Our 1966 Niagra project

[riktweed]

Hi MFG lovers, I am restoring (minimal) a '66 Niagra and need a new steering wheel. Ours is badly deteriorated and powdery. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

She's in great shape, blue on white, and we hope to have her on Sarasota Bay this summer. Will post pics when done.

Thanks! Rik

 

[mr 88]

Re: Our 1966 Niagra project

There is a guy on fiberglassics.com that restores wheels in the condition your describing. Short of scouring ebay and Craigs your best bet would be to post up there. Sounds nice , what are you powering her with?

 

[riktweed]

Re: Our 1966 Niagra project is actually a 1965 Westfield Custom project

Re: Our 1966 Niagra project is actually a 1965 Westfield Custom project

Turns out I am wrong about the year and model - it is in fact a 1965 Westfield Custom, which looks just like a 1966 Niagra in the brochures I looked at online. My son (the captain of the boat) pointed this all out to me last night. He knows for certain, having verified this by the ID tag on the boat.

Fortunately, my only duties on board so far have been ordering engine parts and moral support. And yes, I do know what the motor really is: it is a '66 Johnson 80 Electramatic.

Thanks for the tip on the wheel. Ours is too far gone for restoring I think, so we will scour the used boards.

 

[mr 88]

Re: Our 1966 Niagra project is actually a 1965 Westfield Custom project

Re: Our 1966 Niagra project is actually a 1965 Westfield Custom project

You would be surprised at how he can restore a wheel.Maybe post pics. I also have a 67 Westfield with the sunNfun seats along with the center ventilating windshield.I have to pour a transom when the weather warms up.A bit more roomier than a Niagara which your captain will like as he motors his buddys around.That 80 will move that Westy at a very very fast clip.When you change the impellar and do the lower unit oil you have to use the stuff from johnson/evinrude for the model and year. It is not the same as the manual shifts and you will screw it up by not using the right lubricant.