like it even more now I know she ran a clevo, wonder where she is these days ? Hey, do you have any more old pics of her you could share with us, cool boat. Cheers for getting in touch. Would love to hear any Sawcraft history if anyone knows anything at all.
boat got broken up. i put a 302 in it to sell it, most people got scared off by the blown motor. the motor ended up at a local speed shop where it was put into a f150.
jimmy sawtell was responsible for sawcraft boats. not sure if hes still arround. they were made from mid seventies to early ninetys in wingfield , south australia. early boats were 16foot with the later boats 17.6. they were made in flat bottom and a shallow v. most boats were centre mount config and nearly all ran ford engines. there were quite a few race boats made (all lh drive). adelaide speed boat club might have pics.
runnin rich was a great boat, best ive had. i purchased it 25 year ago. it had a 302 and was under driven by 30%. a quick trip to the usa saw us with all the nec parts. the blown motor was great. i was easy for beginer skiers or just pure fun when running flat out. about two years after installing the engine a minor misshap where we bent most the rods. a new set of manly rods and the next ten years were uneventful.
if you would like to know the true facts about sawcraft boats,plz contact ron(komotion) and ask for my contact details.....regards,dale....(floke the crazy boat builder)....and close personal friend of the late jim "the gentleman" sawtell.
If there are any Sawcraft owners, either current or past, who are on Facebook, Jim's son Andy had created a sawcraft boat enthusiasts page. There is a history of the race boats Jim built and drove over the years as well as photos of other boats that he built. FYI, Jim preferred Chev & Holden motors in his boats.
I've got an 86, no picks though, with a 351 pushin approx 400 hp, through a 3 blade, only mild but still boogies, can't bring myself to sell it because too much got invested in restoring it, removed the black strip around the top repainted it all white and added blue cobra stripes, then retried the seats with white marine vinyl with blue stripe inserts and piping, finally made a cover for the gear box and drive shift and covered the floor in navy blue marine carpet, looks pretty good always gets comments.
Sadly "Gentleman" Jim Sawtell is no longer with us. I used to be involved with the Adelaide Speedboat Club in the early to mid 80's and always remember the Sawcraft boats having a straight area on the front deck much like a downforce wing. I see in the photos above the front deck has a raised curve shape to it similar to Stephens. RIP Jimmy.
The "Bubble" deck is a 15'6 boat. Jim went from building & tracking those into the 17' flat bottom. He later removed the tip plank on the hull and shaped a shallow 'V' bottom for the purposes of a smoother ride when using as a ski boat.
Hi all just noticed the top pic scortcher is currently for sale on gumtree nice little pick up that would be. Cant quite convince the wife I have the need for 2 boats oh well.
Hi all just noticed the top pic scortcher is currently for sale on gumtree nice little pick up that would be. Cant quite convince the wife I have the need for 2 boats oh well.
Hi all, new to Sawcraft boats and found 1 for sale here in Nth Qld but owner just asks to make an offer and won't give an idea of what they want. It is 16ft with 302 ford and originally set up for circuit racing with left hand drive.It has over the transom exhaust and hull looks in good nick but motor could do with a tidy up. Any thoughts on value
I don't know much about Sawcraft boats. Can any one provide any history on them. The blown one "Runnin Rich" looks like a wild ride!
ReplyDeletemy old boat, soldabout 12 years ago.
ReplyDeleteblown 351 clev.
9% step up argo v drive
great all rounder. not so good with little kids
cruise 80mph all day
i dont mean to be rude,but i would love to see ANY 351 clevo with 9% gears run at 80 mph,let alone all day!....regards floke
Deletelike it even more now I know she ran a clevo, wonder where she is these days ? Hey, do you have any more old pics of her you could share with us, cool boat. Cheers for getting in touch.
ReplyDeleteWould love to hear any Sawcraft history if anyone knows anything at all.
boat got broken up. i put a 302 in it to sell it, most people got scared off by the blown motor. the motor ended up at a local speed shop where it was put into a f150.
ReplyDeletejimmy sawtell was responsible for sawcraft boats. not sure if hes still arround. they were made from mid seventies to early ninetys in wingfield , south australia. early boats were 16foot with the later boats 17.6. they were made in flat bottom and a shallow v. most boats were centre mount config and nearly all ran ford engines. there were quite a few race boats made (all lh drive). adelaide speed boat club might have pics.
runnin rich was a great boat, best ive had. i purchased it 25 year ago. it had a 302 and was under driven by 30%. a quick trip to the usa saw us with all the nec parts.
the blown motor was great. i was easy for beginer skiers or just pure fun when running flat out. about two years after installing the engine a minor misshap where we bent most the rods. a new set of manly rods and the next ten years were uneventful.
all in all great, well made little boats
if you would like to know the true facts about sawcraft boats,plz contact ron(komotion) and ask for my contact details.....regards,dale....(floke the crazy boat builder)....and close personal friend of the late jim "the gentleman" sawtell.
DeleteIf there are any Sawcraft owners, either current or past, who are on Facebook, Jim's son Andy had created a sawcraft boat enthusiasts page. There is a history of the race boats Jim built and drove over the years as well as photos of other boats that he built. FYI, Jim preferred Chev & Holden motors in his boats.
DeleteCheers for the info, much appreciated mate.
ReplyDeleteI've got an 86, no picks though, with a 351 pushin approx 400 hp, through a 3 blade, only mild but still boogies, can't bring myself to sell it because too much got invested in restoring it, removed the black strip around the top repainted it all white and added blue cobra stripes, then retried the seats with white marine vinyl with blue stripe inserts and piping, finally made a cover for the gear box and drive shift and covered the floor in navy blue marine carpet, looks pretty good always gets comments.
ReplyDeleteSadly "Gentleman" Jim Sawtell is no longer with us. I used to be involved with the Adelaide Speedboat Club in the early to mid 80's and always remember the Sawcraft boats having a straight area on the front deck much like a downforce wing. I see in the photos above the front deck has a raised curve shape to it similar to Stephens. RIP Jimmy.
ReplyDeleteThe "Bubble" deck is a 15'6 boat. Jim went from building & tracking those into the 17' flat bottom. He later removed the tip plank on the hull and shaped a shallow 'V' bottom for the purposes of a smoother ride when using as a ski boat.
DeleteHi all just noticed the top pic scortcher is currently for sale on gumtree nice little pick up that would be. Cant quite convince the wife I have the need for 2 boats oh well.
ReplyDeleteHi all just noticed the top pic scortcher is currently for sale on gumtree nice little pick up that would be. Cant quite convince the wife I have the need for 2 boats oh well.
ReplyDeleteHi all, new to Sawcraft boats and found 1 for sale here in Nth Qld but owner just asks to make an offer and won't give an idea of what they want. It is 16ft with 302 ford and originally set up for circuit racing with left hand drive.It has over the transom exhaust and hull looks in good nick but motor could do with a tidy up. Any thoughts on value
ReplyDelete