"Bonsai" 16ft Custom Flatbottom Merc

[Spudman]

Hello,
Thought I would share my project and seek help from those who know. The ribbon striped mahogany veneer refinish should be re-done in the next few months and the last piece is the Tower of Power, which I need, as the original owner sold it to a collector in Hawaii years ago. It need not be perfect but a complete runner with a good compression powerhead. We will be reworking the lower unit and detailing it anyway. A Twister, 1500 XS, 1250BP, or 1500BP would be perfect but a good ol 1500 would work fine. I am willing to pay top dollar for the right unit. You can PM me if you like. Thank You for your Time, Brian

Below are a few pix of rig, anyone remember her?
http://www.hotautoweb.com/images27/IMG_2428.jpg

http://www.hotautoweb.com/images27/IMG_2442.jpg

http://www.hotautoweb.com/images27/IMG_2452.jpg

http://www.hotautoweb.com/images/IMG_7875.jpg

http://www.hotautoweb.com/images27/IMG_6514.jpg

[Mark75H]

Beautiful boat!

The racing motors you suggest will set you back quite a bunch .... I'd advise you to have $3k to $6k ready if you are serious. There were no 1500 BP's ... so you can stop looking for one of those. The most obtainable would be an XS.

[Spudman]

Beautiful boat!

The racing motors you suggest will set you back quite a bunch .... I'd advise you to have $3k to $6k ready if you are serious. There were no 1500 BP's ... so you can stop looking for one of those. The most obtainable would be an XS.
Hi Mark75H,
Thank You,
She is special and I am really not set out for speed but period correct resto on a wonderful survivor. My main goal for this boat is to restore her to her original beauty, show, new company promotion and some limited pleasure use. She was hand built in 1969 by 2 gents in Boise, Colonel Johnson and Bill West, I believe it was hand built from shortened plans of a V-Drive. I can swing the bottom $$$ side range for a racing unit but would be very happy with a good Short Shaft that I can dress for the part!

[Mark75H]

I don't know how "period correct" you want to be .... XS's didn't come out until '76

A big old 125 or 135 would look fine and very racy with a shiny prop without going into the full race motor idea and probably more correct to form and classes that ran in that time frame

[Raceman]

I don't know how "period correct" you want to be .... XS's didn't come out until '76

A big old 125 or 135 would look fine and very racy with a shiny prop without going into the full race motor idea and probably more correct to form and classes that ran in that time frame

Great lookin' project.

Reading through the first several posts I was gonna suggest exactly the same thing. There are quite a few 1250/1350/1400's that show from time to time in shortshaft.

[Spudman]

Great lookin' project.

Reading through the first several posts I was gonna suggest exactly the same thing. There are quite a few 1250/1350/1400's that show from time to time in shortshaft.

Hey Raceman and Mark75H,
I am all ears and appreciate the thoughts!! I do know that she had a 1250BP based on the history I have obtained from the original owner/builder here in Boise but what you guys have mentioned makes perfect sense. So with that said maybe I should narrow my requests to a little more tame and possibly easier to find unit. If someone out there has a something along those lines, I am game and can afford to pull the trigger for the right unit. I would not rule out a BP if one comes along that makes sense.

She is stripped and heads to a well known craftsman in Casade, Idaho for the veneer woodwork in the next few weeks. He is excited about this a fun project as compared to the work required on his typical Chris Craft style boat repairs.
Below is some more pictures of the dash that was left un-weathered due to a cockpit cover. Bottom Line, Thank You for passing the word around and I will surely share the process/completion thru here. :D

http://www.hotautoweb.com/images/IMG_2464.JPG

http://www.hotautoweb.com/images/IMG_2467.JPG

[LakeRacer99]

Great looking boat! a 1250 shortshaft would be fairly easy to find I would bet, and still a good motor.

Does anyone know where I can find one of those steering wheels, white with either the holes or the rectangle slots...I would like to change out the old 60's cast rideguide wheel in my allison.

