New project boat.... California Skier

[NitrousBIG]

I have wanted to get back into skiing for years now and after recovering from brain cancer I got my teaching degree. School first! Now that I have been teaching for a few years and since I already have my Truck and camper I finally bought a boat.

While on holidays last summer I found a boat on Craigslist that I kept going back to look at online. When I got home I gave the guy a call and my dad and I went by just to take a look. I wasn't ready to buy it, had no where to put it (we just moved and the garage was plugged) and I was tapped out from the summer. So I threw the guy a low offer thinking he wouldn't take it. He phoned me the next day and it was mine. Oh CRAP!

So after getting my poop in a group I pick it up. I finally got it in the garage after getting rained on a few times. This is when I found out the supplied cover was as water tight as a screen door. As a result I had a little cleanup to do. As well as the stuff I knew about when I bought it.

The boat is a California Skier made by Ski West. Malibu made the boat for them. I am pretty sure the hull is a Flight Craft inboard mold which was bought by Malibu in the 90's. I think the deck is unique to this boat.

So; the story of the boat is that the guy I bought it from said he bought it from a guy who was rebuilding the boat and sold it before it was done because of a divorce. The Boat was basically done but the trailer needs some work. The cool thing is that I could start using it right away before the end of summer.

So here is my truck and camper

Truck and Boat. I have a super hitch so I can tow the boat with the camper on, but, I haven't installed it yet. The truck is also going to get lowered but I have enough projects on the go so it will have to wait.

Its in the garage.........aaaaaaaand it doesn't fit! I still have a ton of stuff to clean-up in the garage. I hate moving! And I compounded everything by buying a boat.

Off with its tongue!!!! And prepare for the swing away. I am going to get all the fabrication done this year including lowering the trailer then next year I plan to do chrome fenders, some 17" Torq Thrust wheels. and paint everything. But I want to get everything functioning and make sure it all works before I paint.

I have a new tongue that isn't stepped up like the old one. The front of this trailer was a mess and I want to get it a lot cleaner looking. I have cut off the chain mounts and I am going to hide them on the bottom of the frame so you don't see them. I have some of my students building me a new winch mount that will attach just behind the swing away and be on the same angle as the bow saddle, so that I can run the carpet step pad to the front, which should look better.

It finally fits but its tight. The grab handle on the transom hits the window sill exactly. So once I lower the trailer the grab handle will clear the sill giving me and extra 1.5” and that should give me 3” to the garage door, just enough room for the swing away.

When the trailer is lowered about 2" the grab handle will be bellow the window sill and I am going to remover the trim board bellow the sill to get as much clearance for the tongue.

I've been working on getting the steering cable freed up and the dash cleaned up, including the wiring; which was a mess. I had to pull up part of the floor to get the cable out. And that was my chance to clean the bilge. Here is my progress so far.

And yes the manifolds are going to get repainted. Not sure what was goin on there!

Meg

Dash all cleaned up. I cleaned the tired looking dash plastic with simple green and a tooth brush then applied Meguiar's Leather Spray with a tooth brush. I let it sit a while to soak in and wiped off the excess. I also repainted steering wheel and cap to get rid of the rusty white paint. It doesn't look like Snoopie's nose any more! Eventually I want to paint all of the gauge bezels black.

I am going to do some pin stripping on the centre cap to give it some color.

The piece of floor that the engine cover attaches to was a little weak so I decided to build a new one today. Once I pulled off the carpet my Dad noticed the wood was cracked. So we re engineered the piece. Here is what we have so far.

We coated the new piece with fibre glass resin to seal it. The brace now goes all the way across and is made out of steel. The brace is also help in with more screws. It is very stiff now and should make the engine cover very steady.

My dad got me some Meguiars water spot remover and quick wax for christmas. Tried it out for s***s and giggles and wow! The water spot remover gets rid of the water spots asap but it leaves a mess. The quick wax cleaned it up and left a nice finish. Can't wait until I get everything power polished the boat will look awesome.

More to come as I get more work done.

Next the axles need to come out to sort out some issues with the equalizers and to get the trailer lowered about 2". While they are out I am going to sand blast the axles and parts then paint them.

I'm scrambling to get everything done I can't wait to go for a ski, its been a long time!

Edited March 24, 2015 by NitrousBIG

[2014Skier]

Sweet project there, hope it all works out, should be a fun little ski boat.

[tvano]

good stuff and a heck of a first post

good on you for beating brain cancer and following that w some school and a job; hat-trick

VERY nice looking boat even if you don't consider it's age and even better w the mods you've touched so far

what year is the hull?

welcome to the crew

[jgates237]

Great 1st post and welcome to TMC! You'll be a welcome addition to this site plus there is a host of knowledge on here to help you work through future issues (yes, you'll have them) with your boat.

Can't wait to see you carving behind it. Well done my friend!

[REW]

Wow what a first post. Welcome to the crew!

Congratulations on beating cancer, now it is time for some fun in the sun carving behind you "new" bu'

[Bturner]

Very cool project and post!

[Michigan boarder]

Nice job! Our little direct drive boats are fun projects, like a golf cart. Looks like yours is coming along really nice.

[ahopkins22LSV]

Welcome and it is awesome to hear that you beat cancer! And then found a SWEET boat. That thing is pretty damn awesome and you have done some very nice work with it already. It is going to be a blast to drive!

That is one heck of a first post too!

Edited March 24, 2015 by ahopkinsTXi

[Woodski]

Congratulations on the boat purchase and even more on beating cancer. Sweet looking boat, have fun getting it to pristine condition.

