Search results

  1. ratdude747

    1976 Montego 16- The "Free" Puppy

    Found the rot... Deck board above the back of the ski locker is shot. Found an old rodent next in there that was soaking wet. My boat cover failed and allowed some water to come in, been airing it out the last several days while the weather is ok. Here's a chunk of fiberglass and rotten wood...
  2. ratdude747

    1976 Montego 16- The "Free" Puppy

    No, but I did confirm they were still in good order (and on the way down the road, periodicallys stopped to confirm no heat buildup). These have Zerk caps on them (and had been routinely topped off when in use- there was plenty of fresh-ish extra grease on the hubcaps); once I get around to...
  3. ratdude747

    1976 Montego 16- The "Free" Puppy

    The trailer was a dealer swap. Trailer manufactured in 1975 (per the VIN decal), boat bought in 1976 or 1977 as a "last year's model" clearance item. Original trailer rode low and had mag/alloy wheels but for reasons unknown/forgotten to/by the friend and his dad, it didn't work out and was...
  4. ratdude747

    1976 Montego 16- The "Free" Puppy

    Attached is a pic shot the day I drove it home which shows the full profile. Trailer too big for the boat? (Side note: this was shot at my inlaws, who were on the way home... )
  5. ratdude747

    1976 Montego 16- The "Free" Puppy

    You mean tongue weight? I've been keeping an eye and ear out for any signs of the trailer popping a wheelie... been very stable so far. Was very stable when towing... so plenty of tongue weight for stability. There is both the usual jack (a folding BassPro unit, very new) and a cinder block (in...
  6. ratdude747

    1976 Montego 16- The "Free" Puppy

    Found it! Sure enough, the bunk is interfering. Add it to the "why this trailer stinks" list. And to think it had a factory alloy low trailer, that was swapped at the dealer due to an issue of some sort... Edit- got it on. Seems the actual issue is the hose is short. Should be fixable with...
  7. ratdude747

    1976 Montego 16- The "Free" Puppy

    Next time I have the cover off I'll look. There was a weird black plastic piece in the glove box that looks like it'd fit there. Seems the bunk on the trailer interferes
  8. ratdude747

    1976 Montego 16- The "Free" Puppy

    More testing: questionable floor spot and ski locker both reporting 13.5% (on plywood, not carpet). Back of rear seat is 8-10%. I think I found a possible issue under the fuel tank. Hole in the glass??? Video of floor issue: The spot under the fuel tank doesn't budge when I flex the floor.
  9. ratdude747

    1976 Montego 16- The "Free" Puppy

    As promised, I obtained a moisture meter. Attached is what it says about the transom. At the fuel filler (known to be very dry) I'm getting about 4.5%. This jumps up to 8% below the bumper, gradually increasing up to a peak of 11.5% at the bilge plug. Also of note is that both swim steps are...
  10. ratdude747

    1976 Montego 16- The "Free" Puppy

    Plan is to get a moisture meter after Christmas. I think the hose back there is supposed to be the pitot tube for the Speedo. But it doesn't look like one.
  11. ratdude747

    1976 Montego 16- The "Free" Puppy

    Not sure how I can do drill test back there. I can't access the lower transom from the inside without pulling the motor, not something I am equipped to do. Nor am I a fan of drilling the gel coat below the waterline...
  12. ratdude747

    1976 Montego 16- The "Free" Puppy

    Kinda rainy today... But I was able to do a bit of hammer testing on the transom. Didn't find anything super dull. maybe a bit of a sound change near the outdrive hole, but still bounced the hammer no problem. Good news?
  13. ratdude747

    1976 Montego 16- The "Free" Puppy

    Will do. Another point of note... the "soft" spot isn't mushy. More, springy. Not like a lot of the "soft floor" youtube videos I've seen.
  14. ratdude747

    1976 Montego 16- The "Free" Puppy

    And... what do I do? The transom is solid as far as I can tell (I did look when I was working back there on the trim electronics and the fuel filler)... Other than some surface cracking around some of the screw holes (stern light and fuel filler, both had good wood underneath the gel coat)...
  15. ratdude747

    1976 Montego 16- The "Free" Puppy

    Just heard back from the friend, who told me this: "It sat up at tall timbers marina uncovered for 6 weeks once and got rained in. Soft spot was noticed the following summer. Circa 2008. I highly doubt it's that bad. It's sat in that dry barn most of it's life." Well... guess that explains the...
  16. ratdude747

    1976 Montego 16- The "Free" Puppy

    Same shade as the fiberglass... there and in the bilge. Didn't leave marks on my fingers either. In any case, what would I do from here, short of chopping the entire interior to pieces as an "exploration"? The only non-glassed wood I've found is deckboards and the back of the rear seat. Back...
  17. ratdude747

    1976 Montego 16- The "Free" Puppy

    Took a look this evening while I had the opportunity (installing some new carb gaskets). Looks like there has been moisture there before.... As the carpet is peeled. But it's all glass coated and painted black like the rest of the boat: (Shot at the back where the floor bows a bit) The lid...
  18. ratdude747

    1976 Montego 16- The "Free" Puppy

    Obtained today... I was impatient. If time/weather permit, I'll see what I can do this week after work.
  19. ratdude747

    1976 Montego 16- The "Free" Puppy

    Oil obtained... yes it was cheaper at Menards, especially since they also sell quarts and it was good for a rebate...
  20. ratdude747

    1976 Montego 16- The "Free" Puppy

    I'll grab T4 then... Was trying to prevent long term sludging but as little as I see this getting used relative to the change frequency, it probably doesn't matter. I've also read that conventional multi-weights are no good for marine use due to excessive shear thinning (especially since the...
Top