Hey guys, Newbie here w/ boat pics....

[77 Apollo Jet Boat]

Hello, my name is William, ive been an avid jet boater since i was 15 (im 20 now). I live in Jackson, MS. As you can tell from my member name, i own a 77 Apollo Jet Boat (Click on the link in my sig for pics but be forwarned, what you are about to see may bring tears to your eyes, i know it does to me).
As you can see in the pics, the boat has been VERY VERY well taken care of (by myself and my dad. He even admits that i take MUCH better care of it than he does...and that says A LOT!!!). I always washed before and after taking it out (sometimes waxed), oil changed before storing, waxed before storing, the whole 9 yards. You can say that i am VERY anal about how the boat is treated/taken care of. The only thing we've had to replace was the interior (re-upholster the seat cover/ carpet floor, which was back in 1989.
The boat has a stock 76 Lincoln Ford 460 motor in it, 4 barrel 750 Holley carb, dual 5in bassett racing headers (water cooled), Berkley Ski pump, ect...
I recently ran it up on the rocks at the Reservoir in Brandon, MS. Here's the story:
Well, i was cruising along the Spillway at the Reservoir in Brandon, MS "riding" along w/ cars. I come to some polls in the water and take a right turn away from the road, come back around and head toward the spillway. i go to make a left turn to go back down the spillway and it keeps going straight. so i throw it in reverse, nail it, it slows but not enough and goes up on the rocks.
the wake the boat threw up comes into the engine bay and sinks it. all i see sticking up out of the water in about 6inches of the front-end. only damage was a little gash/hole where the front hook WAS (read on) and some scatches.
and then it gets bad. the sea-tow guy comes and hooks a strap to the front of the boat to pull it along the water so that it will "come up out of the water". well, when he gives his boat gas, he snatches a huge chunk out of the front of the boat .
so now he has to hook his strap to be BACK of the boat (2 anchor points). from then on, all i see it the tip of the boat bobbing out of the water and the rear scraps along the bottom of the reservoir
when we finally get it on the trailer, i see that both the 5in Bassett headers are pushed over to the left, the 9in velocity stack in demolished, scratches and mud all over everything and im in tears. this was a VERY sad day for me and still is. i dont know why i became so attached to this thing but i did. it was like looseing a family member
:(

[maxwedge]

That is really sad. My favorite boat I've ever owned is still at the bottom of lake MI after it was stolen and then rammed a jet ski and sunk, so I know the feeling of loss. :cry: Sounds to me like maybe the "sea tow guy?" didn't know WTF he was doing. Turned what might have been pretty minor damage into a complete disaster. Is this guy a professonal? Liscenced? Willing to help pay for the damage he caused? Do you have Insurance that might help? Very sad, but don't give up the fight. If you fly jets long enough, something like this happens. The first one dies... you die too. But there will be others... er.. Sorry uh, too many Top Gun veiwings as a child. Seriously, that was/is and maybe can still be? a very cool boat. Look at it this way. In it's current state it still looks way better than mine and I've been working on mine for a year. :crossx:

[Squirtin Thunder]

Sorry to hear !!! :cry: :cry:

[77 Apollo Jet Boat]

he tried his best to bring it to the top (apparently). i didnt know what else to do besides let him hook the rope to the back of the boat. he asked me if i had any suggestion besides hooking it to the back., i was clueless.
I do have insurance on the boat. On the bill i got he put the boat down as a "Salvage" job and i had to sign a piece of paper saying i couldnt hold them responsible. either way, insurance is taking care of it. the tow alone was $1800 ($100 per foot).
LOL, damn, you must have a WHILE to go before your boat is complete if mine STILL looks better than yours! ha. good luck w/ your completion!

[shootingstar72683]

Sorry "lil"brother. It's very hard to see something you're so prowd of, be (what you feel)destroyed. You hang in there, don't make any quick decisions. It's a real fine skiff, appologize to her and turn on the lights and roll-up yer sleeves. Now where ya wanna start? You're in the right place for all the help you're gonna need to get back to the spillway with that big smile on your face, turn'n heads as you go. Trust me there's alot of guy's on here with a passion for thier big boy toy. We all can simpathize what you're going through. Improvize/Adapt/Overcome

[Cs19]

Take on the project and fix everything. All of that can be fixed with some dedication.
First thing is get the boat taken apart and locate a GOOD fiberglass shop.
Did you get the water out of the engine?