[old rigger]

lakeracer, Moon still carries the old school stuff (thank god)

here's a link. They're now called Mooneyes, Dean Moon died years ago and the new owner changed the name a little. Still in the same old location in Santa Fe Springs here in So Cal.

http://www.mooneyesusa.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=242

[Back To Havasu]

Great looking boat. The lines (except for the deck upsweep) remind me of a boat manufactured by Craft Lee Custom called "Inferno" back in the late 50s, early 60s out on the west coast. Good luck on your power search.

[Spudman]

Great looking boat. The lines (except for the deck upsweep) remind me of a boat manufactured by Craft Lee Custom called "Inferno" back in the late 50s, early 60s out on the west coast. Good luck on your power search.

Hi Back To Havasu,
Just left there for a Hot Boat Photo Shoot with the Havasu Honey's on Thurs and my 77 Sleekcraft, quite an exp. Thank You, I fell instantly for Bonsai and can't wait to get her done. I will go look for Inferno and see if can come up with some shots, got any? Great lines and should be a gas to drive! Have a great day!!

[Spudman]

Hello,
I thought I would give you helpful gents an update. I just purchased a tunnel boat right here in Boise with a donor motor for Bonsai! A good honest 1500xs with 130-135 across the board. The timing is great as Bonsai is in Cascade Idaho getting re-veneered and should be done in about 30 days. It looks as though I may have another project to start on once I am done with this one! Can anyone help me indentify this boat, 15" ft, no tags and/or identifying #'s, it was originally a bright yellow gel coat. Looks like a fun one to restore with good structure, nifty factory seating and good lines. I have a 1250 Short shaft that should work fine on it.I would appreciate any input!
Thank You!!
Spudman
Brian
www.hotautoweb.com
http://www.spudsgarage.com/images/IMG_0516.jpg

http://www.spudsgarage.com/images/IMG_0515.jpg

http://www.spudsgarage.com/images/IMG_0517.jpg

http://www.spudsgarage.com/images/IMG_0520.jpg

http://www.spudsgarage.com/images/IMG_0510.jpg

http://www.spudsgarage.com/images/IMG_0521.jpg

http://www.spudsgarage.com/images/IMG_0524.jpg

http://www.spudsgarage.com/images/IMG_0523.jpg

[Bruster]

[QUOTE=Spudman]Hello,
A good honest 1500xs with 130-135 across the board. Brian
www.hotautoweb.com

Brian,

Your boat will be K-A with the XS. PERFECT MATCH!!! You're gonna get bugs on your teeth!!

Give Dale Littlejohn a call 25ss, he has the decal sets for the 1500XS complete and they are PERFECT, every bit as nice as the originals. :D

You can find Dale here. Tell 'em Bruce sent ya.
http://tinyurl.com/jqc7u

http://forums.screamandfly.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=104112&d=1142769379

[PARKER RABE]

wow!!!!!!!!!!!

[Spudman]

Hey Bruster,
I am ready to pick em out!! Ha, Too Funny, when my wife inquires, "what are you going to do with it?, I say, Get Bugs in my Teeth (and of course show)!! :D She says Mid Life Crisis, I think she is right!!

I have spoken to Dale on the phone and exchanged many e-mails about my project, heck of a nice guy and has been a Great help!! There is nothing like the Genuine Folks I meet here!

I am hooked and now have another project but not until this one is done 1st Class. This addition, makes 3 boats total! Now I am hoping someone can me Identify the Red Boat!! :eek:

Parker Rabe :rolleyes: Thank You!!

Thanks Again,
Brian

[Spudman]

Hello Bruster,
Sorry gents for the delay, this fall I opened a new 4.600 square foot Classic Car Facility and National Internet Headquarters here in Boise. The expansion has kept me busy and away from the things I enjoy most. So I thought I would give a New Years update.


As it seems with almost every restoration you end up meeting some one who over promises and under delivers, Thus was the case of my last update where I expected to have her done by now. The 1st boat shop said he had a spot and to bring her up, well after 3 months of the guy leaving my cherished Outboard Flatbottom outside in the weather. I quietly picked her up and hung her from the microlam in Spuds Garage for a few months while I re-grouped.

