Here is my other "classic" Hot Rod

[694spdRT]

While my Charger was at the body shop we pulled dad's old ski boat out of storage after 20 years.

It is a fiberglass 1961 Dorsett Ski Bird and it is 13' 8" long. It had a 1963 50 horse Mercury on it, but being a gearhead I found a 1961 80 horse Mercury in a nearby town that ran great. The 80HP Merc was the largest one offered that year and it is what the boat is rated for so we painted and detailed the motor up and I just spent the last week with it out on the water.

Guess I am a sucker for the classics. 

[TruckDriver]

Shezz, what a boat! 









                     Sorry... I had to say it    Looks                         

[matt43]

I've alway wondered sumpin'. Why are all boats right-hand drive?

[694spdRT]

I have seen a few with the steering on the other side or in the middle like a Boston Whaler.

The boat was state of the art in '61 but it is no comparison to today's boats. I like it because it just has a feel that the new boats don't have...plus it is scary as hell over 40mph.   

Here is a close up of the Merc 800. If you think buying parts for an old Mopar is hard...go to Mercury outboard dealer and ask for parts for a 1961 motor. 

[Brock Samson]

 Speakin of which... 
So where's 'ol Kindsvaterflat?... 
he had some great stuff to share... 

[Charger_Fan]

Speakin of which...  
So where's 'ol Kindsvaterflat?...  
he had some great stuff to share...  

Maybe 694spdRT could post up some pics of half nekkid chicks drinking beer in that boat?

[694spdRT]

Speakin of which... 
So where's 'ol Kindsvaterflat?... 
he had some great stuff to share... 

If his posts didn't convince someone to buy a boat...nothing would. 

[Charger4404spd]

Cool looking rig 69!

[4402tuff4u]

That's a nice collectible. Can you pull two skiers?

[Wakko]

I've alway wondered sumpin'. Why are all boats right-hand drive?

Good question.  One theory:  With the rotation of an inboard engine twisting the boat, it would twist the right side up, so put the driver there to help balance the weight vs. torque. 

[psykicpup]

Nice Boat1

I thought boats were right hand drive cos you drive on the left on all waterways ie you pass driver to driver?

[Silver R/T]

neat boat

[THE CHARGER PUNK]

thats a nice boat, big engine 2 boot-MATT

[694spdRT]

That's a nice collectible. Can you pull two skiers?

It pulled two skiers with the 50 horse on it so that should not be a problem now with the 80.

I have three different props to use. It is similar to changing gear ratio's in a car. The one in the picture is a power prop that will max the rpm out at 30mph but pull real hard, another power prop will go 37mph and the 2 blade speed prop will go into the mid 40's.     

Thanks for all the compliments guys. It gets a lot of thumbs up out on the water too.

Here are a couple more pics. No naked chics yet, but I will work on it.  

[Lowprofile]

Very cool boat!  Now you need to get a mid 60' Dodge Pickup to tote it to the lake!

[mustanghater]

heres the pic of the one we own my dads a boater and built this one

[694spdRT]

Very cool boat!  Now you need to get a mid 60' Dodge Pickup to tote it to the lake!

I have a trailer hitch that would bolt right up to the '68 Charger. 

[Spike]

Cool boat, I sold a 1958 Crosby with a 100 hp Merc on it. Good old boat but it was time to upgrade.

[dkn1997]

don't worry about buying parts for it.  Unlike that omc crap, the merc will run forever.

we had a 115 on a  mako 19- all I can say is that they did not change the mercury design a hell of alot between 61 and 1985

[SeattleCharger]

Really nice classic boat.

[Ponch ®]

Nice boat!

I've alway wondered sumpin'. Why are all boats right-hand drive?

Good question.  One theory:  With the rotation of an inboard engine twisting the boat, it would twist the right side up, so put the driver there to help balance the weight vs. torque. 

Why do most boats drive from the right side?
In single-engine installations nearly all recreational boat manufacturers place their operator's position on the right-hand side and use right-hand rotation propellers to compensate for the boat roll resulting from propeller torque.

http://www.stingrayboats.com/products/faq/e&p_faq.html#eq02

[694spdRT]

don't worry about buying parts for it.  Unlike that omc crap, the merc will run forever.

we had a 115 on a  mako 19- all I can say is that they did not change the mercury design a hell of alot between 61 and 1985

They are fairly similar with water pumps and normal wear items. I am having some trouble finding the locking ring for the older props though. The 80HP six seems to be an odd ball because it was replaced by the 85HP and 100HP fairly quickly. It runs like a top though and starts every time.