Sanger Catalina

[earlesurfs]

I purchased a 1972 Sanger Catalina several years ago that I have been completely rebuilding. It is a 19.5' V-Drive, V hull. I have tried and tried to find information and pictures of these boats with out any luck.

I was wondering if anybody could give me any information/ pics. Were these boats ever used for ski racing? Do they handle well?

I have noticed that some of the Sanger Mini Cruisers have an extremely similar looking lower hull as mine. Were these made in the same mold?

Thanks for any info,

Earle

 

[78 Continental]

Not to take you away from this Board, but try posting this over on Performance Boats in the V-drive section. Many knowledgeable people over there who dont frequent this board. Hope this can help.

 

[RiverDave]

I purchased a 1972 Sanger Catalina several years ago that I have been completely rebuilding. It is a 19.5' V-Drive, V hull. I have tried and tried to find information and pictures of these boats with out any luck.

I was wondering if anybody could give me any information/ pics. Were these boats ever used for ski racing? Do they handle well?

I have noticed that some of the Sanger Mini Cruisers have an extremely similar looking lower hull as mine. Were these made in the same mold?

Thanks for any info,

Earle

Somebody else on here had a catalina.. I'll have to find out who it was.

Please post some pictures if you get a chance.

RD

 

[earlesurfs]

Thanks Dave.

Windshield on Flickr - Photo Sharing!@@AMEPARAM@@http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2314/2150153594_f5101074ee_m.jpg@@AMEPARAM@@2150153594@@AMEPARAM@@f5101074ee

Windshield on Flickr - Photo Sharing!@@AMEPARAM@@http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2276/2150152118_af6cabac3d_m.jpg@@AMEPARAM@@2150152118@@AMEPARAM@@af6cabac3d

 

[RiverDave]

I did some searches and honestly I can't remember who the hell had one..

In looking at your pictures I've never seen one before. It is a good looking boat though.

Is that twin turbo deal in the pics, the motor that is in it now?

RD

 

[earlesurfs]

Thanks Dave.
The pictures of the twin turbo engine is from the guy I purchased the Banks set up from. I found it here about a year and a half ago. I am building the engine to go under it as we speak.

I purchased the boat on E-Bay never seeing it in person because It was a V-Drive and I liked the look. It was different. It did not have the windshield but I pictured it with one. It had a L-88 427 in it with a TCI powerglide. My plan was paint it, put rings and bearings and have a boat last summer. WRONG. The block was junk. It started life as a 396, was bored to 4.250 and then .030 over. Paper thin! The heads were different castings. One was a 1965 396 375hp head and the other a 1967 427 425hp head. The V-Drive was full of water and the bearings were shot. No problem...

But the hull needed help too. The outer stringers had the glass delaminated so I removed it to reglass them. The wood turned to dust. After digging into the stringer I realized the transom was completely rotten as well. I started repairing the hull and then I was forced to move and the boat was placed in storage for over a year. I recently rented a place to work on it and I have been getting a lot done.

I sold the old 'vette heads and purchased a set of AFR 305cc marine heads. I ordered a set of JE pistons. I had my crank magged, straightened and polished and I am dropping my new block for machine next week. I have a pair of brand new turbos. Things are looking good.


With a ton of labor, a bunch of money and a little luck I will have my boat on the river next summer.

Thank you Dave for the awesome site. I have learned a lot and purchased some great parts here.

Earle

 

[RiverDave]

Wow! I love to hear about a good restoration. . Did you take any pics along the way?

RD

 

[SchiadaJohn]

I picked this one up in Havasu earlier this year.

PM Sent

 

[carykard]

Was on the way to California from Georgia to pick up that sanger but had some issues with work. What kind of shape is it truly in. Have you run it? I got lots of pick of it and would love to be able to find another one.

 

[RiverDave]

I've never even heard of one of these deals before.. and now their growin on trees! LOL

Lets see the restoration pics!

