Carlson Contender

**abbeynormal** · 01-14-2018, 02:18 PM

Hi guys, Thanks for all the info on my Switzer shooting star. It makes me wish I could find it to rebuild it. I recently bought a Carlson Contender with a 1500 merc , ssm and 9x14 prop. Anybody care to tell me what I'm in for as I've yet to run it? (its 0 deg in PA lately)

Thanks Greg

might be

**Krazymaan** · 01-15-2018, 09:46 PM

Jerry and Jim have/had those types of boats over at collectorboats.com

**1954bmw** · 01-16-2018, 08:11 AM

what did you have to pay for it, I've got a hull and trailer in Cincy I'd like to unload??? thanks

**milkdud** · 01-16-2018, 11:27 AM

I ran one a few years back with a 1500 short and stock gearshift lower unit. They like to porpoise when set up for speed and ride rough like any other flat bottom boat. And will not turn once you get them rolling fast. TO took my turn fin off, it didn't help much and it made the boat handle weird at speeds above 65 mph.

Mine ran a 28p cleaver prop 1.78 gears @ 80.9 mph. They are fast when set up right, but not comfortable in anything other than light chop. Your SSM probably has 1-1 gears. Id say you should be running high 70's low 80's if you set it up correctly. If I had a SSM when I was running the boat would have been faster. I dont think 85 MPH is too far of a reach with a SSM. Probably need a 17. But would I want to run that fast with that boat? Not really.... Have fun. video of mine running low 70's on the river. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aWycby9aFk&t=2s

**abbeynormal** · 01-16-2018, 03:21 PM

I looked at several, some were beat with no motor and poor trailer for 500 to 2 grand. Another was nicely rebuilt on a ok trailer,no motor for 3000. A lot depends on where it is. If someones looking for a cheep rebuilder, it's hard to travel far to get it.
Greg

**abbeynormal** · 01-16-2018, 03:37 PM

Hey milkdud, I had looked at your you tube. It looks like your contender handled better than my shooting star. I have a turn fin on mine and i read somewhere that they handle better with the ssm. Good video.
Thanks for the reply, keep your hat on ... Greg

**1954bmw** · 09-17-2018, 09:09 AM

Any updates on your Contender, get it running???

**abbeynormal** · 10-11-2018, 01:12 PM

Hi 1954. Sorry for the delay. I ran the boat 5 or 6 times this summer and it runs perfect. I had it up to about 50 turning 4800 rpm. It seems to want to bury the left front at speed??? If I trim it up it starts cavatating. It may not be set up correctly. Anyone have any ideas, i'm all ears.
Thanks Greg

**KIRCHNER** · 10-14-2018, 06:05 PM

Originally Posted by abbeynormal

Hi 1954. Sorry for the delay. I ran the boat 5 or 6 times this summer and it runs perfect. I had it up to about 50 turning 4800 rpm. It seems to want to bury the left front at speed??? If I trim it up it starts cavatating. It may not be set up correctly. Anyone have any ideas, i'm all ears.
Thanks Greg

we always ran 2 blades in 1968 boat doesnt like a lot of blade area try small diameter ,up high mine did 58 with v4 omc crossflow, brings back lots of good times racing k&k in his glastrons/ mercs. contender would creep past em by a hair. i remember omc had i little bullet lower unit. ahead of its time for sure... it wont track straight with out the fin and doesnt turn well no matter what,

**71V153** · 10-14-2018, 07:04 PM

First year of Glastron Carlson marriage.

**1954bmw** · 10-15-2018, 08:22 AM

Originally Posted by 71V153

First year of Glastron Carlson marriage.

This looks just like mine, without the padded dash and windshield, exact same color. Is that yours, what do you know about this one???? Thanks.

**abbeynormal** · 10-15-2018, 02:13 PM

Hi KIRCHNER thanks for the reply. The prop I have on the contender is a 3 blade chopper, 9 1/2 - 14. Do you think a 2 blade would handle better? This boat has a fin. On another note, Do you remember the early wood switzercraft shootingstars? I had one in north NJ back in the 70's. I think it was raced by Ed Springman in the mid 60's. They made some nice looking boats back then.

Greg

**KIRCHNER** · 10-17-2018, 09:59 AM

I HAD a glass switzer i thought is was the PLAYBOY model some called the s. star. it was 16' sort oef like the flyn-wing. getting back to yours. i dont know about handle but the 2 blade would be faster; trim doesnt seem to do much. ifound level was best. i still run choppers on everything but the carlson is a different breed. that color is MARIGOLD the dealer handed me color chart and said pick 1. must have had 50 choices. my jaw dropped. i dont think u want a prop with a lot of rake. small-ear chopper good start. the babes at the beach liked them carlsons! i hate the word CLEAVER, but it might work... strange that the 16' was faster than the 14' we had a pack of 3 contenders skippin school and runnin hard on long island n.y.