Leo Bentz, Ski Nautique and Boat #1

Morfoot wrote: Hussler wrote: Leo told me to "do what it takes to make the prop spin" Spoken like a true mechanic!  Hussler wrote: <span style=": rgb251, 251, 253;">I got the 'OK' from the designer so, I guess its a change order? Lol</span>  Classic ....just Classic!!!! How many OEM Designers from 60 years ago are still around to share their wisdom and give you there blessing to change the first one ever made. Ya can't put a price tag on that! .

I know right?? Truly wild, this has been a very unusual 'restoration' by all accounts. I've never experienced or seen something like this. Its like having Lee Iacocca say "sure, send a couple drywall screws into the doorpanel of your K car"

Are changes made now that Leo says are okay now recalls and updates?? What does original mean! Haha

I'm glad we live in an age where this can all be documented. If somebody wants to 'restore' it to 'original' specs 100 years from now, they can reference this thread.

I have 4 goals
1.) Make it drive without sinking too much
2.) Preserve the exterior handwriting
3.) Keep the patina
4.) Take Leo for a ride

Hussler wrote: ArtCozier wrote: The original engine probably had a Dearborn tranny on it.  Is there two types of Dearborn? Ugly has a Dearborn on it but its even shorter than the velvet. I once saw what I think was a Dearborn but the output coupler was angled like a pcm reduction trans in a boat graveyard. I got the 'OK' from the designer so, I guess its a change order? Lol

Hey Huss.  Are you still getting the windshield from me?

Awesome. This thread is why we are all on this forum.

TRBenj wrote: I’ll throw in my 2cents. While getting Leo’s current feedback sure is neat, I think any major deviations from the original configuration dilute the restoration significantly, regardless of whether you got “permission”. Keeping the patina and getting Leo out in the water are certainly admirable though.

Don't worry, I won't do anything that would detract from the overall aesthetic. I want every part period correct. When somebody sees the boat in person I want them to feel like it hasn't been touched on 60 years. But I do want it to be very reliable so it can be taken to special events and people can get an opportunity to ski/ride in it. If that means ditching a questionable transmission style,, i think that's what's best. You guys are all invited for a ride once its good enough to bring to a meet.

Scott, yes I do still want that windshield. Sorry for my radio silence, Covid has made it impossible to take a break from work. I may just have to pay to you to pack it up and ship it along with however much you need for it.

Art, this must of had some sort of angled transmission, both the Dearborn and velvet are a mile away from where the motor needs to go. I ordered a 57" driveshaft from elberts. The one that was in it definitely wasn't original, a 51" which is very similar to what was in most 1990+ Nautiques? Bob Cleary did have a 302 with a velvet in it last time it moved

Bruce,

8122pbrainard wrote: Bruce, Wow, that Dearbo is a new one on me. I've never seen one and considering that's an artist rendering, I wonder how many were made?  The reduction add on adds length so it still may not solve the problem with SN #1?

The pic Riley posted is the one I saw in a boneyard once, thats probably what it once had.

The problem on number #1 is the motor is too low when you try to put it where it 'was' and
1.) the bellhousing hits the hull
2.) The orginal style motor mounts are crazy low and don't catch the top of the stringers.
3.) The exhaust that far back is going to cause some real interference with the motor cover

How far I have the motor forward actually resembles how 50s Resorters/Coronados were built, with the pulleys 'under' the seat back

Also heres some interesting things tearing her apart.

Its a foamed boat! Must have been one of the firsts

The floor had a SINGLE layer of fiberglass cloth on it and NOTHING on the opposite side of the ply! Can't believe it 'mostly' lasted 60 years.

The motor cover, this one's funny, just gel over plywood. It looks like it cracked several times over the years and they just kept spraying over it. I've reinforced it from the inside with Coosa and cloth to keep it from shredding apart. It doesn't look awesome but it will hold up fine. They probably didn't understand much about the properties of gel back then.

I have not been able to identify the steering wheel/steering column. No manufacturers print anywhere on it. Also, no steering limiter, either direction. Allows the rudder to go completely 90 both ways

The back transom is actually wood. I have no idea why.

The speedo is like the first aquameter ever. It's difficult to even find pictures of it.

It has a tracking fin. Looks just as deteriorated as the strut, maybe original?

The front bow eye is actually through bolted through the bottom of the boat with carriage bolts, just like a wooden boat.

The stringers are pretty much the best fiberglassing job I've even seen. Looks vacuum formed, not a single imperfection

Hussler wrote: Also heres some interesting things tearing her apart. Its a foamed boat! Must have been one of the firsts The floor had a SINGLE layer of fiberglass cloth on it and NOTHING on the opposite side of the ply! Can't believe it 'mostly' lasted 60 years. The motor cover, this one's funny, just gel over plywood. It looks like it cracked several times over the years and they just kept spraying over it. I've reinforced it from the inside with Coosa and cloth to keep it from shredding apart. It doesn't look awesome but it will hold up fine. They probably didn't understand much about the properties of gel back then. I have not been able to identify the steering wheel/steering column. No manufacturers print anywhere on it. Also, no steering limiter, either direction. Allows the rudder to go completely 90 both ways The back transom is actually wood. I have no idea why. Huss, the steering box is probably a Gemmer.  Looks a whole lot like the steering box in an old-model car or light truck.  I have rebuilt a couple of them that sat around for years with water in them.  If the rudder is balanced properly, it will result in one-finger steering effort for the driver.  The speedo is like the first aquameter ever. It's difficult to even find pictures of it. It has a tracking fin. Looks just as deteriorated as the strut, maybe original? The front bow eye is actually through bolted through the bottom of the boat with carriage bolts, just like a wooden boat. The stringers are pretty much the best fiberglassing job I've even seen. Looks vacuum formed, not a single imperfection

8122pbrainard wrote: Bruce, Wow, that Dearbo is a new one on me. I've never seen one and considering that's an artist rendering, I wonder how many were made?  The reduction add on adds length so it still may not solve the problem with SN #1?

Riley wrote: Gosh, that thread brought back memories.  Our 1st project.  Every job was a big deal back then.  You would not believe how many tools we have bought in the past 12 years... Eric did a great job on the rebuild.  The father and son team had no interest in re building them for anyone else, although they were helpful with information.

Art, do you recognize the steering wheel? Its not Gemmer brand too Is it?

The column works nice, I just greased it.

The steering wheel though is boardline. If I could get a slightly better condition one of the same style/brand/year I would. Or maybe there's a way to gently preserve it with some resin? I'm just afraid as soon as it gets used again it will flake apart

Is there a photo of the current wheel on this thread somewhere?  

Not familiar with Sheller.  Is that a boat brand?  The boat that I referred to was a Leo Bentz built Ski Nautique that I used in my ski school operation 1968 to 1972. The photo of the wheel looks exactly like the one that was on that boat.

ArtCozier wrote: Not familiar with Sheller.  Is that a boat brand?   The photo of the wheel looks exactly like the one that was on that boat.