Time

[SkipJack Boats]

I've told you guys about the twenty I got for free when I bought a trailer from a friend.
Pictures almost always don't do a boat justice. And so this was the case with this twenty. The one I have needs rails and this one has them. I needed a good engine to rebuild and this one has one. A few other items and the boat will have served it's purpose.

The previous owner did his (or her) best to fix this boat up. The arch was put together with conduit and had rod holders clamped to it. Other plans never came to fruition. I almost get the idea that they may have used a handgun to drill holes.

So much looks wrong.

But as I inspect this boat what keeps popping into my mind is there was a day that this boat was new and had the "smell". It had that "shine" and it also had a proud owner that couldn't help but be excited his neighbors would see it in his driveway later. He was most likely dreading is wife saying "you bought a what ?!!"

And I also see that as some have said the Skipjack legend and the fact that some believe you can feel the spirit of those who made this boat so many years ago. In the past I've had people leave boats in my yard and I had to in the end have them towed away.

But I am going to fix this one and redo the stringer transom and all the bullet holes and keep this fifty year old boat as one of my next projects. as all these type of project will cost more to do then I will ever get back on it and I will do it anyhow. Because it is a Skipjack after all.

 

[Farpoint]

Good on Ya Mike!
I have recently seen two of my old boats - both special, rare and unique in their own way - and they were both a freaking mess. A 24 Marauder, and an original Roark Summerford Mod VP boat. Both in good condition when sold.
Both left out to rot when current owners became overwhelmed.
Funny thing - both those owners refused my offers of a buy back. Until it was too late.
Beware those waves of nostalgia - they can be time consuming

 

[SkipJack Boats]

Good on Ya Mike!
I have recently seen two of my old boats - both special, rare and unique in their own way - and they were both a freaking mess. A 24 Marauder, and an original Roark Summerford Mod VP boat. Both in good condition when sold.
Both left out to rot when current owners became overwhelmed.
Funny thing - both those owners refused my offers of a buy back. Until it was too late.
Beware those waves of nostalgia - they can be time consuming

Someone just gave me a majestic Marauder! One of the best but most ugly boats ever made. They designed the perfect cabin, put it on a great hull and didn't care what the outside looked like. The only people that want one are the person that knows what they are.

 

[TheWesNMads]

Well said Mike. So many possibilities when you’re starting from bare bones. Good luck with it

 

[Farpoint]

Here’s about the best shot of one. Phenomenally strong boats.

 

[Farpoint]

Here’s my old one when it was offered back to me. It was stored outside. No cover. Drain plugs left in. It was literally full of water. Had to walk away.
Yet another victim of a dry land sinking.
interior and stringers were destroyed.

 

[SkipJack Boats]

Here’s about the best shot of one. Phenomenally strong boats. View attachment 1470188

The more I see them the less ugly they are. I wish someone would take the Marauder and restore it. The side window on most of them look like it was put in crocked so what did you do? Best looking Marauder I've ever seen.

 

[SkipJack Boats]

The more I see them the less ugly they are. I wish someone would take the Marauder and restore it. The side window on most of them look like it was put in crocked so what did you do? Best looking Marauder I've ever seen.

Also if somebody wants to save one call me. 562 841 6117

 

[Bryantttt]

Also if somebody wants to save one call me. 562 841 6117

What would it take to restore it?

 

[Farpoint]

i know of two others. One is bad. The other is pretty good. Has a big block and TR drive. With tons of spares. So a viable boat with a minor amount of work. On a trailer.
These boats are unbreakable.
Trust me on that…..

 

[SkipJack Boats]

h

What would it take to restore it?

the outdrives are both gone but a lot of cleaning I think.

 

[SkipJack Boats]

i know of two others. One is bad. The other is pretty good. Has a big block and TR drive. With tons of spares. So a viable boat with a minor amount of work. On a trailer.
These boats are unbreakable.
Trust me on that…..

They are all early 70's ??

 

[Arima-bob]

h

the outdrives are both gone but a lot of cleaning I think.

I’ve got a working (I think) Mercruiser 233 engine and drive (Ford 351W block) that might tightly fit into a 20 skippy and push it with authority if anyone wants it.

 

[Farpoint]

They are all early 70's ??

