1975 Rogers 191/2 ' Bubble deck need 2 cnts

[jtham]

I just looked at a 1975 Rogers 19.5 foot bubble deck with a Berkely 12jB-A. It has a manual place diverter. It was painted, upholstery no holes, full length stringers, tandem axle trailer. Paintjob not real good, overspray on trailer.
Price $3900. firm.
Setback, 455 olds. Stock edelbrock carb Offenhauser intake, Thru-transom exhaust.
Boat ran good, idled well. Full gauges (fuel don't work) Two 15 gallon side tanks. I checked the oil, no water in oil at this time.
QUESTION: I had two of these boats with the 455. Love the hull, but had problems with these engines. Low RPm, water in oil, etc. I told myself I would never buy a jet boat again with a 455 olds.
I know a lot of guys have these motors. WOULD IT BE WORTH THE 3900. TO BUY THIS BOAT EVEN IF THE MOTOR GOES BAD SHORTLY AND I CAN UPGRADE TO A 454 OR 460, OR SHOULD I TRY AND FIND ONE WITH THE MOTOR I WANT? THESE HULLS ARE HARD TO COME BY NOW!!!!!!!!! ANY ADVICE WOULD BE APPRECIATED..JAY

[MudPumper]

It all depends on how much money you want to put into the boat. If it was me, I would buy it and drop a BBC in it. I love those hulls.

[jtham]

I was thinking the same thing Mike. I like the hull, but that damn 455. Who knows how long it will hold up? Everything looks good now though. Do you think it's worth the $3900. as is?
Jay

[TRG]

that hull at 3900,....if the hull was in good shape i would definitly consider it!
most every rogers that ive come across that was even a light lay-up, was in a repairable state,...these hulls are designed very well and can handle water much better than hulls in its same class.
where are you loc?
i purchased my 18 rogers, for 2100$, i had to go through the entire hull and do some serious cleaning as well as repairs, but even though it was involved in an accident and sat at the bottom of lake elsinore for more than a week,...i found it was a smokin buy! (all wood besides the stringers was replaced!)
i think that you will find that cyclone has alot to add to this thread, and he'll prob reply tomorrow sometime!(he was in the same predicament that you are in about a year or so ago!)
if i can be of any help to you concerning the purchase of a rogers, please feel free to call!
Todd
TRG custom fiberglass
626-991-9031

[jtham]

Thanks Todd. I will probably call you tomorrow. It's a little late now. I knew you and Cyclone would probably have something to say. I had a 1970 Wieman 18' that I really loved, but I dumped it because of the Olds. Needed rebuild. People were telling me it would be cheaper to just buy one the way I wanted it set up. I can't find these hulls with a Chevy 454.
I was thinking about taking the 4000. and putting it down on a new Carrera Eclipse or something and be in debt forever.
I don't know what to do. Pay cash and have a potential project, or buy a new one and not worry about it.
This hull seems to be solid just like my other one.
I live in Hesperia. I saw the boat down at the river Yesterday. I'm supposed to go back Tuesday for a test ride and to purchase. The motor scares me!!! Jay

[cyclone]

the 455 will last a long as long as you dont treat it like a race motor. Dont hold the throttle wide open for more than 5 seconds and it wont self destruct.
The water in the oil issue is easily cured by replacing the metal "turkey tray" intake manifold gasket with a Fel Pro.
Also, make sure the front timing cover gasket is sealing properly. Those two areas are the most common sources for water leaks in a 455.
Take care of those areas and dont beat the motor too hard and it will last a long time.
The 19-foot Bonneville is a rare hull and worth every penny even if you have to put some work into it. You'll find that when properly set up, it will turn great, ride through average chop with ease, and make good use of the available horsepower.

