The really "Old School" boating thread

[gn7]

What was this SK class? looks like it was pretty big back in the 70's ...... a lot of different types of boats running in it.

pic from AZOutlaw

Basically like Shooter said, it was an unlimited modification N/A 400 inch class, Later they raised it to match the SS class which had very limited modifications at the time. Eventually SK became Pro Comp, then Pro Stock with 500 inch limit.

[westair]

There were a lot of different types of hulls in all the sprint classes back in the early 70's. SK was short for ski (boat) and they were originally limited to 400 inches. They did allow for a little bit bigger engines just before the class disappeared around 1980.

Lot of different hulls but still all chev power I see.... sure wish I would have known about the circle boats back then, lot of competition and no shortage of boats it seems.

Basically like Shooter said, it was an unlimited modification N/A 400 inch class, Later they raised it to match the SS class which had very limited modifications at the time. Eventually SK became Pro Comp, then Pro Stock with 500 inch limit.

So were these small blocks when it first started ..... what speeds, 100mph+? ..... now I see what the PC boats are also, thanks

[RyanPartridge]

So were these small blocks when it first started ..... what speeds, 100mph+? ..... now I see what the PC boats are also, thanks

I posted this article several pages back, in late 1965 the winning SK boat was running a Chevy 396 with speeds around 83 mph.

http://www.hotboat.com/frm/showthrea...ll=1#post63880

[RyanPartridge]

Also, according to the old timers I've talked with, the SK class required the boat ran a fixed cav plate. It could have an adjustable locking handle that you could set and leave be, no override pedal allowed.

It looks like in the 1972 deal that Shooter posted they just started to let them adjust the plates while running. Very cool info...

[Sharp shooter]

Also, according to the old timers I've talked with, the SK class required the boat ran a fixed cav plate. It could have an adjustable locking handle that you could set and leave be, no override pedal allowed.

It looks like in the 1972 deal that Shooter posted they just started to let them adjust the plates while running. Very cool info...

I was going to say, for the sake of safety alone, I would be surprised if they hadn't adopted the pedal override by the early to mid 70's.

[westair]

I posted this article several pages back, in late 1965 the winning SK boat was running a Chevy 396 with speeds around 83 mph.

http://www.hotboat.com/frm/showthrea...ll=1#post63880

Just read it, thanks ..... these boats go way back, 1959! ...... I think small block under 400 inch, forgot about the 396

[RyanPartridge]

There were a lot of different types of hulls in all the sprint classes back in the early 70's. SK was short for ski (boat) and they were originally limited to 400 inches. They did allow for a little bit bigger engines just before the class disappeared around 1980.

From a Marine Stadium race program 1972

Very cool stuff here, thanks for posting this Jerry.

Cool to know that Jack Pelican was still racing Checkmate SK-26 in 1972. Also looks like Ron O'Brien's King Me SK-38 was 2nd for points in 1971.

[Sharp shooter]

Very cool stuff here, thanks for posting this Jerry.

Cool to know that Jack Pelican was still racing Checkmate SK-26 in 1972. Also looks like Ron O'Brien's King Me SK-38 was 2nd for points in 1971.

My pleasure Ryan.

Yeah, I think the Schiada's were the boat to beat late 60's and into the early 70's.

[gn7]

Just read it, thanks ..... these boats go way back, 1959! ...... I think small block under 400 inch, forgot about the 396

The class was started with the advent of the v drive flat that had taken over ski racing. Like Shooter already said, SK was the designation for SKI boat. By 1958 the design was selling extremely well and was the boat type of choice in ski racing. Prior to the v drive flat, race boats were direct drive cracker, hydros, and service type boats like a Chris Craft type hull.

The first SKs were dominated by the 392 Chrysler Hemi usually with six 2 bbl carbs. Few used 389 Pontiacs and 394 Olds, and a few 390 Fords, but the Hemi was king. Then in 1965 the BBC 396 won and the switch to Chevy began.

The hemis won a lot of the first marathon races, todays GN, starting with the 1959 Orange Bowl 9 hour in Florida, and the first Salton Sea in 1961. But by 1963 the Ford FE 406 and 427 took over and lasted well into the 70s.

SK was the first v drive flat bottom class in APBA, all the others stemmed from the SK class, with different engine sizes and specs.

[RyanPartridge]

Thanks for all that history Bob! Much appreciated!

My pleasure Ryan.

Yeah, I think the Schiada's were the boat to beat late 60's and into the early 70's.

On that note...I'll keep this thread going with some of Leonard's old sleds...