Restoration project

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gextyr1

Seaman
Joined
Jul 19, 2005
Messages
56
I am acquiring a boat for my next restoration project. In blatant disregard of the wonderful advice of this forum, I am buying it sight-unseen. However, I'm paying next to nothing for it (the gas to go pick it up will likely cost more.) I figure if I'm out $25 when I get there, I'll survive :) Worst case: cheap trailer.<br /><br />Anyway... I'm trying to identify the boat (the seller knows absolutely nothing about it.) All that they said is this: <br />-year may be 1966 or 1970<br />-14' or 15' or maybe 16'<br />-single I/O <br /><br />When I pick the boat up, I'm sure I'll have more info, but I'm just trying to dig in and get some research done now (i.e. where to find parts.)<br /><br />Any help is appreciated. Once I get the boat, I can post better pictures and more info.<br /><br />Thanks!<br /><br />
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gextyr1

Seaman
Joined
Jul 19, 2005
Messages
56
Re: Restoration project

yeah, could be an MFG I guess. Having a hard time placing it on http://www.mfgboats.com/index.htm <br />Seems like most of the boats in the late 60s were white hulls with colored tops. Guess my boat coulda been repainted.
 
J

jmccall001

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Feb 23, 2005
Messages
103
Re: Restoration project

Not sure about PA but MD requires name of manufacturer and year of manufacture when registering a boat. Check with licensing authorities as a place to start.
 
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gextyr1

Seaman
Joined
Jul 19, 2005
Messages
56
Re: Restoration project

take that back, I though the top was white, looks like it was originally red, and just faded to light pink. Hrmmm. <br /><br />Mark42 - looks like yours started off a little better than mine... but you said in your project that the stringers were solid fiberglass? Assuming this boat is an MFG, do you think that means I have a chance in heck of not having to replace mine? After reading this forum for a while, I've kinda resigned myself to tearing out and replacing the floor/stringers/transom/etc.
 
Mark42

Mark42

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Oct 8, 2003
Messages
9,334
Re: Restoration project

Hi gextyr1,<br /><br />Just saw this thread. Nice boat! I think it looks like an MFG too. Probably from the early 60's because the 50's had the wood deck. I think that boat has no floor or simple floor over the ribs. You should be able to see the ribs on the floor and some metal bracing if I remember right. The navagation light in front looks correct, but there are those neat "wings" on the trailing edge of the windshield that don't show on any MFG. My guess is that they could be a side view mirror accessory that is missing the mirrors. The wheel looks like the same used by MFG in early 60's. And they were made in PA. Look for an oval shaddow on the rear sides where the original emblem would have been. You can buy replacements from mfgboats.com in the "ships store". A great boat to restore, fairly easy because of the simple design. Toss those crappy seats and build a set of seats from mahogany veneer plywood with throw cushions like you see in the brochures and it will look great! That wheel should have the standard taper to fit the new cable steering systems if you want to update the steering but keep the old wheel. The gelcoat doesn't look too bad. Check out the article I wrote for mfgboats in the "how to section" on gel coat restore. The transome probably needs replacing. But its not hard. Lots of folks here can help with that. I bet the floor is fine unless its broken or cut up. I suggest you remove everything, windshield, seats, wires, hardware, etc. Then do transome, then polish gelcoat and paint interior. Decide how original you want to keep it. New seats are fairly cheap, but won't look like the original. I kept my boat as original as I could, but added many upgrades, like gas tank, guages, carpet, wheel, etc. I just wanted it to look good and be dependable and safe. <br /><br />Could be one of these 1960 models:<br /><br />
mfgb6002.jpg
<br /><br />Contact Jim Coffman at mfgboats and he might send you some high res scans of the brochures to help with your restoration. <br /><br />And have fun!
 
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gextyr1

Seaman
Joined
Jul 19, 2005
Messages
56
Re: Restoration project

Thanks for the great info! One question I have(and it may be that I'm a stupid newbie) is what are those circular holes in the front. None of the MFGs in the brochures have them.<br /><br />As far as the transom goes, there have been about 2 million posts on this forum about that, so I don't think I'll have a hard time figuring that out. <br /><br />From what I've read, MFGs were billed as being safe, simple and tough (better construction from what I gather.) Since this is my first restoration, that makes me feel a little less overwhelmed :) <br /><br />I'm still torn between keeping it "Original" (which for me would mean following every detail down to the last screw) or customizing it to fit the needs of my family (making the seats/stowing compartments/etc entirely custom.) I guess the question is: How long can I wait to get this thing in the water. If I just refinish/paint/polish/whatever, fix the motor up, and put in some seats, I can probably get it out by next spring. If I do a detailed restore, it might take years. Somehow I doubt my wife will let me spend that much time when she could be out on the water.
 
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fishingdan

Lieutenant Junior Grade
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Feb 12, 2005
Messages
1,045
Re: Restoration project

Are you getting an engine with the boat? The picture shows Johnson outboard engine controls, but the pics don't show an engine.<br /><br />That style boat is fun to restore. Their construction was straight forward and the boat is easily powered with a small outboard engine. My first boat was an early 1960 sears runabout of similar design. We used that boat for a number of years after the rebuild and enjoyed it thoroughly.
 
