My First boat had to be no other than...a Spectra!

I have known about this site for many years because my dad rebuilt a 20 Spectra, and spent a lot of time on this site. So after enjoying his boat for a few years, I became 18 and had a full time job and a bunch of cash to blow. I decided to get my own boat and I knew it had to be a jet. So after a few months of craigslist shopping on the West Coast (not many jets in the mitten). I found a 19 Spectra in pretty good shape and at a good price. I had to have it. So here is my first boat. Already got working on her taking off the name... Boobie Trap lol

Nice [emoji106]

Looks good son. :thumbsup

I kinda liked the name.

Cool boat. Welcome to the club.

So I am guessing you are Len's Son, Congrats on the boat even if it is a jet.

Did you get to use it when you picked it up?? I'd imagine it's a little chilly to test it where you guys are!

Congrats on the boat and welcome to rdp.

nrbr said:

Did you get to use it when you picked it up?? I'd imagine it's a little chilly to test it where you guys are!

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No test drive or even starting of the motor. It had been winterized and the pink antifreeze could be seen coming out of the cooling hose that attaches to the jet. For the price, I'll just roll the dice.

spectramitch said:

For the price, I'll just roll the dice.

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It's a gamble, but a good one. If the motor knocks, it just gives you a good reason to open it up and freshen things. Did you take pictures of the seats?

Well, the Michigan weather has finally let up enough for me to pull the jet and motor. I started out by pulling the jet and disassembling it completely. Afew weeks later I got around to the motor. Being new to boats its very pleasant to have working on a boat be much easier than a stupid car You can see in the two pics, one of me when I was like 14 helping my dad pull his motor and now me at 19 pulling my own. After getting the 460 out the freeze plugs were pulled and antifreeze, rust and most important...Sand...not as bad as my dads motor so that was settling to me. Next step is to clean and paint the motor and rebuild the jet.

Halfway there man :thumbsup

Doing God's work with your Spectra

Love the pics of you in your Dads boat pulling that FORD out, fun evolution to look at!

Congrats! I really want to pick up a 19 again!

About that Re-Name!?....


http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/rename.htm

Finally making some big progress on the 19. I rebuilt and installed the jet. I had to get a used bowl because I could see that it was welded from cracking (Michigan improper jet boat winterization). Also I bought a used suction housing because the one out of my boat had signs of a bad thrust bearing at one time and was just butchered up with epoxy and crap. But it should be all good now. It just seems the more I get done, the more I realize I still have to do. I think it will be ready for water in 2 weeks. I said that about 6 weeks ago lol Next step is to paint the motor and start buttoning things up.

Awesome project boat is looking good

Don't forget your Place Diverter...all proper Jets gotta roost em :thumbsup

Looking great!

Well the summer is finally winding down and I have to have my boat in the water this year. So I made a lot of progress the last week or so painting the motor, new U joints, cleaned up a 750 carb, and basic stuff like new plugs, wires, Dist. Cap. Hopefully today I will put the motor back in the hole...:cool

Well I managed to get the 460 in the boat. The factory engine mounts can really be a pain to finagle the motor between them. But with the help of the master Spectralen, the task was completed :thumbsup

That's a nice boat enjoy it Both of my sons have Spectras 18 and a 19 and I have. 24 nothing like a Spectra

Sorry for not posting in a while but I finally got my Spectra in the water about a month or two ago. The boat runs very strong and the pump work I did seems to be working mint. I took some pics today when I took it out. Sunny, Light wind, and a WARM 54 Degrees lol. Notice the Carhartt jacket. But now itll be time for me to winterize my motor and jet and start my off season projects!

Beautiful boat!

Nice work!! The boat looks great on the water.

Congratulations young man, the boat looks great! you should be very proud...

I acquired some D3VE heads to replace the problematic D2s that were on there. I ported them a little my self taking out the exhaust humps and then had the valves re ground and put new springs in them. Boat runs very strong but im looking for a little more. The boat came when I bought it with what I think is like a sport loader. I took it off with out using it and put a rock grate on. Does this loader look ok to use or no? Thanks.

Where in Michigan are you located? Great progress on the boat.

As for the loader you should get is blasted and checked for cracks with dye. Most weld shops can do it or you can buy the three stage dye and do it yourself. I haven't seen one like that so I can't comment if it's good or not. Do ALOT of reading on tuning loaders before you slap it in there. Drill out the holes in the suction housing to 5/16-18, use loc-tite and lock nuts on the back and shouldn't stick out more than 5/8" below the keel.

Elkidmino said:

Where in Michigan are you located? Great progress on the boat.

As for the loader you should get is blasted and checked for cracks with dye. Most weld shops can do it or you can buy the three stage dye and do it yourself. I haven't seen one like that so I can't comment if it's good or not. Do ALOT of reading on tuning loaders before you slap it in there. Drill out the holes in the suction housing to 5/16-18, use loc-tite and lock nuts on the back and shouldn't stick out more than 5/8" below the keel.

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Im in Warren just north of Detroit. And I already have the rock grate on there through bolted so I should just need grade 8 flathead screws if the loader checks out alright. I took the loader off because it was rubbing on the top side if the suction housing. I probably need to trim and fit it in with no contact right? I should mention I have a Stock 460 with a Fresh 12jc.

Cool, I'm in Waterford and run Michigan Hot Boats, find it on FB. Yes, you should trim it so it doesn't hit (to my knowledge). Looks like the biting edge is above the keel line which is okay.

Father son Spectra duo

Looking great Gents!