TOPIC: Picked-up another Inboard Gem

I found this 1968 Correct Craft Barracuda SS in Marietta, GA. Barracudas are a rare find, especially the SS models. It's all original, even the trailer, every single part is there and the glass windshield is flawless. The engine is real iffy but I plan to replace it anyway. The boat needs restoration and the color has got to go but structurally it's rock solid.

Great find Jan!!!!!!!!!!!

Bob

Nice, very nice. I look and I look but I can't seem to get my hands on an inboard that isn't way out of my budget. Way to many out boards. Congrats nice find .

I got this one for $800. There just aren't any Barracudas in that price range anywhere/any condition and I've been looking for two years...and this one is an SS...and it was only 130 miles from home. I just couldn't let it get away. Some people might think I overpaid but compared to the time and material I'll end up putting into the restoration, the cost of acquisition seems very reasonable to me.

I plan to change the color, the upholstery, the engine and make a few other mods...certainly enough to drive the Correct Craft purists nuts. The guy I bought it from told me had was going to brush the entire boat with Thompson's Water Seal to shed water and make it look shiny again. I think even the Correct Craft aficionados would agree that my plan is a little better.

$800 is a steal! I have NEVER seen an inboard (especially a Correct Craft!), complete and in that condition, go for so little, up here in the PNW. The cheapest Nautique on the Seattle Craigslist is an '84 for $4000.

And check out this beautiful '54 14':

seattle.craigslist.org/see/boa/5475017211.html

Congrats on a great find, it should be an excellent restoration project.

Does it still have the original Chrysler engine in it; are you gonna stick with that marque, or go with a Ford, such as in later Nautiques?

Geeesh Jan, you nailed another one to your wall, NICE!

It does have the original Chrysler 318 but it's a disaster. That was my big bargaining chip on the price. Actually, I'm probably going to build-up a big block Chevy and mate it to a PCM 1.23:1 transmission. It might be a little overkill but I have a good 425HP long block that just needs new rod bearings. It's the one the owner supplied which threw a rod bearing on the sea trial of the pink Correct Craft Debonnaire. The owner picked up the phone and bought another long block...gave me the engine with the bad rod bearing. It will most likely be enough horsepower to pass every bass boat on the lake before it enters hyperspace but at my age, I won't dump the throttle too often...honest...don't you believe me? Here's a shot of the engine that threw a rod. From all outward appearances, the boat will look fairly stock but the surprise will be under the doghouse. Back when I was a teenager, something like this would have been called a "Sleeper."



I'll need to build ejection seats and a rack for the crash helmets.

It's really just a numbers game. I cruise Craigslist in Greenville, Atlanta, Charlotte and Columbia. I have to look at 5,000+ boats before I find one that interests me. Of five that interest me, I might go look at 2. Of the two, I'll buy one. I also check Ebay Boats for under $500...and sometimes under $1,000. I do all this almost daily. By the way, if you don't have the exact web address for Ebay boats under $500, here it is:

www.ebay.com/sch/Boats-/26429/i.html?rt=nc&_mPrRngCbx=1&_udlo&_udhi=500

The 500 at the end can be changed to whatever you're willing to pay. Good hunting!

Very cool eBay link, thanks! Lots of interesting boats on there.

A BBC in a 17' boat, yeah that'll be a Sleeper alright!

Nautilus,

I LIKE. - Never owned a Correct Craft BUT that's just NEAT.

yours, satx

Well...I sold the Barracuda and I'm doing a resto-mod for the new owner. He thinks like me and gave me free reign to build an engine to replace that dead 318 Chrysler. Here's what I built:


I started with a 1985 GM 350/300 HP marine long block and added a performance marine cam, vintage Edelbrock dual carb manifold with twin Edelbrock #1409 carbs (progressive linkage) on 12-degree wedges, vintage Edelbrock M1 marine exhaust logs, 200 amp GM 1-wire alternator (chrome, of course), vintage Corvette valve covers, Mercruiser 7.4 Bravo One raw water pump, Pertronix distributor and coil, etc., etc. The color is 1955 Lincoln wisteria, same as the hull will be. I figure I've run it up to about 330 HP+...and that's the same as a stock 454 Mercruiser. That ought to get the old girl moving down the lake!

Beautiful lookin' mill. Like the twin 4's on the 12 deg wedge(s) should keep the floats working right. Progressive linkage just might save enough fuel to get back to the dock at idle.
Nice work!

Outstanding as always Jan.

Bob

congrats on a completed plan you deserve it Bill

Very nice.It will be a shame to cover that beautiful up.

Jan, Crazy idea but since it is a work of art in itself why not make a clear see through top on the dog house. Put in a few mahogany cup holders to dress up a Lexan sheet. Sorta like those aquarium places.
You're an "out of the box" guy anyway...why not if the buyer goes along.

Use plexiglass so people can look at my beautiful engine...for free? No way. I'm going to install one of those credit card slide machines on top of the engine box. You want to take a look? You slide your credit card. If it's approved, the engine box will lift with hydraulics...for one minute, then close.

UPDATE....Chip card. That would work.
Take it to the shows and you might make enough to pay for gas.