Carlson Contender 1500 Shorty

[milkdud]

This is my 1965ish Carlson Contender and my 1975 1500J Short shaft. (Pre XS motor)

Conradhttp://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa37/snapshot12002/1500carlson14lsm.jpg
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa37/snapshot12002/1500carlson2.jpg
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa37/snapshot12002/1500j13sm.jpg
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa37/snapshot12002/150float1.jpg

[wolfgang]

"no guts - no glory" as General Patton used to say. Just be very careful.

[milkdud]

It actually handles the power quite well as long as I know its limits to the environment around me.

If its windy I dont run fast into the wind, just not worth it. Or gusty on the river can be a bit weird catching a side gust.

And no rough water or wakes. I only run fast when its perfect. Even a small wake will make it a very bad day. It just does not handle rough water at all.

Conrad

[FrenchPhil]

Ever thought of changing the hull or do you have another boat ?

[Mark75H]

I was starting to doubt you were really a photographer ;)

[milkdud]

This is the only fast boat I have. I'm just a limited budget tinkerer. It works for now, possibly someday a full tunnel boat would be nice.

And what do you mean Sam, who else posts so many damn photos of possibly the ugliest boat online?

Its about as ugly as it gets, Paint wise.
Conrad

[wolfgang]

It actually handles the power quite well as long as I know its limits to the environment around me.

If its windy I dont run fast into the wind, just not worth it. Or gusty on the river can be a bit weird catching a side gust.

And no rough water or wakes. I only run fast when its perfect. Even a small wake will make it a very bad day. It just does not handle rough water at all.

Conrad
In the `70s of the past century I tested one of these hulls with a 140 hp Johnson (which makes for a lower center of gravity) on the Rhine river in Western Germany. The river carries heavy shipping, and I can only confirm your notions about the boat`s behavior. One word: scary.

[Roy Hodges]

Has ANYBODY ever tried a good cleaver prop ,with LOTS of transom lift on one of these boats ?It seems to me that -that kind of prop might give the boat some balance , and TAME it down. My 2 cents worth.

[wolfgang]

Has ANYBODY ever tried a good cleaver prop ,with LOTS of transom lift on one of these boats ?It seems to me that -that kind of prop might give the boat some balance , and TAME it down. My 2 cents worth.
Hi Roy, perhaps on a glass lake. Even with a "normal" prop, when sitting at the helm of one of these hulls, one always feels it is about to stuff. The ride attitude of the boat just doesn`t give any confidence, only cracked vertebrae.

[PIP]

Those boats and hydrostream vipers are the best looking boats ever in a big blue metalflake and a 150 shorty. If you wanna sell it, let me know. I love it.

[capnzee]

I have a Carlson Contender in Illinois with a 135 Evinrude on it--Haven't seen it in a year or so and it is outside with an old canvas cover over it--I might consider selling it if someone were interested. Northern Illinois East Dubuque. Rod

[milkdud]

Has ANYBODY ever tried a good cleaver prop

Yes I have. The 24 chopper in the photo was just used for drag testing. Normally I run a 25 or 26 OTH cleaver and it makes the boat a lot more friendly and faster.

Still I never let my wife or friends drive it tho. It will hurt someone that does not take it seriously.

The boat really does not run with a nose up attitude even with choppers. It runs right along pretty level even at 70 mph. If you had the power to push this hull into the mid 80's I think it would be a quick tipping point if it ever decided to pull the nose up too far. I have yet to feel uncomfortable with this thing lifting off in calm water, but Ill admit I may not be able to see the signs until its too late.

My 25 is an real thin solid hub OMC cleaver and the 26 is a normal rubber hub merc.

Conrad

[Roy Hodges]

How about trying a exhaust through the hub cleaver (much less chance of blow outs ) & afterplanes- like the flat bottom drag boats have (inboards)

[Roy Hodges]

While you're at it , might as well add sponsons up front ; make it a "4 point ?"

[Roy Hodges]

[Smokin Baby, smokin !

[Mark75H]

Gary Ferguson's "Twister II" Contender used trim tabs back in the '60's



While you're at it , might as well add sponsons up front ; make it a "4 point ?"

How would sponsons up front make it a 4 point?

[Roy Hodges]

But, i know better than to argue with YOU. I don't know for sure what it would be, but it would be different than it started. At least, that's my thought.

[milkdud]

Ive never had any of my props blow out at speed. They really hook up no matter how high ive run them. So thats let least of my worries. If it were a problem then they would have never designed OTH props for gear shift motors. The were designed to go fast and be raised high.

Thre are two hooks on this boat at the transom. I call them wedged that come down and create a factory hook to supposidly keep the nose down. If I ever took those hooks off Id run afterplanes.


Part of me thinks those hooks break up suction to the water when running fast and the boat actually somewhat rides on them. What do you think Sam? you have the same boat.
Cornad

[Mark75H]

I have no idea yet ... I haven't had it in the water. My first impression is that Art was not an idiot. They are there for some reason, but it may be an artifact of the past

[milkdud]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aWycby9aFk

1965 Carlson Contender 1975 1500 Short Shaft XS block.

Check out my new GoProHD video. Very cool done yesterday with help of my friend. Motor sings at 6200 RPM.

Sit back and lets go 70 together :) Remember to click the 720HD option and make it full screen. You can watch my tach if you look close:)

Sam notice my PSI guage (on the left) stays up at 15psi now with the scoops.
Conrad

[PIP]

i was the first one to view this on youtube. if this movie doesn't make you want to go out and buy a vintage "70"s craft" with a tower of power, then you aren't alive.

awesome video. loved it. i turned it up loud and my insurance office sounded like al stokers dyno room.

[chasboat]

I had one of these in 1968 with a white 85 Merc. I use to take it to school. It definately was a calm water boat. Lots of fun at 14 years old!

[Doubleeagle]

I have owned 2 of these in my life time one with a 1100 one with a 1350
I always thought the seats were bitchen fiberglas centers with ulpolstery over top space age looking stuff in there day Go Art Carlson I think he was a man way ahead of his time think of what he did and the designs he put forward pretty inovated for the time Some people at Glastron thought the same way as I did and the rest is history

[milkdud]

Thanks for the complements. The boat really moves out. Someday, it may get painted.
Conrad