Q and A on restoring a late 70's Sleekcraft Ambassador

[marine_rookie]

I do not remember the year for sure but believe it is a '78. The boat has a berkeley jet drive set up for a 454 Chevy but is missing the engine and mounts. I have not been successful in finding original specs on this boat regarding speed, horsepower, etc.. If anybody could help it would be greatly appreciated. It has also been suggested to me that I scrap the jet drive in favor of a more updated Bravo package out of some other wrecked boat. Any suggestions or ideas? I had considered selling the boat but after looking through these forums I think I have decided to take on the project as these are some incredibly sexy boats...

Thank you in advance...

 

[gypsysoul]

Re: Q and A on restoring a late 70's Sleekcraft Ambassador

what length is the boat? horsepower was all over the board on these boats. they came with a variety of engine packages. as for the swap to a outdrive, the problem with most of the jet boats is there is not enough freeboard to put the outdrive unit on the transom. If you stay with the big block and jet I may be able to help out with mounts and bell housing. I also have a complete berkley jet off a 23' boat. is the boat west coast?

 

[marine_rookie]

Re: Q and A on restoring a late 70's Sleekcraft Ambassador

I am currently in New Mexico and I believe the boat came from California, it is a 26' boat. I will post pics in the near future as I figure all of this out. The boat is banana yellow and white with brown woodgrain trim. The boat is in really good shape considering it's age and my only major needs are in propulsion.

With such a large boat what kind of speed could I reasonably expect out of a jet and aren't they incredibly inefficient for cruising?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Q and A on restoring a late 70's Sleekcraft Ambassador

Might have had an Olds 455 which was a common Jet boat power plant and based on the length 50 - 55 mph

 

[marine_rookie]

Re: Q and A on restoring a late 70's Sleekcraft Ambassador

Might have had an Olds 455 which was a common Jet boat power plant and based on the length 50 - 55 mph

Much appreciated... I have a 440 Chrysler out of an old RV that I have no other particular use for. Where would I begin looking for a bell housing to mate this engine to the berkeley pump that is on the boat or is that something that I could do? I am very much a novice in the boating world so any advice or directions in which to look would be very very welcome. Thank you.

 

[gypsysoul]

Re: Q and A on restoring a late 70's Sleekcraft Ambassador

Big block mopars where found in many jet boats of the 70's, I would think ebay or any of the online auctions would be the firts place to start looking. there are several boat repair shops in the blyth, california that may have some of those parts laying around. a donor boat is always a good way to come up with extra parts. I don't have the mopar parts but will keep my ear up for some. good luck

 

[Bondo]

Re: Q and A on restoring a late 70's Sleekcraft Ambassador

Ayuh,... Now a days, the problem with using anything but Chevy power is,...
Marinization Parts have to be bought Used, as nobody is using anything but Chevy power...

That boat with a Well built BBC should pull High 50s to lower 60s....

 

[gypsysoul]

Re: Q and A on restoring a late 70's Sleekcraft Ambassador

well I would hate to get the old chevy verses ford thing going, but there are plenty of all the big three still being used in boats. and the last comp ski boat I pulled the hood up on had a toyota in it. I have no preference, my 30' sportfisher has twin fords, the house boat is a outboard, the "project" ski hydo will be a blown big block. and my old reliable family jet boat has a 401 amc, that will run in the mid 60s. I have good luck with all of them, basic maintenance seems to go a long way. or as grandpa use to say "a quart of oil will ruin any machine" I always asumed that meant a lack of oil. well thats my two cents. new and used parts seem to be abudndant for all.

 

[timo1]

Re: Q and A on restoring a late 70's Sleekcraft Ambassador

Check out these items on ebay, you can learn a little about it. I just purchased a similar boat so I have been looking for the same info.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Sleek-Craft-Boa...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item3c8e73076d

http://cgi.ebay.com/Sleek-Craft-Amb...ultDomain_0?hash=item3c90f580f7#ht_1205wt_941