66 Skylark

[66Skylark]

Okay, it isn't a Nautique, but it is a Correct Craft...

Here are a couple of pics of our family's 1966 Correct Craft Skylark ski boat.

Notice, she's a left-hand drive and (though you can’t see it) the boat has a foot (pedal) throttle...

When I asked Correct Craft about the Skylarks they told me these features were intended to attract non-boaters to this model.

My grandparents were the original owners. When they passed away they left it to my Uncle. My uncle just surprised me this weekend and gave me the boat.

As I’m sure you can tell, this boat is in need of restoration. The usual cosmetic stuff – the gel coat is dull and faded, the seats need to be redone, etc… We’ll see what else turns up. After all, we haven’t taken a good hard look at things like the stringers or had the motor looked at. (Other than the usual maintenance on it.)

At the end of the season I’ll probably take it over to New England Correct Craft and get some estimates on the work that needs to be done. I wish I could do the work myself, like DavidF did on his (See his posting… Incredible job!), but I don’t have the knowledge, tools or a location to do the work. We’ll see what NECC says…

PS - This is my first time posting a pic, so forgive me if I screw up...

[66Skylark]

Huh... I have another pic of the boat in the water from this weekend, but it won't take it...

I tried to post it on the original post, but it wouldn't take it so I thought I'd post a reply with the other pic, but that doesn't work either.

I click on add an attachment and browse and select the file, then click add attachment and it doesn't take it...

Jeff/Luke, Am I doing something wrong? It is a .JPG file...

[66Skylark]

I just realized the file may be too big...

I've reduced it... Let's see if it takes it.

Note my RC AN next to it...

[bkhallpass]

Skylark,

Great boat. Very unusual, and nice family tradition. I hope you find a way to
keep it in the family regardless of what other boats you might acquire.

BKH

[93SkiNautique]

Wow, that right theres a classic. Right on. Be sure to post your results once you get'r all dolled up.

[surroundsound64]

Out of curiosity, what was the origional intended purpose of the skylark? Are they a ski boat or just recreation?

[bkhallpass]

It was a low cost, family utility boat.

If interested you can go to correctcraftfan.com, click on references,
and find the sales brochure and original price sheet for the entire
line of 66 boats.

BKH

[NHFooter]

The 66 Skylark was my families first boat. It was the same color and all if you did not mention that it has been in your family all those year I would have wondered if it was the same one. The boat is great and people can hear you coming from miles away.

[jhiestand]

We had a 66 Skylark when I was growing up, too! Ours was yellow and I recall the foot throttle was tough to maintain speed. The dash-mounted transmission shifter was kind of neat, too. I see yours actually has a ski pylon!? Ours didn't. We used the rear lifting ring to tie off.

I know we've got some pix of it floating around somewhere....

[66Skylark]

Thanks to everyone for the comments on the boat…

NHFooter, You’re right… Folks can definitely hear you from great distances. And with the seafoam green color they can see you too…

jhiestand,
You remember correctly, when the water is choppy, it is tough to maintain a steady speed with the foot throttle. If you look closely at the tow pylon in the photo of the boat in the water you’ll notice it is bent back a little. That’s because my uncle got 8 skiers up behind the boat one year. (About 30 years ago!)
If you can find the pictures of yours we’d love to see them. The paperwork we have on the Skylark says the yellow was called “Yucatan yellow”.



With the left-hand drive, foot throttle and shifter on the dash the Skylark is very car-like to drive. It is also a ****-of-a-lot-of-fun to drive!

I’ve been reading posts here on planetnautique.com and on correctcraftfan.com about ways to bring the boat back… My biggest question is where to begin…?

I'm open to suggestions...

I’ve been thinking I’d start with the hull and deck.
Then pull the motor and have that worked on. (Of course I’d pull the motor if the hull had to be inverted to be worked on.)
While the motor is being worked on I thought I’d double check the stringers. They seem fine, but it can’t hurt to double check.
Right now on a real choppy day you really feel the waves slap the hull. If it is possible, I’d love to line the inside of the hull with Novidamp (spelling?), the sound-deadening material CC uses on the new boats. I think it would make a big difference in ride.
I’m also leaning toward installing mufflers on this…
This boat doesn’t have it, but I’d also like to find and install the bar that mounts to the stern to guide the tow rope over the stern light. (If I get that, maybe I’ll look for the stern light at the bottom of the lake too…)
Then I figured the interior would be the last thing to be done.
I’m hoping to embroider the old Correct Craft logo onto the backseat backrest.

As I understand it, there are two options on the hull – regelcoat it or paint it. I understand current paints are pretty good, but I lean more toward regelcoating. Though I understand it would be a lot more work and a lot more expensive than painting.

The deck and top of the hull aren’t bad, just faded. The bottom of the hull is suffering from “crazing”. (Small cracks in the gelcoat.)

I don’t think I could do the job if I went with regelcoating. I watched John Greviskis, host of Ship Shape TV, paint the hull of a boat and I believe I could do that myself. So, if regelcoating is too expensive I may think about painting it myself.

I will be calling places soon to get estimates for each of the steps I mention above. (I plan on getting at least two estimates for each job.) It would be a shame to let go of such a classic boat, but if it is going to cost an arm and a leg to bring it back, I’m not opposed to trading it in for a new Nautique. I’m thinking if it is going to cost $15,000 to do the work I’d be better off putting that $15K toward a new boat. God knows, after 40 years, we’ve definitely gotten our money’s worth out of the boat.

I just wish CC would do a new ’06 this color for us!!! If they would I’d be filling out the paperwork now…

Sorry this post is so long...

[ag4ever]

Before regellcoating, or painting, I would take it to a professional detailer, and see if they can bring the existing gelcoat back to life. Even with a few hairline cracks, it might just look better than a coat of paint.

[jhiestand]

Finally dug up some pix of our Skylark! We added an Airguide speedo, bow ring and a swim platform. The trailer that came with the boat was barely functional and only had the two bunks, a hitch and an axle. We completely redid it by adding guides, nose bumper, winch , lights, new wheels & fenders and painted it. This was a while back and sealed lights weren't really available, so my dad had the bright idea of putting the lights on top of the guides. Worked pretty well!!

[66Skylark]

jhiestand,

Beautiful boat! I think your father had the right idea putting the lights on the guide posts... A man ahead of his time.

Do you know what ever happened to the boat?

I've said it before and I'll say it again... I'd love to see CC offer a "Classic 196" in some of the colors from the 60's.

[martymabe]

66 CC Skylark-Champange Buick V-6