Restored 1982 Karelsen 25SSH

**zul8tr** · 10-01-2011

Here is a Karelsen pickle hydro I bought from Ron Selewach (Mr Sidewinder) that he had in his collection that needed some help and it needed to get wet again. Its number is 111-N. I have been running it with the Merc 25SS engine I raced back in 73 to 80 in 25SSH with the 2 blade Pinner props I used. It runs out very well at 60+. Still playing with the setup and props for fun.at AOMCI meets. The photos start with top side varnish and paint in process of removal, hydro bottom pics are after bottom restore with new varnish

**KG4** · 10-01-2011

I have another 2 blade 25ss prop if interested.

**JohnsonM50** · 10-01-2011

It looks real good Peter

**Joe Silvestri 36-S** · 10-03-2011

Great job! I always liked the lines these boats had.

**curbman** · 10-03-2011

Super looking project, very nice.

**HydroDyn** · 10-05-2011

That's a real nice restoration you did! I'm curious about the design of your boat. Mine has stringers that run the full length inside, as well as crossribs that my kneeboard sits on that run the full width of the boat. It looks like your kneeboard is just sitting on the bottom wood. Is this correct? No additional reinforcement in that area? I'ld feel like I'ld bust through the bottom with the slamming we take on the water.

**zul8tr** · 10-05-2011

Originally Posted by HydroDyn

That's a real nice restoration you did! I'm curious about the design of your boat. Mine has stringers that run the full length inside, as well as crossribs that my kneeboard sits on that run the full width of the boat. It looks like your kneeboard is just sitting on the bottom wood. Is this correct? No additional reinforcement in that area? I'ld feel like I'ld bust through the bottom with the slamming we take on the water.

You are correct there are no full stringers from the dash to the transom inside the cockpit area just the 2 in the pic that go foreward to the front. I first thought this unusual and inadaquate. Just the full stringers along the cockpit side coamings of 3/8" aircraft birch ply plus full stringers under the deck That is the way Mr Karelsen built it in 1982. He did a 7mm Okume bottom plus additional 7mm glued and nailed floorboard inside the cockpit area all the way to the dash. Apparently that was strong enough since this boat was actively raced in 25SSH then some lake running until Ron Selewach bought it back in early 2000 I believe. I noticed no bottom distress in areas directly below the floorboard. So I presume he built it strong enough. Note he used Weldwood powered glue water activated so that required excellent carpentry. I did notice that Mr Karelson used Sitka spruce framing and several plywood thicknesses (2, 3, 4, 6, 7 mm and 3/8") depending on weight and water loading condiotions so he paid carefull attention to the materials.

In my restoration I could not get the floorboard to look good for varnish so I added a piece of 6mm Okume about 2/3 of the cockpit length from transom then reduced to 3mm Okume to the dash.

**zul8tr** · 10-05-2011

Originally Posted by KG4

I have another 2 blade 25ss prop if interested.

Thanks I will keep that in mind after I play with the 3- 25ss Pinners that I have from my racing days. Do you know the pitch, diameter and maker of the prop?

**zul8tr** · 10-05-2011

Thanks to all for the complements, much apprecuated.Restorations can be more work that a new build, it"s like a box of chocolets since you never know what to expect.