My SkiBoat resto project. *last update 17-2-09*

fleaboy · Post by **fleaboy** » Fri Nov 07, 2008 8:01 am

This boat, from memory is a nissan but not an RB30.. mite be bigger.. and its twin turbo.

http://www.waterskiracing.com/Photos/20 ... m51106.jpg

And yes it flies..

SHEEL · Post by **SHEEL** » Fri Nov 07, 2008 10:01 am

looks like a v configuration so my guess is vg30 or vg45

Josh · Post by **Josh** » Sun Dec 14, 2008 1:44 pm

Hey sheel, Roughly how much has this cost you so far? I'm looking at doing the same thing but maybe with a Gen 3. You going to put a soft clutch in it?

SHEEL · Post by **SHEEL** » Tue Jan 06, 2009 3:13 pm

so far maybe $1200 ish.

but keep in mind it is going to vary totally with each boat. we have had extra costs along the way like new steering cable and dog clutch housing.

SHEEL · Post by **SHEEL** » Tue Jan 06, 2009 3:16 pm

Got some updates,

Painted the transom and prettied up the engine... still have to finish making a new sump. Also need to fit the new steering cable and we got a new steering box aswell...

monique · Post by **monique** » Tue Jan 06, 2009 6:44 pm

wow you've obviously put a fair bit of effort into this. im impressed =)
it's gonna look pretty good once it's finished.

SHEEL · Post by **SHEEL** » Tue Jan 06, 2009 10:40 pm

hard work = yes very much so.

hopefully it will be worth it tho

SHEEL · Post by **SHEEL** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 3:50 pm

Got the steering sorted, new steering box, cable, modified a Gemini !!! boss kit and second hand wheel to fit on. Boat steering wheels have funny bolt patterns and are hella expensive. So I used the Gemini boss kit as a means to open up options with car steering wheels. and car steering wheels are way easier to get...

The exhaust was previousely hoses, which are re-enforced with steel spiral wire. the hose is really expensive. So I got some regular nylon hose that has a heat rating of 150 degrees (more than enough) and stainless pipe. this cost me about $70 all up. the spiral hose would have cost around $250...pretty happy with the result.

Also got some new hi top rocker covers....mmmm sexy!

Nimbus · Post by **Nimbus** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 11:37 pm

This boat is coming up awsome mate!
I have a 70's ski boat project lined up for when I get back from holidays. The boat is a Merlin Sabre. Looks pretty similar to yours.
Did your boat used to have a cable steering setup, (like the winders in a wagon door), and you have changed it? Mine has that type, and it looks dodge...

I know pretty much bugger all about boats at this point.

Greg

SHEEL · Post by **SHEEL** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 10:44 am

Alot of 70's boats have the twin cable and pulley system. Its pretty much a standard practice.

Apparantly they are prone to stretching cables and getting a bit sloppy.

The Flightcrafts are a bit different though. The cable setup on mine is actually designed for an outboard but has been adapted to fit on the inboard setup. All Flightcrafts built in Dandenong are like this from what I have seen.

Mine has been modified even more because my entire driveline has been move rearward by about 4-6 inches. We suspect this is because the previous owner did some competition skiing and wanted the boat to tow a certain way... we can't be too sure of that though.
Normally the entire cable setup is concealed in the rear section of the boat behind the rear seat. where mine actually comes out through the transom and is mounted up on the outside as you can see.

Its definately been educational doing this project...

SHEEL · Post by **SHEEL** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 3:05 pm

more pics.

We have had some drama's with the engine...

We put it in last week and fired it up... started very easily which was good but had no oil pressure at all which obviously is very bad.

We later discovered that the oil pump needs to be primed if it has been removed from the engine. Problem is to removed the oil pump the engine needed to be lifted out again!

So at the moment its on the engine crane but it will be back in very soon.

on a positive note it sounded absolutely awesome for the 10-20 seconds we had it running!! so loud !

MGOTD · Post by **MGOTD** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 3:17 pm

SHEEL wrote:more pics.

We have had some drama's with the engine...

We put it in last week and fired it up... started very easily which was good but had no oil pressure at all which obviously is very bad.

We later discovered that the oil pump needs to be primed if it has been removed from the engine. Problem is to removed the oil pump the engine needed to be lifted out again!

So at the moment its on the engine crane but it will be back in very soon.

on a positive note it sounded absolutely awesome for the 10-20 seconds

we had it running!! so loud !

Video of it running please sheel

i want to hear it running

nice work to

Cheers
Matt

SHEEL · Post by **SHEEL** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 10:43 pm

yeh will get a vid asap...

SHEEL · Post by **SHEEL** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 9:24 pm

WOOHOOO!!! Took her for a test drive today!!! IT WAS AWESOME!!!!!

SO good having a big thumping V8 under the right foot!

The engine ran pretty good... still not 100% but with some timing and tuning it will be awesome. The hull seemed to hold water pretty well, we only had it in the water for about 20 minutes before an old hose clamp let go and it blew a water hose...which let water in everywhere! we rowed the boat into shore..yep thats right we rowed it!!...dodged up the hose and drove back to the boat ramp.

I'm going to tidy up a few bits during the week so next weekend I might take it out with some ski's!

I took some video of it running on the trailer I'll upload them tomorrow.

!!! EXCITING !!!

SHEEL · Post by **SHEEL** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 9:59 am

Video as promised...

http://s34.photobucket.com/albums/d133/ ... deo004.flv

note there is a metric sh1tload of steam coming out and it looks like oil smoke but I assure you it is just steam!!

we were flushing the engine out and it was a pretty cold day so yeh...steam everywhere...

OzGemini.com

My SkiBoat resto project. last update 17-2-09