[victorfb]

last year when i was looking for Rogers hulls only, i couldnt find one 19' bonneville anywere. i looked at about (6) 18' hulls and saw a few more online that were too far to drive to look at. i went all over Calif, and AZ. and finally found my dream hull about 5 minutes from my house. (1975 Rogers 18' bonneville). a 19' did come to surface a few months later, but it wasnt cheap. so i would say, if you like the hull, and can afford it, BUY IT! you may not come across another for a while.
by the way, my 455 olds in the tahiti is still running great after 5 seasons on a freshened up motor. just take the advice and dont run it like a race motor and you should be fine. and if later you decide to do the swap/upgrade you can use the boat till you get all the parts to do so.
good luck..

[jtham]

Thanks Cyclone and Victor fb!! Maybe I will buy it. I don't know if it's a Bonneville. The owner just said the title says 1975 Rogers 19.5 foot. The hull seems solid.
Victor do you remember when you and your girlfriend came to my house to look at my 18' Wieman? I finally sold it for 2500. in November. The guy had a 502 for it.
Anyway if I buy it, I will post pics. Jay

[victorfb]

jay. yes i do remember, and it was a nice boat too. and if you remember, i too had a 502 waiting for a hull. i found my boat for $1500 less motor, but got alot of extras with it. so it worked out great for me. im glad you finally sold the weiman. i bet it hurt to see it go. but it sounds like your getting another nice boat. cant wait to see it.
as far as it being a bonneville or not, that i dont know. 19.5 throws me off. the 19' was a bonneville bubble deck, but i believe the 20' was not. "Old rigger" would be the guy to answer that one. and of course pics would be nice.
it was great meeting you before, and i hope we can again. get that rogers and lets go the river.:D

[TRG]

as for the 18-19?
all i know is that the 18 as actualy17'-10", and the 19 is actualy 18'-10" and i dont even recall ever seeing a 19' that was not a bonneville!
i think that the only other hulls (18-19) were called cyclone, (flat deck with a deep keel?) and the other was called the super cyclone (cyclone cap, W/ a bonneville bottom) just like boater bills?
maybe we can get old rigger out to shed some light, and clean up the mess of words i tried to use here! lmfao:D

[1Bahnerjet]

Oldrigger did post some Rogers History in the "Anybody know the story with Anthony Boats?" thread. :)

[old rigger]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by toddnjuzz
as for the 18-19?
all i know is that the 18 as actualy17'-10", and the 19 is actualy 18'-10" and i dont even recall ever seeing a 19' that was not a bonneville!
i think that the only other hulls (18-19) were called cyclone, (flat deck with a deep keel?) and the other was called the super cyclone (cyclone cap, W/ a bonneville bottom) just like boater bills?
maybe we can get old rigger out to shed some light, and clean up the mess of words i tried to use here! lmfao:D
todd,
you got it man, except the 19 is the 'bonneville TR'. Different bottom than the 18 bonneville and the old tahiti bottomed. Rogers and Weimans. The 20 has the same (slightly different) dropped chine bottom as the 19.
There was also a early rogers crusier. A double stepped deck thing, if I remember right. Later we had a 20 like the spectra, but with a little different deck. Bought those molds from the old Conquest shop. Not the conquest that Nescher had. In fact I think that Barron owned the molds by then. Shit, I can't remember exactly. I'm almost 100% that we picked up those molds from Nick. Been too long, great boat though. How could ya miss with that Spectra bottom?

[MAXIMUS]

What would be a 1977 18' rogers??? Is that a good go fast boat? I am in the looks for a friend of mine! He needs a good fast safe ride...:)

[old rigger]

Originally posted by MAXIMUS
What would be a 1977 18' rogers??? Is that a good go fast boat? I am in the looks for a friend of mine! He needs a good fast safe ride...:)
In a word, yes. By the mid 70's, Roger was in his prime as far as dominating the circle boat race scene, having a large and loyal customer base, and building jet boats that were second to none. There's no better looking boat on the planet, imho, than a 18 Rogers bubble that's been capped. Although, admitingly, I'm more than a little partial to his stuff................
By the way, the 18 is a faster boat than the 19tr.

[460rogers]

VICTORFB
Did it have dropped chines?
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/521/1161DSCN0216-thumb.JPG
This is a 19' bubble deck.

