Help Identifying Boat! Fiberform

[Mahu24]

First post for me on here!
I recently picked up a Fiberform tri-hull outboard with a 140hp mercury tower of power.
However, the only nameplate I can find is confusing me. I think its a 1962 built in February? Or its built in 1971? I'm assuming it is either a Beachcomber OR Surfrider.
Any help is appreciated!!

Serial# 7116262B
Engine Serial# Blank
Boat Catalog? (catalog partially covered): TUR&WH
Max HP: 145
Max No. Passengers: 9
Max payload: 1922lbs

The serial number on the transom mount for the motor is:
5190632
Behind the cover, the motor says it is a 1979

 

[jimmbo]

Here is a link to a bit of info about Fiberform

Fiberform - Classic Boat Library

www.fiberglassics.com

a 1979 Merc will have Cowl Decals like this

 

[Mahu24]

Here is a link to a bit of info about Fiberform

Fiberform - Classic Boat Library

www.fiberglassics.com

a 1979 Merc will have Cowl Decals like this
View attachment 365955

Engine decals are identical. However because the "Engine Serial Number" space is blank on the boat tag, I'm fairly certain it's not original to the boat.

Also that website I can't seem to get anywhere on, other than the homepage... My boat numbers don't match up with the 3 charts that are on the homepage unfortunately

 

[Mahu24]

 

[Mahu24]

 

[Mahu24]

 

[jbcurt00]

....that website I can't seem to get anywhere on, other than the homepage... My boat numbers don't match up with the 3 charts that are on the homepage unfortunately

that's all there is, unfortunately pre-internet, thousands of boat makers info wasn't kept and is no longer available

 

[jimmbo]

Canadian made Fiberform. I will guess, from the Serial#, it is a 1971. Engine cowl is definitely a 79, and has the customized skeg version of the gearcase. It might be the camera, but the Transom looks a bit curved. Tilt the engine most of the way, then grab the lower unit, and see if the Transom flexes when pressure is applied up or down on the motor.
Trailer looks like a Calkins

 

[Mahu24]

that's all there is, unfortunately pre-internet, thousands of boat makers info wasn't kept and is no longer available

And unfortunately I doubt anyone who built these in the 60's/70's is online to match up to their memory

 

[Mahu24]

Canadian made Fiberform. I will guess, from the Serial#, it is a 1971. Engine cowl is definitely a 79, and has the customized skeg version of the gearcase. It might be the camera, but the Transom looks a bit curved. Tilt the engine most of the way, then grab the lower unit, and see if the Transom flexes when pressure is applied up or down on the motor.
Trailer looks like a Calkins

I was wondering if the 71 was the year, or if the last 3 digits were the year and month "62B"=1962 February?

I'm going to look at another Fiberform that is for sale locally to see what the serial number on that tri hull looks like, maybe get an idea of mine.

Transom does flex, I need to:
- Make the bow repairs nicer
- Reinforce the transom
- Build a new windshield
- Get some upholstery re done (the seats have already been done)
- Redo the wiring for peace of mind
- New bilge pump (any recommendations?)
- make a cover
- Check the floors out with my scope camera, they feel solid when walking on them and appear to have been redone, so check any work that someone else did as well

I didn't get the trailer with it, Trailer has a bent axle and the tongue has been "repaired" by previous owner. Need to find a new trailer for sure

 

[Mahu24]

that's all there is, unfortunately pre-internet, thousands of boat makers info wasn't kept and is no longer available

Actually just got an idea, if it is indeed a 1971, then the last chart on that website would work if I cross reference the measurements!

 

[Mahu24]

Canadian made Fiberform. I will guess, from the Serial#, it is a 1971.

My only concern about it being a 1971 is that it has the two separate bow marker lights, where mostly any other pictures I've found have the single light setup in the center of the bow. I am missing the Starboard light cover which is one part I'd really like to track down

 

[jimmbo]

Those type of lights shouldn't be too hard to find. iboats might have something that would work. and there other like Land and Sea
As for the Transom, the wood is Rotted, and needs to be replaced, Putting a Metal Plate as Reinforcement only moves and concentrates the flexing to another area.
I can certainly say it is not a 1962, There were very few if any Trihulls prior to 1964. And your hull does look like what Fiberform was making in the 70s

 

[Mahu24]

Those type of lights shouldn't be too hard to find. iboats might have something that would work. and there other like Land and Sea
As for the Transom, the wood is Rotted, and needs to be replaced, Putting a Metal Plate as Reinforcement only moves and concentrates the flexing to another area.
I can certainly say it is not a 1962, There were very few if any Trihulls prior to 1964. And your hull does look like what Fiberform was making in the 70s

Any idea what style of lights they are called? Land and Sea? Unfortunately I'm in Canada so iboats doesn't like shipping to me lol.

