1972 Mirrocraft 16' V aka "The bigger boat"

[richg99]

Well done. You timed the fishing just about right, I hope.

 

[Weldorthemagnificent]

The thing I hate about the drain in the trash can is that I didn’t think of it! Lol. Usually I give it a snort in gear and that swishes most of the water out. Good idea.


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[LDUBS]

Attempted to install downrigger mounts... but after putting it all together I realized I didn’t leave enough clearance for the plastic mount to be able to slide and lock in, about 2cm short

A lot of guys use a spacer made out of composite bender board or cutting board material to clear the gunnel. You might have to profile whatever you use for a spacer to obtain the right height. My gunnels were very similar to yours. Had those mounted using 3/4 phenolic. On my boat I set the height so they cleared the top of the gunnel by about 1/8".

Edit: I wanted to add if you want the riggers to set level, you will have to mill a spacer to allow for the angel of your hull. If you don't have one, enlist the aid of a buddy with a table saw, measure the angle, and away you go.

Your boat is really coming along.

 

[deadkitty]

Lol LDUBS, these are the ones you were so awesome to send me [emoji2] I am even using the spacers you sent with because they do fit the profile almost perfectly. I checked the spacing using just the arm bar piece installed and drilled away, only to realize the plastic sleeve that connects it to the downrigger held it just high enough that I couldn’t lock it into place. I need to place the inner piece just a tad higher and I’ll be good to go as the trout and kokes start heading deeper into the water column. Thanks again for those mounts, once I get ‘em installed properly they will work great!

 

[LDUBS]

Lol LDUBS, these are the ones you were so awesome to send me [emoji2] I am even using the spacers you sent with because they do fit the profile almost perfectly. I checked the spacing using just the arm bar piece installed and drilled away, only to realize the plastic sleeve that connects it to the downrigger held it just high enough that I couldn’t lock it into place. I need to place the inner piece just a tad higher and I’ll be good to go as the trout and kokes start heading deeper into the water column. Thanks again for those mounts, once I get ‘em installed properly they will work great!

Fantastic. I thought maybe they didn't fit. Glad it works out.

 

[deadkitty]

Wow, it’s been 2 years on the dot just about... whelp I’m back. I put my boat project on hold due to the fact I sold my tow vehicle. It’s amazing how unmotivated that can make someone to work on a boat they can’t take out. Anyway, I bought one of those Costco zodiak rafts to fish from for me and the kids, it was a fun lil’ boat, but a month ago I got a new tow vehicle, and yesterday I sold the zodiak. So I’m flush with project funds, and this shall be the summer I actually do some more work on the boat.

A few things while I was away.

I did finish installing the bow mount terrova, worked like a champ, pulled at about 3-3.5mph on the river, definitely enough for trolling.

I think I finally solved my over revving issue at wot. I was shopping new carbs on eBay and noticed a peculiar looking o-ring that came in the carb rebuild kit I used but was not present in my carb. I tore apart the carb and installed it. Unfortunately I sold my tow vehicle that week so I have yet to test it, but from what I’ve read I believe the missing o-ring was the main issue. Will find out later.

One major mishap over the last couple years, the boat cover failed and proceeded to fill the boat with a few hundred gallons of water. Worst damage was to the remote for my terrova
I will likely need to buy a new one as the inside corroded. It also drowned one of my batteries and I now seem to have a slow leak where the battery corroded. I will seal it up when I do a gluv it pass before painting.

 

[deadkitty]

Picked up a long list of supplies over the last couple weeks.

Plastic storage bins - 3 for storage, 1 for livewell
2x bilge pumps, one with auto switch
1x livewell pump
8 switch panel
120ft 1/8” 1.25x1.25 aluminum angle
4 sheets of foam board (3x 2” and 1x 1”) from the Home Depot damage bin for $30!
New front roller and mount to replace the rusted out one on my trailer.
2x 2x4s, bunk carpet, mounts to replace rusted out ones on the trailer
8x blue LED lights
Red/green bow light
2x new group 27 marine batteries for my trolling motor
New LED lights for the trailer
4x pin mounts for seats
2x seat pins

Getting everything ready, now it’ll just be a matter of good weather+time to put some work in.

