Mirrocraft 12’

[TMAG]

I acquired a forgotten 1966 Mirrocraft 12 aluminum boat. Obviously used and left to weather for years but structurally sound.
I plan to clean & restore it to a useful lake worthy boat. The previous owner saved the id plate but the plastic emblems and one oar bracket is missing.
The exterior paint was stripped from the hull so i am going to see if i can get a decent buff finish and paint if it does not turn out. The interior i will re paint with zolatone if i can locate a paint pot.
Any suggestions on boat salvage yard(s) that may have parts?
I saw a photo of a 12’ Starcraft boat that was supprisingly similar but understsnd they were not related. I say this thinking that the oar brackets may be similar.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Oar brackets are probably generic catalog items if the were not made in-house

However at mirror, they did aluminum stamping, casting, etc, so they probably made them in house

eBay may be a good place to look

 

[TMAG]

Mirrocraft has a top rail that requires a specific shaped bracket.
Nowhere to be found (yet). Still looking. I am not able to post photos yet but will when i am approved.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Grew up with mirro boats. Mom worked there for many decades

We are currently having server issues that are preventing anyone from posting pictures

 

[TMAG]

Im new to aluminum boats……my 66’ mirrrocraft looks alot like a 69’ starcraft.
Do you know if these guys made parts for one another?
T.

 

[Scott Danforth]

All aluminum boats of that era look alike. They were competitors

 

[TMAG]

Been cleaning and sanding my hull getting it ready to polish. The transom board was rotten and left a bit of residue after it was removed by the previous owner. I had looked over the exterior of the transom and could not find the HID. After cleaning the debris a HID was visible inside the transom. When i pulled out my data plate the two numbers do not match. Both are the correct Model/year but the two #s are way off. The transom must have been replaced……Calif requires small boats to be registered. Will be interesting to see how they regard the discrepancy.
I think i will leave the data plate at home when i go to the dept of motor vehicles…..,

 

[Scott Danforth]

Boat earlier than 1972 have serial numbers which would be on the tag

They do not have HINs on the hull

 

[TMAG]

It your statement an absolute that none have?
The HID i found stamped into the hull does not look home made…….
Sorry cant post pictures yet.

 

[TMAG]

According to our dept of motor vehicles. It was in 1972 that a uniform identification number was required on all boats.

 

[Scott Danforth]

It could be a state assigned HIN from a registration in the past 50 years.

However a 1966 mirro craft would have a serial number tag from the factory

HINs were not made until 1972

 

[Scott Danforth]

The factory tag would look similar to this

https://garzonstudio.com/media/catalog/product/cache/59459228875d6cf9fada9a2c32eb4717/w/-/w-mirro-craft-14-boat-capacity-decal-1960s-plate-sticker.png

 

[TMAG]

ok i get what you are saying-maybe i mis spoke. So a “HID” is the uniform number system which began in 1972?
The stamped number on my hull is a factory serial number F32-xxx……

 

[TMAG]

Yup. I have a data tag that has F32-xxxx and my stamped number is F32-xxx
Both are correct prefixs for a 1966 12’ MirroCraft
Will call MirroCraft monday to see what their take is.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Will call MirroCraft monday to see what their take is.

Doubt you will get an answer. The company name was sold about 4 times since 1966

 

[TMAG]

So as others read this to correct one of the previous post. MirroCraft did respond and stated it was not uncommon for the ID number to be stamped on the transom. A tag data tag was attached to the port side of the wood transom board with ratings-capacity's and the model-ID number. In my case the F32-xxx identifies a 1966 model 3632 12’ narrow “car top” boat. The numbers prior to 1972 varied from mfg to mfg. from 1972 on boat mfgs were required to use a uniform HID number which identified the Mfg, year, & serial #.
Digging into the historical info is always fun.

 

[TMAG]

Hopefully, soon i can add photos…..
I found a company in Texas to reproduce the data tag. Pretty slick with a 98% match. The tag will reflect the correct hull number. Polishing wheels & Rouge should be here soon…….still looking for original oar brackets.

 

[cyclops222]

Do you have any idea what a BLINDING and constantly annoying reflection polished Aluminum is ??? I do. I removed the Aluminum mirror reflecting constantly on sunny days.
I love the NO NO cleaning, waxing or polishing of the boats.

 

[TMAG]

The outfit i located on the internet reproduced the data tag and stamped the correct HIN on it. Side by side with the original it is 85%+ accurate….I had to look close to spot any differences. Pretty pricey but completes the boat reconditioning.
I replaced the aluminum seats with maple adding the foam from the original seats to the wood seats. Still missing one oar bracket. I opted not to use the commercially available samples, will hold out for an original one or pair.
Hope to repaint the inside with Zolatone if i can find a spray pot, for now the original paint is holding up.
Otherwise she is ready for our next weekend lake outing. The little Eninrude 6 runs well, it is a clean - low time motor from the 80s.
Using 2 - 22” wheel chair wheels i make a dolly to roll the boat around the yard and at the boat launch. Since we will take the boat with out RV I also made a rack for my pickup to load the boat onto, it has 4 12” rollers on top and a HF 12v winch with a remote to assist lifting it up. Albeit only weighs 130 lbs my wife had trouble assisting, told her to go to the gym……..she suggested the winch.
In expensive and works surprising well.

Hope the site owners get their end fixed so photos can be uploaded.