1960 MFG Niagara Custom Fixer Upper

Ok here it is. 1960 MFG niagara with a 1960 40hp Johnson SuperSeahorse. As normal for older boats it needs a little work. The motor worked fine when i took it out for the first test run. Gel coat needs a good scrubbing and polishing. No carpet so I need to do that as well, any tips on cheap boat carpet would be great. All of the wiring is working. Could use hull paint, and new windshield. Seats are brand new 4 swivels. Not a bad deal with boat motor and trailor for the 350. Trailor is dam near perfect. Any tips on restoring this bad boy would really help. Mainly the carpet and windshield. Gauges would be a plus but the old ones work. Want to use this boat for fishing and tubing. Thanks

Re: 1960 MFG Niagara Custom Fixer Upper

Biggwaukegan, welcome to iboats.
Let's get this to the boat restoration forum for more answers.
Again, welcome aboard.

Re: 1960 MFG Niagara Custom Fixer Upper

use something else besides carpet. if only non skid paint.

Re: 1960 MFG Niagara Custom Fixer Upper

Wow! Another MFG owner. Welcome to iboats. You are the third new MFG owner I've seen this year. Don't forget to post a pic in the MFG formum.

I would skip the carpet. The floor should have a molded in non-skid surface. Just fill any holes left from the original seats and have a nice hose out floor. If it needs sprucing up, maybe a coat of deck paint or colored bed liner would be in order.

I can tell you this: my carpet will come out when it gets worn, and no carpet will go back in. It gets stinky, holds sand, and wears out.

If you haven't checked out my MFG project in my signature links, take a look, might be some useful info for your project.

Good luck,

Mark

Re: 1960 MFG Niagara Custom Fixer Upper

Mark42 is also the expert on polishing old gelcoat to like new luster, his technique is documented at: http://www.fiberglassics.com/mfg/restoring_glossgelcoat.htm

if you can not polish up your existing windshield using kits like this:http://www.sisweb.com/micromesh/acrylic_plastic_hand_kits.htm

Them you can consider replacing it, again another mark42 article,
Windshield replacement with Lexan:
http://www.fiberglassics.com/mfg/windshield_repair.htm
http://www.shareaproject.com/pages/projectTut,p,68,00.html

For that seahorse start reading Max Wawrzyniak's Obsolete Outboards column: http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/07/columns/max/articles.htm

Max's stuff is also published as a book, fantastic reading for ALL outboard owners: http://www.duckworksbbs.com/media/books/cheap/index.htm

You can 'blog' your project for FREE at www.shareaproject.com and its also a great way to store pictures to link with forum posts.

To keep that 'perfect' trailer get bearing buddies, and depending on age you might need the seal kit as well. Http://www.bearingbuddy.com/spindle_seal.html

Good luck..