[El Prosecutor]

There is no question that this boat must be fixed -
http://us.a2.yahoofs.com/users/43c61764zb4674b5a/c015/__sr_/782are2.jpg?ph4nO1DBmE1kEz3S
This is a family thing.
:idea: And be sure to post lots of pics of your progress - we are roooting for you!

[IMPATIENT 1]

fix it bro, when family members get hurt you do what ya can to fix em up. if this happened to me,i'd fell like i lost of kid or something. looks fixable to me. you can be back at the spillway by summer!good luck!

[atxwrangler]

a good fiberglass shop can fix it, thanks for sharing that compelling story!

[Blow-n-Time]

Sorry to here about your boat, did the same thing last year at cbbb on the river, it was 125 per ft to have it brought up. Glad to see you got insurance, Lookat the brite side you get all new stuff! Good luck.

[1978 Rogers]

How exactly did you drive up on the rocks? Were your driving along pacing some cars on the road and polls (poles) appeared in front you. That required some quick manuvers. That sucks.

[CARLSON-JET]

Welcome to the board Bill. Put her back in one piece, it will be good Karma. When did this happen? R.B.

[bakerjet]

i don't know about fixin it. but that sux big time!!

[77 Apollo Jet Boat]

Shootingstar, thanks for the motivation! it really took a some stress off my shoulderand put a smile on my face. ill do my best to talk dad into repairing it. but it might be cheaper to get a new hull w/ gelpaint (which is what i would prefer) than it would to get it re-glassed and painted. i really dont want to "repaint" the boat seeing as how chipping, peeling, fading, and other stuff can happen if i painted the hull. i prefer the jelcoat. hell, the boat is 30yrs old and looks brand spanking new w/ original color!
CS19, ill be taking the pictures to a couple glass shops this week to see what they will quote me on repairs.
El Prosecutor, it is definitely a family thing. if i decide to go w/ another hull, ill have the original bronzed or something :D.
Impatient 1, im sure its fixable but its all a matter of how much it'll take to do so. :-\
atxwrangler, no problem. glad i can unload some of my problems on you guys. i actually feel a little better. :)
Blow-n-time, i day dream about that everyday! lol
1978 Rogers, i was pacing cars along the road and there were polls (i assume for fishermen) than run FROM the bridge OUT into the water. ive seen patrolman follow these polls while making rounds. anyways, i was headed right for them and i make a right turn AWAY from the road and polls and swing back around and head toward the road. as im getting closer, i go to make a left turn to follow the road back to where i had unloaded the boat and it kept going straight. you following me or are you still kind of confused?
Carlson-jet, back in august.
bakerjet, you aint lying!! i'll definitely be more careful next time.

[shootingstar72683]

Shootingstar, thanks for the motivation! it really took a some stress off my shoulderand put a smile on my face. ill do my best to talk dad into repairing it. but it might be cheaper to get a new hull w/ gelpaint (which is what i would prefer) than it would to get it re-glassed and painted. i really dont want to "repaint" the boat seeing as how chipping, peeling, fading, and other stuff can happen if i painted the hull. i prefer the jelcoat. hell, the boat is 30yrs old and looks brand spanking new w/ original color!
CS19, ill be taking the pictures to a couple glass shops this week to see what they will quote me on repairs.
El Prosecutor, it is definitely a family thing. if i decide to go w/ another hull, ill have the original bronzed or something :D.
Impatient 1, im sure its fixable but its all a matter of how much it'll take to do so. :-\
atxwrangler, no problem. glad i can unload some of my problems on you guys. i actually feel a little better. :)
Blow-n-time, i day dream about that everyday! lol
1978 Rogers, i was pacing cars along the road and there were polls (i assume for fishermen) than run FROM the bridge OUT into the water. ive seen patrolman follow these polls while making rounds. anyways, i was headed right for them and i make a right turn AWAY from the road and polls and swing back around and head toward the road. as im getting closer, i go to make a left turn to follow the road back to where i had unloaded the boat and it kept going straight. you following me or are you still kind of confused?
Carlson-jet, back in august.
bakerjet, you aint lying!! i'll definitely be more careful next time.
Don't get rid of her too fast. Even if you decide to bring another in. Try to find a corner somewere out of the way(A haybarn works real well)cover it,and leave it be. Something that has been in your life that long,made you feel good many-a-day, won't be worth(to you)the change you get for it. Life has a way of making some sharp curves when you got the hammer-down on a good staight-a-way. Remember the saying"It's not how many times you get knocked-down,It's how many you get up". Sounds like you're picking youself up,hang in there, keep in touch.

