1960 Mirrocraft project. Don't know where to start??

[retrosoul]

HELP! I am 23 years old and just bought my first boat. It's a 1960 16' Mirrocraft runabout with the original 1960 Evinrude Sarflight 50hp.


That trailer needs a lot of work, but that's another project. The windshield is old... very old... plexiglass and I am gonna try and polish it with a headlight restoring kit but I plan on replacing it with glass down the line. The motor runs fine and the hull is in pretty good shape. I want to paint it and completely redo the interior.


The wood in the transom is rotten and needs to be replaced. The plywood in the floor is solid for the most part but needs to be replaced as well. The bench seat is fairly new but I will have to build a back bench seat as well and I have no idea how to go about arranging that. The dashboard is a little flimsy being just aluminum I would like to reinforce that some how maybe with plywood behind it. Also, being that I am 6'4" I would like to raise the steering wheel or tilt it up some how.

If any of you nice, knowledgable people have any idea where I should start, what is more urgent and what materials I should use PLEASE HELP. I have been around boats my whole life but I have 0 experience in restoring them. Also, if anyone knows anything about the history of this boat that would be pretty awesome too.

all the best,
Dave

 

[59 Fatty]

Re: 1960 Mirrocraft project. Don't know where to start??

Hi Dave, welcome to iboats. You will find a lot of help here. I believe that Evinrude is a 50 HP? I have a Johnny 1959 fat 50. I think inside they are identical. You can see my motor on my flickr stream. If you need to know anything about the motor, I can help you, and so can the other guys here. Good luck, never give up!
David

 

[jigngrub]

Re: 1960 Mirrocraft project. Don't know where to start??

Start dismantling your boat from the top down and take lots of pictures while you do it.

Use a good exterior grade plywood for the transom and decking, ABX, ACX, BCX, or if you can find it MDO plywood. Do NOT use pressure treated plywood in an aluminum boat.

Put your boat back together from the bottom up.


Spend some time reading the other aluminum boat restorations in this forum before you start your own project and you'll get a real good idea of what you're going to need to do.

 

[greenbush future]

Re: 1960 Mirrocraft project. Don't know where to start??

Love the 60's styled boats, yours included. Looks like a nice suspect for rebuilding. I love the sand blasted windshield, is it really that cloudy or does it just need defrosting?

 

[retrosoul]

Re: 1960 Mirrocraft project. Don't know where to start??

Start dismantling your boat from the top down and take lots of pictures while you do it.

Use a good exterior grade plywood for the transom and decking, ABX, ACX, BCX, or if you can find it MDO plywood. Do NOT use pressure treated plywood in an aluminum boat.

Put your boat back together from the bottom up.


Spend some time reading the other aluminum boat restorations in this forum before you start your own project and you'll get a real good idea of what you're going to need to do.

Awesome. Thanks for the advice. Assuming I can get any of those which one would you recommend as the best choice for the deck as far as long lasting and structurally sound? Thanks.

 

[retrosoul]

Re: 1960 Mirrocraft project. Don't know where to start??

Love the 60's styled boats, yours included. Looks like a nice suspect for rebuilding. I love the sand blasted windshield, is it really that cloudy or does it just need defrosting?

No it's not frost. lol that's all dirt and scratches and grime on that windshield.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1960 Mirrocraft project. Don't know where to start??

This should help you with restoring that windshield. First give her a good bath with some hot Ammonia Water!!!!

How to Restore an Old Boat Windshield

 

[kfa4303]

Re: 1960 Mirrocraft project. Don't know where to start??

HI retro. Welcome to iboats. Cool new toy you've got there. These old aluminum boats (tinnies) are super easy to work on. Just a few rules to remember; Never use pressure treated wood, as stated earlier. Most folks find 2 layers of 3/4" plywood to be plenty for a transom and a single layer is plenty for any decks or benches. Instead, use non-pressure treated plywood and seal it. 2-part spreadable epoxy is best, but a pit pricey and often has to be ordered unless you live near a West Marine store. However, lots of folks use several coats Spar Urethane/Varnish or exterior paint and get very good results as well. You'll then need to mount it to the hull using stainless steel hardware. Use a bit of 3M 5200 on any through-hull pieces as well. You can use 2" x 2" non-pt wood, or aluminum angle for structural support as well. That's really about it. You can get everything, except the epoxy, from Lowes/HD.
Here's a great link that can familiarize you with your "big twin" motor as well. you can get any routine parts you may need for it right here at iboats.

Reviving a Vintage Big Twin - Part 1
1960 Evinrude 35521 40 hp Outboard Motor Parts

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1960 Mirrocraft project. Don't know where to start??

If you can get MDO, I'd use it 1st. I can get that via special order from either HD/Lowes.

Their ACX here is real carp, and Auraco isn't readily available anywhere close to the house. And I've only seen it once, 4hrs +/- from here.

MDO is NOT MDF (the carp knock-down furniture is made from: medium density fiberboard)

 

[classiccat]

Re: 1960 Mirrocraft project. Don't know where to start??

