Ski Boat Forum

General Category => General American Skier Discussions => Topic started by: kimgjr on May 24, 2011, 07:12:08 PM

Title: new to the site and very glad to find this
Post by: kimgjr on May 24, 2011, 07:12:08 PM: I am about to start a rebuild of a boat that has been in my family for 28 years. I was 10 years old when i drove with my dad to Miami to pick the boat up. I learned to ski behind this boat and have countless memories of it. In 2005 it fell half way out of the boat hoist during hurricane Katrina. the boat was hanging from the bow eye with water half way up the boat and the engine completely under water. The boat was hauled out has been sitting on a tiny trailer since. I went today and picked up a trailer that will fit the boat and in the next week or so should be bringing the boat to my house to start work. I will try to start posting some pictures of the progress as I get this done.

oh and if anyone knows where I can get a motor cover please let me know...thanks....
Title: Re: new to the site and very glad to find this
Post by: Mike Harry on May 24, 2011, 07:20:09 PM: What's the year and model on that bad boy?
Title: Re: new to the site and very glad to find this
Post by: phil on May 24, 2011, 07:24:58 PM: Cool, glad to see you plan on bringing her back. Welcome!
Title: Re: new to the site and very glad to find this
Post by: kimgjr on May 24, 2011, 07:37:57 PM: It's a 1983 I think it's the volante. It has the platform on the back molded in to the hull if that helps I'd the boat to someone who knows more about them than I do.
Title: Re: new to the site and very glad to find this
Post by: kimgjr on May 24, 2011, 07:52:33 PM: here are a few pics of the boat taken today
Title: Re: new to the site and very glad to find this
Post by: kimgjr on May 24, 2011, 07:55:02 PM: sorry forgot to attatch these
Title: Re: new to the site and very glad to find this
Post by: kimgjr on May 24, 2011, 08:22:10 PM: pics taken just after katrina
Title: Re: new to the site and very glad to find this
Post by: John Doerfler on May 24, 2011, 08:23:46 PM: WOW man. That boat is really going to be cool when you get her back to life. I have a similar story with my 83 skier. My dad bought her in 1987 and he passed away in 1991 leaving me the boat. Had her ever since and I can honestly say I consider it a part of my family. My uncle has an 83 Volante just like yours. Good luck man.
John Doerfler
Title: Re: new to the site and very glad to find this
Post by: phil on May 24, 2011, 08:47:07 PM: Wow. That is a terrible sight. Looks like the boat house stayed up though.
Title: Re: new to the site and very glad to find this
Post by: Pelvic Woo on May 25, 2011, 07:18:38 AM: I'd start with the "skier girl" throttle handle...get that cleaned up and the rest will all come together. Welcome to the site.
Title: Re: new to the site and very glad to find this
Post by: brandon on May 25, 2011, 08:12:30 AM: I have a motor box for a 85 advance, I think it is the same style box. Shipping will probably kill you though. (Illinois to Lousiana).
Title: Re: new to the site and very glad to find this
Post by: RonT on May 25, 2011, 08:52:18 AM: This looks like the boat I tried to buy 10 years ago in Lacombe, if you need help I'm less than an hour away...RonT
Title: Re: new to the site and very glad to find this
Post by: Joel on May 25, 2011, 11:35:33 AM: Both the AM Skier throttle knob and the steering wheel center are HIGHLY sought after... keep them safely stored away while you tear this down and build it up... Good luck with the restore. And again, welcome aboard!!!
Title: Re: new to the site and very glad to find this
Post by: kimgjr on May 31, 2011, 05:03:11 AM: picked up the boat this weekend.. had to swap it to a different trailer so the easiest option was to launch it. IT STILL FLOATS!!!! haha
Title: Re: new to the site and very glad to find this
Post by: RonT on May 31, 2011, 07:31:44 AM: FYI: Drivers seat is from something else, I have that OEM mold & will be producing a couple this summer for another project, if interested in one let me know.
Title: Re: new to the site and very glad to find this
Post by: kimgjr on May 31, 2011, 03:34:01 PM: You are correct Ron that is a RCI high back seat
Title: Re: new to the site and very glad to find this
Post by: kimgjr on June 15, 2011, 06:17:13 PM: The engine is out and I found more leaves. So far I have taken a 55gallon bag of leaves out of this boat!!!