Elite Craft Owners Club Forum

Please click on Forum Submission to post or reply to questions, comments, stories or anything else regarding Elite Craft.

Forum ID #: 409 Ski Elite Restoration 8-2-10 Hello all, I have begun the restoration of my '88 Ski Elite. All interior seating has been removed, all bright work and deck fittings, windshield, etc. I have also begun a minor restoration on the engine - a Commander 300 Ford Windsor 351. I have two main questions at this time:1. My windshield is not original as it is made of tinted Plexiglass - or some similar plastic material. the windshield is 'crazed?' - it has lots of small 'cracks' that all run in the same direction. It is usable in its present condition but i will probably replace it since i already have it off the boat. Which brings me to my question - does anyone know where i can get the deck to windshield gasket and the special bolts used? A few of the bolts broke, the rest were rusty, and the gasket is toast. (BTW - whoever thought it was a good idea to use square head nuts and bolts 4X longer than needed should be poked with a spork.) 2. My deck was 'severely' oxidized from years left exposed. By wet sanding and compounding i have achieved a nice shiny, smooth finish. However, the color is not what it was. It seems as if the 'wood' has lost most of it's red color - which is visible from where i removed the deck fittings. Have i just not removed enough of the clear coat or will i have to reconcile myself with a two-tone boat? Excited about my project!!!! Peter Mrozinski Kennett Square, PA

Forum ID #: 410 Ski Elite Restoration 8-11-10 To Peter per your '88 Ski Elite Restoration. I have an '88 Ski Elite myself...all original. I'd be glad to send any pics I have to you if it will help any way. I've done some work on mine over the years...all mechanical & electrical, but don't have any answers to your windshield questions. However, I have a windshield issue myself, and am interested in replacement including the gasket and mounting hardware. I'm sure Eric will have some input about locating your needs. Bill Siebenaler Whitefish, MT

Forum ID #: 411 Ski Elite Restoration 8-13-10 Hello Bill, Thank you for your reply and offer of pics. I have been taking quite a few as I go with the hope that I will be able to put it all back together again. I will let you know how the windshield replacement goes - there seems to be quite a few postings here about it. While the bolts do have an unusual head to fit in the frame's channel I believe I could find a standard hex head that would fit. While a real replacement gasket would be ideal I believe something off the shelf would work as well. I have found some engine manuals for the 351 Windsor by searching the web but nothing specific to the Commander - do you have a Commander manual? Peter Mrozinski Kennett Square, PA

Forum ID #: 412 Ski Elite Restoration 8-14-10 Peter...sorry for the delay in getting back with you. I don't have a manual for the 351 Commander...I forgot to mention to you that my Ski Elite has the GM 5.7 (350). It's a wonderful engine, as I'm sure the 351 is. My father was always a 351 person...and I've heard great things about that motor. It would be great to see some pics of your project. I am a 48 yr old that's truly blessed to have run across my Elite Craft by accident back in '95, when it only had 18 hours on it. I've used it as a family boat, but have really tried to keep it nice...and it was only recently when I realized what I really had...a true piece of art. It was always special to me though. I have a few issues that eventually, as time & money allows, that I will be able to resolve. Thanks for the info on the Windshield. I had one of my speedometer "Airguide Pitot's" on the back of the boat break off right at the point where the hose attaches...and I just ordered two new replacements on line. My windshield came loose several years ago from the deck, and some air got in between the glass layers on the left side towards the bottom (hard to notice from a distance), so eventually I would like to replace. What you are doing is a dream of mine...some type of restoration, etc on something, some day, when I have a place again with space etc to accomplish it...and now, since becoming aware of the Elite Craft Club, I hope that I'm able to do that on another old Elite Craft boat that I find some day. I truly feel that there's a remedy...whether original or close to original...when it comes to fixing or putting something back together. It will be a great day when you see your boat float I'm sure...good luck!! Bill Siebenaler Whitefish, MT

