Mark Twain Restore!!

[75TowerOfPower]

Re: Mark Twain Restore!!

Thanks! Im lookin forward to tinkering with it.
Mine is 16'6" as well. I don't plan on having too many people out at once. That's what the houseboat is for!
What is the seating arrangement on yours? Do you have a thread on here?

I don't have a thread because I redid the floor all in a weekend and didn't take any pics.

Right now my seats are the back to backs and the bow seats. The more is see newer boats I wonder how a stern bench would work out. I would take out the back to back or atleast the drivers side. I know before I removed the soaked foam and wet wood I have trouble gettin on plane or pullin a skier with people on board. So 400 pounds lighter I think it would work out with having the weight in the back.

I recently painted my windshield black to look a little more modern.

 

[lowkee]

Re: Mark Twain Restore!!

Now for the story-
I knew exactly what happened-the accelerator cable going from the pedal to the throttle body broke.

For a time, I drove 2.5 hrs each way to work. One morning my accel cable broke as well. Luckily I was within a few feet of a auto repair place. Unfortunately they didn't have a cable for me, so I asked if they had any thin rope.. they did. So, I popped the hood, remoed the old cable and tied the rope to the throttle body, ran the rope through the vent near the windshield into the driver's side window and pulled on it when I needed gas. Amazingly this worked perfectly for the entire day!

It was quite the learning curve using my hand to accelerate instead of my foot, but I soon got the hang of it and drove to and from work with one hand on the "gas rope", one hand on the wheel and one hand on the stock shift (five on the floor manual trans). Growing the third hand was difficult, but I managed.

Something I hope I don't have to do again, but it's amazing what you can accomplish with what you have on hand.

 

[boatflipper]

Re: Mark Twain Restore!!

For a time, I drove 2.5 hrs each way to work. One morning my accel cable broke as well. Luckily I was within a few feet of a auto repair place. Unfortunately they didn't have a cable for me, so I asked if they had any thin rope.. they did. So, I popped the hood, remoed the old cable and tied the rope to the throttle body, ran the rope through the vent near the windshield into the driver's side window and pulled on it when I needed gas. Amazingly this worked perfectly for the entire day!

It was quite the learning curve using my hand to accelerate instead of my foot, but I soon got the hang of it and drove to and from work with one hand on the "gas rope", one hand on the wheel and one hand on the stock shift (five on the floor manual trans). Growing the third hand was difficult, but I managed.

Something I hope I don't have to do again, but it's amazing what you can accomplish with what you have on hand.

Believe it or not this was plan B
My dad came up with the idea and it definitely would've worked, but I too have a 5-speed and that would have definitely been interesting. I told my dad that he would be the one holding the rope and accelerating if that was the only option

 

[SnowHunter]

Re: Mark Twain Restore!!

Congrats on the motor deal BF!!!

I had the cable break on my ol 93 CTD Dodge back when I was in HS. I had to idle 25 miles (10 highway!!) to the local FD to call for a tow... was interesting as folks flew by me, watching the truck just meander down the shoulder I'd done forgot bout that happenin, till you told your story!!!

 

[boatflipper]

Re: Mark Twain Restore!!

Well I would love to work on the boat tomorrow but after 14 inches of rain in 2 days, its gonna be a lil hard crossing the bridge goin to the farm where the boat is at....oh well

 

[BobsGlasstream]

Re: Mark Twain Restore!!

No matter who you are, that's a lot of rain. We got pretty lucky, we were on the northern edge of the storm or it would have been a lot worse. I heard that some folks around Nashville got 20+ inches. Holly c@@p.
Well take care.
Bob

 

[mrdjflores]

Re: Mark Twain Restore!!

all this rain and me without my rubber ducky

 

[tlzimmerman]

Re: Mark Twain Restore!!

HEY....THATS MY BOAT! LOL

I bought one just exactly like this, and haven't seen any pictures on the net on one until I stumbled across this forum. SWEET. I read you said you didn't know the year, mine is a 1969 16' Mark Twain V-Sonic Tri Hull. I am picking it up this weekend to start tearing out the floor, bought it with engine that should run for $300, not sure if I got screwed or if its a deal, but I figure the engine is worth that in parts if nothing else. The stringers in mine seem good as well (you are right, they are glassed in like crazy). Mine has been inside except for the past 2 years, and has a 115 evinrude that runs hanging off the back, I am hoping the transom is in good shape and I won't have to pop the cap and replace it but I fear the worst.

When I get her home, and take the original pics, I'll post up the hull plate and info from mine on here, might help you out to see if yours is the exact same or a later model of the same hull design. They look identical to me though.

***EDIT***This is my first post, I have been lurking for about a week since I bought the thing trying to soak up information on here to be able to do the glasswork involved...your post helped me a ton and I had to sign up to post in here to thank you a bit!

 

[boatflipper]

Re: Mark Twain Restore!!