[77 Apollo Jet Boat]

Don't get rid of her too fast. Even if you decide to bring another in. Try to find a corner somewere out of the way(A haybarn works real well)cover it,and leave it be. Something that has been in your life that long,made you feel good many-a-day, won't be worth(to you)the change you get for it. Life has a way of making some sharp curves when you got the hammer-down on a good staight-a-way. Remember the saying"It's not how many times you get knocked-down,It's how many you get up". Sounds like you're picking youself up,hang in there, keep in touch.
thanks for the motivational words! we have 2000+ acres of land so i think ill find her a good spot to rest. im going to try and keep her for as long as possible. dad is the deciding factor on that, as is everything else. ha

[olbiezer]

where ya at in jackson william? i am at the rez in brandon off old fannon.......sorry about your boat....i am sure u can find another one around here somewhere......let me know if u need anything.......

[77 Apollo Jet Boat]

where ya at in jackson william? i am at the rez in brandon off old fannon.......sorry about your boat....i am sure u can find another one around here somewhere......let me know if u need anything.......
anything, huh? how about $5,000 for a new hull and paint :D.
i live in Clinton, MS, about 30min from the rez. i wouldnt mind checking out your boat when you get it back from texas(i think thats where you said it was). do you have any connections around jackson or else where?
just got off the with neil clark a few hours ago (the same guy that use to build apollo jet boats...i think) and from the conversation we were having, it sounds like i might be getting a replica boat :)
here's the link:
http://www.youngbloodjetboats.com/ click "apollo jet boat" and go from there!

[gimme-three-steps]

I have an Eliminator hull that has chev. mts. but your mounts would fit. ready for mtr. $3500 located in n. ms. It is a forked model , very fast. It has a tricked pump and the jet-o-vator on it. donald.landrum@faa.gov

[olbiezer]

my boat is back in the garage.....well maybe anything except money.......we do have our limits lol

[shootingstar72683]

thanks for the motivational words! we have 2000+ acres of land so i think ill find her a good spot to rest. im going to try and keep her for as long as possible. dad is the deciding factor on that, as is everything else. ha
I hear ya. I think you should get another boat, and make a long time learning project out of that one. Right now it's going to take alot of time,dedication,and patience, to restore it. Now call this a wild guess, guys your age that are addicted to speed(in your case,very young)may have the dedication, but the time/patience,is rough. I think you'll make the right move getting something soon as possible. Make a list if what it should have to satisfy you and don't vary too much,and don't be too quick. Life isn't numbers it's percentages. :rollside:

[shootingstar72683]

thanks for the motivational words! we have 2000+ acres of land so i think ill find her a good spot to rest. im going to try and keep her for as long as possible. dad is the deciding factor on that, as is everything else. ha
I hear ya. I think you should get another boat, and make a long time learning project out of that one. Right now it's going to take alot of time,dedication,and patience, to restore it. Now call this a wild guess, guys your age that are addicted to speed(in your case,very young)may have the dedication, but the time/patience,is rough. I think you'll make the right move getting something soon as possible. Make a list if what it should have to satisfy you and don't vary too much,and don't be too quick. Life isn't numbers it's percentages. :rollside:

[77 Apollo Jet Boat]

I hear ya. I think you should get another boat, and make a long time learning project out of that one. Right now it's going to take alot of time,dedication,and patience, to restore it. Now call this a wild guess, guys your age that are addicted to speed(in your case,very young)may have the dedication, but the time/patience,is rough. I think you'll make the right move getting something soon as possible. Make a list if what it should have to satisfy you and don't vary too much,and don't be too quick. Life isn't numbers it's percentages. :rollside:
well, dad informed me that after the towing bill(1800) and the deductible (100) and something about use having to pay 900 bucks back to them for some reason. so all im getting for the boat is 1,600 bucks out of 4,400 :(:(:(:(:(
dad only had liability for the boat. he took a gamble on it since it was only used maybe 6 times a year so we didnt come out that well on the insurance payment. ill talk to dad again and have him explain it more indepth. i wasnt really listening after he said all there was left is 1600. kinda took all the steam/motivation out of me and put me in a state of depression :(.
yes, ppl in my age bracket are addicted to speed but not me (atleast now). im starting to become more like my dad (driving the speed limit and not putting myself at risk and just taking it easy). what would make me BEYOND the lines of happy is if i could have the EXACT same boat i use to have. With the same hull, STOCK 460, ski pump, color and all. i dont care about going 70+mph in the boat. i just liked cruising along the shore line, reving the pipes and showing the boat off to ppl.
here's are a quick couple of stories about my g/f. MINUTES before the wreck, we decided to take the boat in, get something to eat and call it a day. well, i said "lets make one more pass" and she had a BAD feeling about it but didnt say anything. well, you know the rest of the story.
second story, she took me to memphis to for my b-day, we took LOTS of pics of dumb, sweet, and funny things we were doing. well, i was going to take them to walmart, who in the past...ALWAYS made me mad but i wanted to hurry and develop them so she could see'em before going home. well, when i ran the idea her way, she said she has a BAD feeling about it. i didnt listen and did it anyways. well, i come back an hour later and they said water had got on the film and destroyed all 3 rolls. coincidence??? i hope not! anyways, said that she has a good feeling about the boat situation so i am keeping my fingers crossed and hope alive!

