This is a 1973 Classic Hamilton Jet J53 Speed boat. It has a 3.0l V6 engine with 2 stage Colorado Hamilton Jet. The hull was imported from NZ as was the jet drive and assembled by priory craft in Norfolk UK in August 73'. I'm restoring this in my spare time. The engine has had lots of work done and the the jet has been stripped and re fitted. I've a small amount of work to do mechanically and then i'll start re-fitting the inside cosmetic side of things.

Ford Essex 3.0l V6 Engine Before overhaul..

After overhaul.. New engine Mounts. New piping throughout. Re-enforced ski pole. New copper fuel line. New fuel tank, Filter & primer pump. Reconditioned Alternator, Starter motor, Custom made exhaust manifolds. New fuel pump, Sump, Gaskets throughout. Reconditioned twin choke 38dgas Webber Carb with K&N air filter. Reconditioned Distributor, New dizzie cap & rotor arm, new Leads, sparks, points & condensor. New coil. rewired throughout. I'm considering chrome dipping the exhaust manifolds & Rocker covers once the tuning is finished..

Points Before overhaul..

Points after overhaul..

Custom made spacer plate to be fitted between manifold and under carb. I've fitted it with heat resistant material to deflect heat away from carb to avoid vapour lock.

The jet drive before Overhaul.

Complete removal of drive from boat. Replacement of bearings & all gaskets. I got the last gasket of obsolete stock from hamilton in the UK. The steering gate pins holding the steering gate in place have been custom made removing the "play" from the old ones.

Well 6 months later and after a mountain of research i finally came across a nozzle unit through a New Zealand jet boat forum. It involves modification to the steering controller and the reverse bucket needs to be moved forwards about 2". I made contact with a guy called Ian Coleman to purchase the unit online from NZ. It turns out he had booked a holiday in Ireland to visit his daughter.. It then got even stranger.. his daughter was living 10 minutes away from me.. He very kindly carried it in his luggage all the way for me. If thats not fate i don't know what is.. Here it is bolted awaiting welding. I've since finshed the welding and there is no words to describe the difference it makes to the boats handling.. Its a different boat! Thanks Ian!!Hope the whiskey lasted the duration of your visit!!

The next step is the interior. I ordered marine carpet and I'm 90% there with its fitting. Still not getting revs or oil temp. So thats next on the list of to do's. I'd also like to swop out the tired trailer suspension with new units & renew the hubs & braking system. I made the mistake of keeping the running gear of the old trailer when i should have taken the oportunity to start afresh. We live and learn! After a few launches i've also decided i'm in need of two guide poles off the trailer. The front lines up but as you pull out the tail can go left or right slightly. Guide poles with insulation would make retrieval alot easier. I just took on a Land rover Series 3 restro also. It's in a sad state.