Welcome...AWESOME boat! Very unique and from what I've seen so far, appears to be in good condition for its age.

^^ great advice from the top tin-brass!

take alot of pics as you tear it down....and share them with us

 

[bonz_d]

Re: 1960 Mirrocraft project. Don't know where to start??

Looking at your pictures I'm sorry but have to ask. Are you sure that is a Mirro? Looks to me more like an Alumacraft. As I recall every Mirrocraft I've ever seen has a lapstrake design freeboard. Just like the Starcrafts.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1960 Mirrocraft project. Don't know where to start??

Not much to go on, by the FG library has some 1960 Mirro Craft brochures, none had lapstrakes:

The 61's did have lapstrakes.....

 

[retrosoul]

Re: 1960 Mirrocraft project. Don't know where to start??

Looking at your pictures I'm sorry but have to ask. Are you sure that is a Mirro? Looks to me more like an Alumacraft. As I recall every Mirrocraft I've ever seen has a lapstrake design freeboard. Just like the Starcrafts.

That is true. A lot of the images of 60's mirrocrafts i have found online have that fake wooden style design. Personally, I don't know anything about them except that the Title says Mirrocraft. There isn't an indicator on the boat as to the make. But there is a picture on the Mirrocraft website in the owner's gallery of a boat that looks exactly like mine.
MirroCraft : Owners Gallerys

It looks like the one in the brochure posted by jbcurt00.

This one is already restored but I plan on arranging mine a little differently. I don't like the rear facing seats, they just aren't comfortable at speed so I plan to install a forward facing rear bench seat in mine. I like the two-tone red and white but I think I am gonna go with a solid like mine is now but a different color.

Wealth of information guys, thanks so much.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: 1960 Mirrocraft project. Don't know where to start??

Very nice! Learned something new. Seen many a Mirro here in Wisconsin but have never seen that one.

 

[59 Fatty]

Re: 1960 Mirrocraft project. Don't know where to start??

Retro, I think the engine is 1959. Here is a link to some awesome parts contacts.
Johnson Evinrude Outboard Motor Parts by Year 1955 to 2011
ENGINE PARTS AND PRODUCTS
Water Pump Impeller - OMC Johnson Evinrude 35 to 55 hp - 1958 to 1978

 

[retrosoul]

Re: 1960 Mirrocraft project. Don't know where to start??

Thanks for all the help guys! I special ordered some MDO and two-part epoxy; come Thanksgiving I will start ripping this thing up! (Gently of course).. I'm sure I will have more questions so I will take a lot of pictures to post on here.

I'm thinking it will be easiest to paint the hull once I have all of the weight of the wood out of the boat. Then I can remove the windshield and turn it over with some help. Then I can paint the hull and slather the MDO in epoxy all at the same time. Any thoughts on that plan of attack? Once the paint is done I can turn her back over in install the new deck and transom.

Also, what is the best primer and paint for an aluminum hull? And does anyone have any idea how to go about polishing the bare aluminum trim?

Thanks again guys. With your knowledge this task seems much less daunting.
Dave

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1960 Mirrocraft project. Don't know where to start??

Mothers Aluminum and Mag polish will work wonders on the aluminum trim pieces.

This link has a lot of good Paint info..."Paint Your Boat for Under $100 Bucks...Well Almost"

 

[retrosoul]

Re: 1960 Mirrocraft project. Don't know where to start??

Hey guys! In my immediate goal of getting the boat to run, a recent opportunity has arisen in which I can switch my Evinrude with a 1970's 80hp Johnson Super Sea Horse for the same cost to me as getting the Evinrude to run. Newer motor, but still vintage look, more horse power (the boat is rated at 85) and possibly better fuel economy with the newer motor design I'm hoping?

I will post some pictures of the Johnson tomorrow. Any thoughts or insights to compare these two options? Be my voice of reason! I'm too excited by all of this..

Thanks,
David

 

[retrosoul]

Re: 1960 Mirrocraft project. Don't know where to start??

Please see previous post for context. This is a bad angle to see the motor, but I'm picking the motor off of this rig for a good deal.


It is a 1970 17' Alumacraft. The condition of which, I have no clue. It's fiberglass and the upholstery is all been to hell an' back. Does anyone know if I can use any other parts from this boat?

 

[bonz_d]

Re: 1960 Mirrocraft project. Don't know where to start??

Is that 80hp an electric shift or mechanical shift?

Seriously, if I were to make an engine change here I think I'd be looking for a late 70's or newer 3 cylinder OMC. One reason, for the weight savings and better fuel economy of the 3 cylinder vs that V4. On that hull I don't think you'd realize much performance difference with 10 less hp.

I recently aquired a 16' Alumacraft that is rated for 75hp and I have a 60hp 2 cylinder Johnson on it and to be honest I would be frightened to have a 75hp on it. The 60hp pushes it as fast as I want to go.