points: 552 |
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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.
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1976 Ski Nautique 351 Escort
1984 Barefoot Nautique (Parting Out) |
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Lakeview
Senior Member Joined: January-06-2004 Location: Branchville NJ Status: Offline Points: 247 |
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Always noticed the so called early Ski Nautiques resembled my grandfathers 17 ft 1952 Higgins hull -this story confirms my look alike theory.By the way the Higgins was my first inboard ride experience-but as some of you early woody boat people know they had plywood issues and the bottoms gave way on many of them.
Good luck Alan. |
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Lakeview
1992 Barefoot Nautique 1967 Barracuda SS 1967 Chris Craft Cavalier |
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Riley
Grand Poobah Joined: January-19-2004 Location: Portland, ME Status: Offline Points: 7952 |
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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. |
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81nautique
Grand Poobah Joined: September-03-2005 Location: Big Rock, Il Status: Offline Points: 5772 |
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We are off today to bring the boat down to Todd W's where it will winter in his barn, it's warm enough for us to stop and get it washed on the way so we'll do that and post some fresh pictures later.
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81nautique
Grand Poobah Joined: September-03-2005 Location: Big Rock, Il Status: Offline Points: 5772 |
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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. |
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NCH20SKIER
Grand Poobah Joined: December-16-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 2207 |
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Think I know someone with some skis that will fit the bill.
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'05 206 Limited
'88 BFN |
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81nautique
Grand Poobah Joined: September-03-2005 Location: Big Rock, Il Status: Offline Points: 5772 |
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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. |
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Riley
Grand Poobah Joined: January-19-2004 Location: Portland, ME Status: Offline Points: 7952 |
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What do you think you do about a trailer? Restore what you have?
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Riley
Grand Poobah Joined: January-19-2004 Location: Portland, ME Status: Offline Points: 7952 |
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Congrats Alan! The Cleary's should be very happy that the right people ended up with that boat.
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Morfoot
Grand Poobah Joined: February-06-2004 Location: South Lanier Status: Offline Points: 5312 |
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Still smiling that this boat ended up in the hands of a master craftsman and one who will restore it to it's former glory. Ya never know what's gonna happen when you travel a few hundred miles to a CCFan mini. That's why you have to hit s many as you can.
Great write up Alan and congrats to you and Dana for bringing her home. We all look forward to the future postings on bringing #1 back to life Dr. Frankenstein! |
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"Morfoot; He can ski. He can wakeboard.He can cook chicken.He can create his own self-named beverage, & can also apparently fly. A man of many talents."72 Mustang "Kermit",88 SN Miss Scarlett, 99 SN "Sherman"
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TRBenj
Grand Poobah Joined: June-29-2005 Location: NWCT Status: Offline Points: 21131 |
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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. |
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jbear
Grand Poobah Joined: January-21-2005 Location: Lake Wales FL. Status: Offline Points: 8193 |
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this is gonna be so cool to follow.
had heard from a little birdie awhile ago something about this so was just waiting to hear for sure....couldn't be in better hands. john |
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"Loud pipes save lives"
AdamT sez "I'm Canadian and a beaver lover myself"... |
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OverMyHead
Grand Poobah Joined: March-14-2008 Location: MN Status: Offline Points: 4861 |
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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 |
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For thousands of years men have felt the irresistible urge to go to sea, and many of them died. Things got better after they invented boats.
1987 Ski Nautique |
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Faceplant
Senior Member Joined: July-27-2013 Location: Otter Lake , Mi Status: Online Points: 406 |
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Very cool !!!!!!
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LaurelLakeSkier
Senior Member Joined: February-12-2007 Location: Wisconsin Status: Offline Points: 485 |
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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.
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The world is full of youth—what we need is a fountain of smart!
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M3Fan
Grand Poobah Joined: October-22-2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 3185 |
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Wow. Amazing find. This is essentially the trump card for all future SN or CC conversations.
"Oh I have a SN. Yeah, the first one. Ever." |
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2000 SN GT40 w/99 Graphics/Gel
2016 SN 200 OB 5.3L DI https://forum.fifteenoff.com |
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Luchog
Grand Poobah Joined: April-17-2007 Location: Argentina Status: Offline Points: 2135 |
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Great story, congratulations!
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8122pbrainard
Grand Poobah Joined: September-14-2006 Location: Three Lakes Wi. Status: Offline Points: 41040 |
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I'm sure Alan can speak on what he finds but I did spot the windshield and the gauges. |
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NCH20SKIER
Grand Poobah Joined: December-16-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 2207 |
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This is great news. I am happy formal of us that this boat has been saved.
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'05 206 Limited
'88 BFN |
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Eether
Groupie Joined: October-20-2015 Location: Greenville Status: Offline Points: 64 |
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That's just awesome!
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Chevy350
Gold Member Joined: June-24-2013 Location: Illinois Status: Offline Points: 721 |
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Besides the engine, what else isn't original?
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1972 Mustang
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dwcar
Platinum Member Joined: February-11-2007 Location: Houston Texas Status: Offline Points: 1103 |
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Great story Alan!!
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83Ski
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Chevy350
Gold Member Joined: June-24-2013 Location: Illinois Status: Offline Points: 721 |
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Wow is all I can say..
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1972 Mustang
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62 wood
Grand Poobah Joined: February-19-2005 Location: NW IL Status: Offline Points: 4527 |
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Just got time to read the whole story... Wow! what a cool history !!!
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62 wood
Grand Poobah Joined: February-19-2005 Location: NW IL Status: Offline Points: 4527 |
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Can we take a ride at Green Lake this summer?
CONGRATS! ...... Could not have found a better home! |
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Smithfamily
Platinum Member Joined: December-26-2007 Location: Orlando, Fl Status: Offline Points: 1602 |
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Could not have gone to a better home Alan. I am sure you will do her justice! Congratulations and good luck!!
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Js
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lewy2001
Grand Poobah Joined: March-19-2008 Location: NSW Australia Status: Offline Points: 2234 |
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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...... |
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If you're going through hell, keep going
89 Ski <a href="http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=5685" ta |
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8122pbrainard
Grand Poobah Joined: September-14-2006 Location: Three Lakes Wi. Status: Offline Points: 41040 |
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It's interesting that the prototype was patterned off a Higgins even having the port side helm. I wonder if the Y block was a lefty?
ATTN: Keith, You must put a sticky on this one!!! |
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