TOPIC: Sometimes you just get lucky!!!

Although my G3 project has been placed on hold I still check the local classifieds (Craigslist) every day. I found an ad listing a 17' speedboat with a 155hp mercury. The advertiser turned out to be a salvage company nearby, and the guy said it was some special Mercury. So to satisfy my curiosity I took a ride.

When I got there I saw an extremely dirty orange hull, with a plastic bag over the motor. I noticed the shaft seemed shorter, but it was on a jack plate up pretty high. When I pulled the bag off I almost fell over. The 155hp turned out to be a completely intact, original, and never apart 1977 1500XS (J block) Mercury, that has sat for 15 years!!! Do you have any idea how hard it was to contain myself!!! It looked as though the motor had never been used. I couldn't count the cash quick enough (and if you want to know I can sell the prop and jack plate to recoup what I paid!!!)

So today we swapped the battery, checked for spark, ran fresh fuel...and the damn thing fired right up!!! Check out the video.





Sometimes I am convinced God looks down and smiles

PS: the Avenger cleaned up pretty good too!

Sometimes I am convinced God looks down and smiles

Indeed
Congrats, what a find!!!

regards
lar

sweet deal

I'd keep it. Avengers have a great hull, look cool. Should get around 70mph, plus or minus a few. But do the Merc a big favor and GET RID OF THAT FIN!!!!!!

Thanks for the responses! The hull cleaned up well with a gentle powerwashing, but needs a floor and possibly a transom. My problem is that it will sit in a long line of other projects! The motor is coming off this week and will find a home on a stand- have the carb's refreshed, and await it's fate.

I already have a fresh 1000 Merc on a 15 inch mid for my G3, but this XS may find a home on something newer.

Either way, it's cool as s**t!!!!

With regards to the fin- yes, they will go for historic reasons. However, I have run those fins on many a V6 Merc's with great results on both Hydrostreams and Allisons, all 80+ mph boats.

Ugly...yet very effective!!!

-Bob

What an awesome find Bob!!
I really like reading these stories, but wish I could be the one writing it.

A pal just purchased a pretty decent CeeBee Avenger.
They have great lines.
I don't think I've seen one without the little windshields, but I like it!!
Thom

I had an 18' version of the same boat years ago, this is a 17' (mid 70's did not have winshields). The one you posted looks like a Sidewinder. The bottom of the Avenger is relatively flat which makes for a pounding ride in our local bay. I believe I have this boat sold anyway- going to the Connecticut river.

What a find!
I guess we do have some really nice things on the island!
Rumor has it that there may be another running G-3 on Lake George soon, once yours is done we could set up a rally!
-Ben

Hey Ben- yes, there are some great finds here on the island! One day I will tell you how I got my 1966 VW bug!!! I have made it daily practice to check Craigslist for 5 minutes in the morning and 10 minutes in the afternoon, both the New York and Long Island sections. It's a small price to pay for the potential sweet finds...as this was one of them!

Hi,
I enjoyed seeing your new find. My family sold Avengers for 20+ years (the owner is now retired), and we have one of the same model (Model 163 Bubbledeck - ours is blue and white), and a Model 150 (it is pictured on the Home page of our website - you may need to scroll down to see it). The one Thom shows is a Model 165 Mach II, and all of these were offered at the same time (they offered up to 23 footers). There was an optional small reverse windshield for the bubbledeck models. Between these and Sidewinders, they were my very favorite boats that we have ever sold.

Regards,
Joe
www.fergusonpoolemarine.com
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