1960 Atom Skier Fin Boat Recondition

Beautiful photos. What an adventure!

Jack - you had another 500 miles of strap left!

Glad you got her home safe. Should be a fun project to complete. How is your other one coming?

SNobsessed wrote: Jack - you had another 500 miles of strap left! Glad you got her home safe. Should be a fun project to complete. How is your other one coming?

Glad you asked on the other one Chris, I bent most of the stock for the stem rebuild over a month a go. It sits in a spring form awaiting my use. I think the 1950 Utility will be the backbone of my meager collection and much as the fin is a head turner, the sound of the four banger flathead can't be compared. I expect to work on it again in September as I will be on holiday in Europe for much of the month of August. It may take a little time but I hope to use the atom skier as my every day ride lol in the next year of less

+1 on the sprinter vans...had from new in 98 still running strong...5 cylinder turbos go on and on, the 4 pots are good but not as fast.
Great trip back with the fin boat they do get around

Great trip, cool adventure, good photos. When scrolling down, I half expected to see the atom in front of Mt Rushmore, Grand Canyon, Wrigley Field, Washington Monument, world's biggest ball of twine.... Fun being able to take the time out for a boat related road trip.

nautique frk wrote: Looks like the Van on American Pickers Show !! Great pics whats up with the jacked up bug catcher motorbox ??

The doghouse was added on to because a PO converted the twin two barrels to a four barrel carb setup. Fortunately I do have the original two barrel setup and I plan to correct the situation as a priority. Will run it first on the four and shake out the cob webs.

Slow progress being made here towards an eventual splash for this boat I have worked so hard to bring east. The new springs are on order and in between my domestic chores I found time to drain the old gas and throw in a few new gallons. Last night I cranked it over and after a few stalled attempts she sprang to life. Runs like a charm as far as I can tell. I ran her for about half an hour with the garden hose attached. there is a hesitation on acceleration but I think this may have to do with the temp not being up and I am not sure if i can starve it for water to get the temp up for fear of damaging the pump. More to learn. I need to buy the teck manual.

Jack,
I'm sure glad to hear that your plans include getting the original two single barrel Carter YH carbs back on the engine. It will sure eliminate that funny looking dog house.    Daytona Parts has the kits for the YH's. I did mine about a year ago. Getting the float levels correct is the only thing you need to play around with. Do you have all the plumbing and linkage as well?

SNobsessed wrote: Jack - You missed an opportunity to add cup holders!

He hasn't finished it yet so there still is time to get the hole saw out!

SNobsessed wrote: Jack - You missed an opportunity to add cup holders!

Yea but I didn't forget to put the shelf inside to warm the left over chicken wings.

So glad it sprang back to life for you Jack! It ran when I brought it home, but had not been started in 3-4 years. Love the remodel on the dog house. That is such an improvement. Can't wait to see the Carters back on there with you ripping across the Lake!

Jack,
Did you use a grain filler/stain on the dog house? I find them pretty easy to use and blend to get the color even. Plus, without the grain filling on a open grain wood like mahoganies, you will never fill up the pores with the top coat.

Jack,
If your seams are new and have crisp edges, the easy way I have found to finish them is slop the paint in them just before your last coat of spar. Then, hard block wet sand across the top. It will remove the paint slopped outside the seam. The caulk is only needed on real seams. Since you will be using ply, all your seams will be fake.