Just given new old boat, any thoughts

[maverickrv]

I was just given my mother in laws fathers old 16' Mirro Craft aluminum boat for free. Aren't mother in laws great!

Its about 10-20 years old, had enough garbage to fill two 55 gallon barrels, but appears not to have any leaks in the keel or transom. Everything looks pretty solid.

Trailer needs full sand and paint restoration, and I was thinking of a hull with red on the lower portion with white on the upper and side portion. A small removable wood slat floor like I seen here before to not walk on the angled sides of the hull. Tongue needs work as it is rusted solid. Sits very high on the trailer which is really wierd trailer near the motor, an extra 3 feet long like it was to protect the motor.

The 15 hp motor was gone through about 3 years ago but then never used. I have a new 55lb Minn Kota from my old boat which now I will sell as I cant sell Grandpa's boat.

Any thoughts and ideas from anyone would be appreciated. I have been searching the site, but wanted to ask for any specific ideas before I got the tools out.

Thanks

 

[KurtG]

Re: Just given new old boat, any thoughts

that's a great rig to start with. I'd just cut off the tongue and get a new coupler to install. I did that on mine (because I wanted an 8' extendable tongue for a shallow ramp) and it wasn't that big of job.

 

[Ned L]

Re: Just given new old boat, any thoughts

Very nice! Great outboard too, (1955 - 1957?- not sure).

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Just given new old boat, any thoughts

I wouldn't paint it since it's not already painted. I'd leave it as is and go fishin'. Make sure the transom wood is solid. If not replace it. Don't want to let that classic Johnny fall off.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Just given new old boat, any thoughts

Congrats! The only thing nicer than an old boat is an old free boat

That trailer is weird...not sure how that would work, it seems like you may have the boat scraping that extension unless you have it backed into the water a good amount to make sure the boat is floating when you launch.

Nice looking old hull, like mine only 4 feet longer If you're looking to build some decking and need ideas you can check out my restoration thread(there is a link for it in my signature), I recently did the same with 3/4" thick boards and sealed and stained it to preserve. Turned out pretty nice you will appreciate being able to stand on a flat deck. Mine is a 12' Aerocraft but very similar to yours in design and about the same vintage.

That 55lb electric would be a nice powered troller for your new rig, I'd keep it mounted on the bow in case you ever have engine trouble/run out of gas and don't want to keep oars with you at all times.

Mirrocraft is a quality brand, glad to see you getting her back on the water.

Good luck and feel free to ask any questions!

 

[maverickrv]

Re: Just given new old boat, any thoughts

Huron,

Yours was the thread that gave me the idea. I want something removable for cleaning, light for less weight. Also I might cut some holes in the wood to drop an ice chest into so it doesnt slide around. I loved your restore notes.

Im going to get it registered and start using it and then fix it up.

Thanks everyone.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Just given new old boat, any thoughts

Nope, you don't want that rig...but I'll take it off your hands. Seriously, nice rig...especially the outboard. You have an adventure ahead of you, but you're at the right place to learn all about the options and then do it yourself. That's a 58 Johnson FD-11 or 12...one of the best workhorses ever made. Boat looks sweet, too. Hope you have a young-un to share your adventure with.

 

[maverickrv]

Re: Just given new old boat, any thoughts

hey I do have a son who is 10, caught his first 3 trout on his own last year, then caught 5 between 10 and 13 1/2 inches. He is really excited.

Last night we took the old fiberglass runabout out with the Minn Kota and played for an hour driving around helping him understand how to drive.

He wants to call the new boat "here fishy fishy"

 

[robbankston]

Re: Just given new old boat, any thoughts

Excellent boat and great motor. My neighbor has one of those old sea horses and we use it all the time. You can use for it trolling just idling it. Easy to work on also. You got lucky.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Just given new old boat, any thoughts

hey I do have a son who is 10, caught his first 3 trout on his own last year, then caught 5 between 10 and 13 1/2 inches. He is really excited.

Last night we took the old fiberglass runabout out with the Minn Kota and played for an hour driving around helping him understand how to drive.

He wants to call the new boat "here fishy fishy"

That's awesome! My 3-year-old keeps telling me he wants to catch a "great big sucker" since he heard me and my buddy talking about suckers one day.

What kind of water are you fishing to get the trout? Are we talking rainbows? Flyfishing or what kind of lures?

Glad to hear people passing on the appreciation of boating and fishing to future generations Good job.

 

[maverickrv]

Re: Just given new old boat, any thoughts

Huron,

I live in Central Caligornia and go fishing up in the High Sierra lakes for Rainbow and German Brown trout. We were fishing off the shore with regular power bait. My son caught 5 from 10-13 inches and I caught 4 from 10-12 inches. He still hasnt let me have any piece from that day.

 

[maverickrv]

Re: Just given new old boat, any thoughts

oops no peace

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Just given new old boat, any thoughts

I've got another thread that explains my 3year-old son's incredible luck with his Scooby-Doo pole/closed face reel combo. He routinely outfishes me much to my delight.

I hope he is more successful in all aspects of life as he's done so far with fishing. 'Cause life's been good to me so far(had to quote some Joe Walsh lyrics).

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Just given new old boat, any thoughts

You're on the right track...a first mate who loves to fish and already has a name in mind for the boat is all the justification I'd need. But since you're in CA, you need to check state regulations...I know 2-strokes have been banned already on some of your lakes. That's a great old Johnson...keep it if you can legally use it...one of the CA chapters of the Antique Outboard Motor Club (www.aomci.org) can help you find a good home for it if 2-strokes aren't allowed on your fav lakes, and maybe help you find a "legal" replacement. The old 2-strokes are not environment killers/spoilers if you use modern, synthetic outboard oil at the right mix ratio...but the greenies often don't understand that, or want to.