Hello all!

[youngguns]

So I bought myself a v-drive close to the beginning of this summer. I have really enjoyed it so far and just thought I would join here to start learning more about these boats. I know I will soon get a bug to go faster and make more power (well I already have it lol), but like I said, I need to learn a lot more first. My knowledge on this boat is limited, but I got it from a guy who has been racing for many years and had it as a play around boat. The hull is a 1973 taylor with a Chevy 427 as the powerplant. The previous owner was told it had a very mild cam, and it has a team g intake and a holley carb. Other than that it is all stock. If I can post up some pictures of it I will.

[RiverRacer]

Welcome aboard, sounds like a cool toy looking forward to pics!...

[youngguns]

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f28/jeepstud0094/boat/100_4315.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f28/jeepstud0094/boat/100_4316.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f28/jeepstud0094/boat/100_4317.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f28/jeepstud0094/boat/100_4318.jpg

[SnoC653]

Looks good :)

[RiverRacer]

That is one sweet ski boat you have there!..:cool:

[youngguns]

Thanks to both of you all! Is there any hope to making it fast? I havent put a gps in it to read the spead, but I ran right with an aquatrax turbo seado from a dig (I dont know if that is how you refer to racing from a stop in boating) and we both maxxed out about 62 on his speedo.

[RiverRacer]

Thanks to both of you all! Is there any hope to making it fast? I havent put a gps in it to read the spead, but I ran right with an aquatrax turbo seado from a dig (I dont know if that is how you refer to racing from a stop in boating) and we both maxxed out about 62 on his speedo.

As I said it is a sweet ski boat, please leave it alone and preserve it and just have fun with it, wanna race/hot rod boat get a race/hot rod boat!...

[youngguns]

Ooooh thats a lot of money I dont have! Im only 21 so Im lucky as is to have this. So any sort of modifications to this you think would be a bad idea? Even a bigger cam? I saw a thread on installing a transmission, but if you think that would greatly reduce the value and rareity of the boat I guess it wouldnt be worth it.

[RiverRacer]

Ooooh thats a lot of money I dont have! Im only 21 so Im lucky as is to have this. So any sort of modifications to this you think would be a bad idea? Even a bigger cam? I saw a thread on installing a transmission, but if you think that would greatly reduce the value and rareity of the boat I guess it wouldnt be worth it.

Helloooo, LEAVE IT ALONE PERIOD!.. Yes you are very lucky to have that, now take care of it and enjoy it while you save the $$$$$ for a hot rod!..

[youngguns]

Alright alright! Well I have to finish school before I get another boat, but I know I will.

[RiverRacer]

Alright alright! Well I have to finish school before I get another boat, but I know I will.

There ya go now you're talkin, this stuff don't come overnight ya know!, Gee can't imagine how I know that!..:rolleyes::D

[youngguns]

There ya go now you're talkin, this stuff don't come overnight ya know!, Gee can't imagine how I know that!..:rolleyes::D


Awww yes life experience, something Im just barely starting to dip in to!

[Terrible toy]

Wow, is that clean. Yours is the first Taylor I've seen. Like the Stevens three piece mold boats it has nice lines. Just wash, polish and enjoy.

However, I fully understand the need for speed. And, if truth be known, a rather large contingent of us here have done just what we are advising you not to, stuff bigger and faster engines in boats.

[hm66Howard]

Welcome to the disease with no known cure.:D Your boat looks way sweet! I'm diggin the through transom exhaust.:cool: I think they really clean up the lines and looks of a flatty. I've wanted to run those on mine but, I just can't bring myself to break out the hole saw since it's a '66 and never had them. Most boats of that vintage seem to.

[LeadSledMerc]

Welcome to the site...these guys on here are a BIG help for us newcomers.

That's a real cool looking boat, good luck with it and have fun.

I just bought my first flatbottom last year, it's a '65 Stevens that now has a Nailhead and I also want to go faster, but I decided to do just what these guys are suggesting. I'm not going to try to make it a hot rod, I'm going to enjoy it as a fast ski boat.
Trust me, when you pull up to the dock or shore with that boat of yours, the people will be crowding around!:cool:

[ABBOTTCRAFT]

Young gun..You have a VERY NICE boat that most would be very proud to own, I know I would.. Modifying it would take away from it's purpose.. It's a good boat to get out on the lake with.. Keep it original....Learn about it & a faster boat will be in your future soon enough........;)

[pwderman]

Welcome aboard....and yes what they said...patience patience patience...enjoy what you have and in the end you'll be much happier...;)

[SPUN1]

Welcome to the site. Hot lookin' boat you have there,wish my first boat was that clean.:cool:

[Retired Flatbottom Racer]

Youngguns,
This is Bill, the guy you bought the boat from. I was wondering when you would surface on the boards and if you still had it. Glad to hear you are having fun with it. As others have said....leave it alone and enjoy. If want to go faster, get a real race boat.

