With their GILFLITE Esprit Bowrider, their offspring and their two 2 miniature schnauzers.
This is how Arnis and Lydia ‘Enjoy Life’
Here are some fantastic photos of this families many fond memories of skiing with the GILFLITE!
GILFLITE Esprit Mk II
Photos taken at;
Green lawned area: Whitesands (near Murray Bridge),
Dark image with boom on boat is also Whitesands, Murray Bridge
Beached on sand with cliffs in background: Weston Flat (near Waikerie),
Boat with Campfire is Chowilla Creek (offshoot from Murray River, near Renmark),
Arnis barefoot skiing on the ‘retro-fitted’ boom bar in Waikerie
Arnis slalom skiing at Waikerie
Pele (our 15 yr old mini schnauzer) still loves a ride in the boat
Boat on sandbank with 3 people in water: Murtho, Murray River
“We often take 2 cars towing the Gilflite and our Trak Camper trailer and we camp near the river. Beautiful surrounds, often glass water, avoiding the big boats and we get the whole river to ourselves! We usually take our 2 miniature schnauzers with us, who ride on the boat. Our kids have been on the boat since they were only weeks old as well as the dogs”.
I was recently having a conversation with Ian Russell from Unique Auto & Marine Upholstery in SA who was now onto his third GILFLITE. After owning a Spitfire Mk I and a Spitfire Mk II, Ian got his capable hands onto a GILFLITE Laser Mk II which required some much need TLC.
Here’s Ians GILFLITE Laser restoration story ………
Hi Paula, as discussed the other day, here is the info on my Laser restoration that has just been completed. Photos attached. Included is the build plate we spoke about and hopefully this will shed some light on its history.
Bought back in February of 2021.
New trailer was constructed while the rest of the boat was gutted. Original engine had seen better days so a brand new Chev 350 was sourced and installed. While the new engine was being fitted I completed the new interior trim and fitted new carpet. Rear swim deck was fitted at this time also. Once engine and trim were installed I made a new “cocoon” style travel cover to keep everything protected.
If you have any questions or find some additional info on the boat in your archives please give me a call. Thankyou Paula.
Ian
Unique Trimming
This is Ians 3rd GILFLITE Boat, his previous two GILFLITES were a Spitfire Mk I and a Spitfire Mk II.
Boat looks brilliant Ian!!
BeforeAfter
Here’s the Pictorial
GILFLITE Cult
About the Laser – designed and built by GILFLITE Boats
GILFLITE® Laser
A.W.S.A. Tournament Ski Boat
Official tow boat of the 1984 – 1985 – 1986
National Ski Tittles
In 1985 The GILFLITE Laser was tested as a Tournament ski boat and met every requirement as set down by the Australian Water Ski Association and the World Water Ski Union and was endorsed as an Australian Tournament Ski Boat.
In 1986 it was used while setting Australian and World Ski Jump records and endorsed as an official tow boat to the Australian Barefoot Water Ski Club.
The GILFLITE Laser was the official Tow Boat of the 1984 – 85 – 86 NATIONAL SKI TITLES.
Here’s a short story about young Fleur growing up with GILFLITE !
Born into the GILFLITE Cult in W.A. with the face of an Angel and the personality of a Star, wearing a life jacket and ready to ‘learn to ski’ …… We introduce Miss Fleur and her young brother who recently called into H.Q. after travelling the long journey from WA to Vic, across the Nullarbour plains to say ‘Gidday’ to us people behind the scenes at GILFLITE in Melbourne (Vic) and pay homage to their beloved GILFLITE Boat.
While her Dad talked to my Dad in the office, I was delighted to make Miss Fleurs acquaintance and attempted to render her visit as interesting as possible. In doing so, I stuck a ‘G’ badge on her lovely sun hat that her Mum (who was out taking advantage of Melbourne’s awesome shopping precincts), had instructed her to wear!
Unsure of removing her lovely sun hat for the gluing on of the (now famous) GILFLITE ‘G’ I assured her that all would be fine. After all, her Mum was in Melbourne SHOPPING! and her Dad was in the GILFLITE HQ main office talking BOATS with the bloke who knows best, I assured young Fleur that we could pretty much do what ever we wanted.
Anyway, long story short ……. my new friend Fleur was thrilled with her lovely sun hats make over (or GILFLITE upgrade, as I rightfully should probably call it). She got the approval from her Dad (who affectionately had her little brother secured in his arms in a way of preventing the toddler from further ransacking HQ – a boat joint is pure utopia for blokes of all ages 😉 … and off they went on their merry way. To be precise, their ‘merry way’ just happened to be a trip touring around Oz, where Miss Fleur presented her lovely ‘G’ sun hat under one of Australia’s significant land marks, the note-worthy Sydney Harbour Bridge. (As pictured).
Several months later I received an email from Fleurs Dad reporting that the ‘G’ badge had remained in tact on Miss Fleurs lovely sun hat and that now her cute little brother “wanted one”. Which I have since posted over to the GILFLITE family in WA.
The End
Story written and published by GILLGIRL promotions !
ABOVE – July 2025: UPDATE: Here’s Fleur: 12 months later: No Fear of the Cold (pic taken in W.A.) On the knee board behind her Dad’s recently purchased (2nd hand) GILFLITE Shortline – makin’ him proud!!
BELOW – November 2025: Fleur Update ……..Here’s young Fleur proudly modelling her Dad’s new boat, the ‘GILFLITE Shortline 190’ known as ‘TOPFLITE’ and sporting plenty of sunblock on her cute little face. And still wearing her G Cap!! 🙂
Under the Bonnie Doon Bridge – ‘we bow’ – in our GILFLITE Spitfire
Check out this cool shot! – photo circa early 90’s – Taken on one of our late afternoon / early evening jaunts up to Bonnie Doon for a sneaky after-work ski. During the week (and on a school night:), always confident we’d find glassy water. The boat was hooked up and ready to go! We’d hit the road, ignoring the speed limit, windows down, music loud & wind in our faces. The doon at noon was perfect, we had the whole lake to ourselves. Back in the dayz when not only was there deep water under the prominent Bonnie Doon bridge but we’d almost have to bow our head as we drove the boat across the sacred water and underneath that well engineered bridge. We’d usually arrive back in Melbourne around 10pm ready for bed and work the next day. “Life was great with this Spitfire”
story by: Gill Girl Media ‘6 Sisters’
Published by: GILFLITE (Paula Gill / GILLGIRL Promotions)
