By Dean Sprague
This isn’t about British cars or classic cars at all for that matter it’s about a classic boat. We just acquired a 17’ 1960 Century Ski Dart. Her name is ‘Baby Blue’. It’s a wood boat powered by an antiquated but cool inboard Gray Marine flat head (226 ci) inline six. Like a British car it’s a recipe that spells “adventure” every time you get near it. Actually, since my dad was a Merchant Marine Captain and Chief Engineer, I have been around boats, big and small most of my life. They say there is nothing more fun than just messing with boats; especially old wooden ones but they require commitment. My wife however saw this as an opportunity to spend more time with family (mostly grandchildren) and friends. Besides what’s more fun than a day on a classic boat? Nothing if you can keep it running. Sound familiar? Old wood boats like old British cars offer the same level of rewards and maybe insanity. We all seem to relish the ‘relics’ whether they roll, float or fly.
We bought ‘Baby Blue’ from Joe Green a friend and fellow club member. He spent several years restoring it but after more than 16 years of very limited use he decided to part with her. Besides he has a more modern ski boat, a Master Craft. Maybe it was just time for something new. He also acquired another British car a 1932 Austin Seven.
Joe gave us a great deal on the boat. It needed a little TLC but not much. I am getting it sorted and reliable. It really just needed to have everything flushed and adjusted and then of course used more frequently. Boats especially old wooden ones don’t like sitting on trailers very long. They like water around their hulls and their engines kept warm. My Dad always told me, “You have to treat a wood boat like a beautiful women, hold her gently, always respect her, never treat her wrong and she will give you everything you need”.
Our first challenge was to find a way to transport it into the water. I had replaced my truck for what became a Jaguar XKR-S. We still have the Jaguar XF, an MGB GT, MGTD and a Volvo P 1800 (project) but no tow units. I looked a acquiring another truck but they are just too costly. I would definitely have to sell a Jaguar. Looking for any other options, I called the Jag dealer and found the XF actually has a tow rating of around 2000 pounds. We determined by “guess-a-mation” that is about the weight of the boat (wet) with trailer. The next task was to find a receiver and correct trailer wiring for the car. Our Jaguar XF is a 2014 and it seems there is no listing for a hitch or wiring beyond a 2013. This led to another discussion with Jaguar. They were not sure if the earlier system was still compatible with the 2014 and later cars. I called my buddy Josh at Merican Muffler since they also install tow systems he said, “With the magic of a “brass wrench” (welder) we can make anything fit, no problem. I immediately ordered the system for the earlier cars and made an appointment. The receiver portion of the hitch had a maximum pull weight of 2000 pounds and 200 pound tongue weight. That maximum was my minimum but the coupler that goes into it with the ball had 3500/350-pound maximum. I decided to design a support plate at the receiver box with 2 extra bolts thru at the spare tire well. This triangle-based support concept should comfortably meet the 3500/350 rating for the coupler. I assumed the car could handle much more than it’s rated for anyway. It all seemed straightforward so off we went. What Josh described as “no problem” actually blossomed into a 4 plus-hour job but we finally got it installed. He felt so badly he only charged me for 2 hours at the shop rate making me promise to never bring them another Jaguar needing a hitch, which sounded reasonable to me.
Next it was time to wire the car for the trailer lights. I immediately called my electronics expert and friend Dave Ahrendt. He picked out a system he thought might work and helped me install it. Actually, once we dismantled everything in the back of the car and removed the taillight assemblies it went rather well. When we hooked up the trailer everything actually worked! Who would have thought it?
Now back to the boat, I added fresh non-ethanol fuel with re-lead additive; checked everything over and hooked up the “fake-y-lake” (garden hose). It was time to run it in the driveway and heat her up for an oil change and generally lookover. Once I changed the oil, sealed a few engine water leaks and put in the drain plug it was time for “sea trials” so off to the lake. My friend David Poe offered to come along as an extra hand for the maiden voyage. By the way the Jaguar pulls the boat quite well. It would be nice if it the car were a little higher for the boat- ramp insertion. The exhaust pipes tend to go under water, but it works.
When that old Gray Marine springs to life it produces a very special “give a nickel take a nickel” sound only an old flat head engine can make. You could see everyone in the marina look up and smile as that old engine pushed ‘Baby Blue’ away from the dock. All went well, she idled up, hydrated quickly, warmed up and easily went on a plane. She ran smoothly for a while then the second shoe dropped (it might be British after all) she started spitting and losing speed. We got it back OK by pulling the choke out a bit to compensate for a clogged main jet. It went back on the trailer and we pulled it home for more inspection and tinkering.
This time I removed and tore down the carburetor, cleaned it out and reassembled it also I changed the fuel/water separator filter, cleaned the plugs, set the point gap and oiled everything. This time she ran flawlessly. Now it’s time for a summer with friends and family on the water!
When its too cold to play on the water this winter I plan to see how much prettier I can make her. Why I can’t seem to leave well enough alone I will never know. It’s like having an old British car there is always something you want to do to make it more yours. You see the deck (the whole boat actually) is made of mahogany but it is painted over. Can you imagine how beautiful it would look with an open varnished planked and caulked mahogany deck stem to stern? It would match the interior and truly give the boat a fabulous 50’s classic look commensurate with her beautiful lines.
I can just see ‘Baby Blue’ as the bell of the ball at the spring Classic Boat Shows. Ok so it’s a lot of work but remember there is nothing more fun than just messing with boats, right?
