14' Mirrocraft Deep Fisherman Restoration

[Alex_c]

I think as long as the plywood uses waterproof glue you are golden. I'm sure enough coats of spar varnish will make any old wood last a long time.

 

[DOBSONFLY]

Transom stain is "Gunstock".

 

[Alex_c]

Wow, that turned out great. Looks like a piece of furniture :mrgreen:

 

[Country Dave]

Looks great..... =D>

 

[DOBSONFLY]

Thanks again CD, you set the bar high so I figured if I get half way even id be okay!

I used all stainless steel fasteners, with Nylock nuts. Used antiseize when assembling them, stainless on stainless has a tendency to gall.

 

[DOBSONFLY]

Here it is with the seats and a shame they are going to be covered up!

 

[bigwave]

Wow Dobson, she is starting to look to pretty to use......great job on the transom. =D> =D> =D>

 

[Country Dave]

Looking good, great workmanship.

 

[DOBSONFLY]

Look out... Twin Mercs! Just kidding... found another one ,relatively local, for sale on Craigslist and picked it up cheap. Got a newer 6 gal fuel tank with it as well as the fuel line with small Merc fittings (rare and or pricey if you need them). I thought this would be much cheaper than buying any replacement hard parts since I would very quickly have $100 here or there wrapped up in parts via ebay or oldmercparts website.

 

[Jonboat Jerry]

Here it is with the seats and a shame they are going to be covered up!

Killer work Dobonfly, the transom and seats turned out great. If you can stand it, I would not cover the seats.
Bright work shows up beautifully on a restored boat and it's easier to clean too. Great job! =D>

 

[DOBSONFLY]

Killer work Dobsonfly, the transom and seats turned out great. If you can stand it, I would not cover the seats.
Bright work shows up beautifully on a restored boat and it's easier to clean too. Great job! =D>

Despite how good the seats look from a distance in the photo, I didn't really treat the seats with as much care as I did the transom. I said to myself, as I was putting down the varnish "I am covering it up anyway" and so any bug that flew its way in is now preserved by a nice few heavy coat of gloss, not to mention the imperfections I didn't bother sanding out and marks left from measuring and layout. So I covered the seats still. I was still pleased with the results.

Carpet is from Home Depot, it is outdoor for deck porches and pool areas, has a UV protectant. I spent around $40 to do this carpet job (carpet $20, SS Staples $11, glue $10). Used water proof glue and stainless steel staples to secure it with. All hardware bolting the seats in is stainless steel button head cap screws with stainless steel nylock nuts (again use antiseze).

I saved the old transom cut out to use as a template to bend the new transom trim piece. I did cheat a little vs the original design. I cut and welded the other straight pcs on mine, because I started at one side to start bending this piece DON'T DO THAT! I would recommend marking center on your old transom cut out piece as well as the aluminum trim piece. Align the two center marks, clamp like I did in the photo and then bend the piece. Basically I ended up too long on one of the legs, so I cut it and welded each side on instead. Anyway that's just my 2 cents for those ordering the section I did from Mirrocraft for the transom. Also you will need some tin snips to relieve like the original for the sharp bends.

 

[simbelle]

Looks Good to me!

 

[bigwave]

Man you would think that is from the factory....very nice job.....you have to be at least 150# lighter than me......Now lets see her on the water. =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> =D> :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer:

 

[Country Dave]

Hey bro grab your tools,
You could work with me anytime. Great job. =D> =D> =D>

 

[DOBSONFLY]

Thank you for all of the compliments! I know it isn't an extreme modification to the original, but I had simple and clean in my mind, also wasn't really wanting to spend a fortune either. Maybe another build someday that will be more exciting, I would love to have a live well, full electrical and a few more HP... :mrgreen:

I still have a few loose ends to tie up with this one yet.

- Loback cushioned seats
- Under seat storage pieces
- Modify trailer bow stop and winch location
- Rewire trailer lights
- Tune up the Merc 60's that I have now. (I think they both will run fine, may restore one and use one, and if needed could scrounge parts off of one)
- Registration (Put name and numbers on the boat also)
- Bow and stern light kit (battery type)
- Anchor
- Bimini
- Cleats
- Trolling motor, battery, battery box

who knows what else may get added to that list \/

 

[DOBSONFLY]

Hey bro grab your tools,
You could work with me anytime. Great job. =D> =D> =D>

Thanks CD and back at you!

 

[Alex_c]

Bravo! Everything looks very clean. That's a hell of a hull. Mirrocraft make some great boats.

 

[DOBSONFLY]

Bravo! Everything looks very clean. That's a hell of a hull. Mirrocraft make some great boats.

Thanks, can't wait to get it on the water soon. Gotta do some motor work still too.

 

[jvanhees]

Nice work Dobson!

 

[DOBSONFLY]

Nice work Dobson!

Thank you.

Waiting on a few motor parts and can get the lower unit back on one of the Mercs. Did some JB weld repair on a crack, cleaned up and painted the LU also.