I am now happy to say that I met a real and enthusiastic craftsman named Don Hardy @ McCall Boat Works, mccallboatworks.com, He drove two hours to Boise to inspect her and within days we had a veneer order on the way. 5 sheets of choice Ribbon Striped Mahogany (2 10' and 3 8ft) Just last week I wrapped her in plastic and took her thru a beautiful mountain snowstorm and she is now tucked away in his warm shop along with other woodies!
Our goal is an aggressive one in order to make the Boise Roadster Show in special spot near our company booth, mid March.

Over the next month or so, I plan to go up there quite frequently as he has invited me to be part of the process. The 1500XS is being tuned, cleaned, refinished and will be ready to hang on when she gets home. The trailer is set for sand blasting next week and the upholstery guy has her seats. We are going classic black marine Naugahyde and a few other subtle cosmetic changes.

Anyway, thanks for allowing me to share and you can bet I will post update photos very soon!!
Happy New Year,
Spudman

[Dave S]

Leave some cars in ya 5,400 SF Shed? :D What do you think about classic car prices? Good ya found a good man to do your boat. Happy New Year.

[Spudman]

Hey Dave,
Got a few spots, the market has been really weak the past 90-120 days, especially street rods, I estimate they are down about 20% or more and Muscle Cars fairly stable. The market seems to be swinging the right direction right now!! I did find a GREAT GUY to get her done but it won't be cheap, I guess you get what you pay for. Take a visit to my website HotAutoWeb.com
Happy New Year!!
Spudman

[Bruster]

Hello Bruster,
Sorry gents for the delay, this fall I opened a new 4.600 square foot Classic Car Facility and National Internet Headquarters here in Boise. The expansion has kept me busy and away from the things I enjoy most. So I thought I would give a New Years update.


As it seems with almost every restoration you end up meeting some one who over promises and under delivers, Thus was the case of my last update where I expected to have her done by now. The 1st boat shop said he had a spot and to bring her up, well after 3 months of the guy leaving my cherished Outboard Flatbottom outside in the weather. I quietly picked her up and hung her from the microlam in Spuds Garage for a few months while I re-grouped.

I am now happy to say that I met a real and enthusiastic craftsman named Don Hardy @ McCall Boat Works, mccallboatworks.com, He drove two hours to Boise to inspect her and within days we had a veneer order on the way. 5 sheets of choice Ribbon Striped Mahogany (2 10' and 3 8ft) Just last week I wrapped her in plastic and took her thru a beautiful mountain snowstorm and she is now tucked away in his warm shop along with other woodies!
Our goal is an aggressive one in order to make the Boise Roadster Show in special spot near our company booth, mid March.

Over the next month or so, I plan to go up there quite frequently as he has invited me to be part of the process. The 1500XS is being tuned, cleaned, refinished and will be ready to hang on when she gets home. The trailer is set for sand blasting next week and the upholstery guy has her seats. We are going classic black marine Naugahyde and a few other subtle cosmetic changes.

Anyway, thanks for allowing me to share and you can bet I will post update photos very soon!!
Happy New Year,
Spudman


Good to hear everything is going according to a plan. How about some pics of the motor as it goes thru restoration?. We would like to have some documentation to show the decals in a project to completion.:D
Keep us updated!

[Spudman]

Hello,
Things are going very well but the Ol Girl is getting expensive. I have 5 pages of online restoration pictures starting from as recieved onto trailer, etc.. http://spudsgarage.com/b1.htm Page 4 shows the wood work and interior seats, page 5 shows the trailer resto and I will be posting more of the 1500XS resto soon. It's getting closer!!
Thanks for letting me share, Brian :D

[Spudman]

Man patience is certainly the key during a restoration, took only about 7 months between other boats but McCall Boat Works is doing a great job (I told them no pressure) and.... it seems to be paying off, took trailer up today and should pick up:rolleyes: done in a week.. pix below, see more here>>> http://spudsgarage.com/b7.htm updates should be more often:D
Thanks for letting me share, Brian
http://spudsgarage.com/images/IMG_3905a.jpg
http://spudsgarage.com/images/IMG_3861a.jpg

[stokernick]

oh,Man,that looks like hell,don't embarass yourself,give it to me and let me hide it here in the Adirondacks!!!Seriously,truly kickazz!!Do you plan to use it or trailer queen it a la Greg?

