I'm new around here.  This is my new to me 1973 Southwind.  455 Olds and a Jacuzzi. 

I purchased it at the end of June looking like this.  The monster sticker was the first thing to go!!  Luckily it wasn't hiding anything.




Starting at the front of the boat:

The bow eye was mostly sheered off from the previous owner rear ending someone while towing the boat which also caused problems with the trailer. 
Most of the gauges didn't work
Steering system, shift knob, and cable were all no good.  I hated the skull shift knob too. 
The american flag on the back was covering a hole where a cable ran through at one time. 
I think it may have had a diverter on it and they switched back to a regular nozzle.  The nozzle had a ton of play, it was using incorrect hardware, and it was missing bushings. 

I took the boat to Dana Marine where he corrected all the previously mentioned issues:
 
New shifter and cable
new teleflex rack and pinion setup
autometer planitum chrome gauges
powder coated bezels to match new shifter
bezel covering hole in transom
new bushing and correct hardware in nozzle
driveline spacer
he also polished the scoop and gas pedal for fun

Once I got her back she got an oil change, new plugs, wires, cap, rotor, fuel/water separator, fresh battery, fuel lines, and fixed a couple other sketchy items.






Maiden voyage out to Elsinore then her first REAL outing in Blythe.




Instagram picture from the River Breeze in Ehrenberg




Currently she is at Inland Empire Performance getting a carb rebuild.

Initially I was going to rip the Titty Twister decal off of her at the same time I peeled the monster logo, but everyone got such a kick out of it I decided to leave it for the first trip.  Now I'm undecided, do I get rid of the crappy decal and have it painted on better?  Or, ditch it all together? 
 

Sadly, no.

Keith, this weekend was a blast!!  Thank you for making us feel so welcome.  I'm still tasting apple pie and fireball!!

Polished up the jet and installed a diverter.


Before and after.

Looks really good. Make sure you get some hood polish for the bowl. My brother polished up his and it turned a grey color. He found some polish that took that tarnish away. Also we broke an ear off the diverter once also so make sure the bolts are big enough and long enough.

Thank you!  What's the name of the polish your brother used?  I gave it a once over with Blue Magic and the mother cone drill attachment.  Came out decent, but definitely could be better.

do yourself a favor and ditch that metal polish.  that stuff is for KEEPING things shiney not polishing them from a dull shine.  go to harbor freight and get yourself some rouge, and a polishing wheel for an air grinder.  or a wheel for a handheld angle grinder.



theres no way you can come close to the shine that a polishing wheel can do vs. with paste polish.  plus it tends to shoot all over everywhere with something that spins.  the rogue works GREAT!

this is an example of how good and how easy it is with the right tools. best part is you can polish ALL of those aluminum parts with that die grinder to a mirror shine.  beware of the polishing bug!  it'll bite ya!

I have that exact grinder so I'm already half way there! Ha. I'll be making a trip to HF for the buffing wheels and polish. That video really conveys the point of how easy it is with the right stuff!! I have a feeling the gas tanks, pedal, scoop, intake, valve covers, and pump will all be looking quite fancy here soon...Thank you ka0tyk!!

As some of you know from my other thread, the pump on my Southwind took a poopie.  I've been debating what to do about fixing it...

One option is to find a WJ pump, rebuild it so the same thing doesn't happen, and keep going with my rig.  The thing about that is I'm not totally in love with this hull and I've spent about as much as I want to on this boat.

Another option is finding a hull with a decent pump that is missing the motor, rigging, etc. and swapping all my new parts into that. 

The last option is selling my boat as-is.  I have my eye on something else that I would rather spend my time and money on.  What do you guys think Titty Twister is worth at the moment?

18' 1973 Southwind
Hardin Marine Olds 455
Bassett Headers (New ball, spring, and braided stainless lines)
Holley 9023 (800cfm)
10qt. Oil pan

All parts below have less than 10 hours on them:

New plugs, wires, cap, rotor, points
All new fuel lines, fuel filter, fuel selector, water/fuel separater
All new water lines, plumbed correctly!
Aluminum gas tanks, 12 gallons each
All new cables
NewTeleflex rack steering
newDana ST control
St control, steering hub, bezels, and grab handle all powdercoated blue
New Autometer plantinum chrome gauges
Eddie Marine Battery box
New group 27 Interstate marine battery
New battery cables
Place diverter and floor mounted control (been in water for two hours)
Polished foot pedal and scoop.


Trailer:
Brand new tires, wheel bearings, and seals (been to the river once)
Rewired and done right about a month ago
All lights work, side markers are all LED
Bunks and carpet are in great shape

It has a newer interior which is in decent shape.  No wood rot on interior or on front bulkhead
I've gone through this boat with a fine tooth comb and fixed every single mickey moused item on it.
The boat is solid except for the pump..

 

Yahoo, cuzzi, and bbf?

I haven't pulled the pump apart for myself yet, but I was told that the suction housing and impeller are most likely done for. I'm preparing for the worst case scenario. If I'm going to have to drop another thousand into this boat for a reliable working pump I'd rather try to part it or sell it whole as is and start over with a better platform like a 454 and berk...or swap all my new parts into a hull that already has a good pump.

What I don't like about the boat is that the original gel was painted over and not done well. It has the 455 which I feel is a ticking time bomb that I need to baby and that's not what jet boating is about!

That's a yj

What do mean play? Did you unbolt the Driveline?

Attached are pics of a WJ that is for sale locally.  Is there anything suspect about this pump?  What should I look for when I check it out in person?  Thanks!

Attached are pics of a WJ that is for sale locally.  Is there anything suspect about this pump?  What should I look for when I check it out in person?  Thanks!

No opinions on the used pump?