Fixing up my 14ft MFG Niagara. w/pics

[matt9923]

Re: Fixing up my 14ft MFG Niagara. w/pics

That boat is looking sharp! That gray paint is pretty cool too, kinda makes it look like a mini PT boat. Sounds like you found yourself a good mechanic too!

Lets get some action shots of the boat in the water!

BOB

Thanks Bob
Ya when i have a party down by the water ill have someone take some pictures.

Matt

 

[*EdC*]

Re: Fixing up my 14ft MFG Niagara. w/pics

Congrats Matt!

You had better get some good on the water shots!..... Afterall you kept me glued to all your fixer upper posts!!!!

 

[matt9923]

Re: Fixing up my 14ft MFG Niagara. w/pics

Congrats Matt!

You had better get some good on the water shots!..... Afterall you kept me glued to all your fixer upper posts!!!!

Ahahaha
ill work on getting those... when the water rises up.
Matt

 

[matt9923]

Re: Fixing up my 14ft MFG Niagara. w/pics

Mark VT i will take some picture tomorrow for you i still don't know what year mine is so i'm interested as well.

Also had the boat out today, went up and down river at 1/2 throttle relaxing and frozen faced. Then it stalled at the far end so i was scared. Looked back and saw that the fuel line popped off. Put it back on primed and started right back up. ran smooth the whole time. I need a trim rod so i can have the tilt sit on that and not on the small trim motor.
Matt

 

[Mark_VTfisherman]

Re: Fixing up my 14ft MFG Niagara. w/pics

...i still don't know what year mine is so i'm interested as well....

The three things that seem to be most distinctive concerning model year ID are the bow deck molded design, the dash well (ribbed or not) and the oem seat upholstery and hardware if you have that (guess that makes it four!)

Those are the things you should look at. The fiberglassics.com site has a lot of brochures from various years. I would be interested in seeing your bow deck photo.

BTW - some of the brochures contain hull dimensions. Mine does not measure exactly the same as the oem literature indicates, but the pictures are what I went by.

 

[matt9923]

Re: Fixing up my 14ft MFG Niagara. w/pics

I looked at the brochures but didn't see one that matched it but mine may have been butchered along the line.

Sorry i haven't taken any pics yet i will...
Matt

 

[Mark_VTfisherman]

Re: Fixing up my 14ft MFG Niagara. w/pics

I looked at the brochures but didn't see one that matched it but mine may have been butchered along the line....

Maybe- but it might take a while too. The bow photo might be the key on yours.

 

[matt9923]

Re: Fixing up my 14ft MFG Niagara. w/pics

well its been rainy for the past few days and the rivers been low...
But its going up. The club i'm in has its opening day tomorrow at 8:00. They just stocked 400 trout today. So my plan is to go fishing in the morning (last year we get out limit in 25 min) If the rivers up come home go boating then go to the family party.
Seems like a fun day to me.
Matt

 

[Mark_VTfisherman]

Re: Fixing up my 14ft MFG Niagara. w/pics

Hi! Been missing your updates. Anything new?

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Fixing up my 14ft MFG Niagara. w/pics

Some design changes I've noticed over the different model years are that the Dash board changed in 1966, going from a smooth dash to one with a left and right pod design, somewhere between 1963 and 1965 the windshield got taller, and somewhere in later years, the dash again changed adding more detail to the dash face. The early bow deck was more or less flat, the windshield mounting area was smooth, the 1966 and up had a molded in groove in which the windshield sat. (The older style would look OK if you left the windshield off, the newer style would look like something was missing). The newer dash sort of appeared to be wrapped by the windshield.
The earlier bow eye and stern tie downs were plain steel, not aluminum or stainless and are usually rusted.

 

[matt9923]

Re: Fixing up my 14ft MFG Niagara. w/pics

I have been busy in my shop rebuilding a bike.
Hope to have that done this weekend.
Then for the boat i have to add the other ski rack, get a swimming ladder.
And for now not much will change. I have to do some work on my trailer and check the hull. It had a gallon of water last time i took it out. It usually only has a drop or 2.
SO i think i smashed the trailer to hard.
Matt

 

[Mark_VTfisherman]

Re: Fixing up my 14ft MFG Niagara. w/pics

When I get water coming from mine I always check the bow-end of the keel. I have had to glass and repair mine a number of timers over the years- mostly from beaching. But I think I have "fixed" that now by epoxying on a strip of aluminum.

 

[matt9923]

Re: Fixing up my 14ft MFG Niagara. w/pics

It's been a while. Iv been really busy.
I might be getting another boat, trailer and 45hp motor for free!!

I'm most interested in the trailer since mine is a PITA and i always gouge chinks of fiberglass on it.... I'm raising funds do i can rebuild my transom and fix up the bottom of the boat and repaint the bottom.

Ill keep you posted and is anything happens i will have pictures.
Matt

 

[Mark_VTfisherman]

Re: Fixing up my 14ft MFG Niagara. w/pics

Jim- he's alive! (the opposite of "He's dead, Jim")

 

[*EdC*]

Re: Fixing up my 14ft MFG Niagara. w/pics

Jim- he's alive! (the opposite of "He's dead, Jim")

Huh??? What I miss?

 

[matt9923]

Re: Fixing up my 14ft MFG Niagara. w/pics

Huh??? What I miss?

Not sure? But i'm alive.

 

[Mark_VTfisherman]

Re: Fixing up my 14ft MFG Niagara. w/pics

Huh??? What I miss?

I was enjoying reading on his project but he hasn't posted since May...

I was being punny with the Star Trek throwback quote...

You didn't miss anything but dry humor

 

[*EdC*]

Re: Fixing up my 14ft MFG Niagara. w/pics

Awwwwww. I get it! Good to see Scotty beamed him back up!

 

[matt9923]

Re: Fixing up my 14ft MFG Niagara. w/pics

I think I have no choice but to rebuild the transom in the spring.

I know someone who has an aluminum boat that I am interested in. If i can get it cheap ill sell or give away my Fiberglas junker that I love.

Had a great time fishing with it all summer, at least until the a-holes come out with there fast boat.

I will admit I haven't winterized it yet..... have no time. I will next weekend, it on my priority list. I may jut take the motor off and put it in the basement.

 

[matt9923]

Re: Fixing up my 14ft MFG Niagara. w/pics

Pulled the boat out today and got it running, runs excellent. Rain this weekend so not sure if ill get it out but it will be ready when the weather is nice. gets use in off season when the a holes with big boats cause hell.

I think the transom is goign to have to limp threw another year, its still OK and i go easy on it just get out to fishing spots of some cruising. Don't have the money to fix it.