Forum ID #: 413 Ski Elite Restoration 8-26-10 Hello again Bill, No worries - I have found some online manuals for the Ford 351 Windsor in marine applications and they will serve me for now. Once I establish that the engine runs I will be doing a minor overhaul and getting it looking nice. I will have lots of pictures and plan on posting them here once i am near the completion of the project. I also was extremely luck to have run across my Ski Elite - it was exactly what i was looking for without knowing that Elite Craft existed. I am a little younger than you but have restored a few boats including an all wood center consol that I sold to purchase my Ski Elite (for $7K with trailer!). Once restored it will be our tow boat on Lake Wallenpaupack in the Poconos, PA. I am really looking forward to next summer - it will be a busy off season in my shed. Now that I am familiar with Elite Craft thru this site I hope to one day own a 'Riviera style' Elite Craft. Hopefully it will not require the level of restoration that my Ski Elite does. I hope to hear back from someone about my question on the faded color of my topsides - I do not want to keep compounding and wet sanding if it will achieve nothing. Cheers, Peter Mrozinski Kennett Square, PA

Forum ID #: 414 Ski Elite Restoration 8-26-10 Peter please send in close-up pictures of the deck and areas of concern with the faded color, I will do my best to steer you in the right direction. I am very happy to see other owners out there sharing there stories, experiences and knowledge on Elite Craft. Eric Smith Orlando, FL

Forum ID #: 415 Finishing Touches on my Trim Tabs 8-26-10 I am putting the finishing touches on my trim tab installation and will post pics soon. We had a set of custom Lenco tabs in high polish made for this boat. I feel it will help greatly. Also installing an electric hatch actuator so that heavy hatch can be lifted with a touch of a button or remote...Sandy Squitieri Sarasota, FL

Forum ID #: 418 Straightening up an Elite Craft 9-28-10 Here is a great article written about Sandy's 1990 Elite Craft Riviera regarding the custom installation of trim tabs, please click here. Eric Smith Orlando, FL

Forum ID #: 419 Straightening up an Elite Craft Part 2 10-2-10 Here is part 2 of a great article written about Sandy's 1990 Elite Craft Riviera regarding the custom installation of trim tabs, please click here. Eric Smith Orlando, FL

Forum ID #: 420 Spray Rail 10-5-10 I own a 1980 Riviera which sits outside my house on the River Thames in Henley on Thames, about 50 miles from London. I am sure that you will wince when I tell you that I took out and sold on the Crusader, added a keel and a 4kw electric engine and it all works a dream. Much admired is my "Miss Molly". Trouble is that she sits in the water about 8 months of the year and the wooden spray rails get pretty ugly very quickly. I have tried many coats of the right gloss varnish on totally dry wood but it always happens. Was there ever a fiberglass version of this addition? Look forward to any help. Incidentally, you will find my boat, in a previous incarnation, with maroon seats, flying a Canadian flag in your gallery. Henry Fletcher Henley on Thames UK

Forum ID #: 421 Spray Rail 10-7-10 Please send in updated pictures of your Elite Craft Riviera when you get a chance into info@elitecraftowners.com . I would very much like to know more specifics on the electric engine you put in with details on top speed, cruising speed, battery life and weight difference with the removing of the gas engine for the electric engine and batteries? The Riviera's built from 1979 up to 1983 had wood splash rails while the 1985 and up Riviera's had the matching wood grained fiberglass splash rails. We will be offering in the future replacement splash rails done in same fiberglass wood grain as the original Elite Craft's. Please check back on the store page of the website in the future. Thank you, Eric Smith Orlando, FL

Forum ID #: 422 Spray Rail 10-24-10 Thanks for this Eric. You have a customer for the spry rails. If you get a chance - let me know. The conversion to electric was because our speed limit is 7mph - not good for V8s and anyway in the non-tidal waters where we live electric propulsion is great. The engine is a 4kw "Best Motor" from Modena in Italy. The weight of the Crusader, tank etc seems to have been the equivalent of the charger, 8 batteries and the Motor because she lies pretty well as she did originally and has not needed any ballast. An overnight charge from the bank side supply lasts up to 6 hrs at around 4-5 knots. She is outside our house so that works fine. I will get some photos over soon. Thanks. Henry