Yessir.Early 70’s. Built by a very interesting guy.Ernie Kansler. AutoCoast Marine. Lots of juicy rumours surrounded him. But he built a tough boat, and successfully raced a flush deck version. There was also a 20 foot open, and some weird 24 with a short forward deck and a doghouse cabin in the middle of th e long cockpit.
Sea Magazine had an all yellow standard cabin 24 as their Press Boat. Mostly came with twin 165 Mercruisers, but also single big block, and I know of one that came with twin small block fords - dunno what drives. I think that was the one that got drunk and went thru a floating restaurant somewhere in the PNW.

Mine came with twin 165’s that needed replacing. The holes were too close together for small blocks V8’s, and I was in a rush, so I purchased and installed new Mercruisers. The then new model 3.7 LX. Inline 4’s. That was a mistake. Basically a 470 Mercruisers on steroids - 4 barrel Quadrajet. They were an aluminum Mercruiser block, with Ford 460 pistons, and Ford 460 iron head. And that Quadrajet. And a crankshaft / harmonic balancer mounted stator instead of an alternator. ( right down low in the bilge water) And apparently the camshaft ran right on the aluminum journals, no bearings.
Could not get through my warranty period on those things. Boat needed to be doing at least 30 MPH to plane - those little engines did not like it.

I tried to talk to Jack about them when we met years ago - he wouldn’t discuss them and told me to go buy a 28 Skipjack if I wanted a used boat. Ordered a new 262 instead. Also ended up with a gas 28 for a while.

Now a diesel 28. Jack was right.

 

[Farpoint]

post a picture of the Marauder. Maybe I’ll take it.
can’t believe I posted that…….

 

[SkipJack Boats]

I’ve got a working (I think) Mercruiser 233 engine and drive (Ford 351W block) that might tightly fit into a 20 skippy and push it with authority if anyone wants it.

I'll call you in a while. Hold it for me! Thanks, Mike

Yessir.Early 70’s. Built by a very interesting guy.Ernie Kansler. AutoCoast Marine. Lots of juicy rumours surrounded him. But he built a tough boat, and successfully raced a flush deck version. There was also a 20 foot open, and some weird 24 with a short forward deck and a doghouse cabin in the middle of th e long cockpit.
Sea Magazine had an all yellow standard cabin 24 as their Press Boat. Mostly came with twin 165 Mercruisers, but also single big block, and I know of one that came with twin small block fords - dunno what drives. I think that was the one that got drunk and went thru a floating restaurant somewhere in the PNW.

Mine came with twin 165’s that needed replacing. The holes were too close together for small blocks V8’s, and I was in a rush, so I purchased and installed new Mercruisers. The then new model 3.7 LX. Inline 4’s. That was a mistake. Basically a 470 Mercruisers on steroids - 4 barrel Quadrajet. They were an aluminum Mercruiser block, with Ford 460 pistons, and Ford 460 iron head. And that Quadrajet. And a crankshaft / harmonic balancer mounted stator instead of an alternator. ( right down low in the bilge water) And apparently the camshaft ran right on the aluminum journals, no bearings.
Could not get through my warranty period on those things. Boat needed to be doing at least 30 MPH to plane - those little engines did not like it.

I tried to talk to Jack about them when we met years ago - he wouldn’t discuss them and told me to go buy a 28 Skipjack if I wanted a used boat. Ordered a new 262 instead. Also ended up with a gas 28 for a while.

Now a diesel 28. Jack was right.

The 24 Marauder set distance offshore records because it was oddly well balanced.

 

[Farpoint]

I set distance records jumping freighter wakes in mine.
And not one gel coat crack.

 

[SkipJack Boats]

post a picture of the Marauder. Maybe I’ll take it.
can’t believe I posted that…….

Once I have it I can study it and take photos.
We were talking about time. Do I have the time to fix two boats at once did I really have the time to even chase it down and get it.
Why do I seem to have the time to expand the boulevard of broken dreams into the ghetto of broken boats?
It is truly an illness after all? :=(

 

[Farpoint]

”It is truly an illness after all….”
I resemble that remark.
But clearly have less property on which to stash broken dreams.

 

[Farpoint]

Your biggest challenge on that Marauder may be the fuel tank.
Chack it out first. I can advise. I have drawings and pictures. Some where.
Mine had a really effective and innovative repair.

 

[SkipJack Boats]

Your biggest challenge on that Marauder may be the fuel tank.
Chack it out first. I can advise. I have drawings and pictures. Some where.
Mine had a really effective and innovative repair.

Once you come and get it I'm sure it will be well taken care of.

 

[bent rodz]

I’ve got a working (I think) Mercruiser 233 engine and drive (Ford 351W block) that might tightly fit into a 20 skippy and push it with authority if anyone wants it.

ill take it if still available