The last time this boat was on the water, two years ago, it sunk. Raised from the deep, it has seen the water again after Steve Smith has put countless hours rebuilding the boat from the ground up. Steve acquired the boat about 6 months ago and started a full restoration process including all new paint and a new engine. The engine, a 350 bored .30 over has had its heads redone, with all new or refurbished internals. On the outside of the engine, a new intake, 650 CFM carburetor and everything from new spark plug wires to a new battery box finished off the engine compartment.
The hull got its makeover with a pearl white paint job by Tony Morello of East Side Customs in Marseilles, IL and the boat was given its new name “Hustle & Flow”.
A Jacuzzi jet pump was upgraded with an Energizer kit to propel this sleek beauty. Steve said the most challenging part was getting the impeller shimmed properly, but other than that the build was straight forward with little problems. The boat has been back on the water four times since the rebuild began and in testing has regularly reached speeds of 60 MPH. Steve plans on more tweaking to get more out of her as there’s a bit more speed to get from this engine and hull.
The jobs certainly not over though as Steve still needs to build and install a backseat for passengers and a new custom dash plate made for properly mounted gauges. Custom airbrushing of Steve’s own design to accent the pearl white hull will finish off the job.
