So I have been given a boat by my grandmother that used to belong to my grandfather. He is the one that got me started fishing and I woe it all to him. He passed away about 4 years ago this June. He was a fairly well known woodworker in Beaufort and Morehead City having worked a lot with the Martitime Museum in Beaufort where my uncle builds all the displays.
Anyways, my grandmother has given me his boat - its got a ton of memories and the engine was new when he passed away - less then 40 hours running time. The boat is mid 20 foot 70's Merrimack made out of Hampton or Norfolk I believe. In anycase, I had some questions regarding the condition.
Structurally there have neve been any issues with it, but I have noticed that when washing it down I noticed somewhat of milky runoff nothing major just a slight tint to the water. The entior has a fiberglass paint and has not problems. Is this some type of oxidizing of the glass or something?
Should I be concerned and is there anything I should look at doing?
Also with the engine not having been run in so many years. What should the process be to get it started, the fuel was run out of the engine after the last use - I did that myself years ago. It is 100 horse mercury outboard.
Just would like to get it up and running and use from time to time, just way of reconnecting with my past and with something my grandfather loved and loved to do with me.
if shes only got 40 hrs on her, i would be willing to guess that the hull is in good shape.....water intrusion-wise. the milky stuff is probably just oxidized paint/gelcoat.
sounds like with a little TLC and some elbow grease, you will have yourself a classic boat.
The entire website is all about classic fiberglass boats ranging from the 70's and back. There are a few guys on the forum of that site that know TONS about the old outboards. I myself am an OMC guy, so I can't help you with the older Merc, but I'd say replace the impeller, replace the lower unit oil, flush the fuel system and get some gas/oil mix in the crankcase. Turn her over to see if she's got spark and compression, and if she does, fire her up!
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