'70 SuperSidewinder 18' i/o info needed!

[lonr]

Have a chance to pick up a '70 Super Sidewinder 18' i/o that was supposed to be special order from factory. Has S/B Chev. Merc. i/o. Lived it's life on Lake Havasu . The owner is sending pic's but I can't wait, any body have any pic's or info on this boat? He is with the understanding that it's quite rare. If this should have been posted elsewhere let me know. Thanks, Lon

[Raceman]

Welcome to ScreamandFly. You posted in the right place.


I'm a Sidewinder junkie, although I've been unsuccessful so far in finding my original 18' SuperSidewinder that I bought new in 1974 (a leftover 73 model) There were a couple of inboard/outboard Sidewinders here, but they were 16 footers and had either 4 or 6 cyl engines (can't remember). One guy stuck a 350 in his and never could keep a drive on it, but the drives then weren't what they are now. I think it's a great project and hope you'll post some pictures. The Sidewinder styling was timeless in my opinion and they still look as good today as they did then.

If you plan on putting any decent power in it you'll probably need to put a pad on the bottom. With the rounded V they were very prone to chine walking that became uncorrectable as speed increased. On my 18' boat it became uncomfortable at about 70 (speedometer speed, no GPS back then) and the 16's at speeds lower than that. These were all outboards and my time in the 16' sterndrive was extremely limited, although I do remember that it seemed to porpoise some.

[Tom Foley]

I also am a Sidewinder junkie , I still own and operate my 1971 16 ft Super Sidewinder IO with a 140 hp 181 cu in . Mercruiser setup . It is not really a high performance boat per se , but I was 15 years old in 1972 when my dad came home and asked me if it was a good boat for the lake up in the Poconos in Pennsylvania . Naturally I was all over it and have maintained it and changed motors etc all these years . It will run about 52 mph with a 13 .5 X 25 and skis well with a 19 or 21 . I still hold onto her and hope some of the old farts around here will find time to ski again . I skiied once last year and never this year !!!!!!! They are awesome looking boats in my opinion and will always be . Good luck !

[bahamatrama]

My dad has had a couple Sidewinders when I was young mid 80s. We had a 18 jet, but I was always trying to get my dad to buy an I/O cause they ski so much better. I have seen a few i/o's but most around any more are copies. He also had a super 16 with a 4 cyl and a paxton supercharger. For the day cool boats. I never see them on the water anymore. Where did they all go?

[Superdave]

My first "high performance" boat was a 1970 18' with a 165 Mercruiser in it. Ran 65 with a 23 pitch stainless around 5800. I actually tried to sink it once by running wide open and turning the steering wheel as fast as I could in either direction. :eek: Dang thing just slowed down turned a 270° then launch back out. :mad: I gave up and sold it for bassboat with a 175 BlackMax. :rolleyes:
SD

[lonr]

Picked up a '70 Super Sidewinder for resto that has a SB Chevy and Merc. i/o. with threw exhuast. Been reading alot of post here about the outdrive will not be strong enough. As I may go a BB Chevy this concernce me, what are my affordable choices on outdrives or can this one be beefed up? ALSO, everybody says this hull will chine walk at speed and I will need to install a "pad". What is a "pad" and where will it be placed? Got a pic of one to ppost or send me? Transom will be replaced. Thanks a bunch, Lon

[Raceman]

The pad is put down the bottom at the center and is from 6 inches to 8 or 10 wide, depending on the boat and application. I don't know if it's necessary with an IO, but the outboards will chine walk significantly without it.

If that's a 16' boat I'm not sure about a big block. With today's technology you can make a lot of power with a small block with a lot less weight, especially with alum. heads and intake. You could also use alum stuff on the big block. As for outdrives, there aren't many good options outside of a Bravo. I'd guess you're looking at 4 to 5000 for a complete setup with transom plates and all. They show up for sale around here from time to time.

[lonr]

Thanks Raceman 4 your reply! I should have said that it is an 18' Super Sidewinder. I will be flipping it over for resto on hull is now the time to add the pad? or can I finish boat and add later if need be? Your rite the I/O boats may not have same problem as the outboards. Lon

[Capt.Insane-o]

I would look for a whole gen II alpha set up on e-bay from the transom assembly on back. If handled properly they can handle 325 is hp. without much problem. which can be easily made with a mild small block and some aluminum heas etc to keep weight down. Those old preloader drives just won't cut it.

[lonr]

That sound like alot of money just to get a Sidwinder up and running, so maybe I should be looking into a jet pump? If so which one? They seem to be more forgiving but not as fast out of the hole? is that rite? Lon

[Raceman]

As many Bravos as there have been around here in the last couple of years I'd guess you could pick one up for somewhere in the price range of an Alpha II and it's a LOT stronger unit.

As for the pad, I'd do it now, or not do it. Actually the jets are probably a good bit faster out of the hole than a stern drive, but much less efficient from a fuel economy standpoint, and not as fast as the same boat/power would most likely be with a sterndrive. Also, you'll have to cut a huge hole in the bottom for the water intake.