My ArenaCraft

Denning · #51 August 29th, 2008, 03:17 PM

Thanks Bill...

I'll check it out and let my boat guy know about it. Fortunately, I'm on my way there this afternoon to see how the engine rebuild went, so maybe I'll have some info for putting these vents in.

Williamlouder · #52 September 11th, 2008, 12:50 PM

Denning you're in TX right? Is this weather close to you? I hope you and your family are safe.

Denning · #53 September 12th, 2008, 12:38 AM

Hey Bill...

Yep, I'm about 100 miles east of Dallas and just a bit south... Right in the path.

I'm going out to the lake to get my boat off the lift and out of the (50 year old) boat house tomorrow morning. My pontoon boat is already off the lake having some maintenance work, so it'll be a couple of weeks before it gets back in it's slip.

From my experience in the past, we will probably have 40 to 50 mph sustained winds, with possibilities of tornado's (starting in the early AM Saturday), and gusts around 80 mph (through Monday morning)...

When Rita came through, I lost 18 trees. One of them was a 160 year old Black Jack Oak that dropped in the dog run. Good thing we had the dog in the house at the time.

We'll be safe, but I appreciate the concern.

Denning

Kit Arena · #54 September 21st, 2008, 02:33 PM

Mr. Zetman: I noticed that you are missing a windshield! I believe that you can still get a plexiglass windshield from Taylor Windshields in Texas. I remember when Taylor ran out of old Hudson Hornet back windows and could no longer provide a safety glass version. We substituted it with the plexigass model from Taylor. Not as good, but it kept the bugs otta da teeth.

regards:

Kit Arena

Kit Arena · #55 September 21st, 2008, 03:27 PM

I remember the Photo Session from that brocure!!

It was done at Lake Berryessa in Norhern Ca. We took the photos on a fly bridge cruiser. I was on the helm maneuvering the boat for the photographer. My cousin and some clean cut college types were the models, as well as my dad's partner (financial) Larry Highby and his wife. Larry, bieng to old eastcoast frat type needed a bunch of frat types for the photos. (I did'nt qualify). LOL! (I got even by creating a few wakes at inoppurtune times just to piss em off!

Kit Arena

Zetman · #56 September 22nd, 2008, 02:53 PM

I have the original windshield still (wrapped in a blanket in the attic) My dad years ago took it off. He thought it looked more sporty and you did'nt cook from the heat so much running without it. He was always going to put a spolier on instead but never got around to it, also, he was going to install a bimini to it and never did. As soon as I got it I put the top on. It was very hard to drill holes in the deck for the braces..drilling holes in this boat was like drilling on a 60's Vett to me. But, having a family, the shade was more inportant since the dark green upholstery is the original tuck-in-roll. Thanks for the info all the same.
Zet

Denning · #57 September 24th, 2008, 10:30 AM

Kit,

Thanks for the info on the windshield replacements, through Taylor's. I have been toying with the idea of inserting a couple of Honda GoldWing Vents on each side of my windshield, to let some air through. It gets pretty hot behind the windshield, here in Texas, when the temps get up to triple digits in July & August.

I just haven't had the kahonis to cut into a 40 year old plexiglass windshield yet. And even if the installation were to go well, I'm afraid that the bouncing on the water could cause cracks... At least I know, that f I try it, I have a place to go to get a replacement, in the event of a disaster.

I'm thinking about some other, less invasive, alternatives for getting more air behind the windshield... I know that Zet just took his off completely, and that's a possibility.

Any suggestions?

Denning

Creeper86 · #58 June 26th, 2009, 03:53 PM

Seems it's been awhile since anyone has posted. I just found this forum today and am glad it exists... I see some great looking boats...

I have a '69 Arena Craft and recently I brought back the metal flake; re-built the 350. Runs like a champ.... does about 53MPH and has great torque....

Original Upholstery is just starting to go in front, passenger side... will have to re-do along with carpet.... too bad, but is a real head turner.... looks exactly like the '68 (green) that has been posted... ill post pics soon... hopefully this forum is continuing as I don't see a post for a year... thanks for the pics and safe boating.

allenhoyt · #59 June 27th, 2009, 03:08 AM

This is a Arena craft that my Dad and I are going to restore. It's a 1961, that originally as far as what I have been able to find out, had a Buehler Turbo Craft pump drive. I think I have gotten a line on the original engine and pump for it. If anyone has any info on this model I would love to hear from you. It is a 1961, 21 footer.

http://forums.iboats.com/attachment....4&d=1245707139

http://forums.iboats.com/attachment....3&d=1245707054

http://forums.iboats.com/attachment....8&d=1245705069

Thanks.......

Denning · #60 June 29th, 2009, 01:38 PM

Hey Creeper,

Mine is a '68 with a Chevy big block 454. The original engine was a 327 and still has the original transmission and propeller (which is a bit too small for the 454), so I have to be careful not to let the RPMs get too high. Do you have any pictures of yours?

Creeper86 · #61 June 29th, 2009, 09:48 PM

454!! man, that thing must move...... tough to keep the RPM's down I would imagine (I'd want to open it up)!!

Here's a few pics... hope they work, not great ones.. ill be using it this weekend and maybe get some better ones for the forum if wanted.....

Zetman · #62 July 7th, 2009, 04:55 PM

Creeper How did you bring back the metal flake? my boat is a 68 same color Zet

Williamlouder · #63 July 7th, 2009, 09:14 PM

Creeper , Great looking boat! It's been awhile since I've been on this site. I tore mine down for resto in the spring and have been slow in building it back up. I found copper metal flake gel below the brown paint. Too many projects too little time.

Creeper86 · #64 July 9th, 2009, 07:37 PM

I had a clear coat placed on it and the metal flake shines again.

Question for those with a similar boat: is a hose attached to your bilge pump sucking from the bottom of the boat?? I would imagine this feature is original as these boats are without plugs. Recently I had it go out and the guy helping me with replacing it wanted to place a stationary bilge pump at the low point of the boat.. HOwever, this would never work correctly (would take a decent amount of water before it started to drain) and would leave water to sit in the boat... anyway, he called the current setup mickey mouse, but I think it is stock and the only true way to "bilge" the boat completely... thoughts?

Williamlouder · #65 July 10th, 2009, 01:17 PM

I wish my bilge was setup that way. Water never reaches where my current pump is mounted.

Zetman · #66 July 10th, 2009, 05:35 PM

My bilge pump pick-up is under the motor. I will always get water in the rudder box under the gas tank. I keep a sponge in that area all the time. Most of the water comes off the back seat when people enter the boat from the swim deck and water from life jackets,swim suits etc goes past he rear bench seat. Plus you will get water in the rudder box when making hard turns too. I just re-pack the drive shaft coupler the seals were old and I got a constant drip from there. I'll probably add another pump someday but for now sponge's work fine.

Zetman · #67 July 10th, 2009, 05:37 PM

before you put your clear coat on did you have to do alot of sanding? I know you had to but I tried on the bow a little are and the metal flake was coming off like crazy.

Zetman · #68 July 10th, 2009, 05:41 PM

I just re-read your post on the bilge..My pump looks big with a hose coming out to a pick-up grate that fits flat on the bottom of the boat. Is this what you have?

Creeper86 · #69 July 11th, 2009, 03:06 AM

that's exactly how the bilge is setup and will continue to be setup....

did sand it down and metal flake luckily remained intact....

Zetman · #70 July 11th, 2009, 06:54 PM

your bilge is fine not "mickey Moused" This boat has been in my family since 68 with no bilge issues and the boat was in some big over the bow waves too!