[Capt. Susie]

Hey out there~
I will try to keep my intro brief, I came to this forum to get info on a boat purchase. I asked my husband if we could get a boat when the kids are bigger, my only requirements being it needs to have a top of some type and it needs to have enough power to pulls skis. I had always wanted a whaler, and the new 150 sport looked great for a start...

My husband asked me "what's wrong with the boat you already have?"
You mean the one sitting in the yard unused for the last 15 years? Yes, that's "my" '75 nineteen. Well technically, it's my father's now, my grandmother (my mom's mom) gave it to him after my grandfather died about 20 years ago.

My Poppop bought it new in '75 about a month after I was born, and I often joked that it was my first birthday gift! My mother later told me that he was more excited about the boat than his first and only granddaughter being born. I have to admit, I probably would be too! The best times of my childhood were spent on that boat. There were times my parents thought about selling it, but the sentimental part of me begged them not to, and thank goodness, because it's ready to be brought back to life--Truly a classic.

We're on the Jersey shore, and it was used in the Barnegat bay, inlet and ocean. He kept it immaculate, I mean not a string of seaweed would be left. It was garage kept, trailered and never kept in the water when not in use.
Slip rentals are pretty steep around here anyway.

It wasn't until I came here to research restoring it, and saw the pics of some others (brought me right back to my childhood) that I knew that we were going to go for it. Just yesterday we took the cover off and assessed the work. My father will get the engine going, we'll see what it needs mechanically, clean it up and hopefully get it running in time for next season.

I thank you all for the info and advice you've put up here. I am sure I'll be here now and then with questions. Wish us luck! when i make my pic files smaller i will put some up.

[ziggy]

great story Capt. Susie.... try photobucket for yer photos. ya can resize them there + get the url so they can be posted up.

so what ya got to work with. engine/drive? if a mercruiser, some service manuals are available here. http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=288430 look at #9. i use #2 for my 75, confirm by serial number. the service manual will be the best tool in the toolbox too. if not merc. still get one somehow for your rig. imho it's a must have item..
what color? aristocraft had so many cool colors it's fun to see what everyone gets..

sounds like it's a good thing ya kept the nineteen w/ hardtop. not to many hardtops made now a days (like none), a few back then, but aristocraft sure seemed ahead of the game to me... that hardtop is worth it's weight in gold for boatin imho. used mine again last weekend. overnighted on it. deployed the aft curtain and i was hip down to 49* or so ... very nice indeed... did use a light weight sleeping bag and wore long sweats, but sure was fun and doable. only because of being fully enclosed though. guess i'll have to try colder yet.. the only other boats out were sail boats w/ cabins below deck and a larger cruiser w/camper cover full up... sure is nice to have the lake mostly to myself...

welcome aboard. don't forget to use the i/o forum and restoration forum here on iboats too. many hip folks that have lots of knowledge. they sure have saved me a bundle of dollars anyways.. good luck...

[Capt. Susie]

Hey Ziggy,
thanks for the reply! We just got around to cleaning her up today. looking good, will get some pics up when i have a free minute.
found the old service manual for the engine, 120hp mercruiser, 4cyl. I think we need to replace it and most of the electronics for the instruments.
Also need new sliders for the top. otherwise, it looks pretty good.
they kids are really excited about it, they did a great job helping to clean it up.
have a great weekend!
Susie