Mark42

Mark42

Fleet Admiral
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Oct 8, 2003
Messages
9,334
Re: Restoration project

gextyr1,<br /><br />Being that this is your first boat, you might want to clean it up and make it water worthy and use it for a while before worrying about a full correct restoration. You might find boating is not for you, or you might want a bigger boat after having this one a season. <br /><br />BTW all the parts are still available to refurbish the old wire and pulley steering system if you want to keep that part original (I think the mega mall has the parts). A new rack/cable steering system is about $100 w/out a wheel. But the rack/cable systems don't fit older motors without additional hardware, upwards around $60. <br /><br />I can tell you this, the match metal die system MFG used really produced a lasting hull. Not all MFG's were made that way. Only the early models. The effort and money spent on this boat will provide years of enjoyment because the hull will last.
 
AMD Rules

AMD Rules

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Sep 23, 2004
Messages
1,707
Re: Restoration project

The bow portion in front of the window looks too long to be an MFG... in my humble uneducated opinion.<br /><br />You mentioned the engine is an I/O in your original post. Is that a fact?
 
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gextyr1

Seaman
Joined
Jul 19, 2005
Messages
56
Re: Restoration project

fishingdan - yes I am getting a motor... just found out this evening it is a 40 HP johnson, year unknown (possibly 66/67). <br /><br />AMD Rules - that should answer your question. The original ad said I/O, but I'm guessing the seller was mis-informed.<br /><br />Mark42 - boating most certainly is for me, whether or not I can afford it *g*. All of my relatives/friends/co-workers with boats can tell you how often I try to get them to go out on the lake. As for a bigger boat... yeah, I'm sure i'll get a bigger one eventually. But ever since I started boat shopping a year ago, I promised myself I would specifically buy a boat that doesn't run. Crazy? Perhaps. But I don't want to get into boating without full confidence that _I_ can make my boat work again should it break.<br /><br />As for just getting it running before a full restore, I'll probably do that. But I saw your video (Mark42) and honestly, it is impossible NOT to look cool riding around in a classic boat. Plus, my wife's family has a long history of car restoration, and they've kinda got me sucked into the "purist" mode of thought. <br /><br />I should be picking up the boat next week sometime, so I'll post more pictures of the _true_ condition then.<br /><br />Thanks for all the replies!
 
B

bosavy

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 25, 2005
Messages
130
Re: Restoration project

I had a 1963 mfgboat .That boat looks very simular to mine. I rebuilt the transom on mine .accept mine had a 65 hp outboard... good luck it's a very strong boat
 
AMD Rules

AMD Rules

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Joined
Sep 23, 2004
Messages
1,707
Re: Restoration project

Those old 40 johhnyrudes are rock solid, and with a little elbow grease should come back to life quite easily.
 
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gextyr1

Seaman
Joined
Jul 19, 2005
Messages
56
Re: Restoration project

AMD Rules - thats excellent! I've never done much work on outboard motors 'cept cleaning up my dad's old (massively heavy, from what i remember) 2HP evinrude. <br /><br />Can anyone tell me if those Seloc manuals are good? Does anyone prefer the original factory manuals?<br /><br />Also (repeating myself) can anyone tell me what the circular holes on the front of the hull are?
 
Mark42

Mark42

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Re: Restoration project

BTW that trailer is a disaster. It looks like a converted utility trailer. So set aside some funds for another trailer or overhaul of this one. It will need proper bunks for the rear and a couple of keel rollers, trailer jack, and winch post and winch. Probably around $200 for the missing parts I just listed. Add to that new lights w/wire harness, wheels, tires, hubs, bearings, coupler, paint job, ... Or you can buy a whole new galvanized 12,000 GVW trailer for about $600. (12000 gvw should do it for that boat. Don't go less because accessories get heavy fast.)<br /><br />If you trash the trailer, keep the fenders and put them on the new trailer, they are too cool a period piece to loose and will look good with the boat.<br /><br />Just for reference, the trailer should look more like this: <br /><br />
OUT14800sm.jpg
<br /><br />So open up the wallet.... the horror of it all! :D <br /><br />PS, I don't know what those holes are. Maybe you can tell us after you get your hands on it.
 
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gextyr1

Seaman
Joined
Jul 19, 2005
Messages
56
Re: Restoration project

Yeah, I hadn't put much thought into the trailer yet. I'm not gonna need one until I get everything in the boat ready and running. I'm just gonna throw the entire mess on a tilt-bed trailer, and bring 'er home. I will probably end up just buying a new trailer unless I'm feeling particularly squirrely.<br /><br />Good idea about the fenders though. I seriously doubt the trailer is original... I'll ask the guy I bought it from if he knows any more history about it.
 
F

fishingdan

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Feb 12, 2005
Messages
1,045
Re: Restoration project

I am guessing that you intended to state that a 1200 lb gvw trailer would be sufficient and not 12000 lb. <br /><br />The Seloc manual are ok, but the tend to cover a range of engines/years. Sometimes the pictures are not reproduced well. That said, they do tend to have good suggestions. <br /><br />The original manuals do come in handy and are specific to the year. <br /><br />You may find that you will have both by the end. I would start out with the original.<br /><br />Good luck with the project. I wouldn't get hung up on doing a pure restoration. Modernize where it makes sense to do it.
 
Mark42

Mark42

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Oct 8, 2003
Messages
9,334
Re: Restoration project

Nope, that boat is a lot heavier than it looks. 12,000 lbs should just about do it.... :D :D :D <br /><br /><br />But go with the 1,200 gvw if the budget is tight.
 
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