[Spudman]

Hey Greg,
Too Funny, Oh Yea, I will use it, plan on keeping the 1500xs stock and can't wait, I am thinking it will be next season though....

[Spudman]

Hello,
Still don't have the boat back :mad: but the 1500XS is coming apart easily :D for a good sano clean and required items/chk out (carbs O-haul, Wiring, hoses, fuel pump o-haul, H20 Pump, Seals, tining belt, etc,). Pulled the powerhead off so I could get to everthing and access mount pivot (mid seemed loose, working on that)? Have all the exterior trim, cowl and misc out for paint and prep prior to "Dales Decals". Everything seems in good clean shape with good compression prior to dis-assembly. Will post up-dates. Any tips/tricks I should be doing????see pix below... Thanks Brian

http://www.hotautoweb.com/brian1/1500xsl.jpg

http://www.hotautoweb.com/brian1/1500xsr.jpg

http://www.hotautoweb.com/brian1/1500xsf.jpg

http://www.hotautoweb.com/brian1/1500xslower.jpg

[Spudman]

Hello All,
Finally got the ol girl home, it was certainly worth the wait but I still have a lot of work to get done.... Might I SAY, Don and Molly @ McCall Boatworks, McCall, Idaho teamed up to keep me happy and produced a true statement of quality work... More To come as I go along.. I will have plenty of set-up questions, Dale Littlejohn is kindly leading me thru it..
Brian

http://www.hotautoweb.com/brian1/IMG_3995w.JPG

http://www.hotautoweb.com/brian1/IMG_3997w.JPG

[Dave S]

I just get a kick out of that name.:D Must be where ya live. I wanted to show ya my boat so here it is..... I need to sell it to make room.... Also I going to sell the BP stacker stuff also.... gotta make room for other stuff. This boat is my Eltro 15 foot Deep V marithon boat. I think it was sponsored by a pub called Roaringhams on Merrick Rd in Merrick in the 70s.

[Spudman]

I just get a kick out of that name.:D Must be where ya live. I wanted to show ya my boat so here it is..... I need to sell it to make room.... Also I going to sell the BP stacker stuff also.... gotta make room for other stuff. This boat is my Eltro 15 foot Deep V marithon boat. I think it was sponsored by a pub called Roaringhams on Merrick Rd in Merrick in the 70s.

Hay Dave,
Sorry for the delay, it's been a busy week:eek: and the Bonsai is home...:D Yep, Boise, Idaho

your boat looks like a neat ol girl, I would love ya to email me better shots if you got em but I truly do not need another project, The stacker stuff interests me as the next boat is my glass-tunnel. I hope to be hooking up with you on a another short shaft to replace the 1500XS that I stole off it... I will be talkin to ya.

Spudman

[Spudman]

Hello All,
Well what a process but it is coming together very nicely, I expect to be rigging it within the next few weeks and should have shots of her with the "looking like new" 1500XS Hanging off the back!

As for the 1500XS I guess I was lucky it was a good fresh water specimen as it did not need much other than thorough nut bolt disassembly (except powerhead), clean prep and refinish. Took the lower and mid completely apart, media blasted and layed on a few nice coats of Phantom black. I am still waiting for a few parts to re-assemble (mid pivot bushing's, gaskets, internal harness, etc). Which brings up a point/question on the mid-pivot?? That mid had an excessive amount of play and the bushings where pretty much toasted (lack of proper greasing) riding on the bumper, I plan on getting it to a machinist to dial in the shaft, does anyone know what the factory tolerences/play are and/or what they should really be? and where can I get the 2 pivot shaft seals (upper lower) I like things tight and right but based on the designed bumper leaves me to believe it should be somewhat loose?

