My 85 volante

[MaxA]

Hi, i'm 13 and just bought a 1985 volante, so i will need some help.  It has a 351 ford windsor with the commander conversion.  The engine has gt40 heads on it, so it is at least 285hp.  I'm not sure what other upgrades it has.  It was getting no spark, so we put a new coil in.  We also found out it had a 450cfm carb, so we got a rebuilt 600cfm.  It has the wrong starter in it (verified by Dan Tanis), so we will have to get a new one.  The interior is in great condition, and the paint will have to be wet sanded.  The trailer is really bad, there is no saving it.  Im am confused about the year because the only boat made in 85 was the advance, so any help with that is appreciated.  I am also confused because it has a molded swim platform.  Any help would be great, and i love this website! I will get more pics on soon.  Thanks in advance.   Max

[RonT]

Welcome aboard!! 13??? I think my first boat project was around that age, we had a summer shop course at my Jr. High between 7th & 8th grades, & I fiberglassed the bottom of a small hydroplane. My brother Dan currently has one of these models & can be a great resource. Send me a PM with the HIN (serial number in the transom) and I will decipher it for you. The Model is a "Volante" closed bow model, we re-used the name Volante a few years later for the open bow model. Back in those days if a customer wanted a Volante we built him one, 1985, 1986, but they were not advertised in those years, as we were slammed with Advance orders. As for the Trailer yours looks to an original American Skier trailer, it may or may not be re-storable. Most people will replace with a generic fit's-all trailer for $3-4K I have started building replacement OEM trailers in the off season if interested.
 

[Midskier]

Max - Welcome aboard glad you got in finally

you'll be in good hands here and we'll do what we can to help you out and get you in the water (and out)

Like I told your dad and as Ron already mentioned - I too have one - and mine's an '86

great find @ a great deal

Dan T

[MaxA]

Thanks for the quick replies!  Ron, this isn't my first boat project.   Im also building a 12ft skiff out of wood and fiberglass!  Here are some more pics.  Forgot to mention, we only payed 500 for it. 

[RonT]

The exhaust manifolds are worth $500 alone! That trailer looks very re-storable, but I would definitely add brakes to it. A new custom trailer can run 5-6K

[Mike Harry]

My trailer looked worse than yours before I went through it and "restored" it to usable condition.

The trailers are built very sturdy and unless you have some holes in the main beams that I cant see I wouldnt think there is any reason that your trailer cannot be reconditioned.

I see something in the bottom of the boat that seems to say "treasure coast", are you in FLA?

[RonT]

Mike,
My brother pointed out to me that the pic showing the drivetrain when viewed on this site crops off the last 3' of stb. side main frame rail when enlarged. Apparently the rail is severely rotted away below the bunk-board. This would require a very close inspection of the whole trl. to determine if this is the limit of the corrosion, if so it could be sectioned, if not & it is found that the paint is holding the trailer together, then I would replace the whole trailer. I thought the same thing you did because what I saw looked good.

[Mike Harry]

Wow, to bad Im such a computer idiot  I didnt see that either. I would think it would be worth blasting to at least see exactly what he has to work with.

Like you say though, without getting a look at exactly what steel is there and more impartantly what isnt.......

[MaxA]

Mike, the trailer is toast.  I have the pics to prove it.  Yes live in Florida, Cocoa Beach.  The carb we ordered also came in yesterday! Now we just need a starter.

[Mike Harry]

Shazam!!! yeah that is a turd...... Seen a lot of salt water action?

Im in Saint Cloud. Ive been in and out and under the floorboards of an Advance (mine). If there is anything I can do to help or any advice I can give just let me know.

I will always refer to Ron Tanis because he built these boats and he knows whats up, but if you need a hand with something Im only a short ride away and very well might be able to lend a hand. Might have "been there done that"

[MaxA]

Mike, yeah the previous owner went scalloping in the gulf.    Ron, i have a quick question.  Im getting a new starter and would like to verify that this is what i need.  I need a top mount ccw starter.  This is the one i think i need.                                       

http://www.jmsonline.net/arco-starter-cc-lh-arc-50135.htm?gclid=CPGzoKGKproCFSEV7AodHHkAmw

Thanks

Max

[RonT]

I can count on one hand how many top mount starters i have seen on Ford engines, and that was 30 years ago.  Chevrolets however were numerous & it is a different part number. However it does need to be a CCW Starter. GM uses a 2 bolt flange, is yours a 3 bolt?? The part you were looking at has a 2.750" extension flange, (2) 3/8" bolts & (1) 5/16 threaded hole 

[MaxA]

Yes, it is a 3 bolt. 

[Mike Harry]

Hey man, there is an American Skier trailer in Casselberry for $800 on craigslist.

http://orlando.craigslist.org/boa/4087598221.html

may just be the ticket you are looking for

[MaxA]

Mike, that boat is a 18ft, mine is 21.  Thanks for suggesting it though.