Mark Twain Restore!!

[boatflipper]

Re: Mark Twain Restore!!

I have been looking around at carpet and alternatives and think I have found a solution...
I researched the Durabak product and requested a brochure with a color chip. I got it just a few days after the request and they really know how to advertise!! I am planning on ordering 2 gallons. According to the brochure, this will give me 120 sq. ft. of coverage with 2 coats.
If I go this route, I will be able to move forward with the installation of seats and then possibly add some snap-in carpet later on down the road.
Seems like after reading through all of these forums I have heard nothing but good things about Durabak. I was wondering if anyone has some negatives about the product, and if anyone has any experience with a product that is just as good (or better) for the same price?
Thanks!

 

[BobsGlasstream]

Re: Mark Twain Restore!!

boatflipper,
I haven't used the Durabak.
I believe friscoboater did use it in is project.
Bob

 

[86RajunCajun]

Re: Mark Twain Restore!!

Hey bud!

Project is moving along nicely for sure! Its a lot of work huh!

Keep pluggin away at it, if even for only a couple hours a week, progress is progress!

Good luck and have fun!
RC

 

[dorelse]

Re: Mark Twain Restore!!

I've used it as well.

Plus's: Covers well, seems to work as advertised. (I chose Smooth Finish).

Negatives: I had issues with it 'cutting' easier than I'd hoped, and it stained.

Now...that said. I'll give it another shot when the need presents itself. I definitely think its a good product.

 

[boatflipper]

Re: Mark Twain Restore!!

Thanks guys for the responses.
I think I will probably go with the textured Durabak-the non-textured looks like it may be slippery....
Sould I install the seats first and then go with the coating?

 

[boatflipper]

Re: Mark Twain Restore!!

Ok boys and girls it looks like I am torn as to what to do (shcoking I know).
I was planning on either ordering some captain chairs and a pontoon bench seat for the back, or getting some Durabak and do the floor. Lets call this situation #1.
Situation #2 is this: http://lexington.craigslist.org/boa/1674889280.html
I was looking through 'ol trusty c-list and stumbled across that add. I called the guy up and talked to him a bit about the motor. He says it cam off a friend of his brother-in-laws boat (a mouthful I know). He said it ran fine last year but the friend upgraded at the end of the season to a better motor. The friend then gave it to this guy's brother-in-law, which gave it to him. (confused yet?) He said I could bring my boat down and he can lift the motor onto my boat with the gizmo that he has and we can see if it will start...For $350 it doesn't seem like too bad of a deal...if the power tilt and trim works I am assuming that alone is worh a couple hundred.

Let me know what you think and what situation needs to be taken care of first!
Thanks!!

 

[tallcanadian]

Re: Mark Twain Restore!!

Run! Run as far as you can away from that Chrysler. Unless it came with a couple for parts. Keep your eye out for a nice Johnny, 'rude or Merc.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Mark Twain Restore!!

TC is right. Parts and service are hard to come by for the Chryslers. It's too bad, I have a soft spot for them and think they are really cool looking. I'd love to see that one fired up pushin' your boat. But it's probably not a great idea unless you can get it for next to nothin'.

 

[boatflipper]

Re: Mark Twain Restore!!

Thanks TC and ezmobee. I have heard that parts are rather difficult to come by....
Somerset (where the motor is) is only about 75 miles from Winchester (where I live) so I may just go down there and see what it looks like. I like the idea that he said he can set it right on my boat. I am assuming he has an engine crane/lift. If he sets it on there and it dosn't tunrn over and/or start I will just have him take it off and head home and chalk up my $40 worth of gas as a road trip

 

[mrdjflores]

Re: Mark Twain Restore!!

Bob-
I see where the split design could cause some structural problems... The only real reason I wanted to split it up was if someone was sitting on one side and I needed to access something back there, and so that I wouldn't have to lift the whole thing up to get to one side or the other.
I may just go with the the one-piece design. It would probably be simpler anyway!

hauln-
Let me know when you get your sundeck/bech finished. I have a feelin Im gonna need all the help I can get with designing it!!
As for the swim platform: sounds like an excellent idea. I would probably do it last thoguh-simply becasue money is tight and I just want somethin with seats and carpet in it right now!!


Thanks guys for your continued support!

I think i may have 2 teak platforms in my shed...they don't run all the way across the back of the boat..more like a small platform on each side of the outboard.

i'll look tonight, if they are there, your welcome to them

 

[drewpster]

Re: Mark Twain Restore!!

