Author Topic: Carlson CV-23 from Laughlin Nv.  (Read 5354 times)

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Offline BlownCV23

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Carlson CV-23 from Laughlin Nv.
« on: April 10, 2017, 09:34:15 PM »
Hi folks, I have been trolling this forum for years and thought, since I've been a Carlson Boat fan for over 45 years and have many interest in common with the forums members I would join.

The first time I saw a Carlson boat was back in 1970 or 71.(I was 15 at the time) My Dad asked me if I wanted to go to the boat races at Lake Elisnore California. He told me that His boss Art Carlson would like him to go and watch the race boats that my father was involved in. (Art hired my father to run the machine shop at Glastron Carlson) My father being a tool & die maker was involved with a lot of the tooling used to produce many of the components used thru out the Carlson product line from 1970-1977.

My first job was working for Glastron/Carlson in 1972. I was a summer hire during my junior year of High School. I worked in the wood shop making all the wood components for the whole Carlson product line. Then for overtime on the weekends I would help load the boats on the tractor trailer for shipment to the various dealers. Over the next couple of years I worked part time/fulltime for Glastron/Carlson. I worked in the upholstery shop and spent my last year prior to college working in the machine shop with my father. I will never know how many castings I had to re-polish because they came from the supplier scratched or not finished. Or all the teak slats that were drilled and c'sunk. Lets not forget the windshield castings that had to be drilled, tapped and  broached to accept the windshield rail.

Anyway, by now you know I'm prejudice for Carlson boats. I have a 1982 CV-23 which I have completed a refurbishments/mods. I have added a supercharger and replaced the floor in the boat as well as new upholstery. The gelcoat is original. I think the boat is respectable for a 35 year old boat. Every time I take the boat out I get so many great comments. They always ask me what make, what year.

thx. Paul
 

 
« Last Edit: April 10, 2017, 09:41:04 PM by BlownCV23 »
Blown CV23 (Root Beer Float)

Offline Plugcheck

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Re: Carlson CV-23 from Laughlin Nv.
« Reply #1 on: April 10, 2017, 10:13:27 PM »
Great story, and a nice looking 23, probably a dumb question but is it a jet or stern drive.  Would love to hear more about the engine, how it performs, level of boost, and such.  I worked at Hoover, Parker, and Davis dams back in the mid 2000's, spent a fair amount of time in Laughlin.  Noticed some classic boats on the lakes in those days, wasn't used to seeing everything had Bimini tops of some sort.     Welcome again, and thanks for sharing. 
Michael
1979 CVZ-18 388 CI Vortec Mouse
1980 CVX-16SS 140 Mercruiser
1979 CVX-16 Johnson 175
2002 Bennington 2275CC 90 Mercury
1985 Intimidator project
1989 Lowe 200 Redneck fishin Toon
2001 Godfrey Sweetwater pontoon 115 Rude

Offline Oldfishguy

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Re: Carlson CV-23 from Laughlin Nv.
« Reply #2 on: April 10, 2017, 10:40:56 PM »

Awesome!

That was quite the era for boat building.  A lot of bold ideas in design and color came out then.  I imagine one industry drove the other to new heights (muscle cars come to mind). 

I would imagine production was in high gear during that time, probably hard to even catch a breath. 

Welcome.

David

1972 1/2 Glastron CV 16
1973 Chrysler 120

Offline BlownCV23

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Re: Carlson CV-23 from Laughlin Nv.
« Reply #3 on: April 10, 2017, 11:18:10 PM »
Great story, and a nice looking 23, probably a dumb question but is it a jet or stern drive.  Would love to hear more about the engine, how it performs, level of boost, and such.  I worked at Hoover, Parker, and Davis dams back in the mid 2000's, spent a fair amount of time in Laughlin.  Noticed some classic boats on the lakes in those days, wasn't used to seeing everything had Bimini tops of some sort.     Welcome again, and thanks for sharing.
Plugcheck,
My CV-23 has a Mercruiser I/O 260. I'm running a B&M 144 Supercharger. I have not officially put a boost gage on the manifold. But I'm guessing I'm running around 5-7 lbs. I know an Alpha 1 drive will not last behind more than 300hp. I just last summer blew out my upper gear case. Since then I have my outdrive to a SEI unit and I am running a drive shower to keep the drive cool. I know I should also switch from thru prop exhaust to thru transom exhaust to reduce outdrive heat which will improve outdrive longevity. But since the SEI drive has a no fault 3 year warrantee I will take my chances. I do ease out to plane. So not to add all that torque from a hole shot.

Before I added the Supercharger the boat would do about 49mph. Now it goes about 57.
Blown CV23 (Root Beer Float)

Offline BlownCV23

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Re: Carlson CV-23 from Laughlin Nv.
« Reply #4 on: April 10, 2017, 11:33:22 PM »
Awesome!

That was quite the era for boat building.  A lot of bold ideas in design and color came out then.  I imagine one industry drove the other to new heights (muscle cars come to mind). 

I would imagine production was in high gear during that time, probably hard to even catch a breath. 

Welcome.

David

OLDFISHGUY,

Yes, plenty of "Really Cool Stuff" during that era. Funny you mentioned "Muscle Cars" because you just sparked my other passion. Here is a couple of my other toys (a 1973 Plymouth Hemi Roadrunner, 1933 Plymouth Coupe)
Blown CV23 (Root Beer Float)

Offline Plugcheck

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Re: Carlson CV-23 from Laughlin Nv.
« Reply #5 on: April 11, 2017, 12:06:47 PM »
     Thanks for the update, I just love the sound of a supercharged mouse.   I would like to do either  a BBC/Bravo set up, or a blown SBC/Alpha for my Intimidator project.   Torque seems to be the drive killer on the alphas, and I suspect the strain is likely higher in a 23 than it would be in a 18 or 20.   A supercharger seems easier than a turbo in a marine environment although I have heard they make water cooled turbos for marine use.   
Michael
1979 CVZ-18 388 CI Vortec Mouse
1980 CVX-16SS 140 Mercruiser
1979 CVX-16 Johnson 175
2002 Bennington 2275CC 90 Mercury
1985 Intimidator project
1989 Lowe 200 Redneck fishin Toon
2001 Godfrey Sweetwater pontoon 115 Rude

Offline Hyperacme

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Re: Carlson CV-23 from Laughlin Nv.
« Reply #6 on: April 11, 2017, 01:17:23 PM »
Good to see you stopped lurkin' and started postin' ... LOL
Cool story and beautiful 23 !

Offline Cali special

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Re: Carlson CV-23 from Laughlin Nv.
« Reply #7 on: August 06, 2017, 07:20:51 AM »
Awesome

Offline Rosscoe

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Re: Carlson CV-23 from Laughlin Nv.
« Reply #8 on: August 16, 2017, 06:20:13 AM »
I don't visit this topic very often, so late to the game.
That is awesome that you and your dad worked on Carlsons. It must make you feel more "connected"
Nice you collection by the way.
Welcome
Ross
61 Surflite 1964 90HP Johnson project
67 V163 Bayflite Super Sport  1989 100HP Merc
67 V164 Bayflite 120HP
67 V174 Crestflite Rat Rod
71 V175 Crestflite 350ci -Jet
73 GT 160
84 CVX 17  83 115 Merc
88 CVX-23 350 Mag