1958 Ski Boat 'Calliope'

[VitesseEFI]

That’s really nice. Something to aim for?

[dmulally]

Whilst I'm waiting for the cert man to come look at the Chev, I have dragged the boat back into the workshop to get some progress made. 

Just a shame I have bogan ADD it seems as I worked on anything but. Did a big clean up and then worked on a seized junk 15hp evinrude which was from the tip and an old 5.5hp seahorse circa 1961. Oddly enough they weigh the same. 

For the Johnson I stripped it down and changed the coils and managed to get spark. Even got it to run on laughing gas but although the fuel lines are clear, it won't run. So likely the carb is rooted. 

The 15hp was pretty easy to get unseized and after cleaning the points and plugs, it fired off nicely. No water flow though. I can see where the PO gave up and that's after installing a new water impellor but the housing looks defective from factory. I have ordered a new one and hopefully will sort it. 

[dmulally]

Notching and shaping the stringers to fit in. Looks like it's a bit out at the transom from side to side but not a big deal. 

 

[dmulally]

New impeller and housing and she runs good. Might make this the back up in Calliope and build a cradle for it to rest in. 

 

[dmulally]

Got some top decking made today. Probably will take a while to dry out but will depend on how the rest of this nonsense summer pans out. If not dry in time it can be used on the Diamond T truck.

Was good fun playing on the neighbours portable mill. Not sure but it's either oak or elm. 

 

[dmulally]

Bonded in the main stringers and beefed up the transom whilst there. I'll cloth the transom from the outside when I convert it to long leg. 

[dmulally]

Going to work on the decking for a change. Unsure how I'll go about it but if I can save what is there I'll keep it. So far so good. 

 

[dmulally]

Yeah nah she is rooted. I'll have to cut it all out and start again. Not a biggy but means I have to wait until the oak I milled stops contracting whilst drying out. 

Maybe I'll flip it to do the hull but most likely will park it for a bit. 

[cubastreet]

Oh look, I found your next project.

Wylo 2 project - Hull with everything to finish. https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/boats-marine/yachts/other-yachts/listing/5829948911

[dmulally]

1 hour ago, cubastreet said:

Oh look, I found your next project.

Wylo 2 project - Hull with everything to finish. https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/boats-marine/yachts/other-yachts/listing/5829948911

I do enjoy owners threatening to cut things up for scrap. 

In other news you should buy this:

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/boats-marine/dinghies-rowboats/wood/listing/5824746696

Looks like it is in my street too. Fun fact: I spent more on epoxy on the whaler than this boat. Good times. 

[cubastreet]

Fuck that looks like a good deal.

It's a bit bigger than what I want, but not crazy big. But I have pretty much run out of money. Might be time to find a job or something.

[dmulally]

11 minutes ago, cubastreet said:

Fuck that looks like a good deal.

It's a bit bigger than what I want, but not crazy big. But I have pretty much run out of money. Might be time to find a job or something.

Working is for losers and lesbians. Youre certainly not a loser so that only leaves one option left. 

Boats are a funny thing. You need to work to keep one and that leaves no time to use it. 

[cubastreet]

Well there is this girl I fancy...

[Bearded Baldy]

Obviously this boat is now done.

Where is the thread for boat number 3?

[dmulally]

17 hours ago, Bearded Baldy said:

Obviously this boat is now done.

Where is the thread for boat number 3?

Woah woah woah! I'm sure this isn't the first time you've been told this today but calm your tits, Michael. 

Boat related I'm waiting for the oak I milled to dry out (not too much or I can't steam bend) in order to use for the decking. I thought I'd take this thinking time to get some work done on the chev but my care factor for anything fuel powered is probably at an all time low. Fuel price and all round cost of living bullshittery has me focusing on the garden more. I daydream more about building a bunker than boats these days. 

I might take the whaler out this weekend so I can relax. I'm looking forward to getting back into that when this ski boat is done with building a removable cabin, rowlocks etc. 

 

[locost_bryan]

On 23/03/2026 at 14:20, cubastreet said:

Well there is this girl I fancy...

hello sailor...

[Tiger Tamer]

[dmulally]

On 18/05/2026 at 17:03, Tiger Tamer said:

Ok ok settle down. Where my boat building bay is, it is currently full of chev. I need to move that to the bay with the lift but that has another immovable chev on it too. Plus there is a Lister (fuel problems) and an Imp.(No radiator) In the middle of both bays which need to be moved. It's complicated.  

 

[Bearded Baldy]

Any update is valid. Now get to work.

[dmulally]

Any update it is then.

So I managed to get the lister firing. Still running a little rough but will be able to fine tune it before winter. I should hope so because it my off grid cabin backup genny. 

Turned out to be a stiff (fnar fnar) spring that moves the arm that operates the lift/fuel pump. The spring is centre shot below and covered in crud. 

I just pulled it apart to clean and reassembled and off she went. Needs full choke to start on the telephone dial. 

Sounds like gunshots without the muffler going into a drum of water. In the video you can see the lift pump lever and how small the movement is. Hence why I didnt spot it prior.