TOPIC: 1970 Carlson 16' Challenger

A friend has offered to give me a 1970 Carlson 16' Challenger. I haven't seen the boat yet but will soon be receiving photos of it. He said it's a tunnel hull and needs seats, interior, paint and tender loving care. I grew up in the 50's and 60's camping at Salton Sea skiing, fishing and watching the Annual Salton Sea 500 mile boat races every year. Those were great times with great classic boats on the water. Always liked the lines and look of the Challenger and look forward to restoring her when I relocate to Lake Havasu, AZ,

PS. Just joined the Forum and this is my first post.

Jerry

Welcome aboard Jerry, glad to have you join us. Looking forward to seeing some pics of your new project.

I've posted some photos of the Challenger hull as it currently sits waiting for restoration. The folder in the Gallery is named "1970 Carlson 16' Challenger Restoration Project".

Flykester,

WELCOME ABOARD.

yours, satx

YOU LUCKED OUT I HAD ONE A GOLD FLAKE NOT REAL FAST BUT REAL NICE ALL HAND LAID RUNS ABOUT 52 WITH 100 HP 2 BLADES BACK THEN MAKE SURE THE RACING FIN IS STILL ON BOTTOM IT NEEDS TO TURN TRUST ME LOL ART

I haven't gone down where the boats stored so I haven't looked over the hull yet but from a photo it looks like it's a tunnel hull and I don't think tunnel hulls run a racing fin. Jerry

ABSOULTELY ITS REALLY NOT A TRUE TUNNEL ITS DEAD FLAT AT STERN IF YOU LOOK CAREFULLY ON BOTTOM YOU SHOULD LOCATE SCREW HOLES FROM ORIG FIN ALSO IT HOLDS 1967 DUAL O\B DRAG RECORD 101 MPH I PERSONALLY MET ART CARLSON ON L;I; THE CONTENDER MODEL 14 WAS A LITTLE SLOWER THAN THE 16 YOU LUCKY DOG JERRY I JUST SEE YOUR MISSING PASS GRAG HANDLE

I checked the hull and yes it has a speed skag located in the aft section of the hull. The skag is a rectangular shape and still mounted to the hull. I posted a photo of the speed skag on my Gallery "1970 Challenger 16' Restoration Project" folder. I do plan to mount a grab handle for the passenger and plan to install bucket seats in the front with the passenger seat on a swivel post so it can swing around to observe the skier and will install a full bench seat in the aft. Jerry

I have a 69 Switzer shooting star of the same design, front tunnel trailing to flat bottom.
I run a 1500 XS on it does a touch over 80 very solid but it takes a mile to get to that speed.
Does not turn unless speed is dropped to get more boat length in contact with the water so the skeg (It's a "skeg" not skag isn't it?) will help!!! but understand these are kinda one trick ponies before you dive in with different expectations. Good luck with the resto!