Just a note to everyone here....The Taylor was build here in Oklahoma by Oscar Taylor. He started building jets and v-drives back in the mid to late 60's. In the 70's he mostly built jet boats and had about 3 different models.
This v-drive model was splashed off a Mandella, with some deck changes. He also built some jets of this model with the bottom redone to a modified vee bottom.

Youngguns....come to Ft Gibson this weekend. There will be several of us up the river at the island. :D

[Wannabe]

Everyone here is right on. Just enjoy what you have in a contest to see how much fun you can have with as little money as you can spend.

Now in an effort to tell you why not to spend any more time, money, etc to go faster. These boats need safety at those speeds and horsepower numbers. This boat would need all new underwater hardware. (Prop, strut, turn fins, prop shaft, v-drive output-whirlaway, etc. You would probably need a full new cavitation plate system.) To tear that boat up to put these things in would be a total loss. It would be easier to sell that boat as is and buy one that had the good hardware in it and set up right. Then we get to the hull and some hulls love speed and power, and will actually settle down better with more power. This is not one of those boats. Getting this hull going that fast is just dangerous. Also the learning process to get this hull set up right would be difficult as I don't know anyone that knows the set-up details for a hull like this.
The hard truth is keep the boat just like it is. Unfortunately that can be a tough pill to swallow, so I hope that a little of the explanation helps out.

[pwderman]

You have a nice FINISHED boat that basically should only require routine maintenance, and from your earlier post your also going to school, so I think your time is limited at best. When you start changing and modifying there's usually down time involved so your once useful boat is now garage furniture...:eek: Just a thought from someone that's been there....:mad:...more than once....:(

[Roaddogg 4040]

I think that there is unanimous consensus here about your boat. It is a really nice boat that is probably better that most of our first V-Drives. Please keep it the way it is. I know that it is your decision but it is perfect just the way it is.

The best of luck with ever you do.

Steve

[AzDon]

I was going to say that it looks like a Mandella splash, but the seller beat me to it. I'm going to agree that with the short deck, BtoB benches, and thru transom exhaust, the ski-boat spirit of the boat should be left alone.
Having said that: I see nothing wrong with doing a few properly executed performance mods..... Down pedal? Sure! New cam and/or carburetion? Maybe! Transmission? This is exactly the type of boat that benefits from a transmission if it's properly fitted and balanced in the boat!
Although I realize that many first v-drive boats are bought cheaply and needing work, this is really the ideal way to get into a v-drive and learn while enjoying!

[youngguns]

Youngguns,
This is Bill, the guy you bought the boat from. I was wondering when you would surface on the boards and if you still had it. Glad to hear you are having fun with it. As others have said....leave it alone and enjoy. If want to go faster, get a real race boat.

Just a note to everyone here....The Taylor was build here in Oklahoma by Oscar Taylor. He started building jets and v-drives back in the mid to late 60's. In the 70's he mostly built jet boats and had about 3 different models.
This v-drive model was splashed off a Mandella, with some deck changes. He also built some jets of this model with the bottom redone to a modified vee bottom.

Youngguns....come to Ft Gibson this weekend. There will be several of us up the river at the island. :D

Well isnt this a coincidence! Haha the boat has been a blast, thank you very much for it! It has been out basically every weekend and gets compliments everywhere I go! This weekend we will be up at Grand since it is the last weekend I will be able to stay at this house and the boat is already up there. I would love to come on another weekend to Gibson and ride around with you all though, perhaps next week if you all will be going.

By the way, I met another guy out a Grand that said he was going to buy it if I didnt come through with the money, I guess he talked to you again the morning I bought it if I remember correctly.

[youngguns]

You have a nice FINISHED boat that basically should only require routine maintenance, and from your earlier post your also going to school, so I think your time is limited at best. When you start changing and modifying there's usually down time involved so your once useful boat is now garage furniture...:eek: Just a thought from someone that's been there....:mad:...more than once....:(


Yes I know how that goes. I worked a countless number of hours putting the engine together in my mustang, I know the time involved is almost too much if you do it right.

Thanks to everyone for the compliments on the boat, looks like there are some really nice boats on here according to the avatars!

Sounds like I will stick with the consensus and keep the boat stock, if there is anything that I feel 'needs' to be done I will consult with everyone here, especially you Bill.

[Retired Flatbottom Racer]

Not sure yet but next weekend I might get out on Sunday. I have a company picnic to do on Saturday. Stay in touch. :)

[youngguns]

Not sure yet but next weekend I might get out on Sunday. I have a company picnic to do on Saturday. Stay in touch. :)

Definitely! Ill see if I can get a truck for next Sunday then if you all end up going out there. I might need to get in touch with you about a storage unit up there too, I was thinking about that the other day. I dont know if Im going to be able to put the boat in the garage yet or not.