Actually I'm not certain the transom is rotted, I will be checking with a moisture meter and obviously by eye. It doesn't seem to flex anymore than my 1972 Sangster, or my uncles 1994 Bayliner, just flexes a little. I was planning to reinforce it with glass on top and wood under the deck(?) in front of the motor as there isn't much material there.
In the event the transom is rotted, what is the best way to go about removing the motor? It is very heavy haha.

I just went through a bunch of brochures from the 70's and they all have the single centered light

 

[jimmbo]

Sometimes the Canadian made boats were slightly different in trim.
A Transom shouldn't flex at all.
To get the motor off, a Couple of Friends with Strong Backs and Weak Minds can be handy. That motor weighs about 290 lbs. It is pain to remove as the Power Trim hoses have to be undone. To properly replace the transom the Hull and Deck need to separated, the fasteners are all hidden under/behind the Rub Rail the encircles most of the boat. Once they are separated, then the fun of digging out the rotted wood begins. There several threads about Transom replacement. It is a 50 yr old boat. I doubt Fiberform expected any to last more than 20 yrs

 

[Mahu24]

Sometimes the Canadian made boats were slightly different in trim.
A Transom shouldn't flex at all.
To get the motor off, a Couple of Friends with Strong Backs and Weak Minds can be handy. That motor weighs about 290 lbs. It is pain to remove as the Power Trim hoses have to be undone. To properly replace the transom the Hull and Deck need to separated, the fasteners are all hidden under/behind the Rub Rail the encircles most of the boat. Once they are separated, then the fun of digging out the rotted wood begins. There several threads about Transom replacement. It is a 50 yr old boat. I doubt Fiberform expected any to last more than 20 yrs

Couldn't just cut out the glass on the back to get access? Seems easier then pulling the shells apart completely! But I have never done a transom replacement, so I will do some reading!
Oh I definitely thought the motor to be heavier than that, I could for sure get that off with one other guy's help.
Could the transom wood be replaced by Lexan or some sort of plastic? would never rot again and would not crush like wood does. Would cost more for sure, but I plan to keep this cool find.

 

[jimmbo]

Last thing you want to do is cut the Fiberglass that makes up the outside of the Transom. If you do , you will have a very weak repair as the new outer glass will only be a butt joint or a very limited overlap with the old Glass. The best repair is when the old Transom is busted up and dug out, leaving the Inner and Outer skins intact, and a new Wood dropped in. There are some pour in Transom Repair Systems, that can produce a Decent outcome. A lot of new boats use Structural Foam instead of Wood for the Transom.
Another Question, how solid is the Floor in the boat?

 

[Mahu24]

Last thing you want to do is cut the Fiberglass that makes up the outside of the Transom. If you do , you will have a very weak repair as the new outer glass will only be a butt joint or a very limited overlap with the old Glass. The best repair is when the old Transom is busted up and dug out, leaving the Inner and Outer skins intact, and a new Wood dropped in. There are some pour in Transom Repair Systems, that can produce a Decent outcome. A lot of new boats use Structural Foam instead of Wood for the Transom.
Another Question, how solid is the Floor in the boat?

Okay sounds good, I was looking on iboats and they have plastic transom material so if I need to replace it, I think I will go with that. A lot stronger, and can never rot.

The floors are very solid. I'm fairly confident 2 owners prior replaced the floor, its not level. It's like there is a 5/8 sheet of plywood for most of the floor, but not covering the whole floor, and then glass over that, then some sort of black texture coating. Weird thing is though, its not a full 4x8 piece. Its cut in a sort of "[-]" shape, which has me confused if it is factory or not.

Unfortunately the boat is not in my hands yet, (getting delivered on Saturday), so I do not have access to go take a picture to show what exactly I'm trying to explain.

I do plan to run a camera under the floor to inspect everything before cutting into it.

 

[Mahu24]

Canadian made Fiberform. I will guess, from the Serial#, it is a 1971. Engine cowl is definitely a 79, and has the customized skeg version of the gearcase. It might be the camera, but the Transom looks a bit curved. Tilt the engine most of the way, then grab the lower unit, and see if the Transom flexes when pressure is applied up or down on the motor.
Trailer looks like a Calkins

After looking more at fiberclassics.com I notice there is no Surfrider until 1968, which indicates they did not make them until post 68. Since there is no 68, 69, or 70 in my serial number, I believe you are correct in thinking its a 1971

 

[Mahu24]

For anyone else wondering:

Based on the 71 at the beginning of the serial number, I'm fairly certain it is a 71 as jimmbo said.
This is further proven via the build/model sheet for Fiberform on fiberclassics.com, that the tri hulls were not made until 1968.
There is no 68, 69, or 70 in my serial number, so 71 it must be.


As for the model, I measured the boat and crossed that with the measurements on the exact same sheet from 1971, and my boat measurements line up exactly with a 1971 Surfrider 16½