1997 Mirrocraft 18' aluminum fish n ski

[BWR1953]

Well, I've started the process of removing the XR6 from the donor boat. Got a little done yesterday morning, then got everything disconnected from the engine except one stubborn cable on the dual steering setup. Ugh.

My buddy is supposed to come over this evening to have a look.

 

[BWR1953]

In addition to the XR6 stuff, we pulled the existing Minn Kota 42 lb. trolling motor off the MC, tested it and then set it aside for possible sale.

The plan is to swap the MotorGuide 67 lb. unit from the donor to the MC. However, the MG unit is only a 40" shaft, while the MK is 48 inches. I'll have to do some more research on this one.



Minn Kota 48 inches long, 42 lb thrust.


MotorGuide 67 inches long, 67 lbs. thrust

 

[BWR1953]

My buddy stopped by and was here and gone in 5 minutes.

It's amazing how fast you can get the cables out when you use an angle grinder with a cutoff wheel!





The last item I have to deal with before I can pull the engine is this little line/tube/wire. I'm guessing it's the water tube for the speedo. It comes up from inside the lower unit and over the clamp and then into the boat. What say y'all?

 

[redneck joe]

You can extend the shift. I have a 60 inch in my garage to swap for the 42 inch. Lots of videos on it.

 

[Gibbles]

I bet its like a mercruiser.
There should be a little hole in the forward facing edge of the lower unit.
Probably a quick disconnect for that hose too.

That forward facing hole likes to get plugged up with crud, a little drill bit by hand should be enough to clear it out if it won't pass air.

 

[BWR1953]

I cut the tube this morning and it's just a water hose for the speedo, as I'd suspected.

Got the engine and jack plate off a little while ago. Pix to follow!

 

[BWR1953]

Pix as promised. Getting the engine off was routine and relatively painless.




The Hi-Jacker manual jack plate. I may replace it with a hydraulic or electric unit later. I'll use the manual unit for awhile and see how it goes.





That transom was wrecked. I sent the pic to the PO this afternoon and he said that on his final trip, that he had to run the bilge pump every 5 minutes.


The bolt pattern on the MC is BIA standard, so the jack plate and engine will bolt right up. Nothing is mounted yet, we just hung the jack plates on for the pix.

 

[BWR1953]

We got the donor completely stripped today. It goes to the dump tomorrow.



The steering wheel was in the way, so it was hacked.








We siphoned the fuel out using the existing lines & bulb.

 

[BWR1953]

Got the fuel tank out.
"I don't know how I did it, but I did it. It was hard."

 

[cyclops222]

Like it never happened ? Very nice work.

 

[BWR1953]

Guys, I'm back!

I've had a very busy and productive week, all of it boat stuff.

This week I stripped stuff, sold stuff, removed stuff, added stuff and trashed stuff!

Here's a little video showing how the week went.

 

[BWR1953]

Here's the MC sitting over at my buddy's place, awaiting final trailer adjustment to fit the boat. Hopefully it'll get done soon.

 

[BWR1953]

Been doing still more boat stuff. Keeping busy!

After swapping the trailers, I put the old rusty one up for sale, along with the Minn Kota trolling motor that came with the MC. They sold fast! I guess I should have asked for more money!

This morning I gave away the 32 gallon fuel tank that came from the donor boat. Man, that thing wasn't listed for 2 minutes before it was gone.

This evening I used the proceeds from the trailer and TM sale to buy another Power Pole Micro to add to the MC. The pair should work out well.

Still waiting for my buddy to do the welding stuff on the trailer. Once that's done I'll mount the engine, then return the boat to him to rig for me. After the engine is rigged, I'll mount the Micro's and figure out how to install the seats.

Progress ongoing...

 

[Gibbles]

At this rate, you will probably hit the water before me!

 

[BWR1953]

At this rate, you will probably hit the water before me!

Well, I did start with a working boat. I just had to make it non-working and then go from there.

 

[BWR1953]

Ya know what's weird? I've had this boat for 3 months now and I really haven't spent any time with it, other than working on the project stuff.

I haven't even cleaned the inside since I purchased the thing. Odd.

This afternoon I went over and climbed into the helm seat for the first time in order to check out the steering wheel setup. I was seeing if I needed a tilt wheel as a replacement. Nope.

I didn't even have time to sit and make Vroom-vroom noises!

Today I did order a new steering system for it, but it'll take over a week for everything to arrive. Delays, delays.

Once my buddy finishes the trailer fitment, I'll bring it back home and we'll install the jackplate, engine and throttle. Then we'll return it to him for rigging the steering and engine.

 

[Gibbles]

I never cleaned anything in the islander until I started ripping the carpet out.

 

[Gibbles]

Actually, I'm wrong, I did clean the hull and the vinyl.
never mind!

 

[airshot]

Ya know what's weird? I've had this boat for 3 months now and I really haven't spent any time with it, other than working on the project stuff.

I haven't even cleaned the inside since I purchased the thing. Odd.

This afternoon I went over and climbed into the helm seat for the first time in order to check out the steering wheel setup. I was seeing if I needed a tilt wheel as a replacement. Nope.

I didn't even have time to sit and make Vroom-vroom noises!

Today I did order a new steering system for it, but it'll take over a week for everything to arrive. Delays, delays.

Once my buddy finishes the trailer fitment, I'll bring it back home and we'll install the jackplate, engine and throttle. Then we'll return it to him for rigging the steering and engine.

When a boat owner does not have time to sit at the helm and make motor noises, they have some serious issues !! Get help quickly, a couple good vroom..vrooms can make anyone feel better !!

 

[BWR1953]

When a boat owner does not have time to sit at the helm and make motor noises, they have some serious issues !! Get help quickly, a couple good vroom..vrooms can make anyone feel better !!

I know, right? So sad.