Invader Drag n Ski

[Boris]

Found this on ebay. It says it needs floor and stringers. Do they have a balsa core also?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/152546249890....c100299.m3580

[59powercat1400]

Yes.

[Boris]

Well, then I'm sure there's a chance it needs the core done too. Always liked those boats. I just don't have that kind of ambition anymore.

[Krazymaan]

Dang, Thats one hard to come by boat. I just happen to have one too. These things could hit 80mph when they raced them.

[Boris]

I always wanted one ever since I was a kid. The local marina sold invaders. Mostly 10 footers, but they sold one 13 ft banshee and the open fishing model. What was the difference between the drag n ski and the challenger model? They are the same length and look identical to me. You've got a very nice boat there.

[Krazymaan]

mine is the 14'er. Its ultra light as far as i am concerned. Its around 280lbs. Hell, the motor is 275lbs. It has a pad down under and there is no way a child could walk on the hull, its that thin. I'm guessing thats why its a drag version. I do have a sad video of us testing it on the river on youtube and a walk around video. They are called 1970 GW Invader on youtube. What I like is that you get more thumbs up and "hey, thats a cool boat" than those guys in their 55k wake boats.

Besides Its cool to know you have one of these cool pieces of history.

[Boris]

Wow, that is light. I'll have to check out the video.

[Chips overboard]

Strange .I just cut the floor out of my 14 ' Invader and NO Balsa ,YIPPI!!!!! It does have it under the deck though, I can see the little squares of it through the resin and mat , I have a freshly rebuilt 850 short ,with a 3 ram P/T and Jack Plate that will be going on this after the total restoration.

[Krazymaan]

Looks fantastic

[Chips overboard]

Come to find out ,it was originally a yellow boat top and bottom .I found this while stripping the whole upper deck and repairing all the pointless holes drilled over the years .Also someone replaced the transom at one time and used epoxy then put 3/8 of an inch thick bondo over the whole thing. In my opinion epoxy on a polyester fiberglass boat is a NO NO, ,that's why it cracked all the way around the transom repair. People will argue that its ok to use epoxy over polyester but don't do it . Epoxy is for wood boats ,It does not adhere to polyester resin well and will eventually crack or delaminate . Polyester resin boat ,polyester repair ,I dont care what you hear or what you've read ,Epoxy is NFG on polyester repair, Besides it's more expensive, takes forever to cure and when cured , its like sanding a car tire , NG!!!

[Krazymaan]

Nothing worse than sanding car tires.

[Dave S]

Ralph......Lindenhurst outboards....... ran one in the late 70s with a V6 rude.......overkill....but done it...

[Chips overboard]

This boat is killing me ,progress since last post White is Gel Coat and yellow is Imron

[Krazymaan]

Do you still have any of the metal GW Invader badges?

[Chips overboard]

No , Wish I did , it would look great