F Sidson Completed

[BJuby]

Thought I would share the completed product. The only thing missing is the front rub rail that needs to be straightened out a little before being attached to the boat. Jamie Tribley did the painting, a truly amazing job.

Thought I would add more info about the boat. It is 12' 7" and originally appeared to have the transom cut for a shorter tower (Koenig?). I keyed in an addition to the transom to raise it up, but I kept it lower than it was because I planned to use the 66ci on a speedmaster and the speedmaster does not clear the bottom of the boat much higher than that. I have been told this may very well be the last F Sidson in existence. It may be the only Sid built F hydro period (Sidcraft as well) left of this style, excluding cabovers as I don't know whether there are any of those left. I certainly have not heard of another, but have seen other "D" Sidson hydros (and we have one ourselves). F-4 are the original racing numbers that were with the boat when acquired by the previous owner. I have been told David Westbrook raced the numbers F-4, and he was from the region the boat was purchased in originally (Georgia). The man I purchased it from lives in Alabama, but when he bought it sometime in the late 80s/early 90s the boat was in Georgia, so it makes a little bit of sense, but I can not confirm this as I have not had contact with David Westbrook. If it is not his, it is likely it was raced in some other local or smaller national racing organization and I may never know it's racing heritage.

Second picture is the boat before running my 55H Mod at the Schroon Lake AOMCI meet a couple weeks ago5030450305.

[KG4]

Man that rig is sweet! Awesome job.

[BJuby]

Thanks for the compliments. The 6 cylinder "should" be ready for next season. We are restoring/rebuilding both "B" and "D" (or B-Alky) class Sidson hydros as well. The B is almost done, just one or two more coats of varnish and need to order new rub rails, then paint the canvas. The D requires some more work, sponsons need to be built, then the entire front nose "rim". Then decking, varnishing, everything. Going to be a long, but rewarding winter I think.

Sidenote: I've always tried to get this answered. Does anyone know of any "F" class Sidsons that are left? I've been told that mine might be the last one. I know of several "D" classes out there, but never heard of another "F". Thoughts?

[curbman]

Sure is looking good, you are going to have some fun next summer with that 6

[zul8tr]

That is a great restore, excellent work. Have safe fun.

[Gene East]

Very nice!

That's a beautiful shade of blue!

[BJuby]

Very nice!

That's a beautiful shade of blue!

Thanks Gene. The canvas replacement material is Polyfiber. They sent me a color palate/chart with a brochure (if i remember correctly). This color jumped out at me immediately. The next one we do (a "B" class Sidson) will be yellow. Btw, there is no clear coat on this paint, that's the natural gloss of the paint they sent me.

[BJuby]

I have started the tear down on my 66ci racer. It is now completely in pieces. But here is a picture when it was still on the tower, it's still impressive looking even will all the ignition tower, box, wires, pipes, etc. off of it. Here are also some interesting photos of the parts. Spot anything interesting about the piston? The porting is the reason I am replacing the block. Doug Kay will be porting a new block to the Harry Brinkman specs.

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[Mark75H]

Beautiful deads

[BJuby]

I should point out I was not the one who butchered the ports. ;)

[BJuby]

Decided to move all our current projects to this thread. First two picture are of some progress (a great deal) on our "D" Sidson that had the entire front missing. Dad has completed the framing of the sponsons and is ready to move on to the last few parts of the bottom. Primarily shaping imperfect surfaces. Then varnishing surfaces then plywood.

The third picture is of our "B" Sidson, which is almost complete. It requires a couple more coats of varnish. and the painting of the canvas decking. Then finishing of rigging.

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[BJuby]

I should also mention the "D" Sidson was originally raced by Rich Towers, with the racing numbers 117-P. We plan on restoring it to the exact paint scheme and racing numbers as he had originally. We have a picture of him racing the boat with a stock 55H.

We came close to running the "B" Sidson at an AOMCI meet, but ran out of time. It just wasn't finished enough to run, but we did show it. Boat will run a 20H Conversion next season, the engine is all ready to go.

[arcticracer]

This is eye candy for the soul. Beauty and art, keeping history alive.

[BJuby]

Just to show we aren't all about the outboards, here is something for you inboard guys. Boat is a 1962 Raysoncraft. There is a little bit of a story behind this boat. It was originally owned by a gentleman who was attempting to break 100mph with a engine smaller than 300ci in a certain sized hull, I believe that at the time this had not been accomplished, but I do not know. The guy had a blown 283ci in it. First of all he never was able to do it. Secondly he blew the thing up showing off at a dock and the engine got away from him. My uncle (on my father's side) convinced my grandfather to purchase the boat with destroyed engine (blower not included) from Pete Barden, a Raysoncraft dealer and racer in Greenwood Lake, NY at his Gaybar Marina. Uncle, father, and grandfather opened it up and found powdered aluminum and chucks of piston in the oil pan. My uncle then built up the current 327ci engine from a Stingray with Fuelie Cams, and 2 Four-Barrel Carter carbs. It can seat 6 people snugly on front and rear facing bench seats. The deck at one point needed to be repaired because a 200 year old tree fell across it. My father was the only one in the family small enough to climb under the dash and repair it. The boat is ready to go, other than a good cleaning and reinstalling seats, but the trailer is not. We have spent all winter getting replacement parts and fixing some major issues with it. It will definitely run in the Spring though. Those with a sharp eye get brownie points for identifying the cylindrical object and its function pictured on the "right" rear side of the engine or approximately at 5 o'clock on the engine (facing the way the boat is oriented).

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[BJuby]

Some update on the "D" Sidson. Here is how it stands as of last night. Still need the triangular wedge in the front that supports the center canvas stringer, also need to make two more stringers for either side of the center one (ran out of spruce). Also need a little wedge on the front rib to support the center stringer. Next is rounding the front rim of the boat slightly and then it's just huge task of making the cowling and yoke that it attaches to.

http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/i326/Astrolia44/IMG_5950_zpsa2cbd3a6.jpg