first boat and restoration

[Hites87]

Hello to all been creeping on the forum but never really posted. I got my first boat last spring from the original owner its a 1966 Duo X15 (I believe) with a 1966 merc 500. I ran her all last summer she did fairly well forr her self. So the other day I got her out of storage and decided that the floor was just too mushy for my comfort so I took it out. Then took a look at the stringers or at least what used to be stringers. Pulled those out as well. So tomorrow I will be starting the sanding process I have already acquired resin and fiber glass mat but im having trouble locating a windshield. I have a couple of questions first of all with me and my gf in the boat in calm water so about 250 additional lbs I could only get her to about 20mph is that right it has a 3 blade prop on her now. I tried to take the kids tubing and it worked for them but when I tried to pull my gf about 100lbs I couldnt get her to plane out. Is that seem right for a 50hp motor or is something incorrect mind you im sure the stringers being fully rotted didnt help but I have no tach but she was running pretty rpms and smooth I did check compression and if recall correctly it had around 120 psi dry in all cylinder well at least they were within 1 or 2 psi of each other. But if anyone has any advice id love any help I can get. Thanks
Alex

 

[coolbri70]

Re: first boat and restoration

show some pics, if the floor, stringers are rotten, you should also investigate the transom, as it is likely rot too. wanted to add, flotation foam, it may be wet, may not feel wet on top and still be soaked thru, maybe 3 or 500 pounds of water in it.

 

[Hites87]

Re: first boat and restoration

That was another question I should have asked when I removed the floor there was no foam any where. The transom was replaced by the previous owner and he also added a .25 in stainless plate across the outside of the transom and the bolts holding the plate have 6 inch square .25 inch plates on the inside, it seems very solid. I will add pics tomorrow as of right now I do not have any sorry.

 

[coolbri70]

Re: first boat and restoration

thats ok, the foam is a good idea, it will help you rescue the boat if you should sink. the transom i asked because it can be very dangerous if rotten. i thought worst it could do was fall off and sink the boat, then i read where people hit a log, or skeg the bottom and the motor flips over the transom into the passenger compartment spinning prop first the performance questions, if prop related, you may get more answers posting in the props section.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: first boat and restoration

A good strong running Merc 500 'should' be plenty to get a 15'+/- fiberglass boat moving pretty well, above 20mph? Maybe, maybe not. Is there any unbalance or damage to the blade. Slight bent edges & dings along the forward edge can affect performance.

Are you getting full wide open throttle (WOT)?

Does the transom height & motor length match:


I suspect your motor doesn't have electric tilt/trim, so have you adjusted the manual trim pin to trim the motor in or out?

As a 1966, your boat probably doesn't have flotation foam (wasn't required until 1973+/-, but there were some early adopters). W/ a soft floor & water logged stringers, you could easily be hauling a bunch of water weight, that would hamper performance.

Be sure to thoroughly inspect the transom, it's of primary importance:


You did build a cradle to fully support the hull before you removed the deck & stringers, correct?

Is this your X-15:

From here. Shows a hp range of 18-50hp, so your Merc500 should have done fairly well.

 

[Hites87]

Re: first boat and restoration

Ok lots of info ... yes the boat pictured is my x15 mine is red. I have adjusted the trim pin and gotten it to the best spot I can find as for the prop I believe its a 13 pitch 3 blade and as for condition not perfect but not too bad I will take all kinds of pics tomorrow and as for a cradle I was told I did not have to vuild one if I was leaving it on the trailer and not removing the top. I have gotten all the water out of the hull with box fans and a shop vac. I will check out the transom alot more tomorrow and get plebty of pics of it and post them. The boat Iis in my dads shop or I would go out and take them now. Thank you for all the help its much appreciated pkease keep it coming. Thank you
Alex

 

[ezmobee]

Re: first boat and restoration

You should be good without a cradle with the cap still on and the boat on the trailer. My last boat had a hard core reinforced rotted transom. It was certainly solid and not going anywhere but the issue was everything bolted through it leaked. I replaced it and solved my water intrusion issues.

 

[Hites87]

Re: first boat and restoration

 

[Hites87]

Re: first boat and restoration

What can I run for lower unit fluid I believe it low but If anyone has advice on how to fill it that would be appreciated as well

 

[Hites87]

Re: first boat and restoration

Bump

 

[ezmobee]

Re: first boat and restoration

They sell gear lube at Wal-Mart specifically for outboard lower units and it works fine. There should be a fill and a vent screw. You fill from the lower hole till it comes out the top. They're are typically gaskets on the screws that should be replaced every time they are removed.

 

[Hites87]

Re: first boat and restoration

Ok awsome thanks does anyone have any input on the prop if it looks rough . Or not I will also create a thread Iin the props section now that I have pictures thanks

 

[matt167]

Re: first boat and restoration

EDIT: EZmobee answered first


to answer about the prop. It can most likely be refinished.. Props are not that hard to come by. There is someone on the Glen-L forums with NOS Mercury props for $40+ $25 shipping IIRC. He has several pitches and diamaters

 

[Hites87]

Re: first boat and restoration

Is it the gear lube I just found at walmart it says quicksilver marine gear lube

 

[matt167]

Re: first boat and restoration

Yep, that will be exactly what Mercury originally spec'd for that motor. You do not need the high performance as it's only needed for motors 75HP+

heres a good video to watch. How to change outboard lower unit oil. - YouTube

 

[Hites87]

Re: first boat and restoration

Ok awesome thank you very much on towatching the video

 

[Hites87]

Re: first boat and restoration

With the prop im having alot of problems finding one with 11 splines like mine at least I think its 11

 

[Hites87]

Re: first boat and restoration

Never mind from the forum u gave me it says it is 13 I forgot to count before I came hone from the shop

 

[Hites87]

Re: first boat and restoration

Nope like o thought its an 11

 

[coolbri70]

Re: first boat and restoration

is the props hub spun or something? i see no dents or cracks, if you are worried about the looks, polish or paint it. i would run it with that prop, take note of your load, rpms, speed, then you can decide what prop to buy for optimum performance. since you havnt tried it yet, you dont know, you may want a different pitch