1960 MFG Oxford

[MykeC]

First off, it's great to have found this forums section. I am the proud owner of what I believe to be a 1960 MFG Oxford. Having never owned a boat before I was looking for something to haul the kids around the local lakes to fish and swim and my father in law just happened to buy it at a farmers auction in North Central Ohio because nobody else bid on it. He asked me if I wanted it and for some reason the boat just intrigued me. So I gave him $600 for it which is what he paid at the auction.

The only thing I had to do to it was give it a good cleaning and rebuild the carburetors. I believe the engine is a 70's Mercury 50hp (1978 I think). I have owned it for about 3 years now.

After scouring these forums I think I did pretty good in paying only $600 for it.

Apparently the previous owner rebuilt the transom and this is all that is left of the sticker.

Here is the instrument cluster. Original steering wheel?

 

[MykeC]

Re: 1960 MFG Oxford

And this is about the only damage on the boat. Any suggestions on how to fix it?

Other than that it runs great, get up to about 35mph on the lake according to the speedo in the dash. I also used a gps to verify it and it's pretty close. It may be normal for this type of boat (like I said I've never owned a boat prior to this one) but it rolls ALOT when turning.

Also forgot to add.....the trailer is a "Little Buddy" and it tilts in the middle. Possibly the original trailer? I have a heck of a time getting it on the trailer without getting my feet wet.

 

[Fisherball]

Re: 1960 MFG Oxford

Beautiful boat! $600.00, that's a steal!

 

[Mark_VTfisherman]

Re: 1960 MFG Oxford

And this is about the only damage on the boat. Any suggestions on how to fix it?.....the trailer is a "Little Buddy" and it tilts in the middle. Possibly the original trailer? I have a heck of a time getting it on the trailer without getting my feet wet.

The trailer looks similar to the OEM '64 Sea King trailer that my '64 Niagara came on. Differences: winch tower is different, "C"-rails on mine have the flanges (concave) side facing inward. Similarities: the cross members are twins to mine, fenders look similar, small wheels, tilting trailer (or it was until I welded it solid :redface

As far as the keel damage: I used marine epoxy paste to repair mine after letting it dry for a while. Then I used fiberglass cloth and resin to overlay it up onto the hull a few inches. I used the same epoxy paste to adhere a strip of 3/16" aluminum to the prow area where beaching damage and the occasional inexperienced "helper" running it into the trailer kept me repairing it every year. Finally, I faired the area with the epoxy paste. I never have properly painted it, but two years later it hasn't given any probs, and NO LEAKS .

For the previous 6 or 7 years I had "repaired" the area once or twice a year with 5-minute epoxies, 5200, and marine paste epoxy. The epoxy with the fiberglass cover coat and the aluminum wear strip solved the problem. 5200 seemed to be the best temp fix, but I never expected it last and it didn't.

Congrats on the boat!

 

[Mark_VTfisherman]

Re: 1960 MFG Oxford

Forgot to mention: you might be a little over-powered with the 50-horse on there. I think that hull was rated for 45hp max.

FYI: Horsepower in 1960 was measured at the powerhead, while by the late '70s, HP was measured at the prop. The 35 or 40HP motor your boat probably came with was probably like 30-34HP at the prop. So your 35MPH speed comes from the newer Merc being nearly 50% more propulsion than an OEM outboard.

My '64 Niagara runs 32.x on a GPS with my later-model 40HP Suzuki. When I replaced the OEM '64 Johnson 40HP with the Suzuki 40HP it felt like going from a Yugo to a Miata LOL

Anyway, your question about roll: you might need to adjust the pin and trim out the motor a little. Only move it one hole at a time. That will probably get you less roll in navigating turns while planing at speed. But also be careful as you probably are overpowered and that boat is flippable.

I don't think that steering wheel is OEM but is a replacement.

 

[pduquette]

Re: 1960 MFG Oxford

MykeC welcome ! a beautyfull boat!! I'm gonna agree with 1960 . I have a 1961 , it has a glove box and raised gunnels like the Niagra that followed it .
Mine has an 1980 Johnson 50hp and she flies ! I too had a lot of roll , but you get that with cable steering . As far as max hp I've only seen hp "suggestions" in the brochure and they noted right after the hull was capeable of more . I used the C.G. build formular and get 65..... I don't think there were as many lawyers in the '60s Keep us in touch! peter

 

[MykeC]

Re: 1960 MFG Oxford

Found the paperwork on the motor. It's a 1975.

So I don't mean to sound dumb here, but is automotive filler (bondo) a no no? The damage isn't bad. Just needs smoothed out and cleaned up a bit.

 

[Mark_VTfisherman]

Re: 1960 MFG Oxford

....is automotive filler (bondo) a no no? The damage isn't bad. Just needs smoothed out and cleaned up a bit.

Bondo can be used as a gouge filler before painting, but for that damage to the prow/keel I wouldn't use it. Marine epoxy and fiberglass will make it a permanent repair. bondo will not be structural enough to not chip out or break long-term IMO.

 

[MykeC]

Re: 1960 MFG Oxford

Thanks for the input.

Any idea where I could find some of the MFG emblems for the side of the boat?

 

[woosterken]

Re: 1960 MFG Oxford

myke,
great looking boat check out this post bill p is working on getting the stickers reman.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=359506
check out post #8 he has a good picture of the decal.

here is an article by mark,as to how he remade the emblem with the MFG and shark

http://www.shareaproject.com/pages/projectTut,p,27,00.html

 

[MykeC]

Re: 1960 MFG Oxford

Thanks woosterken. Gives me an idea to make decals since I'm a Photoshop junky.

 

[MykeC]

Re: 1960 MFG Oxford

Unbelievable. I found a site that sells reproduction decals. $40 a pop for MFG. Bit of a rip off.

http://www.vinylapproach.com/replacementboatlogos.htm

 

[Mark_VTfisherman]

Re: 1960 MFG Oxford

...reproduction decals. $40 a pop for MFG...

Actually checked out the site and that's $40/pair.

$20 for a laminated UV-resistant color printed vinyl decal is about right for a retail price. No way to confirm his quality but I have sent a lot of various signs and graphics out to vinyl guys- that's not too bad a price.

 

[bhammatt]

Re: 1960 MFG Oxford

Ordered the MFG logo this afternoon. Should have it next week and I'll report when it arrives. I never could move my friend to make on for me so the $40 for one week delivery seems better than free but nothing after 3 years.