Here are a few pictures of my '69 Carlson Challenger. They were taken in '99. In this picture the boat was in the water for the 2nd time.... ever. The motor is bolted on the back of the boat with no set back, and @ 21". I am thinking about moving it back a few inches.
<img src=http://members.aol.com:/mercmanwon/carlson/c1.jpg>
In this picture and the next you can see the Sea Star Hydraulic steering system.
<img src=http://members.aol.com:/mercmanwon/carlson/c2.jpg>
Here is a picture of one of my 1500XS Mercs This motor was restored down to the last nut and bolt, It came out looking as nice as a new one. I am installing a '69 1250 Super B.P. motor for this spring.
<img src=http://members.aol.com:/mercmanwon/carlson/c3.jpg>
Check out the shifter....
<img src=http://members.aol.com:/mercmanwon/carlson/c4.jpg>
When this boat was delivered to me in December of '98 I had to remove the original plastic off of the seats.
<img src=http://members.aol.com:/mercmanwon/carlson/c5.jpg>
This is a timeless look.
<img src=http://members.aol.com:/mercmanwon/carlson/c6.jpg>
Here's another nice shot.
<img src=http://members.aol.com:/mercmanwon/carlson/c7.jpg>
Note there are no gages or holes in the dash. I have installed Gaffrig Gages, they fit the look of the boat nicely.
<img src=http://members.aol.com:/mercmanwon/carlson/c8.jpg>
Another picture of the 1500XS with a Chopper I was trying out.
I now run a 26"(?) Seabold Cleaver. The Cleaver gives a reasonable hole shot with great acceleration and a 77 M.P.H. top speed @ 6,400 R.P.M. The boat would like a little more positive trim, but with the XS low water pickup I would drop pressure.(Perhaps a little additional setback would help also.)This was the ruins of many 1500XS motors.....