Supplies left to buy:
1/2” plywood for decking and flooring
1/4” plywood for sidewalls
Paint
More Spar urethane
Tubing for livewell plumbing


I can visualize what it’s going to be, excited to see how well I can execute.

 

[richg99]

Sounds good. Be sure that you do NOT use any treated lumber.

 

[deadkitty]

Welp the sun came out and I’ve got some time this week to put some work in.

Pulled the motor off and started checking it out make sure everything looked good. Found a new resident and her 2 children : /

Scooped em up into a cage, the kids are enjoying watching them. I will eventually drive off into the woods and let them go.
Luckily all the wiring and everything looked untouched, will buy some gas soon and fire it up, hopefully not to many hiccups from sitting the last couple years.

Next I checked out the damage done to my terrova remote when the boat flooded out with the battery in there. It’s a gen 1, and as I’ve read the rubber on the remote is garbage, it had already worn out. But basically it works, except the plastic piece that actually presses the turn clockwise button down had corroded apart. Aaaand after looking online and calling minnkota it’s the one part they don’t sell separately. Hopped onto eBay and ordered a new remote : /

Onto the boat....
Gave it a quick pressure wash to get all the surface dirt flushed out. Then took out the cutting wheel and commenced with bench removal, the rusted out bolts proved to make it harder than I thought it would be. But eventually they started surrendering.

Also started playing with my new Raymarine element 7hv once the sun went down, can’t wait to hit the water and see how it performs in the real world compared to my old helix 5 si.

Next up this week.. (hopefully, fingers crossed)
Pull out the last bench
Paint the inside of the hull
Start installing the aluminum framing

 

[richg99]

It seems to me that I read that when you are starting an engine that hasn't run in a long while, that a shot of oil down the cylinders is called for. It make sense in that the cylinders won't get any oil until she fires up..and they would be cranking dry.

Check this video out before starting it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBdqv_KL0XI

 

[deadkitty]

Thanks, I will definitely follow that advice


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[deadkitty]

Welp for how many hours it took, seems like a small update.

Prepped and painted the inside today
Let out the smoke on one of those $10 grinders from harbor freight, good thing I own 4.
Next up framing

 

[A Perfect Tin]

Looking good.

Stay at it- you’ll enjoy when it’s finished.

- A Perfect Tin

 

[deadkitty]

Slow and steady. Put some of the framing in. Pulled the boat off the trailer.
Sealed small leak and most rivets with coat it. Painted the bottom.

 

[deadkitty]

Still cranking away...

Gave some lovin to the trailer


Replaced the rotted out bunks on the trailer

Replaced rotted roller
(Forgot to snap a pic once bolted but you get the idea)

Added a bow stop

Finally finished my transom, Installed transom cap, corner caps, diamond plate backplate. Everything will get a coat of paint eventually.

Added in the floor framing

Work in progress cutting the deck plywood

Hopefully more to come next week...

 

[deadkitty]

It’s alive! Muhahaha! 2 years and she started right up, I did fill the cylinders with sea foam for a few days, but other than that, it’s good to go. Will take for a water test later this week.

 

[deadkitty]

Progress

 

[deadkitty]

Framing just about complete. Next up to finish cutting up the decks for hatches and seat mounts, as well as build the console for all the electronics.

 

[benjineer]

Looking good. Go ahead and sell that 25 and start looking for at least a 40 with power t&t, LOL! I went from 20, to 25, to 50. Once I'm done with all the latest mods I may be looking for a 60 e-tec or similar.

 

[Neubanksc5]

Any details/close up photos you can share on your floor framing? I like it!