I picked up this as my first boat.....

[Aqualift]

.............a 1970 Glastron V-142 SkiFlite for $700. I might have overpaid, as it came with a 1965 Mercury 500 outboard. The guy I bought it from showed it to me running with muffs. Little did I know all the issues I would encounter with it. The boat is in very good condition though. I just had to fix a few things and give it a good cleaning and polish. It came with a tilting Shorelandr trailer.

The motor will be the main problem. Already, I have discovered seal and water pump problems. (to be expected) But I also discovered a stripped out spark plug hole with a botched timsert repair. Possible issues with the magneto too. My marine mechanic told me that some parts are hard to come by and the rest are very expensive. I could easily dump $300+ at the start into this motor, making this a $1000 boat package. Should I bail and sell it, or should I put money into this old motor?

 

[cwhite6]

Re: I picked up this as my first boat.....

That is a really cool looking boat. If it was me, I would dump the motor and get a used more recent one. I have recently seen 40 and 50hp motors on my local craigslist for under $500. Why keep dumping money into a motor that needs to be repaired all the time?

 

[ThePostMan]

Re: I picked up this as my first boat.....

+1

That is a VERY cool little boat! Well worth slapping a used $500 Merc on the back!

 

[PirateDaddy]

Re: I picked up this as my first boat.....

That is an awesome boat. I would love to have that.

+1 on the craigslist search for new motor

 

[BigJ08]

Re: I picked up this as my first boat.....

Awesome little boat! Sounds like the motor repairs could be a continual headache. Look for a similar hp motor on craigslist. Just make sure everything checks out and get the controls that go with it. Swapping the motors shouldn't be that hard. And btw 1000-1200 for a boat like that ain't bad. Have fun with it .

 

[ezmobee]

Re: I picked up this as my first boat.....

That's a really sharp boat. Too bad about the motor. I think parts support is the main problem with those older Mercs. Get yourself a >1972 JohnnyRude and be done with it. At the very least, post your motor problems in the Mercury repair section and maybe they'll be able to tell you how to get that beautiful old motor purring again for a few less $$.

 

[jennis9]

Re: I picked up this as my first boat.....

Awesome boat!

I agree with the above - sell yours to someone who loves to tinker with motors and get another one.

I would tip that bow up a little bit - plug out bow up.

have fun wioth that one! good buy.

 

[5150abf]

Re: I picked up this as my first boat.....

Man, that boat is sweet looking, even if you have to drop another $500 on a motor it is still a pretty good deal, easier to say since we aren't in my wallet but still, $700 for that hull isn't bad.

 

[Aqualift]

Re: I picked up this as my first boat.....

Thanks for the compliments and advice. Yea, the boat is the main reason for the purchase. It was in such good condition, I sort of overlooked the motor. :redface: It also has a Bimini top in new condition.

I can do most of the work on the motor, as I maintain many older motorcycles and snowmobiles. I just dropped the lower unit today. Blown shift shaft seal.

The marine place I deal with has a slightly newer Mercury 500 with the thunderbolt ignition. It is missing it's lower unit. My lower unit would be a direct fit. Most of the parts are identical to mine up top. He said that motor ran great a few years ago and has good compression. It is with a boat that will be scrapped. He said I could have it for $50. So I either keep mine and pick up this other Mercury 500 for my main motor or for parts. Should I go for it, or ditch this motor and look for a newer one?

Another view.

 

[Bart Sr.]

Re: I picked up this as my first boat.....

Sweet!!!!!Got any interior pics?????

 

[Nico2112]

Re: I picked up this as my first boat.....

That boat is a beauty

I would get newer OB, but hey, that's just me. On the otherhand, that $50 offer sounds good, mostly if you know your mechanic skills.

Either way, I think you got a great deal for that boat, and yes, show us interior pics

Congrats on your buy, and let us know what you decide.

Cheers!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: I picked up this as my first boat.....

You have nothing to lose by getting the $50 motor. I'd give it a shot.

 

[This_lil_fishy]

Re: I picked up this as my first boat.....

Can't go wrong with a glastron!

Oh, uh, I am a bit biased though!


That said, it's a tough call. Keep the motor for a 'period' look and work your magic on the mechanic work. If you're good at motorcycle mechanics you'll be fine with this. Two strokes are a different animal, but in the end it's still squeeze-bang. If it was me, I'd take that $50 powerhead anyways as a fall back. If you were near by I'd help..but I ain't sorry. Even if that's Wyoming, Ontario, Canada (where my parents live btw LOLS!).

PS: I spent my winters rebuilding a race GSXR, and if you can work on any current sportbike, you can handle this in your sleep.


Ian

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: I picked up this as my first boat.....

Sweet looking boat and I would run the $50 dollar power head with the new shift shaft seal lower unit.
The cowl on those old Merc's were so pretty and your cowl looks to be in good shape.

Motorcycles are a pain to work on, that and machine tools.

 

[Aqualift]

Re: I picked up this as my first boat.....

Here are some shots of the interior.

 

[blouderback]

Re: I picked up this as my first boat.....

That thing is sweeeeet! Very nice looking boat. You got a deal. I'd grab that $50 motor, and I bet between the original motor and the $50 one, you could get one good motor.

Good Luck!

 

[Aqualift]

Re: I picked up this as my first boat.....

Yea, I think I'm going to take that 1970 Merc 500 thunderbolt for $50. The middle cowling has been off for quite awhile, so some stuff has suffered such as the fuel lines. (cracked rubber) Also, the carb intakes probably have a lot of dirt in them. Other than that, it looks like a powerhead that is in very good condition. Great compression too. I want to make sure that my lower unit will be a direct swap, as well as my external wiring harness. Those models had a few extra wires. (neutral safety start, tach, etc.) No magneto with points either. My merc 500 was originally a short shaft. It has an extension piece that goes between the lower unit and upper. The drive shaft it a long shaft that should work just fine with the newer Merc that is a long shaft.

I will be heading up to the lake to test my boat out. I got my motor running good enough (fingers crossed) to see how the boat rides and handles. I put fresh plugs in and cleaned and regapped the points. It still has a jerkiness to it at idle though. All four plug wires get the same impulse, so it could be the condensor or coil.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: I picked up this as my first boat.....

A classic beauty. I'd be inclined to keep a motor of the same vintage of the boat, esp. since you found one. Keep the best looking cowl. But old ones are a hobby so don't expect reliability.
If you do switch engine brands you will have to switch controls, too. Poosibly steering depending how it's rigged.