Dear Skiffhead,
I finally have my Skiff completed. Special thanks to Paul Nowack, not only for
building the original hull, but for acting as my mentor during the design and
build process.
I basically have a Bender Nowack hull with a strong 350 Chevy reverse rotation
and a velvet drive transmission with an OJ 12x15 3 blade.
Best speed to date (against the Niagara River current) GPS 78 MPH @ 6600 RPM.
Highest RPM - 7600 on a shape turn with the prop out of the water with the rev
limiter disconnected (Please don't tell my engine builder!)
The final product turned out trouble free and simple. Most importantly, it
handles and rides great. You can see for yourself at Clayton in August and Mt.
Dora next year.
I would be remiss if I didn't thank the following:
1. Sked - For sharing his vast knowledge of Jersey Skiffs.
2. Jeff Buckley - For selling me the boat and bringing it to New Hampshire and
for his valuable advice.
3. Tom Preaski - Tom's Performance for the motor work.
4. Doc Mehan - For my first skiff ride.
5. Paul Nowack - For letting me drive his boat - my first in a skiff.
6. Bill Kosick of Bottoms Up Boat Repair built
this boat as his personal boat and was featured in the 1996 Mcormick Chicago
boat show. It had a brand new 1996 350 Mercruiser with a transmission. After
the show, I sold the engine to the owner of a boat that I restored for Jim
Kyler called "Pussy Cat" he runs it in Texas.
After that the boat sat at my shop in shrink wrap. As
time dictated, I re-rigged it and ran it for two years. It had the Glenwood
race hardware in it that was sold on the net. I finally sold the boat to
Jeff Buckley who than sold it to it's present owner John Gast.
Attached are some pictures of my Skiff during construction and the final
product.
John
Gast