Forum ID #: 423 Spray Rail 11-12-10 Well its a long story, but I finally have myself a great boat! Once owned by a business owner who kept this special craft in one of his warehouses. It has 15 hours of use, stainless is in flawless condition as well as interior and carpeting. The boat was purchased along with injection molds for my company, so the boat was sent down in a full truck load surrounded by steel blocks. When the truck arrived, we find that the boat had hit a steel mold several times damaging the port side of the hull. Amazing how incompetent some people are... a trailer on wheels, inside of a truck, traveling over 2,500 miles, unsecured. Lucky the beauty of the wood grain finish was not damaged. Just the white line that wraps around and some under the the boat. I have pictures of the damage and of the boat. I'll have to take it in for repair, but I'd like to know if anyone knows the color code for the white and the bottom paint, and if there are any suggestions to what should be done. The boat is beautiful, but since the engine hasn't been started in about 5 years I don't know where to start. It has a 351 Pleasurecraft engine. I don't have a manual or anything else, the title couldn't even be found. Could a manual be purchased? Any and all help is greatly appreciated. Look forward to being a long time owner. Johnathan Miller Miami, FL

Forum ID #: 424 Spray Rail 12-12-10 hello Johnathan, I have the Ski Elite - purchased this summer as a major project boat. I currently have the entire interior removed and the engine has had everything removed for a painting - i hope to include pictures here if I can figure it out.To answer your question about manuals - I have done quite a bit of searching and if they exist (for the Commander 351) they are not easy to find. What I have discovered is that they seemed to have used very common accessories when marinizing the Ford 351 Windsor engine. I have had great luck replacing such things as: alternator, starter, distributor, fuel pump, pulleys, valve covers, pulley brackets, etc - with easily purchased models made for the 351 Windsor. This was a very common engine used in inboard ski boats of this time. I have downloaded manuals for the 351 Windsor and manuals from Pleasurecraft, Ski Nautique, and other inboard ski manufacturers of the late 80's. These have been very useful and given me the confidence to take this engine apart - something i have never done! This boat was left uncovered for ~7 years here in the land of sun and snow - there was a small tree growing in it! I changed the fluids and plugs in the engine, plumbed in some fresh gas and it started right up. I would do the same for yours as I am sure it is in fine shape. You know not to run it for long without hooking cooling water up to it. Well, it looks like I cannot download pics - I will email them to Eric. Peter Mrozinski Lincoln University

Forum ID #: 425 Exhaust Hose Question 1-3-11 Hello, I am still working on my Ski Elite 'Rehab'. I am replacing the exhaust hoses and i found a couple of interesting things:1. There was a plastic tube connector on each exhaust hose. It was in the same place on both sides - five feet from the transom. I suspect it was just because the hose they had was in five foot sections (my replacement hose is one piece @ seven feet) - but if anyone knows why I should have that connector in there please let me know. 2. There was a fiberglass 'baffle' on one of the exhaust hoses - right up against the transom thru-hull. I am curious as to why there was only one - it seems to be a muffler. Could the other one have disintegrated? Hopefully someone else out there has worked on their exhaust hoses. I still can't seem to post pictures. Peter Mrozinski Lincoln University

Forum ID #: 426 Forum Pictures Posted 1-14-11 For any pictures anyone would like to have posted on the forum please E-Mail them to info@elitecraftowners.com with the "forum ID # and number" in the subject line. Thank you, Eric Smith Orlando, FL

Forum ID #: 427 Please give me a call 1-26-11 Eric please give me a call. Thanks Leo Wolfe ***-***-**** cell. Leo Wolfe Beaver Falls, PA

Forum ID #: 428 1989 Elite Craft Windshield 3-7-11 Hello Eric, We have years 1989 Elite Craft. The boat is very nice and condition is good. The problem is that our windshield is broken. Do you know where we can buy a new one and what is the price? And how much it cost to send to Finland? Yours, Kari Rekko Helsinki Finland

