New member and new old boat project.

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Boater

Active member
Joined
Sep 5, 2009
Messages
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Location
Minnesota
Just wanted to introduce myself and my new old boat project. Here is a 1979 Mirrorcraft with a longshaft Spirit 16hp motor. I purchased the boat motor trailer and a trolling motor for $500.00 off craigs list. I was told that the motor was junk after geting it home I spent 1/2 hour working on it and had it running. First run on the water was good no leaks and good running motor. The boat has a 16" transom and the motor is a long shaft so the first project was to modify the transom or get a jackplate, I chose to make a jack plate using 3/16" alum 2"x2" angle and some recycled wood. I spent a total of $25.00 on this 1st project and 2 1/2 hours time, I have plans to redo the complete boat, build a flat floor, casting deck in the front, paint and electronics. This is going to be a recycle reuse project as much as possiable to keep cost down to show that a nice boat can be built on a tight budget. I will keep posting as the build continues.
 

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That looks like a real nice find. You got a working rig for $500, you can't do much better than that! Good job on getting that motor running, and the jack plate looks good and strong.

What part of Minnesota are you from? I'm just south of Mpls.

Welcome aboard and thanks for sharing. -jasper
 
I have a boat that style and shape. I'd mock up whatever you are planning and test it in the water before you make it glorious. You're already missing the flotation foam and the bracing of the middle bench seat. A deck even the height of the benches in the front is hard for me to walk on. Be safe
 
welcome!

I like this style of boat, my next will have a v-hull. $500 is a smoking deal. congrats on the new project, keep the pics coming!! =D>
 
Well it's been a while but got around to doing some work on the trailer today. The tongue was a mess, bent and short so I removed the old one welded on a new one that is 24" longer, removed the two fenders that were bolted on and different and welded on new ones. Also removed all the rust primed and painted the frame. Between coats of primer and paint the axle was disassembled, bearings, hubs, races cleaned and inspected. Everything looked good so reassembled with new seals and grease.
 

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Here are some photos I will add more at as the project is completed.
 

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Nice find on the boat and welcome aboard. Can't wait to see the progress you make. I too am on a budget for my build and got my boat from my work at a scrap metal recycling facility. So I really hope to keep my costs low.

Good luck and keep us posted.
 
Boater said:
I chose to make a jack plate using 3/16" alum 2"x2" angle and some recycled wood.

Spend another $5.00 and use some Thompson water seal or oil based deck sealant, fiberglass resin, etc. something to seal up that wood so that your well made jackplate doesn't fall apart as the water gets waterlogged and starts to decay.
 
danmyersmn said:
Boater said:
I chose to make a jack plate using 3/16" alum 2"x2" angle and some recycled wood.

Spend another $5.00 and use some Thompson water seal or oil based deck sealant, fiberglass resin, etc. something to seal up that wood so that your well made jackplate doesn't fall apart as the water gets waterlogged and starts to decay.


Thats the plan, I had installed it unfinished to test how it works. Here in Minnesota the water tends to turn hard in the winter making testing impossible. I installed the jackplate and took the boat for a ride after putting 200lbs of concrete blocks, the battery, gas tank, myself, and another 180lb person in it to see how it would sit in the water and ride before spend the time and money to mod it and paint it all the way I'm planing. here is a photo of a new 14 Mirrrorcraft this is what my mod will look like, the size of the my boat is almost the same as the specs on this one.
 

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Well it was a busy winter and I didn't get anything done on the trailer or boat, now that it almost fishing season here I'm under the gun to get things done or at least usable for the year. I spent the afternoon working on the trailer and almost got it done. I have posted a few photos. I will have to get working on the boat in all my free time so thats ready.
 

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Well it's been a while and my plans to have the boat ready for the MN fishing opener don't look good, however I have got some work done on it, I have most of the aluminum framing in and some of the plywood for it cut. If all goes well I will get some more time to work on it this week. Here are some photos
 

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You are doing a great job! I will be following your progress for sure. I really like how you did your jack plate. I'm building one right now as well. I had planned on building mine exactly the same way you have done yours but couldn't find big enough angle at the scrap yard so I ended up useing a channel and square tubing. Keep up the good work!
 
when I seen the shop you had the trailer in working on it, I thought you might be an RV tech. after seeing the framing your putting in the boat, I know your an RV tech, as some of it is used A&E Rafter arm Awning hardware, exactly what I used on my boat. great job so far, good to see another RV tech on here.
 
Macgyver said:
when I seen the shop you had the trailer in working on it, I thought you might be an RV tech. after seeing the framing your putting in the boat, I know your an RV tech, as some of it is used A&E Rafter arm Awning hardware, exactly what I used on my boat. great job so far, good to see another RV tech on here.


BUSTED.. You got that 100% correct, it was good to have a few wind storms around here last fall so I could come up with some junk arms for boat framing.
 
yep , I did the same thing. that and some left over 3/16" aluminum diamond plate from some toy hauler ramps.

my trailer is an old popup frame and my trailer winch is from the same popup. my live well was built from gelcoat panels that was ordered for a slideout rebuild that never got used and the Styrofoam insulation in it is from packaging crates from ordering sidewall metal..


you can check out my photobucket album, see my boats, some rebuild and paint work i've done.

https://s233.photobucket.com/home/Macgyver0856
 

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