I may be a bit late here but let me chime in on the Chrysler. I own one that was original to the tri-hull. I have had good luck with it, but it is old. Their right about parts for it though. They can be had but it is a challenge. Ignition parts are common but try to find a cap and rotor and you are out of luck. I was going to run it until it just laid down but I updated instead. They are a good engine, but if your buying I recommend you go as new as you can afford.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Mark Twain Restore!!

but if your buying I recommend you go as new as you can afford.

Or as Johnson/Evinrude as you can afford

 

[boatflipper]

Re: Mark Twain Restore!!

Or as Johnson/Evinrude as you can afford

Well it looks like it may happen
Ol trusty C-list has once again came to my rescue!!
I found a 1976 115 HP Jounson for a whopping $200
He said he got the boat trailer and motor for $200 and he wanted the trailer so he is just wanting his money back hence the low price. He also says he doesn't know much about outboards...
It is only about 75 miles away (Southern Indiana) so im gonna take my compression tester, 2 $100 bills, and give it a look see on Saturday morning!
Oh by the way he said the tilt and trim works so I figure that is worth the asking price

 

[BobsGlasstream]

Re: Mark Twain Restore!!

Hey boatflipper,
I hope everything works out on the motor..
Good luck
Bob

 

[boatflipper]

Re: Mark Twain Restore!!

Well folks I am the proud new owner of a 1976 115HP Johnson
After seeing it on craigslist a few days ago, I went today and picked it up for $200.
The motor turns over fine-I didn't check the compression because of the cheap price, so I figure if a cylinder is down I could part it out and get twice what I have in it. All of the wiring looks really nice-no dry rot in the plastic coatings or anything suspicious looking. Under the hood it looks very clean as well!
I will try and get some pic on here tomorrow!

Now for the story-
I leave home (Winchester, KY) at 10:30 AM expecting the trip to take 2 hr 15 min. After a brief pit-stop I am once again en-route. I am turning onto the road the guy lives on and as I make the turn my gas pedal goes to the floor and the motor is just idling. I knew exactly what happened-the accelerator cable going from the pedal to the throttle body broke.
At this point I am fit to be tied. Here I am thinking I am going to have to use my $200 for the motor on a wrecker to take me home.
So I call the guy and tell him and he comes to me. He asks if I think it will come out of the ditch just idling and if it does he will follow me with his flashers on to his house.
So, what would take about a min going the speed limit turns into a 10 min trip.
Anyway, I make it to his house and he tells me he is pretty good mechanically (he works on cars and motorcycles) and he thinks he could use a motorcycle accelerator cable to rig into what is left of my old one.
So, while I am unbolting the motor, he is working on the cable.
3 hours later-after pulling the motor, steering wheel and cable, and throttle box and after him fixing my cable, I head back home.
I make it home safe and sound with no further issues.
Oh and the gas pedal is very smooth
But i think I better head to my Chevy dealer to get a cable...


Till next time, Happy Boating!!

 

[75TowerOfPower]

Re: Mark Twain Restore!!

Congrats on the 115. I have a 115 Merc on my Mark Twain and its a great combo. I may have missed it but what length is your boat? Mine is a 16.5' and it gets cramped fast which is no fun at all.

Th resto is looking good I went through all this two winters ago.

 

[boatflipper]

Re: Mark Twain Restore!!

Congrats on the 115. I have a 115 Merc on my Mark Twain and its a great combo. I may have missed it but what length is your boat? Mine is a 16.5' and it gets cramped fast which is no fun at all.

Th resto is looking good I went through all this two winters ago.

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?

 

[boatflipper]

Re: Mark Twain Restore!!

Here are some pics of the Johnson I got.

I am really pleased with how clean it is under the hood. I wish these had hour meters on them cause either someone took real good care of her or there really isn't much time on her!
I am trying to find a keyswitch that will fit inside the control box...been searching ebay with no luck but I will keep my eyes out...

 

[BobsGlasstream]

Re: Mark Twain Restore!!

Hey boatflipper,
Way to much drama in your life. Glad to see you got something to start with on the motor. Good luck with it.
Take care
Bob

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Mark Twain Restore!!

Nice motor. My last boat had a '73 Johnson and after a bit of work it gave us 5 trouble free seasons and was sold in excellent running condition.