American Skier engine question

[ultrarunner]

I have the opportunity to purchase another American Skier. I have not looked at the boat yet, so not sure of the year. Was told it does have the molded ski platform. I'm also told this boat has the big-block chevy motor with 4-bolt mains. How many of these boats with this engine were built?

Thanks,

Ultra

[Midskier]

Which model? almost every Eagle had a big block in it @ least every one that I have seen
I have seen pics of a few advances with a big block but never saw one personally
so my guess would be a handful @ best

Dan T

[ultrarunner]

I'll get some more details. Not sure of the model. Knowing that the boat came out of Florida in the late mid to late 80's or so, I'm think Advance maybe. When did the molded platforms first appear?

[RonT]

Early Volantes (79-85), 24' Eagles (87-93??), and all TBX models had the "euro" style platforms, only the TBX's were not available with big blocks.

[ultrarunner]

Hi Ron, I'm fairly certain it's an Volante that was built sometime around the early 80's. Were all the big-blocks that came out of Opa Locka 4-bolt mains? Or would this have been a custom build?

Like my old '80 American Skier, this boat too as been in storage for some time. I'll report back after I have made the time to go see it.

Thanks,

Mark

Actually, it's a closed-bow. So that would be an Advance....

[RonT]

The early Volante's were all closed bow models with the "euro" style transom, and all late model volante's are open bow with straight conventional transoms. As for the bearing caps most were probably 2 bolt as I recall, but I have also never heard of anyone blowing the bottom out of a ski boat motor regardless of how many bolts were used.