Classic Australian Wooden Power Boats

 

Project Boats

 

Turbo-Fire

Bob Carter



After a fairly long search looking for that classic of all hull shapes, a 16' winged twin cockpit Lewis runabout, Bob Carter finally located Turbo-Fire, which had been renamed Spirit II, in NSW. The ex race boat, built in 1965, was tired, but complete, with all hardware, running gear and a Chrysler 318 ci V8.

The refurbishment of Turbo-Fire began in early 2007, with a write up on the early months in Volume 7, Issue 3 of the Club's newsletter, "The Hollow Log". The following is more a pictorial account of the boat's progress over the past 18 or so months. .

 

 

 

 

 

Turbo-Fire in the 60's, when owned and raced by Phil Reeson
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As discovered near Dubbo, in NSW.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The hull was sound, but certainly showing its age after spending many years under cover in a lean too shed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Readying the 318 Chrysler V8 for removal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The engine had been dry sumped. Plenty of oil and gunk in the bilge.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The boat originally ran a mean 327 ci Chev, but Bob will stay with the Chrysler. With a battery hooked up and a bit of priming, the engine fired easily and sounded strong. Even so, it will be rebuilt.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As the boat is stripped down, the extent of oil soaked timber becomes evident

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More of the same. Stripping down also revealed suspect planks and ribs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And more gunk again, ready to be blasted away and drawn out of the timber

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The transom looks solid, but would have to be replaced.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And it virtually fell out

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transom out and some planks also coming out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eight planks needed to be replaced, four either side of the red gum keel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More detail on the planks work.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New transom being fitted up. Because of the extent of checking at the end of the planks, the hull was shortened by about three inches

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The planks being installed. Several ribs also needed to be replaced

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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