HEY....THATS MY BOAT! LOL

I bought one just exactly like this, and haven't seen any pictures on the net on one until I stumbled across this forum. SWEET. I read you said you didn't know the year, mine is a 1969 16' Mark Twain V-Sonic Tri Hull. I am picking it up this weekend to start tearing out the floor, bought it with engine that should run for $300, not sure if I got screwed or if its a deal, but I figure the engine is worth that in parts if nothing else. The stringers in mine seem good as well (you are right, they are glassed in like crazy). Mine has been inside except for the past 2 years, and has a 115 evinrude that runs hanging off the back, I am hoping the transom is in good shape and I won't have to pop the cap and replace it but I fear the worst.

When I get her home, and take the original pics, I'll post up the hull plate and info from mine on here, might help you out to see if yours is the exact same or a later model of the same hull design. They look identical to me though.

***EDIT***This is my first post, I have been lurking for about a week since I bought the thing trying to soak up information on here to be able to do the glasswork involved...your post helped me a ton and I had to sign up to post in here to thank you a bit!

Glad to be of help to you!
Definitely get some pics on here ASAP! I wanna see it!

 

[tlzimmerman]

Re: Mark Twain Restore!!

Here are the pics.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=398679

I am not sure if they are exactly the same or not...sure do look close though if they aren't

My stringers were wet inside so I am going to end up replacing them...they are still very solid though.

 

[boatflipper]

Re: Mark Twain Restore!!

Well guys its been a while and little progress has been made cosmetically with the Twain. I have been trying to get the motor running-waiting on a carb kit now...
I did make a trip to Lowes today and got some paint for my deck though...I went with Zinsser exterior primer, and Valspar exterior paint. Both are oil-based and top quality so hopefully they will work well. I also got some non-slip additive to mix in with the top layer of paint. I plan on sanding over the deck with 80 grit sandpaper, then wipe down with acetone. The deck is rough as it is now becasue I intentionally did not add surfacing wax to the resin-anticipating a painted deck.
I also plan on painting the inside side of the hull...

Primer

Paint

Non-slip

I will add some pics as I go!

 

[BobsGlasstream]

Re: Mark Twain Restore!!

boatflipper,
Good luck on the engine. I hope we will here about it running soon.
I used the Valspar implement paint in my ski locker. I guess we will both see how well it works.
Take care
Bob

 

[boatflipper]

Re: Mark Twain Restore!!

I finally have some updates to pass along to those of you following my thread!
I managed to get the engine running this past weekend, which, for me, was a major milestone!! Turns out, I had not cleaned the carbs properly, and I had the key switch wired wrong. It would turn the motor over but not fire. Re-wired it and she fired the first turn!!
Took it to the river and she did GREAT!!
Great hole shot-plenty to pull a couple skiers, and excellent top-end~my guesstimation is about 40 mph.
Now, I can move forward with the cosmetic side of my resto!!
To begin with, I plan on ordering two swivel seats for the driver and passenger, as well as foam and vinyl for the bow seating.
Here is where I need some help....My floor is going to be a gray non-skid paint so I was wanting some suggestions on the color scheme for the seats.
Also, I plan on fabricating a wood base that would then be glassed to the floor, that way I will not be drilling holes in the floor, but in the base I build. Does this sound ok? I think I recall seeing this done on here...If this will work, will the glass adhere to the primer that I already have on the floor or will i need to sand that off?
Thanks guys and I am looking forward to getting started on this project again!!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Mark Twain Restore!!

Congrats! Those are great motors for sure.

 

[BobsGlasstream]

Re: Mark Twain Restore!!

boatflipper,
Great to hear from you again and that you got the engine running.
I would think that you would want to sand the primmer off, to make sure you get a good bond.
My 2 Cents worth
bob

 

[drewpster]

Re: Mark Twain Restore!!

deleted, check your steering post...sorry

 

[boatflipper]

Re: Mark Twain Restore!!

Well I got my starboard side seat in, I think it turned out fairly well...
I built the base out of 2x6 lumber and glassed it to the floor, after sanding the primer off.
I got my 2 'Wise' brand seats off ebay for $75, free shipping. I think they are excellent seats for the price... Got some el' cheapo pedestals and swivels from wal-mart for both driver and passenger seats.
Let me know what you guys think, especially the bases. I can always change something to make it better if someone tells me to!

 

[61crosby]

Re: Mark Twain Restore!!

Very nice restoration! I know what it's like as a hs student only being able to work on it during weekends. I'm considering what to do with my floor as soon as I go home for winter break, I'm definitely going to look into buying the nonskid additive, like you did, rather than a product like durabak now. I'm just trying to make it look the best with spending the least. Great job so far, good luck!

 

[JStrom]

Re: Mark Twain Restore!!

What? Where's the end? I spent all evening reading every post in this thread and it ended like this...with no end? I'm disappointed.