The Boat Project
I know, but it's NOT named after Regis' ex-cohort!! That was simply the name
of the previous owner's wife. And we all know that it is EXTREMELY bad luck to
rename a boat (unless all the proper godly rituals are performed). Maybe I will
do this some day. Right now, I just want to finish this project.
The project basically is a cosmetic restoration. The running gear all seems to be
in ggod working order, so we really just need some help in the interior. And
I do mean help! Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get any shots of the 'before'
except for these. The entire floor of the boat (wood) was rotted out completely
as the boat was filled up with rain every storm for 8 years. The rear cabin
bulkheads were rotted, too.
This is the "Kathy Lee"
The Kathy Lee is a 1973 Starcraft Chieftain. As with all Starcrafts of the time,
she has an all-aluminum hull. She also has a 165hp I/O Mercruiser.
Fortunately, the previous owner is a friend of mine and also an ex-Mercruiser
mechanic. He has been an enormous help, believe me! So... the first step was to remove the floor and replace it with aluminum (won't rot
again, I tell ya!) which was cut from old sheets (misc origin) and riveted to the
hull ribs. Outdoor carpet was then glued to the upper surface. Al looks cool,
but it sure is slippery! We cut new bulkheads from wood, laminated and re-installed them. The
seats and their supports were ok. Now we just need to work on the cabin interior!
The cushions are having new covers sewn, the carpet and headliner will be replaced,
and some of the counters/cabinets/doors will be fixed or replaced. I am currntly
at this stage. Now all I have left, really, is to replace the plexi windshield.
The Beast Project
So here is the Beast!!
That's him as i found him, in full Civil Defense trim. Nice color, eh?
He's a 1968 Kaiser-Jeep M715. That's a military Jeep, 1+1/4 ton cargo truck.
Got a 230ci straight six (the Tornado engine), Dana 60 and 70 axles and 5.87(!)
gears. It'll crawl slower than you can walk in 4 wheel HIGH(1st gear). 4-Low is LOW.
Top end (2 high, of course) is about 55-60mph. I found this guy in McRae, Georgia
(a tiny town in south GA near Waycross). It had been used for search and rescue
out in the boonies, but when 4 wheelers came about, it just wasn't used much
anymore. so it sat in a barn for about 20 years. It still has only about 3500 miles
on it!! When I got it, it ran ok, but needed some work. I got a rebuilt carb from
Memphis Equipment (a Godsend for big M-trucks). It needed a new exhaust manifold and
a water pump. The rear drums were frozen, so I replaced all the drums and shoes.
I also got all new plugs and wires (they are waterproof, shielded, and the screw-on!).
That's about it! Just some lead substitute and a quickie paint job to proper
olive drab, and it's really fine! Runs great. Sorry I don't have better pics, but that
is all I could find (digitally) since it was painted. Now all I need is some
hardware for the troop seats in the rear and a canvas cargo cover plus the ribs
that hold it up over the troop seats. If you got any, let me know! That crap is
hard to find. I'll probably just fabricate something.