[victorfb]

the 19s had the dropped chines. the 18s did not. mine is a 1975 18' with the center fin. im told the fin was a hot ticket for circle boat racing. congrats on your TR. got any more pics? i love them things too.:D

[TRG]

if i may...this is the gem that vic P/U
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/520/662vics_boat_005-med.jpg
almost finished!
sorry vic...had to do it!

[victorfb]

now youve done it Todd, i saw that pic and now i have to clean myself. that hasnt happened since i was a kid seeing my first porn flick.
YEEEEAAAAAAAHHHHHHH BAAAABYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!! :D

[TRG]

:D

[TRG]

i call "bullshit" as i recall that, that may have happened more recently than you claim! lol
im glad you like it!

[disco_charger]

Hey Victor, I saw your boat up close, and I have to say, good choice on staying vintage, and good call on letting Todd do it. I can't believe what good shape your hull was in. It looks really good now!

[pops1]

Rogers 1 of the best, always out performed is comp.

[victorfb]

disco_charger. thanks man. i was stocked when i found the hull sitting in this guys front yard all covered up. as soon as he uncovered it to show me i knew i was going to buy it. i saw the potential, and knew Todd could make her beautiful again. i had plans to go look at the boat the other day, but in a way im glad i couldnt make it. now i can see it in its totally finished state and get the full effect. i too am glad i chose to go the vintage route. actually i knew i would the moment i saw the boat. i just dig that sort of thing. even the hardware will be vintage in a way. guages, stearing wheel, all that stuff im trying to stay in the era.

[MAXIMUS]

I just picked up a 19' rogers for my amigo. Very nice boat. White with black, burgandy, & grey strips. Hull is capped, pump set back with shoe ride plate, droop snoot, place diverter & stainless impeller. Very cherry boat that should run very well when we get a engine back in it. It originally had a gentry twin turboed 540 in it that the owner said would run well over a buck. I will post some picks when we get it!:)

[Heatseeker]

Originally posted by toddnjuzz
if i may...this is the gem that vic P/U
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/520/662vics_boat_005-med.jpg
almost finished!
sorry vic...had to do it!
Hey! That's just like my boat!!!
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/506/99patfront.jpg
Right on Vic, our boats will look like brothers!

[victorfb]

hey John, yep, our boats do look very similar. the lines around the brown on mine are orange though, and there should be some orange fades in the brown. just cant see it in that pic. and there will be custum pin striping in the way of what i call "squiglies" around the nose and guages. and then the name of the boat "Lets Dance" will be put back on each side near the back. ill try and post a before pic to kind of show ya what i mean. are you going to either the Freeboard challenged event or the CBBB this year? id like to see that rogers you got there. very cool man.
by the way. you wouldnt be interested in selling that rogers emblem would ya? :D

[Heatseeker]

I noticed you had a little different striping. Very nice man.
I won't be making any SoCal trips this year. Maybe next year...
There are plenty of gathering around here, you should try to make it up some time.
I should be hitting the water by the first week of May, if all goes as planned. I very anxious to take her for the maiden cruise!
And no, I'm not interested in selling the emblem or the Roger's foot throttle either, for that matter :p !
Good luck with your hot rod. I hope to meet up with you on the water some time.

[Wally_Gator]

I thought I would update you on my gelcoat project.
We turned the boat last weekend and I will be shooting the bottom this weekend. Capping the rails is going well and I talke to the guys over at Sure-fab.
By the way I bought my 71 Rogers Cyclone from some guy that
had it sitting uncovered for awhile. $700

[victorfb]

sounds like your getting there. are you taking progress pic's? post em if you can.

[80Rogers]

I have a 1980 18' Bubble deck w/a 454 chevy. I am the 3rd owner of the boat. It was orriginaly bought by Paul Yonker I believe. Shortly after selling the rogers he was killed in a boat racing accident. The 2nd owner had it for 20+ yrs and was my neighbor at the river and it took 10 yrs. to get him to sell it to me. I paid 7K for it w/a compititive trailer. Anyway nice Rogers. C-Ya on the river.
Jay