Bilgie's Minnesota Adventure! (Sleekcraft "Barn Find")

[RitcheyRch]

Very cool story and glad the boat went to a good home.

 

[sprintcvx]

Great story, thanks for sharing. That's awesome!

 

[Ricks raft]

Nice ride. Thanks for the story.

 

[coolchange]

PERFECT

 

[coolchange]

Oh ya, we will need an epilogue photo of the twins.

 

[HighVoltage329]

Uplifting story. Thanks for the ride along.

 

[TBI]

For the newer members, here are a few pics of my Sleek that I built as kind of a tribute to Uncle Bob and his Sleekcraft

Here's how it looked when I bought it

 

[TBI]

Oh ya, we will need an epilogue photo of the twins.

 

[TBI]

I tried to get my cuz to throw this in on the deal, but it was a no go

 

[Sharp Shooter]

Best thread in a while! Love it Bilgie!

 

[77 SLEEK]

 

[ElAzul]

Is that a 235? If it is I have a lower seal kit and a bunch of new NGK plugs you can have

 

[77 SLEEK]

That's my Aristocrat ( In the background)

 

[77 SLEEK]

 

[77 SLEEK]

Enjoy the Sleek

 

[charlyox]

Great read. Mt. Rushmore is a must see destination.

 

[MissB]

thanks for messing up my mascara TBI!!! what a beautiful story!

 

[Waterheater]

Awesome Story!

 

[Cole Trickle]

awesome

 

[HNL2LHC]

Great story and incredible boat. Have fun as the journey unfolds.

 

[GETBOATS]

What year is it? my guess is 1978-1980, Bruce Nescher was ahead of his time in more ways than one. never saw the mold for this or the SST, but think of how the hull comes out of the mold, most are all angled so a vertical pull pops it loose from the mold, not the case here the way the last three feet of hull side pulls inward. anyone see it done?

 

[Rattle Can Lou]

Awesome Jiffy...cool read and puts smile on the mug..

 

[77 SLEEK]

What year is it? my guess is 1978-1980, Bruce Nescher was ahead of his time in more ways than one. never saw the mold for this or the SST, but think of how the hull comes out of the mold, most are all angled so a vertical pull pops it loose from the mold, not the case here the way the last three feet of hull side pulls inward. anyone see it done?

A few years ago I found out that Finneys still has the mold for the SST and aristocrat.

 

[DaveC]

I give this thread one and a half thumbs up

 

[RIVERDAZE]

Great story and road trip! Hope he gets it on the water and enjoys it!

 

[BajaMike]

Great story and pics.

 

[TBI]

What year is it? my guess is 1978-1980, Bruce Nescher was ahead of his time in more ways than one. never saw the mold for this or the SST, but think of how the hull comes out of the mold, most are all angled so a vertical pull pops it loose from the mold, not the case here the way the last three feet of hull side pulls inward. anyone see it done?

It's a '76, mine is a 77

 

[SoCalDave]

Great read there TBI!

 

[buck35]

Great thread and don't be a stranger, been missing you're wit and humor.

 

[TBI]

Awesome Jiffy...cool read and puts smile on the mug..

You've met Scott aka Sid aka Skippy, great guy

 

[TBI]

I give this thread one and a half thumbs up

 

[havasu5150]

Great Thread. That was very enjoyable to read.

 

[FlatNv]

Love the story Jeff, just seeing the picture of the logo brings back fond memories of growing up boating .. , pops bought this one in 82ish, came my way in 90's and I sold to a family friend few years ago that we grew up going to mead with, his family had same sleek but brown.. so still in the family

 

[TBI]

Love the story Jeff, just seeing the picture of the logo brings back fond memories of growing up boating .. , pops bought this one in 82ish, came my way in 90's and I sold to a family friend few years ago that we grew up going to mead with, his family had same sleek but brown.. so still in the family

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Nice!
My 26' Sleek - before and after

 

[FlatNv]

that's cool, same color as my friends Dads bought new from Vegas sleek dealer Blakes Holiday Marine

 

[braindead]

Great story

 

[rrrr]

Nice!
My 26' Sleek - before and after

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I bought an Executive from Nescher in 1979, paid $16K for it. Back then it was a big boat, and attracted a lot of attention. Had a lot of fun in it.

 

[rush1]

That things a work of art ,beautiful, great story

 

[Carlson-jet]

Here's to Uncle Bob. Cheers!
Thanks for the Story and ride-along TBI.

 

[boatdoc55]

That was fun!! A good way to hit the bed, night, night.

 

[FreeBird236]

Thanks Jeff, great read.

 

[TBI]

I forgot this little gem

At a gas station in the middle of South Dakota

 

[rivermobster]

Jeff...

What an awesome story. A whole dollar huh? Too cool!

The other best part of this story is...

If you went on a trip like that, it means your health is good. Awesome news on all counts.

Have fun with the new project!

Stop by here more often if you can. My avatar misses you!

 

[Terminal Velocity]

BadAss Jeff, guess I’m going to have to make a spot for your Sleek in the toy barn and get the bottom fixed for next year.

 

[Tommy Gun Images]

Awesome thread Bilge!

 

[Dan Lorenze]

Very cool..

 

[rrrr]

I hadn't seen Uncle Bob's Sleek for about 30 years, I told Scott on the way there I had no idea what shape it was in, Uncle Bob took good care of it, but like I said...I hadn't seen it for 30 years.

Hope for the best, prepare for the worst I always say....



































Mind you in these pics, the boat is dirty, it hasn't been washed in years....

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The boat is ALL original including the paint on the trailer and the carpet, it is VERY solid, transom, floors and stringers included.
I'd bet my cooler on a 4th of July weekend it doesn't have 100 hours on it.

It does have a some issues, there are a few areas on the gel that need some attention, some of the wood framing on the interior needs redone, the wiring is kind of a mess, the fuel lines are hard as a rock, but over all it's pretty fuckin sweet!

Did I mention this is a freekin' cool boat? I love the windshield and how it ties into the hull. Aristocrats were the best looking of the original Sleekcraft lineup.

 

[Sleek-Jet]

You're a good egg Bilgie...

 

[tunnelvision]

Awesome trip and a beautiful boat , thank you for taking us along !!! Be sure to feed the old crossflow premium fuel only , and good oil and she will live a long life !

 

[TBI]

BadAss Jeff, guess I’m going to have to make a spot for your Sleek in the toy barn and get the bottom fixed for next year.

It was on that road trip that I took this pic. In the middle of South Dakota, we passed it on the way to Minnesota, but I didn't grab my phone in time to get a pic. I was like, fuck I really need a pic of that sign for Jimmy!
On the way back I was ready and clicked off about seven pics in hopes that at least one would turn out.