Well, I have been a lurker until now.
I acquired a 1977 14' Mirrocraft yesterday, after a nightmare of a time getting it home after the wheel bearing locked up 45min from home. I hadn't even made it 1/2 mile after hooking it up.
This was my only idea... it worked, we just drove slow. It was a little top heavy, and a pain in the arse to get on top of the Jon Boat trailer. The above picture is the boat and broken trailer loaded on-top-of my Jon Boat trailer.
This is the 3.5hp Sears I got with the deal too, I plan on using it for the Jon Boat. I need a gasket for the fuel line connection though, does anyone have an idea if this can be bought at a hardware store? Any help would be appreciated. Oh, it runs.
You can see the rusted side panels covering the foam. The foam is deteriorated and falling apart, the inside was coated with particles.
I am wondering if there will be an adverse effect if I remove the foam and side panels to simply have the bench and nothing else. It would give me a little more storage room, and it wouldn't look all rusty! Any thoughts? Additionally, to remove all of that I just remove the 4 bolts holding the bench in place and slide it out of the side supports correct? Also, the two boxes in the rear are just filled w foam, do those provide structural support, or can they be removed (Left side has the USCG Plate on it)?
The transom is solid. The oars were rotted to hell, so thats on the list of things needed as well.
Here you can see I need to Lower the rollers, and cut the boards so that the boat is actually supported by something other than the rollers. Unless someone has a better idea?
The boat measures:
14' Long
Just over 5' wide (this called beam?)
Bow is 2 1/2 Deep
Transom is 1 1/2 Deep
I am very pleased with the boat and look forward to getting into the water the Jon becomes unstable in, and that I'm just too lazy to paddle to in the kayak.
I don't intend to do any extreme modifications just:
1. Remove side panels and foam from under benches.
2. Replace trailer bearings.
3. Adjust trailer bunks/rollers.
4. Replace bow winch/strap.
5. Wire new night lights.
6. Replace Oars.
Eventually I would like to install simple seats, a fishfinder, and possibly a small radio so I can listen to some tunes on the water.
I also need to keep my eyes out for a outboard on the cheap.
Will my 40lb thrust TM push this at all? What about the 3.5hp?
I'm obviously not trying to set a speed record, would just like to use the boat in the meantime.
3 ppl would be on board, not more than 400lbs combined, w/ minimal gear.
Let me know what you's think!
I acquired a 1977 14' Mirrocraft yesterday, after a nightmare of a time getting it home after the wheel bearing locked up 45min from home. I hadn't even made it 1/2 mile after hooking it up.
This was my only idea... it worked, we just drove slow. It was a little top heavy, and a pain in the arse to get on top of the Jon Boat trailer. The above picture is the boat and broken trailer loaded on-top-of my Jon Boat trailer.
This is the 3.5hp Sears I got with the deal too, I plan on using it for the Jon Boat. I need a gasket for the fuel line connection though, does anyone have an idea if this can be bought at a hardware store? Any help would be appreciated. Oh, it runs.
You can see the rusted side panels covering the foam. The foam is deteriorated and falling apart, the inside was coated with particles.
I am wondering if there will be an adverse effect if I remove the foam and side panels to simply have the bench and nothing else. It would give me a little more storage room, and it wouldn't look all rusty! Any thoughts? Additionally, to remove all of that I just remove the 4 bolts holding the bench in place and slide it out of the side supports correct? Also, the two boxes in the rear are just filled w foam, do those provide structural support, or can they be removed (Left side has the USCG Plate on it)?
The transom is solid. The oars were rotted to hell, so thats on the list of things needed as well.
Here you can see I need to Lower the rollers, and cut the boards so that the boat is actually supported by something other than the rollers. Unless someone has a better idea?
The boat measures:
14' Long
Just over 5' wide (this called beam?)
Bow is 2 1/2 Deep
Transom is 1 1/2 Deep
I am very pleased with the boat and look forward to getting into the water the Jon becomes unstable in, and that I'm just too lazy to paddle to in the kayak.
I don't intend to do any extreme modifications just:
1. Remove side panels and foam from under benches.
2. Replace trailer bearings.
3. Adjust trailer bunks/rollers.
4. Replace bow winch/strap.
5. Wire new night lights.
6. Replace Oars.
Eventually I would like to install simple seats, a fishfinder, and possibly a small radio so I can listen to some tunes on the water.
I also need to keep my eyes out for a outboard on the cheap.
Will my 40lb thrust TM push this at all? What about the 3.5hp?
I'm obviously not trying to set a speed record, would just like to use the boat in the meantime.
3 ppl would be on board, not more than 400lbs combined, w/ minimal gear.
Let me know what you's think!