Howdy! New user here.

[robpoe]

Going to introduce myself. My name is Rob. I recently bought a 1969 Mark Twain 16' boat with a Mercury 65hp Motor. <br /><br />The previous owner of the boat said they used it quite a lot, and had no problems with it. Being a boat newbie, I bought it for $700. This is from a friend, so I don't think they were misleading me. <br /><br />There was a crack in the fiberglass skin of the transom, but I thought nothing of it. <br /><br />Took it out on Friday, and noticed a little transom flex when power applied. Thought "Ok, I'll just baby it."<br /><br />Took it out for the day on Sunday, and whatever was holding it together gave way, and the shell (top of the boat) by the top left mounting bolt broke. It didn't split the rear skin of the hull, but pulled all the drain tubes out. I'll post pictures shortly. <br /><br />Found this website, and looked through the project pictures and boats. Today, I took the seats out and a circular saw out - cut into the floor. It was SOAKED, as well as is the transom and the stringers. The transom plywood actually broke in HALF - below the lower motor mounting bolts. <br /><br />So here I sit...Twice out on the lake, with only a good trailer and 65hp Mercury motor. According to oldmercs.com it's a 1967 Mercury motor, but I dont know if it has an alternator or not.<br /><br />Now, the questions -<br /><br />IF I were to decide to go ahead and pull off all the labor - what fiberglass to use, polyester or epoxy. Which did the boat MFR use, or how do I tell the difference. Do I do the work on the hull while it's on the trailer, or remove it from?<br /><br />What's a boat like this worth, fixed up and in perfect running order? Just generally, not specifically. The reason for this question, is I've got $700 in it so far. If I put another, say $1000 in it I've paid $1700 for a boat, is it worth it?<br /><br />I'd like to get a bigger boat (lol, 2x on the lake, and already wanting a bigger boat, I know) with a larger motor so I can pull up a skier. So am I going to be in the hole if I fix this up then sell in a couple years for something bigger.<br /><br />Thank you for your time in answering a noobie's questions. I have spent many hours already here, and these are the questions I have still.<br /><br />Thanks!<br /><br />Rob

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Howdy! New user here.

Save your money and opt for the larger boat and motor that you want. You will be way farther ahead....

 

[robpoe]

Re: Howdy! New user here.

Here are pictures...The floor is now cut out, the metal plate on the transom came out with nary a tug, there was some kind of rubbery crap behind it (looked like someone filled a BIG hole with epoxy and put a metal plate over it ???) <br /><br />

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[Terry H]

Re: Howdy! New user here.

The only good reason to put the time and money into this boat is if you like the boat and you are going to keep it. If you clean up the motor and trailer real good you can prolly get your money back, maybe a little profit even. You can learn alot about buying a boat from this...looks like you have about everythin wrong that can be...fortunately the motor may be good...just a thought

 

[robpoe]

Re: Howdy! New user here.

Originally posted by Chief 101:<br /> fortunately the motor may be good...just a thought

The motor is GREAT.. We did have this thing out on the water all day yesterday..It runs great, gets right up on plane, and doesn't miss a beat. According to the old tach on the boat, it hits right around 4000 RPM and propels the boat at a nice 30mph (according to the GPS receiver I had with me).

 

[quantumleap]

Re: Howdy! New user here.

Welcome Rob, I personally think your "friend" had to have known there was a problem with the boat. The metal plate is kind of a give a way. The crack should have been a clue to you as well. They knew it was going to go soon. I would ask for part of the money back. You'll find out how good of a friend this was. But on the good side, you're really not into it too deep, and I think you could find a decent used hull alot cheaper that rebuilding yours if you don't want to scrap the whole project. E-bay had a couple that went real cheap over the weekend. Lots of boat dealerships or marina's have some old ones lying around that they'd let go pretty cheap. Just be sure this time around you thoroughly inspect the stringers and transom with a metal pick for rot before you buy. You'll have to pass up quite a few before you find a solid one. Any that are sitting outside uncovered are probably shot. Good luck and don't let this sour your view of boating.

 

[salty87]

Re: Howdy! New user here.

looks like that plate is at the drain plug....probably where the leak was. that wood looks soaked, you can see it where the fiberglass is missing. another bad sign.<br /><br />this was a good lesson, take from it what you can. it'll come in real handy for the next one.<br /><br />i wouldn't bother with that hull. like the other folks said, part out what you have and buy the bigger boat you were thinking about.<br /><br />edit: welcome to the board, you've come to the right place.

 

[Jack Shellac]

Re: Howdy! New user here.

Rob: Welcome to the forum. Tough experience on your boat and sorry to hear it. You can put a lot of time and money into that hull and still have a 1969 boat that you never know what will happen next. It dosn't seem like it will be worth it. I would definitely present this problem to the friend and just see what their reaction is. After that, find a hull that you like better for the motor or just get a new rig altogether. You should recover some of your money from the motor, anyway.

 

[DJ]

Re: Howdy! New user here.

I'll bet you can get close to, or all of, your $700.00 back by parting it out.<br /><br />The sooner the better. People will not want to buy those items in September.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Howdy! New user here.

If you decide to redo it it should not cost anywhere near $1000.00 if you do the work - - and a lot of work it is. I agree with the gang though it would probably not be worth it not matter what you have to put in to it. And a 35 yr old 65 hp motor won't be worth much either.<br /><br />Unfortunately we get a lot of posts like yours where the "The previous owner of the boat said they used it quite a lot, and had no problems with it." The buyer then gets hosed intentionally or not and then comes here for advice. <br /><br />Sorry.

 

[Mercury140-I6]

Re: Howdy! New user here.

I would have to agree that it wouldn't be worth fixing that hull. Get a newer hull for your motor cause I know for a fact that your 65hp Merc will tow adults on single skis, cause that's what I grew up skiing behind. In fact that motor on a 1967 Glastron 16 foot would pull up 2 adults on single skis from a deep water start and I have video to prove it. The boat I have now 1996 Glastron GS-160 was sold with a 70hp, I have a 1979 Merc 140 (Same as the later inline 6 Merc 115's)<br /><br />If the RPM guage was correct, it was not in the recomended RPM range of 4800 - 5200 (I think).<br /><br />Either way you go, get back on the water and have a ball.<br /><br />Craig

 

[RatFish]

Re: Howdy! New user here.

Sell what's left. You will not loose much if anything. Get your friend to dispose of the old hull. It's the least he could do.