Hello,
I have inherited (after being passed around to other family members) my grandfather's 1977 Mirrocraft V-hull with a 1982 25-hp Evinrude tiller motor. The boat has 3 bench seats and a bow step. The original transom rotted out a few years ago and was replaced with a pressure-treated 2X. I brought the boat into my shop to get the transom replaced. The front seat has curved down in the back for a number of years. I just thought the aluminum had stretched/ bent, but after further inspection, I realized the seat has 3 wooden supports and the back one has rotted. The side panels that protect the foam have also rusted significantly.
So I have removed the transom and there is some corrosion underneath but it doesn't seem too bad. And I have torn the front seat apart. The wooden supports look like basic pine boards. I am surprised they have lasted this long. There are also some cracks in the support bracket connected to the boat that will need to be welded.
I want to repair this as best and permanently as possible and was hoping to get some good advice, so here are some questions.
For the transom, I was thinking of replacing it with an aluminum one. Is Tiny Boat Nation the best source? Other suppliers?
What is the best way to clean up the corrosion? wire brush, vinegar, or other acid product (Lowe's has a Klean Strip concrete and metal prep product)?
For the seat, the boards are 3/4 X 2 1/4 inch. The only aluminum tubing I see that might work is 3/4 X 1 1/2 inches. Would this work or does it need to be wood? Any good suppliers for the aluminum tubing? Prices are all over the place for the long stuff.
I'm going to check with my local sheet metal fabricator to see what my options are about replacing the sides.
Thanks for your help,
Rob
I have inherited (after being passed around to other family members) my grandfather's 1977 Mirrocraft V-hull with a 1982 25-hp Evinrude tiller motor. The boat has 3 bench seats and a bow step. The original transom rotted out a few years ago and was replaced with a pressure-treated 2X. I brought the boat into my shop to get the transom replaced. The front seat has curved down in the back for a number of years. I just thought the aluminum had stretched/ bent, but after further inspection, I realized the seat has 3 wooden supports and the back one has rotted. The side panels that protect the foam have also rusted significantly.
So I have removed the transom and there is some corrosion underneath but it doesn't seem too bad. And I have torn the front seat apart. The wooden supports look like basic pine boards. I am surprised they have lasted this long. There are also some cracks in the support bracket connected to the boat that will need to be welded.
I want to repair this as best and permanently as possible and was hoping to get some good advice, so here are some questions.
For the transom, I was thinking of replacing it with an aluminum one. Is Tiny Boat Nation the best source? Other suppliers?
What is the best way to clean up the corrosion? wire brush, vinegar, or other acid product (Lowe's has a Klean Strip concrete and metal prep product)?
For the seat, the boards are 3/4 X 2 1/4 inch. The only aluminum tubing I see that might work is 3/4 X 1 1/2 inches. Would this work or does it need to be wood? Any good suppliers for the aluminum tubing? Prices are all over the place for the long stuff.
I'm going to check with my local sheet metal fabricator to see what my options are about replacing the sides.
Thanks for your help,
Rob