I will be mounting and rigging the lower, steering and hydraulics on the boat before dropping on the completely assembled power head. The boat did not originally have power trim and the notch in the hull was not wide enough to accept without butchering the wood, so I chose to machine the outer ear off the trim cylinder brackets and will bolt well thru transom... I will send shots when I have this rigged ;)

As for the finish on the boat, after the re-veneer and a sweet "16" fine coats of Pettit Z-Spar 2015, it has been massaged to a baby smooth and mirror like finish, the fresh yellow belt-line stripe will be outlined with a hand painted 1/8 black pinstripe. The hull/registration numbers and boat name will be added once fully assembled, Yellow with Black Outline. The upholstery and rear deck are @ the shop being completed in Black with matching yellow piping. Oh so close... BTW, DALES 1500XS DECALS are spectacular and went on effortlessly, I would say, do your prep work right, follow the directions and you will have NO problems, period!

I have mounted the Keller 75MPH Speedo, a new Black Steering Wheel and will be hanging the the transom, pick-up, mounts, etc. I also have a NOS set of vintage "Rooster Tails" to drop on for exibition and fun (anyone ever seen those?).

Anyway and In Closing, things are looking up, based on colors, wood and matching what I will be towing it with (Rumble Bee Pick-up), I have decided to RE-Name her "BUZZ'D"!!! I posted a few shots below and if you would like to see the whole current set of current shots, go here>> http://www.hotboatweb.com/bonsai.html
Have a Great Day and Thanks for Looking! Over and Out, Spudman

http://www.hotboatweb.com/bonsai/IMG_4882w.jpg

http://www.hotboatweb.com/bonsai/IMG_4881w.jpg

http://www.hotboatweb.com/bonsai/IMG_4875w.jpg

[delawarerick]

Thats nice 10 out of 10 keep on posting progress. Thanks Rick

[fountain1fan]

beautiful boat and a gorgest merc to .

[mr_velocity]

Looks great!!!!

[oldskier]

I don't usually believe in making art out of machinery, but THAT boat is a piece of FINE FURNITURE!

I would only run it in filtered water....

[Spudman]

Thats nice 10 out of 10 keep on posting progress. Thanks Rick

Hey Rick,
Thanks, it's always fun when they start coming together and I enjoy sharing. I am not sure a 10 but I am sure it will be fun to operate:D Merry Christmas to All!!

[Spudman]

beautiful boat and a gorgest merc to .

Thank You!

[Spudman]

Looks great!!!!

Hey Gary,
Got an update on the Anthony or a link???? :D :D Hope all is well, let me if I can assist in anyway, Merry Christmas!

[Spudman]

I don't usually believe in making art out of machinery, but THAT boat is a piece of FINE FURNITURE!

I would only run it in filtered water....

Hey Old Skier,
Thank You, I laughed :D :D my a** of when I read that... still snickerin, I actually will play with it, my favorite part! I am a water junky and like bugs in my TEETH! :D Actually, I also plan on showing it with some of my vintage trick water skis'... Merry Christmas!

[Spudman]

Lower unit, trim and some rigging, it's coming together :rolleyes: More pictures posted here today>> http://www.hotboatweb.com/bonsai.html

http://www.hotboatweb.com/bonsai//IMG_4917.jpg

[mr_velocity]

Hey Gary,
Got an update on the Anthony or a link???? :D :D Hope all is well, let me if I can assist in anyway, Merry Christmas!

Brian,
Put the boat away for the winter, was getting too cold to lay anymore glass. The hull is done but need to finish the deck. Motor is also undergoing resto as well, the powerhead is almost complete.

Happy New Year

[Spudman]

Mounted the powerhead and lower unit this weekend, picked up the rear deck and seats. Things are moving along. :D Spring is in the air... More pix here >http://spudsgarage.com

http://spudsgarage.com/images/IMG_5059w.jpg

http://spudsgarage.com/images/IMG_5085w.jpg

http://spudsgarage.com/images/IMG_5044w.jpg


:D

[Bruster]

Ttt Ok?

[Matthew Ramirez]

the XS cases are hard to find

[SLOW-1]

Ttt Ok?


Thanks for bumping it up, I would have never seen it if you hadn't.

Man, that is a work of art.