"CJ"s First Splash!

[65Bowrider]

Today was an exciting day as we launched the 66 Bowrider for the first time....and had great success!
Everything worked very well. Denny aka Bushwacher joined Skip & I for our delightful 4 hour ride.
Here are the pictures....beautiful day!


She's powered with a 115 hp Etec, 13-3/4x15 alum prop, cavitation plate 1" above bottom, got on plane very nicely & easily and full speed of 37mph using GPS.
I'm happy.

[Fr. Frank]

Beautiful. Way to go, Skip & Carla.

[Capt Chuck]

Suberb Job Carla & Skip CJ has all the class.....

BTW: Is that some Gucci Polished Bronze I see on the Vent Cowls?

[Snookerd]

Yeessss! Congrats to you guys! Thanks for the GPS speed ! Isn't it law over there on the Treasure Coast to posess Gucci on all boats at all times? Very nice.

[rockdoc]

Beautiful!! Nice emblem too!

rockdoc

[NoBones]

Hummmmmm,
I may have to paint the Sceptre red????????
Looks great Skip & Carla, but we missed the Champagne
bottle on the bow.
Good luck with CJ
Ken & Patti

[65Bowrider]

Chuck...of course, gucci all the way!
When we removed the hardware, we tried to preserve as much as we could...keeping her as original as possible.

The bow light, chocks, and post cleat had been chromed & flaking off. Skip grounded off the chrome & polished them. Bow light=Brass, chocks=bronze, post=bronze & brass.
A coat of lacquer hopefully, will preserve them for awhile. In six months I'll know more.

Anchor locker door...original. Hinges were even cleaned & then spray painted with Rustoleum Hammered paint. Gives it an old crinkled look.

Side plank of teak, original, just cleaned & teak oil.
Trim (gunnel trim?), originally alum, very thin, could not find a replacement of same size, so again cleaned & spray painted with the Hammered paint. Amazing, it hid all the nicks & scratches! Electrical box made from lexan sprayed with Hammered to match. All the screw heads & pop rivets were painted with the Hammer paint too. Just lots of little details.

Same goes for the transom cleats, rod holders & vent cowls... flaky chrome removed, polished & spayed with lacquer.
Unfortunately the steering wheel fell apart upon removal or that would be on there too.
We've got the bow railing & windshield set aside & have not decided whether or not to put them back on.
Hope to take her out again today for some more fun.

[FELLOW-SHIP]

Really looks sweet both in the water, and the stills back on the trailer. Truly a labor of LOVE.

FellowShip

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My motto: Just for the Grins

[strick]

Carla and Skip-

The boat looks great. So do some of those houses in the background. I like the chrome. I have an original tilt steering wheel that came on my 1969 20sf. It's a little stiff but it still seems to work. It's not exactly like the one that came with your boat but maybe a little closer then the one you have on it now? You can have it if you want it. Here is a pic. First thing I'd do is take off the leather.

http://www.casdvm.com/photos/20sf/DSCN5102.JPG

strick

[65Bowrider]

W....O.....W !!!!!!! That steering wheel would look so CLASSIC on "CJ" !!!! If the wheel is aluminum, I bet I could clean it up real nice....if not, I'll just be more creative.
So, yea, I would love to have it! Ship it anyway that's convenient, and I'll definitely reimburse you the shipping cost.....wow...what a find! Thanks Stick!
A classic boat deserves a classic background...
Unfortunately it's not my house...I'd have to win the lotto first!