Forum ID #: 429 1989 Elite Craft Windshield 3-8-11 Could you please let me know what model Elite Craft you have? Thank you, Eric Smith Orlando, FL

Forum ID #: 430 1989 Elite Craft Windshield 3-20-11 My Elite crafts model is Riviera and the hull number is ******50K889. Do you have original boat manual or copy? My engine is Pleasurecraft Ford 302. Kari Rekko Helsinki Finland

Forum ID #: 431 1989 Elite Craft Windshield 3-20-11 Your boat was shipped from the factory on 12/19/1988 with a PCM 302 engine. It was shipped to a dealer Impex Marine/Annapolis, MD and the first owner location was Finland. I am E-Mailing you a manual for your Elite Craft Riviera. As for the windshield I would recommend having it duplicated in Lexan or Plesiglass. The cost of the glass would be about $1500 US without shipping. You would need to have your original glass removed from the frame and this new piece installed. If you would like more information on this solution please let me know. Eric Smith Orlando, FL

Forum ID #: 434 1989 Elite Craft Windshield 5-1-11 Hi Kari, I live in Stockholm Sweden, my Rivera has a cracked windshield and in the corner there is a small sticker barley readable but it seems that the windshield is from a company in Finland! I can't make out all letters but the company name is AUTOLASTI... ERIKOISTI... something and located in Tamerfors, Finland and the phone number is 431-30950. If that doesn't work there is a company in Stockholm that can make you a Lexan windshield for approx. € 250 / $ 400 http://www.svepo.se/batrutor.html My boat has hull number CQAMRO 49 K 889, I bought it five years ago in New York and shipped her to Sweden but it seems that she has been registered in Germany before, so this Rivera has crossed the Atlantic Ocean at least four times. Eric, would it be possible for you to mail me a copy of the owners manual? Nils Jensen Helsinki Finland

Forum ID #: 435 1989 Elite Craft Windshield 5-14-11 Nils, great leg work on the windshield, is there anywhere that shows "Safety Glass" on your current windshield? I have E-Mailed you a copy of the manual for your Riviera, please let me know if you need anything else. Eric Smith Orlando, FL

Forum ID #: 432 Gelcoat 3-22-11 I just picked up my 1981 Riviera, and now the renovation begins. The most pressing issue is the finish above the rub rail. It has delaminated in places, and has cracks in the clear, and some look like they go thru the wood layer. Any help on this would be much appreciated. Lucky Miner Seguin

Forum ID #: 433 Gelcoat 3-28-11 Congratulations on your purchase! As to the renovation start I would like to have you send pictures (with good close ups) to info@elitecraftowners.com with forum ID # 432. From there we will post the pictures and give you some recommendations on starting points. Eric Smith Orlando, FL

Forum ID #: 436 What engine should I use for my Elite Craft Riviera 5-15-11 I just purchased the hull of an Elite Craft Riviera, I am restoring it and I would like to know which type an motor and transmission should I use that best fits my needs. Hope you can help me with this and where can I get it or what places do you recommend me to buy it. Eduardo Malpica Mexico

Forum ID #: 437 What engine should I use for my Elite Craft Riviera 5-15-11 Congratulations, do you have any pictures of your Elite Craft and do you have the HIN (Hull Identification Number)? Did you just get the hull or is this a complete boat minus the motor and transmission? Eric Smith Orlando, FL

Forum ID #: 438 What engine should I use for my Elite Craft Riviera 5-15-11 This boat was abandoned and the engine was stolen and I am in the restoration process. I have all the chrome parts as you can see in the picture, but it has nothing else. I can not fully understand why the hull is white and does not have the wooden finish. The sample wood work that is going to be on the deck, it is not the actual thick, it is just a sample that actually people on my shop is improving it as I want it as Riva aquariva style. Also in this pictures the paint work was not finished so it looks weird. The last picture is how is going to look when finished. (kind of) Eduardo Malpica Mexico