1978 Spectra

getrdunn · 02-17-2009, 01:18 AM

Hello everyone,
I'm new to the board and have been enjoying on all the things that I have been away from for a while. Does anybody know much about the 78 Spectra (380 hrs). I picked one up recently with twin 454's and am updating it along with some more power. The big question I have is "What mold is this from" The seller was pretty certain it was a splash from a cigarette. Hull only...
I would like to see about swapping the deck out to something a little more desirable. This boat seems to run well in rough water however is sacraficing some power to get the real feel.

PS The hull reminds me of a magnum.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
John
jreed0965@charter.net

CIG3 · 02-18-2009, 05:08 PM

I have a friend that has one. I'll post pictures and all info I can find. They were light and fast for their time. I know my friends will run 52-55mph with stock 350's and TRS drives.

getrdunn · 02-22-2009, 05:22 PM

Thanks for your help. I would like to modernize this boat however I don't want to spend a bunch of money on it if the boart lay up and so on is bad. Currently the boat has a few normal stress areas in the gel but nothing to concern worry about at this point anyway. Also if you could send me your friends email sometime that would be great. It might sound crazy but I would like to even replace the deck with something a little more desirable but don't know what my options are. I just pulled all the interior and plan to update that along with strengthening the boat with some vertical stringers along the sides of the boat to eliminate some flex points.
Thanks again for your help or any info you may post.
John

tommymonza · 02-22-2009, 05:56 PM

Not a very Deep vee I think only maybe a 17-19 degree bottom.Definitely an original design with the hull and the California cruiser look .Very unique and cool looking but the brand new one i saw back in 78 looked like the hardware and rigging
was straight off their jetboats right down to the teak steering wheel.

Probaly not the best ride because of the shallow v but very cool looking. I have always loved the looks of Spectras of any size.

http://www.powerboatlistings.com/view/3791

tommymonza · 02-22-2009, 06:13 PM

Got any pics ? are you out of the Detroit area ? I am willing to bet it might be the same one that was at the Cobo Hall boat show in 79

getrdunn · 02-22-2009, 06:22 PM

I'll post some pics. The boat is a 24 degree bottom. Reminds me of my 93, 28' Challenger only a little longer. The ride seems much different as it is lacking power at the moment.
John

getrdunn · 02-22-2009, 07:07 PM

I found some old articles with the spectra all the way back from 78. Still don't really help with the questions I have though.

This is the Challenger I use to own. This was a great boat "in and out" of the water. The bottom looks very similar.

getrdunn · 02-22-2009, 07:18 PM

Doesn't look like a 78 does it........
Just kidding.

tommymonza · 02-22-2009, 10:37 PM

That is the boat that was in the Cobo hall boat show in 79 right next to are display believe it or not.

If the hull is 24 degrees at the stern which i do not believe it is the entry is not a very sharp.

It is a cool classic and it would be a shame to cut it up and change it.Somewhere i have an old Powerboat magazine prformance test on one if i can find it.

getrdunn · 02-23-2009, 12:11 AM

That's funny you remember that. The boat did come from the southeast side of the state. Go figure. I may end up just putting a new paint job on it and call it good for now. I know it's a classic and should leave the deck as is. Just not real fond of it. Send me your email and I'll send you the mag. ads from 79 on it. There was a website on these just a short while ago I thought at spectraboats.com however I can't pull it up any more.
John
jreed0965@charter.net