1964 ski Nautique project

Hi guys, long time lurker looking for a bit of advice.
First of all thanks to all those that have posted pictures of Stringer replacement and documented the process.. I'm sure I've read every one.
I'm looking at a 64 ski Nautique that is in fairly rough shape. The stringers definitely need to be replaced. The current owner had the original 312 y Block rebuilt and has all the receipts. It has a dual side draft Weber intake which I haven't seen very much. The Stringers and hull look a little different from those on later model boats but I assume the process is the same? Also, the engine and transmission mounts look different as well in that there doesn't appear to be any vertical adjustment other than adding shims underneath the pads that bolt to the stringers. Is there a better option for this?
Is there anything specifically I should look at or inspect?
Thanks so much!

Thanks for the quick response!
I haven't purchased the boat yet, I'm still deciding while doing some research.
The engine is still on the stand. It was rebuilt by a reputable local engine shop.The current owner is going to confirm what the transmission is. He said it was in service when he got it but the engine was smoking, hence the rebuild. I know it has a large cast aluminum mounting bracket which seems to match some pictures of dearbomatics I've found.
Is it difficult to switch to a velvet drive so far as adapter plates, mounts etc?
I would basically get everything for just over half of what he has in just the engine rebuild.

Ethan,
A switch to a Velvet drive isn't difficult but finding a bell housing may be. However, the nice thing about the Velvet is the input face/flange is made to SAE specs so not impossible to find. The damper plate (flex plate) on the flywheel is a standard readily available part.

If you ever talk to the engine rebuilder,ask them if they did the rocker arm shaft modification. It involves plugging the oil drain hole in the aft end of the shaft. There's information on the mod on Yblocksforever.com

If you have a Dearbo model C, you will not need a different bell housing. The VD will match what you have. You will need to change the dampner plate, shorten the shaft and install new trans cooler lines. If you have an older Dearbo than a C, you will need a different bell housing. There's a guy in South Portland Maine that still has a lot of Interceptor parts. Last I saw he still had a few bell housings hanging on a wall. If you have a C and are going to replace it, I would be interested in buying it.

Tim, what green skier are you referring to?

I looked the boat over maybe a month ago. The plugs had clogged with debris and the water was up several inches over the floor boards. I covered the engine back up and drained the water out just to ease her suffering if nothing else. The boat has been there in that same spot since at least 2000 since looked it over for the first time. Its truly a shame..

Just as I had expressed interest back when that thread came up, I'm in contact with Ethan now about that Skier... Would love to bring it back to its former glory. We shall see.

Now I want to hear and see more about that '64Sn!

Bruce,
Yup, just looking at the bolts, I can see it's an SAE flange pattern.
I cringe every time I see your carb and intake!

This looks just like the one above save the condition, so I'm assuming Dearbo model c..
most of the posts I found on these were a few years old, so are there still parts available for these?

Well..its been a bit so here is a little update.
while waiting on materials to arrive from us composites, I tore into the original raw water pump. It was totally shot and no replacement parts are to be found aside from the impellors and mechanical seal. I considered switching to a crank driven pump but didnt really care for how it would look.. I bored out the rear housing and pressed in a bushing as well as truing up the impellor mating surface..




At this point the epoxy and fiberglass showed up so it was on to the starboard stringers...



This is what awaits on the other side.. Notice the fern that has been growing pretty well considering the conditions.



At this point the plan is to finish the stringers and laterals and then flip the boat to give the bottom some attention. It appears a po painted some type of antifouling goop that the gel boat didnt react well to.

Eether wrote: This looks just like the one above save the condition, so I'm assuming Dearbo model c.. most of the posts I found on these were a few years old, so are there still parts available for these?

Hard parts are not available. That's why I'd be interested in yours if you want to sell it. We had one rebuilt a few years ago and all it needed was a clutch pack and a new bearing. It has worked fine since. The one in the picture I posted needs a rebuild as it has a dirty neutral and slips occasionally on take off.

Ethan,
I've got a Velvet on my 312. I feel for you it would be the smart way to go.

Tim and Donald,
I am in Greenville SC right now for business, I stopped by today in Piedmont SC to see the Green Skier I have watched and tried to buy for years and see Jim Forrester the old guy that owns the old salvage yard. He sold the Skier and it was picked up this past Saturday he said a guy in the Greenville area picked it up. I am the one that posted the photos of it on here years ago. So it might pop up on here soon. Keep your eyes open for it.
There was pieces of the old green upholstery on the ground by the foam blocks it sat on for years. I will be interesting where it pops up.

Ethan So did you get it ?   Good for you if you did. I had tried to buy it for at least 15 years Jim wanted waaay too much for it. Post some pics if you got it. every time I traveled this stretch of 85 I would go by and check on it and talk with Jim.

Need an empty hitch Tim? Coming up next week to CT for a short trip.