Noticing some non factory colors on the engine, I highly suggest you look over all the marine specific parts such as starter, alternator, carburetor, bilge pump to make sure they are marine spec and not just automotive parts that do not have spark arresting or anti fuel spilling components.

[Mechmaster]

Nice boat. Whereabouts in BC are you from?

[pook77]

Great looking skier. I think you're in for some fun this summer!

[jrvs23]

That is a great little boat! You and your family are going to have a lot of fun with it.

[Sighter]

Good to hear you recovered and it sure looks like you have a good skill set to complete this good looking ski rig.

[braindamage]

awesome first post...it looks like you did a ton in a short time.

Welcome to the 'crew!

[martinarcher]

Awesome first post! Welcome to TheMalibuCrew! Congratulations are in order on beating cancer! That is awesome!

Looks like an awesome boat as well! I love a good classic! Keep us posted on the progress.

[Myk]

Everything about this post is just super cool. I'm excited for you!!

[BlastRlxi]

Always nice to have another direct drive owner here. Welcome.

[DUKENO1]

Welcome! Boat looks to be in super shape! Enjoy it and awesome news on being healthy and employed!

I bet that thing will have an awesome ski wake...or lack there-of...lol.

[Slayer]

Welcome to the Crew!!

Awesome first post and hats off to you for beating the cancer beast!!

I LOVE your boat. I've been a fan of California Skier's for a while. Classic, sexy boat!

[Maz55]

Welcome to the Crew. Great looking boat and post. Love seeing the older boats and a fellow direct drive owner. Looking forward to your progress.

My congratulations as well on beating cancer!

[chwkman]

Cool boat, congratulations from another B.C boy. Where are you at?

[NitrousBIG]

Sorry for not getting back to everyone I have been really busy with work and the boat. I have a some free time so here we go!

good stuff and a heck of a first post

good on you for beating brain cancer and following that w some school and a job; hat-trick

VERY nice looking boat even if you don't consider it's age and even better w the mods you've touched so far

what year is the hull?

welcome to the crew

The boat is a 93

[NitrousBIG]

Congratulations on the boat purchase and even more on beating cancer. Sweet looking boat, have fun getting it to pristine condition.

Noticing some non factory colors on the engine, I highly suggest you look over all the marine specific parts such as starter, alternator, carburetor, bilge pump to make sure they are marine spec and not just automotive parts that do not have spark arresting or anti fuel spilling components.

All of the engine parts are stock and marine specific...... so far it is going to get a Edelbrock Performer RPM intake and a Comp Cam next winter. At that point I want to pull the engine detail it then make the changes.

Nice boat. Whereabouts in BC are you from?

I am in Chilliwack, just 5-10 min drive from Cultus Lake.

Welcome! Boat looks to be in super shape! Enjoy it and awesome news on being healthy and employed!

I bet that thing will have an awesome ski wake...or lack there-of...lol.

It looks like it doesn't have a wake. Had it out a few time last summer and the wake looks really flat. The whole boat reminds me of the flat bottom drag boats I grew up with. Apparently the wake is also really soft, and has been described as cheating.

Welcome to the Crew!!

Awesome first post and hats off to you for beating the cancer beast!!

I LOVE your boat. I've been a fan of California Skier's for a while. Classic, sexy boat!

I have always liked the Centurion Barefoot Warrior with its low slung deck but I really don't want an outboard. The California Skier is the best of both worlds, low profile and an inboard V8.

Next.... My long weekend progress.

[NitrousBIG]

I've been working all long weekend, not all on the boat, and I have some new pics.

I started fixing the problem with the spring equalizer being seriously over rotated and addressing the ride height. I want to get the trailer as low as possible while retaining usability. Next year I plan to fine tune the ride height the get some 17" Torq Thrust wheels and chrome fenders. But for this year I just want it functional.

So this is the rusty mess I am starting with. One of the Brake Cylinders was leaking and went everywhere taking the paint with it.

Once I lifted everything the shackles rotated down. Normally, when loaded, the leafs are higher than the equalizer.

After getting the axles out and doing some measuring I found out that the two axles had different drops. Once I got rid of the plate on one axle the drop is perfect on both. But I have a feeling there is something else wrong. So I am going to measure everything on the trailer and then mock everything up to make sure its right. Then I am going to see how much to de-arch the springs to get the tire tucking a bit.

Brakes on the one axle look good. The brakes on the leaking cylinder are soaked on brake fluid. That axle is getting a full rebuild on both sides.

Everything filed and ready for paint. The axle is just going to get a little primer in that spot. Next year when I go the fenders I am going to sand blast the axles. The leafs are getting sandblasted by my students.

The seal on the inside of the inside was over pressurized because of the Bearing Buddies and left a groove on the race. I almost have it fixed with some emery paper. Thankfully I caught it when I did.

This is the fender and tire look I am going after. I would like to stretch the tires though and have the wheels poking from the fenders a tiny bit.

I am not going to do the dropped step pads. Just the fenders and tires. This set-up would look unreal on my trailer.

Last thing tonight I did a little more work on the swing away tongue. I also removed the winch. I have a draw bar like race boats have to keep the boat in place so I am going to try without the winch. I don't think I am going to miss it. Plus you shouldn't winch a boat up onto a trailer when you have carpet bunks.

The jack is going back on.

Everything squared up.

At this point the sun started going down and it was getting cold so I ran inside. Next weekend I want to get the suspension mocked up and the hinge for the swing away welded in

[Levi900RR]

Nice work man!