Boat id??

[Rebil79]

So I just bought a little 12' alm boat from an old lady. She said, and had it registered as a 1965 mirrocraft. On the side of the boat it looks like there was an old sticker that said meyers, but cant really make it out. There is no tag anywhere and I didnt see any serial numbers or anything. From what I can tell by looking on the web it does appear to be a Meyers Laker. Another thing, and maybe this is because its old, but the drain plug is on the bottom of the boat.

Can anyone possibly tell from these pictures??

Thanks









Rebil

 

[roscoe]

Re: Boat id??

Welcome to iboats.

We had that very same boat for 50 years. My dad bought it used in 1963.
I sold it to a work buddy last year.

It is indeed a Meyers.
It also looks like it has the original transom wood on both the inside and out.

I think the boat was rated for 8 or 10 hp.
We had a 7.5 on it, then more recently a 5 hp.

The drain on the bottom:
Was designed that way so that while you were cruising along, you could remove the plug and the venturi effect of the water moving past the hull would suck any water out of the hole.

It uses a small 1/2" or 3/4" plug, and dad was always knocking it loose with his foot while fishing. So he plugged the hole with a screw in pipe plug and JB Welded it in place. It never leaked in 30 years.
You had to scoop rain water out, or turn the boat over, but that was better than knocking the plug out.

back in 1986, ours was picked up by a tornado and tossed over the top of a full sized dairy barn, and 200 yards out into a field. Never leaked.

A tough little boat, kind of tippy, but we would take our family of 4 out in it.


click to enlarge:


I wouldn't try changing the name on the registration, as it may open up a can of worms for you.

Just leave it as a mirrocraft.

 

[Rebil79]

Re: Boat id??

Hey, thanks. Do you remember the weight rating? I assume it is to old for serial numbers? I do plan on leaving the registration as is. Im gonna be fixing up an old trailer my brother had for when I want to use a 9.9. I dont want to have to be lugging that and mounting that by hand all the time.

Thanks again


Rebil

 

[etracer68]

Re: Boat id??

That boat with a 9.9hp, plus 200lb person, and 6 gal fuel, plus gear, and maybe another 200lb person in the bow area. Thats about it. I would also try, and put the fuel tank in the middle. You can also plug the drain hole as roscoe did, and put another one at the bottom of the transom. Those are good little row boats, for sitting, and not standing, and moving around alot. Not that you cant stand, but you will get the idea, first time out.

 

[Rebil79]

Re: Boat id??

Im actually looking for a 6 or under for it, I just have the use of a couple 9.9. I dont plan on standing up much, but I am thinking about some decks but not sure yet.



Rebil

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Boat id??

That one brings back memories! A friend and I used one on a lake. It was one of several rentals but the owner never charged us. We were too young to rent anything. The owner had an old motor-- Sears I think-- maybe 5 hp or so. It was aluminum and had no markings but the fuel tank was bullet shaped attached to both sides of the motor.

 

[etracer68]

Re: Boat id??

I use a 3gal fuel tank on small boats like that. Alot easier to handle.

 

[Rebil79]

Re: Boat id??

Yeah I would go with a smaller tank also. Untill I find a inexpensive used motor, I will be most likely using an electric motor and my father has a 1.5hp tanaka. And on some occasions a 9.9. A guy at work has a 2.5 hp hes selling but he thinks a friend of his wants it, but I told him to let me know. The best thing about that would be I could try the motor out for a weekend before I bought it.

My father has a 4.5hp sears (I dont know the year or any other details) but its a pc of junk. More then one old timer has told us that its a better anchor then motor. It actually runs pretty good one it starts and if it stays running. My brother who is a mechainic has gone through the entire thing and it still wont start good.



Another thing, I know this is regional but what is a good price for a boat like the one I just picked up. Wondering if I paid to much or if it was a fair price?

Thanks

Rebil

 

[Mel Taylor]

Re: Boat id??

If you like the boat and it fits your needs whatever you paid for it is a fair price. I just paid way over market for a 16' Blue Fin tinny because it had a lot of the features I wanted in a boat and because I couldn't find another boat that seemed to fit my wants and needs within a reasonable distance from my home.

Did I pay too much for the boat? - maybe.
Was it a fair price? - absolutely. The seller had something I wanted at a price I was willing to pay.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Boat id??

I wouldn't put raised decks or high chairs; stay low. flat floorboards might be good to soften noise but you don't have much problem with the ribs, unlike most jon boats.

Do you have the title/registration? that's important.

I'd say $300 is a fair price; what did you pay?

 

[Rebil79]

Re: Boat id??

I wouldn't put raised decks or high chairs; stay low. flat floorboards might be good to soften noise but you don't have much problem with the ribs, unlike most jon boats.

Do you have the title/registration? that's important.

I'd say $300 is a fair price; what did you pay?

I have the old registration, but as said above its registered as a mirrocraft. Im gonna leave be instead of getting into the hassle of trying to straighten it out.
I paid $300 for it. If I looked around I probably could have gotten a little more for the money. I happened upon this a 1/4 mile from my house on a side road. There was a 12' john boat with trailer and electric motor for same price but was already gone. I didnt really want a john boat anyway, my father already has a 12 footer. There also was a 14 footer with swivel seats for 350 obo. I thought the 12 would be better for me to handle myself, and son (it will be a few years till he can go since hes a month old).

I know its worth what you are willing to pay but Im new to this so just wanted an idea. If I knew I could get one this cheap I would have done it years ago.


Rebil

 

[roscoe]

Re: Boat id??

Keep the center of gravity low, that means no decks. please.

Capacity was around 550, and the max we had in it was probably 500#.

The boat is a bit tippy, gets more stable with more weight in it.
Seems almost impossible to tip it over, but it will tip far enough to throw you overboard.

 

[Rebil79]

Re: Boat id??

Well I think you talked out of decking but I think I am gonna run a small "strip" on one side from the back seat to the middle seat. Only about 15" wide, just something for a small cubby and a flat long surface for rods. Im gonna go about an inch above seat height. When I do it I will post pictures.

Rebil