RD

 

[Cos]

I saw a Catalina once in person that was running no windshield. I never could figure out why it had the weird step down the side until I saw Earl's and John's photos.:kewl They look much nicer with the windshield. I really like Earls frameless smoke lexan shield, it gives the boat a really clean look. I'm not sure about "growing on trees Dave", I don't think they made many of these things and I'm guessing even fewer are left today. The guy I talked to who had one told me they were pretty rare. As I recall, the one I saw hauled some moderate ass too. I think it was at CFW about 12-13 years ago, kind of a funky turquoise blue color.

 

[Crazyhippy]

I picked this one up in Havasu earlier this year.

PM Sent

I'm good friends w/ one of the previous owners of that boat. Ford (390 i think) powered, back to back benches and half a motor box, w/ room for jump seats, but no jump seats.

Was a Really cool boat, but he decided he needed more room and got a Malibu:headscratch:

 

[SchiadaJohn]

The boat is in good to excellent mechanical condition. According to the previous owner the engine, steering, v-drive, trailer, and wiring all had received updates and/or freshening in the last two years. The boat is pretty much turn-key; it still has the 390 (w/velvet drive) that Crazyhippy mentioned. I changed the prop to a 12 x 16 stainless three-blade and the boat will run on the north side of 60.

The cosmetics need a little (alot?) work; both gel coat/paint and upholstery.

I have three young boys (10, 7, & 5) all who are learning to water ski and wake board and the Sanger is a great size for hauling five people and a dump truck load of water toys for a days outing. I was unsure about the back to back seats and no jump seats but it’s a good set-up for climbing in and out water.

I have slalomed behind some high end brand name tournament boats and I have found the Sanger's wake in the 34 -35 range to be surprisingly flat. Its certainly not tournament quality but nice enough to do some serious skiing at way less than at a tenth the price (currently).

Like Dave, I have never seen one of these Sanger models before so if anyone can share some of the history of this hull/model it would be appreciated.

 

[Crazyhippy]

http://inlandempire.en.craigslist.org/boa/1262182240.html

Another one for sale on craigslist.

1972 Sanger Casalae quick change v-drive ls6 454 425 horsepower. 19.5 foot, seat six, second owner. Original paint, interior, prop adn engine. Asking for $6000.00 or best offer. Please call 928-303-4345.


Location: Golden Valley

 

[earlesurfs]

Awesome to hear good things about the boats! I have never heard of them or seen one before. I was actually looking for a shovel nose hydro hull when I stumbled across this boat. I bid 3000.01 on e bay and never thought twice about winning. It had tons of people asking about the engine and casting numbers. It said it had 1965 396 rect port heads with a March casting date. EARLY BBC heads. Some people are asking 5000 for a pair of these heads alone. I won. I liked the look of the boat and now I am glad I did not find a hydro. The boat was in usable condition when I purchased it. the PO was sad to see it go. He was an old slalom skier and he loved skiing behind this boat more than his new wakeboard boat. I started doing some minor repairs and one thing led to another. Now it has become a HUGE project that I did not need but I am stoked that I will have a bitchen boat when it is done. I was worried that I would get it done and it would handle like shit. I was kinda expecting someone to say "Sanger Catalina, they only made a few because once you hit 50mph they start porpoising really bad then at 60 they try to switch ends on you"

Thank You all for the piece of mind that I am not dumping my pay checks into a complete lemon..

Earle

 

[RiverDave]

earlesurfs, there is another one here in primo condition at Canyon Lake..

Please see this thread.

Cool old Sanger...not for sale. - River Dave's Place

RD

 

[earlesurfs]

Awesome, Thanks for the pics Dave. That cav plate looks gnarly. I have still never seen on in the water. Any pics of one sitting in the water or going, anyone?

 

[Cos]

The one I saw years ago was the same color as the one Crazyhippy posted. That must have been one of the popular gel colors they laid them up with, or that is the same boat that now has a windshield.

