1978 American Skier

[ReJeK]

This is mine when I bought her in Sept. (before restoration started)

[ReJeK]

These are progression pictures during restoration.... (Dec 2010) I'm having questions... if anybody can offer their Skier knowledge???

[Mike Harry]

Id be glad to help if I can, mine is an 86 so they are completely different. These guys here know the answers though..... just ask away.

Im from Sylacauga, my grandparents and uncle owned lake hill marina on the north side of the 280 bridge, until Russell took the land back and decided to build the monster of a marina that is there now. I live in FLA now, but try to get to the lake a couple of times a year.

[Mike Harry]

Love the shots of the boat, BEEN THERE DONE THAT!

[ReJeK]

Wow Lake Hill Marina!! It's a small world!! I hopefully will finish my floor by Monday (Jan 17th) and have the motor completed by the end of next week. It has been a project, but honestly it has been a lot of fun!! I can't wait to have it on the water!! I feel like I am going to be "Cock of the Walk" on Lake Martin this summer...haha!! I'm joshua.neighbors@gmail.com if you facebook.... look me up and add me!!

[RonT]

What kind of questions do you have??

[ReJeK]

Ok guys.... here is the new floor... went a different route... Please tell me what you think

[ReJeK]

RonT... From the Pics I have posted.... Can you tell exactly what model my boat is?

[phil]

I believe there were only two models during the early years. I *think* you have the Lux but I'm sure Ron or someone else will give you a definitive answer...

What kind of wood is that floor?

[ReJeK]

It is Cypress.... I couldn't afford Teak. I am going to keep it oiled like Teak! I was just trying something a little different.

[phil]

So your not planning on putting carpet over it? I think it looks pretty good. Cypress should hold up to weathering pretty good too. Do you think it will be slippery when it get's wet?

[Mike Harry]

Im with Phil on this one, you oil that stuff (wich I understand the reasoning behind it) when it gets wet I think your gonna slip and slide

[ReJeK]

?? I don't know fellows. I'm kinda thinking it will be like my teak and not be slippery.... as teak oil is penetrating oil and I will be wiping of the residual. But no... was not going to place carpet over it. You guys have me thinking now.....

[RonT]

There was only one mold set back then, the original 18' model simply known at an American SKier with a few variations. Believe it or not, back then a teak floor was an option. Although I never built one that way I did see one that was shipped to So. Africa. The boat was built as ussual with a glassed over plywood floor, then narrow teak strips were added lengthwise on top of the flooring. I did notice your engine removal process seperated at the bellhousing, I've never seen that before, standard proceedures remove the engine/trans combination from the boat leaving only the shaft.

[Mike Harry]

I pulled my engine away from tranny as well.