1986 12' MirroCraft Restore/Bow Hole Repair

[TundraRocks]

Purchased a 12' MirroCraft with a 1989 15hp motor, of which I am in the process of restoring...First a few pics.

The trailer this is sitting on has been replaced with another that I had refinished a couple of years ago. Old trailer has been sold.

 

[TundraRocks]

Re: 1986 12' MirroCraft Restore

Re: 1986 12' MirroCraft Restore

I have since removed some of the components that the PO added. Upon further inspection of the bow I noticed what may be a problem, and I am not sure what to do. Looks like there may have been two punctured holes. It has been filled with some sort of copper plugs then siliconed around both inside and out then painted over.
This is the outside

from the inside

Should I leave it or have it welded??? I am planning on repainting the boat

 

[TundraRocks]

Re: 1986 12' MirroCraft Restore

Re: 1986 12' MirroCraft Restore

Here is another shot from the bow...

 

[TundraRocks]

Re: 1986 12' MirroCraft Restore

Re: 1986 12' MirroCraft Restore

Taking the seats out and filling in holes left by PO's electrical pipe install with JB Weld. Any ideas on what to do with the copper plugs that were siliconed in?

 

[TundraRocks]

Re: 1986 12' MirroCraft Restore

Re: 1986 12' MirroCraft Restore

Finished ripping out the seats. Cut new seats from 1/2 Ply and glued pieces together to make just under 1" thickness. I'll be using 4-5 coats of Spar Urethane to finish the seats.

 

[TundraRocks]

Re: 1986 12' MirroCraft Restore

Re: 1986 12' MirroCraft Restore

Spent some time cleaning the area that had the copper "plugs". Once I began cleaning, I found that it was a little worse around the plugs than I had thought.

I then decided to pull the copper out. The holes were smaller than I had thought. The copper plugs turned out to be some sort of rivet.

Continued...

 

[TundraRocks]

Re: 1986 12' MirroCraft Restore

Re: 1986 12' MirroCraft Restore

Here it is without the copper rivets.

From the inside - You will see the larger hole has a crack at the bottom.

After pulling the rivets and cleaning it up I decided I should have it welded up. I called a welder I have used in the past, and for $50 it came out like this. I was very pleased.

 

[TundraRocks]

Re: 1986 12' MirroCraft Restore

Re: 1986 12' MirroCraft Restore

Most of the rash below the holes was paper thin, and he was able to build it back up. Here is a pic from the inside.

Anyone know of a good aluminum filler for the gaps (low spots/nicks) in the aluminum? Next up is the removal of the peeling paint, and scuffing on the good paint. Picked up some paint supplies.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: 1986 12' MirroCraft Restore

Re: 1986 12' MirroCraft Restore

Looking good.

KUDOs on getting it welded. Smart move!!

For a filler on an aluminum boat...... JB weld

Hint..... under your plywood seats you can install some aluminum angle and it will stiffen the new seats significantly. Makes them easier to step on.

It's obvious that this boat has had work before since I do not see ANY flotation..........

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: 1986 12' MirroCraft Restore

Re: 1986 12' MirroCraft Restore

When that boat came from the factory the foam buns under the three seats were for flotation. Should consider replacing it. Even with red syrofoam. Also, all three seats were important structural elements and what held the hull together side to side. The center was the most important. Not saying the boat won't work just that it is weaker than it should be and will sink like a rock in a accident.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1986 12' MirroCraft Restore

Re: 1986 12' MirroCraft Restore

If you're trying to find a kind of aluminum "Fairing" material...This stuff is supposed to work fairly well. My next door neighbor is a 25 yr long body man and works on aluminum bodies and says they use it all the time with great results. Says it's almost like using LEAD.

http://pivco.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=505&cPath=13&m1track=googlebase

 

[TundraRocks]

Re: 1986 12' MirroCraft Restore

Re: 1986 12' MirroCraft Restore

For a filler on an aluminum boat...... JB weld

Hint..... under your plywood seats you can install some aluminum angle and it will stiffen the new seats significantly. Makes them easier to step on.

It's obvious that this boat has had work before since I do not see ANY flotation..........

I'll have floatation installed under the seats. Thanks for the heads up. I'll use the aluminum angle to make the seats more rigid, and also to attach a front and back wood panel to "hide" the floatation

When that boat came from the factory the foam buns under the three seats were for flotation. Should consider replacing it. Even with red syrofoam. Also, all three seats were important structural elements and what held the hull together side to side. The center was the most important. Not saying the boat won't work just that it is weaker than it should be and will sink like a rock in a accident.

Thinking of doing a Pink foam sandwich similar to what JAS installed(back seat) on the Jupiter he had.

If you're trying to find a kind of aluminum "Fairing" material...This stuff is supposed to work fairly well. My next door neighbor is a 25 yr long body man and works on aluminum bodies and says they use it all the time with great results. Says it's almost like using LEAD.

http://pivco.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=505&cPath=13&m1track=googlebase

Look's and sounds like a great product. I have some JB Weld on hand if I run out, I may check that out. Thanks.