Help Restore a Rare 1979 Clemson Paws & Stripes MasterCraft for the Clemson Community

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In the mid-1950s, Dr. A. Fred Stringer, Jr. graduated from Clemson University, beginning a lifelong connection to the school and its traditions. More than two decades later, in 1979, that pride took physical form when he commissioned a custom, one-of-one MasterCraft waterski boat in Clemson Paws & Stripes.

That same era, MasterCraft produced a very small number of special Stars & Stripes boats—named for the stars typically displayed on the hull. In a rare move, MasterCraft allowed a handful of buyers to replace the stars with fully custom artwork. In 1979 and 1980, only a few unique versions were built:

• One for the North Carolina Tar Heels Waterski Team

• Five for Canada featuring red Maple Leaf graphics

• Even a rare Playboy Bunny–themed boat

• And one extraordinary orange paws boat custom for a lifelong Clemson fan…

The Clemson Paws & Stripes.

This Clemson boat is a true one-of-one—never duplicated, never reproduced, and never repeated.

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Lost for Decades. Found in a Field.

In 2024, this historic Clemson boat was discovered sitting in a field in North Carolina—on the brink of being lost forever. The stringers were completely rotted, the interior was gone, and the motor and transmission were completely junk—essentially nothing more than a shell. It was only one step away from the scrapyard, quietly listed on Facebook Marketplace.

By sheer luck, two parents of current Clemson Waterski Team members came across the listing, immediately recognized what it was, and knew it couldn’t be lost again.

They purchased the boat, trailered it to Pennsylvania, and began what has now become a full-scale restoration of this rare piece of Clemson and waterski history.

Since acquiring the boat, we’ve also secured two additional parts boats to ensure the restoration is done right—mechanically sound, historically respectful, and fully safe for use.

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Our Role: Stewards, Not Owners

We don’t see ourselves as the owners of this boat. We see ourselves as its stewards.

Our vision is for this boat to become an heirloom for the Clemson community—a living, growling piece of school pride that future students, athletes, alumni, and fans can enjoy for generations.

Once restored, this boat will be placed in active service with the Clemson Ski Team, where it will be used for:

First Friday Parades

Collegiate Waterski Events

Team Recruiting & Showcases

Alumni & Spirit Appearances

This isn’t just a ski boat.

It’s floating Clemson heritage.

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April 2026 — Public Unveiling at the Clemson-Hosted SAC Tournament

Our first major goal is to officially unveil the restored Clemson Paws & Stripes boat at the annual Clemson-hosted Southern Athletic Conference Collegiate Waterski Tournament in April 2026—in front of SAC college teams, alumni, families, and fans from across the region.

This will be the boat’s true public return to the spotlight.

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May 2026 — Senior Send-Off on Lake Hartwell

Our second goal is to have the boat fully restored and ski-ready so the senior members of the Clemson Ski Team can ski behind it before their graduation in May 2026—not just anywhere, but on Lake Hartwell with Clemson Memorial Stadium rising in the background.

For these athletes, that would be an unforgettable capstone to their collegiate careers—skiing past historic Death Valley behind a one-of-one piece of Clemson history. A once-in-a-lifetime moment connecting generations of Tigers through the water, the stadium, and the sport they love.

These two dates give this project real urgency—and give this boat the return it deserves.

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Project Cost & Fundraising Goal

We estimate the total cost to return this boat to fully ski-worthy condition at $7,500-$11,500 which includes:

• Mechanical restoration

• Electrical repairs

• Interior restoration

• Cosmetic refinishing

• Safety upgrades

• Trailer repair

Every dollar raised goes directly into restoring this boat for the Clemson community—not for private ownership, and never for resale.

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Why Your Support Matters

By supporting this project, you are helping to:

• Preserve a rare, custom piece of Clemson and collegiate waterski history

• Support current and future Clemson student-athletes

• Restore a true one-of-one MasterCraft

• Create a visible, floating symbol of Clemson pride

Once finished, this boat will not be hidden—it will be seen, used, celebrated, and shared with the entire Clemson family.

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Thank You for Being Part of This Revival

Whether you donate, share this page, or simply follow the journey—you are now part of the story.

Let’s bring the Clemson Paws & Stripes back to life…

and return it to the water where it belongs.

Go Tigers!