1963 Hydroswift Parts

[lakshmi369]

I am searching out a hard top (Landau style) for a 1963 HydroSwift runabout I am working on. Problem is I can only find them on boats already and not very motivated sellers! Do any of you know good locations for old HydroSwift parts in the Northwest? Thanks everyone.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: 1963 Hydroswift Parts

boat salvage yards

 

[Another retired guy]

Re: 1963 Hydroswift Parts

Hi. Have you considered buying a complete boat - with landau?
See link below - seller asking $1000 for boat, probably get it for less than that, and you have your top plus motor +++++ many spares!

1963 Hydroswift Landau $1000 for sale in Morgan, Utah - Classifieds KSL

 

[lakshmi369]

Re: 1963 Hydroswift Parts

Hi. Have you considered buying a complete boat - with landau?
See link below - seller asking $1000 for boat, probably get it for less than that, and you have your top plus motor +++++ many spares!

1963 Hydroswift Landau $1000 for sale in Morgan, Utah - Classifieds KSL

Thanks for the thought. I will try to contact them. I have had 3 boats in the last 2 months to collect the parts I have so far and was hoping not to have to buy #4. Hahaha.:joyous:

 

[lakshmi369]

Re: 1963 Hydroswift Parts

boat salvage yards

Thanks for the suggestion. Do you know of a good site online to hellp find salvage yards in the NW? I have come up blank trying to find any though I do have some folks I met that have what I call the Boat Boneyard (unofficial salvage location for boats). Just not that big part I really need.

 

[frantically relaxing]

Re: 1963 Hydroswift Parts

I've owned 11 boats (still have 4 of 'em!), first one was a '63 Hydroswift hardtop, 17' with a '64 Merc 100hp outboard, bought it from my friend's dad. Drove the hell outta that boat the first summer! I still see quite a few of these old hardtops around here, but mostly running ones!

 

[lakshmi369]

Re: 1963 Hydroswift Parts

Thanks for all the great advice. After three failed attempts to buy a top (and or whole boat with top) up to 800 miles away I took to advertising on CL with a pic of the top I needed. After a few months I received a call out of the blue and the next morning I am the proud owner of a Landau top from a 1962! Best part....it was $150 and in my home town of only 45000 people. Hydroswift boat has been so much fun! Can't wait to have it done and on the water this Summer!

 

[frantically relaxing]

Re: 1963 Hydroswift Parts

Post up some pics when you can! The only pics I ever got of ours was a side shot while sitting on the freeway of all places, and a shot of the broken Merc power head, just before I found the crank had snapped in two. I still see a few of these old hardtops around here, which is only fitting I guess since they were built here!

 

[lakshmi369]

Re: 1963 Hydroswift Parts

That sounds rough! My boat is resting comfortably in a big warehouse shop getting reworked.

I think the most time has been spent on refurbishing the gauges. I chose to paint the gauges a bold red color instead of the traditional chrome. The locating of parts for the gauges took me far and wide. The last item was having to make the domed gauge lenses. An owner of a plastic shop told me how to make them and it saved me a ton of money and misery!

I will post some pics next week of how the work is progressing. I happened to find the owner of HydroSwift (currently) and scored the badges for the top. Maybe I should have named her "FrankenBoat"!