[77 Apollo Jet Boat]

I have an Eliminator hull that has chev. mts. but your mounts would fit. ready for mtr. $3500 located in n. ms. It is a forked model , very fast. It has a tricked pump and the jet-o-vator on it. donald.landrum@faa.gov
thanks for the offer man but id like to have the same hull as my original.

[beerjet]

You know I have two boats(one is a workin pile and the other is a shell of a pile)and the working one got turned into a two seater and as much time as I put into them and no matter how much money you spend, when you get them out on the water there is absolutely nothing that can replace the time you spent on them.
The other one is a day cruiser that I am puttin together so I can take my 5 year old daughter along. (The OT pipes freak her out) I cant wait to have some more good times under my belt with new boat and my family and nothing and no one is gonna stop me. Seein that I'm 26 I sit here and read story after story about every boat everyone has owned and all the knowledge that came with it. So that one day maybe just maybe I can also pass what I have learned since I was a kid boating with my dad onto some one else.
Anyways what I am tryin to say is that whether you fix it or not your gonna keep makin new memories and gaining more knowledge every time out so get out on the water the fastest way possible . Set it aside till you cant look at it any more and start new history with a new boat.

[shootingstar72683]

You know I have two boats(one is a workin pile and the other is a shell of a pile)and the working one got turned into a two seater and as much time as I put into them and no matter how much money you spend, when you get them out on the water there is absolutely nothing that can replace the time you spent on them.
The other one is a day cruiser that I am puttin together so I can take my 5 year old daughter along. (The OT pipes freak her out) I cant wait to have some more good times under my belt with new boat and my family and nothing and no one is gonna stop me. Seein that I'm 26 I sit here and read story after story about every boat everyone has owned and all the knowledge that came with it. So that one day maybe just maybe I can also pass what I have learned since I was a kid boating with my dad onto some one else.
Anyways what I am tryin to say is that whether you fix it or not your gonna keep makin new memories and gaining more knowledge every time out so get out on the water the fastest way possible . Set it aside till you cant look at it any more and start new history with a new boat.
Looks like someone else is on a good run.TAKE the ADVICE.

[shootingstar72683]

thanks for the offer man but id like to have the same hull as my original.
Iknow how bad you feel, trust me. Jan. 28(almost 2yrs.to the date)at 03:28 I watched my haybarn burn and take with it 22 horses ,goats, cats, and birds,all of which I stood on thier feet.While saving my house the round-bales stacked 4 high fell taking the barnwall into my toybox which had everything I saved since my dads 1936Lionel train,my53lionel along with a pop'n-jonny John Deere 1952"G",sportscar,generator,2Harley's
(my first pan-head chopper),pick-up and my 77 21' Hawiian jetboat filled with 2 twenty gal fiberglass fuel tanks(they didn't vent). It was a violent fire with the hay 20tons 85gals of feul a fiberglass jetboat two buildings etc. Anyway Apollo you get the picture. Alot of first in there. NO INSURANCE,owned titles on everything, got $6,600 on the out buildings. I feel for you and your dad. I'm sure it meant alot to him also, but you can't replace a first. I've got a Taylor now. It isn't near what the Hawiian was ,it wasn't taken care of at all, but the first ride across the lake sure made me feel much better than sitting looking at vedeos of the past. I've got it apart now. I'll make it a boat to be proud of, or like they say "die trying".Don't waste your time trying to duplicate. Get yourself something and start your new ideas. It'll work,ya got alot of time. Keep in touch ,let us know how you and dad are do'in.