Leo Bentz, Ski Nautique and Boat #1

To Leo's credit, other than a couple of blisters on the cast aluminum housing on the Morse control, the 1965 SN that I bought from him in 1966 had been used at the ski school, but showed no signs whatsoever of having been in saltwater.  I know from talking with some of his former staff members that he stayed "on" them constantly about cleaning and preserving the boats.

United Technologies, Sheller Globe steering wheels were the standard issue wheel used on tractors and heavy truck through the 70’s until the company I worked for at the time (Vehicle Improvement Products) provided self skinning urethane molded steering wheels. 

What an awesome story. Can’t wait to see more pics of restoration!!

Hey gang, this just posted on the Nautique FB page, with the following caption:

Yeah, thought this would start a discussion on here ;-)

KENO wrote: ultrarunner wrote: Hey gang, this just posted on the Nautique FB page, with the following caption: <div dir="auto" style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, MacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; caret-color: rgb5, 5, 5; color: rgb5, 5, 5; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">"The First Correct Craft to ever have "Nautique" on it! <div dir="auto" style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, MacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; caret-color: rgb5, 5, 5; color: rgb5, 5, 5; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">NAUTIQUE #1".<div dir="auto" style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, MacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; caret-color: rgb5, 5, 5; color: rgb5, 5, 5; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> <div dir="auto" style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, MacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; caret-color: rgb5, 5, 5; color: rgb5, 5, 5; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> I think you should tell them that Boat #1 is a Glass Craft Ski Nautique

Yeah, it literally says it on the side. It's literally spelled out lol.


Sorry for the lack of updates guys. It's still been a crazy season for us. I'll try to upload some pics tonight. I almost have the floor completely done, I just have to finish the drop in sections that go over the driveshaft. I hope to have the floor painted this weekend!

ArtCozier wrote: Looking good, Huss.  Did you get the engine mounts and installation height worked out?  I hope that you'll have the "Powered by Interceptor" label refreshed also.  People associate "Interceptor" with high performance engines in law enforcement vehicles because Eaton Corp, (the parent company of Interceptor) besides marinizing Ford engines for marine applications, modified Ford engines for police vehicles.  The engines had a label on the valve covers that read "Police Interceptor."  When I had my '65, the most common remark I got if I opened the motor box at a dock, was, "Wow is that a fuel injected engine?"  Lots of people want to know why the carburetors and side-draft and installed low profile.  It saves vertical room.  When installed in a sport fisherman type boat, the manufacturer can lower the deck over the engine room considerably.

Thank you Art, I am going to do the Interceptor ones as well, people that have seen the boat in person have said "Don't restore the lettering, leave it like it is!" Sad reality is that if I don't restore them now, they will be gone forever.

And yes, everything is aligned, I'll have to pull the engine one last time to paint the floor.

Jim,

ArtCozier wrote: FWIW, I found that 13 X13 with medium cup worked best on my 312 = 215hp.

I think a 13" will swing

I contacted Leo about the anchor light because I am a little hesitant to keep it. This was his response:

"No, I never put an anchor light on our boats because we never anchored them out at night. I would also have been reluctant to put holes in that seat back midship hull strengthener where that ski hook is located. However, new owners have made changes to their Nautique hulls without any problems."

I think the fact that it was originally built without an anchor light is a very interesting aspect of it being a prototype. I'm contemplating removing it and filling the holes. I could always get one of those cheap battery powered anchor lights for USCG approval.

What do you guys think?

I keep getting the 'Error inserting object into location'  every time I try to upload a pic, what settings should I change to stop this from happening?

I would bet that Keith is working on the site to repair the damage done by the hackers.