 

[twocents]

I won't swear to this, but I think I'm correct that Dr. Brian Ewald of Orange, CA had one of these Sanger Catalina's in the early 1970s and raced it offshore in one of the POPBRA production classes with NDBA drag racer Tom Weeda riding shotgun. The boat was called "El Cid" and I believe was prepped and maintained at the Speed Marine shop by Jerry Fitchen and Jerry Lembke. He also raced in in several marathon events. Pretty fast boat -- in the mid 80 mph range. Back then he was crazy enough to run it in the "Catalina Fun Run", an annual POPBRA 2-day event, leave on Saturday morning from Long Beach (exit out Queen's Gate) and run directly across the channel to the west end of Catalina, then go around the backside of Catalina, curl around the east end and finish at Avalon Harbor. Get a mooring, tie-up for the night, have a racer's party at the Casino then race again the next morning leaving Avalon, up to Ship Rock and then back across the channel to Long Beach and finish in front of Belmont pier. As I remember, Brian and Tom won their class. Think it was 1970.

 

[Cos]

Since they were called "Catalinas" it seems they were probably intended for, and that someone might have actually used at least one of them to do some Catalina runs/races. Cool piece of additional history twocents.:thumbsup

 

[carykard]

There are some pics here of one in the water....
http://sports.webshots.com/album/36368971xvQPSb

 

[earlesurfs]

I won't swear to this, but I think I'm correct that Dr. Brian Ewald of Orange, CA had one of these Sanger Catalina's in the early 1970s and raced it offshore in one of the POPBRA production classes with NDBA drag racer Tom Weeda riding shotgun. The boat was called "El Cid" and I believe was prepped and maintained at the Speed Marine shop by Jerry Fitchen and Jerry Lembke. He also raced in in several marathon events. Pretty fast boat -- in the mid 80 mph range. Back then he was crazy enough to run it in the "Catalina Fun Run", an annual POPBRA 2-day event, leave on Saturday morning from Long Beach (exit out Queen's Gate) and run directly across the channel to the west end of Catalina, then go around the backside of Catalina, curl around the east end and finish at Avalon Harbor. Get a mooring, tie-up for the night, have a racer's party at the Casino then race again the next morning leaving Avalon, up to Ship Rock and then back across the channel to Long Beach and finish in front of Belmont pier. As I remember, Brian and Tom won their class. Think it was 1970.

Awesome story. I should do that trip in mine in 2010 to celebrate the 40th anniversary!

Thanks everyone for the pics and info.


Earle

 

[earlesurfs]

The one I saw years ago was the same color as the one Crazyhippy posted. That must have been one of the popular gel colors they laid them up with, or that is the same boat that now has a windshield.

Mine was originally yellow and had some fake wood (vinyl)on the sides. The blue is paint.

 

[2manymustangs]

I won't swear to this, but I think I'm correct that Dr. Brian Ewald of Orange, CA had one of these Sanger Catalina's in the early 1970s and raced it offshore in one of the POPBRA production classes with NDBA drag racer Tom Weeda riding shotgun. The boat was called "El Cid" and I believe was prepped and maintained at the Speed Marine shop by Jerry Fitchen and Jerry Lembke. He also raced in in several marathon events. Pretty fast boat -- in the mid 80 mph range. Back then he was crazy enough to run it in the "Catalina Fun Run", an annual POPBRA 2-day event, leave on Saturday morning from Long Beach (exit out Queen's Gate) and run directly across the channel to the west end of Catalina, then go around the backside of Catalina, curl around the east end and finish at Avalon Harbor. Get a mooring, tie-up for the night, have a racer's party at the Casino then race again the next morning leaving Avalon, up to Ship Rock and then back across the channel to Long Beach and finish in front of Belmont pier. As I remember, Brian and Tom won their class. Think it was 1970.

Im not saying that they arent one in the same BUT I do know there was a GN style hull that is called the El Cid... Maybe it was a pop off of a Sanger Catalina, I saw one at Irvine this past summer and liked it ALOT but I dont know if it is the same hull...