1981 Invader

[Invader81]

Re: 1981 Invader

Congrats! You are clearly a better wrench than I. Any tips on gettin' that darn shift rod bolt out?

Getting the bolt out wasnt bad, getting it back in is the tricky part. We taped the bolt to the end of a long screwdriver so we wouldnt drop it anywhere.

The tough part was getting the rods lined up to get the bolt threaded. It works best with two people, one to adjust the shifter, while the other person plays with the angle of the rods to get them to line up.

 

[Invader81]

Re: 1981 Invader

I did get it in the water last Sunday. It ran great... once I got a good battery in it.

First attempt in the morning left me floating about 75 feet away from the bank with a dead battery. That will teach me to borrow a used battery. I jumped in the water, with a rope in hand, swam to the bank and pulled my boat back. I loaded it on the trailer and went to buy a new battery.

Later in the afternoon, I came back and got to drive my boat around for a
couple of hours. I ran a 6 gallon can of gas thru it with some Seafoam in the mix. It was a bit windy and the water was choppy but I got the boat up to 38 mph several times. I remember it running 40 easily when I was a a kid.

Anyway, here are a couple of pics.

 

[Invader81]

Re: 1981 Invader

I finished all new step boards on the trailer tonight. We shall see how long they last... Made of 3/4 inch treated plywood. I painted them, rubber coated them, then I put bunk material on. Mounted them down with galvenized carriage bolts.

 

[lrcustom]

Re: 1981 Invader

Invader81,
Nice job on the step boards and side bunks. A good working trailer is as important as a good working boat. Looks like ya got both. As far as your speed just work with the trim or maybe a prop change might get you to 40.

Anyway great to see it in a lake. What lake is that? (my guess Whitney)

LR

 

[Invader81]

Re: 1981 Invader

Invader81,
Anyway great to see it in a lake. What lake is that? (my guess Whitney)

LR

It is Lake Travis.

Btw, I went out again this last weekend, and I actually spent the night on the lake. It doesnt get much better than sunrise on a lake.