Overhauling a 1979 20ft MA

[Bushwacker]

Robert, I started to answer your bracket questions, but decided to start a whole new thread because that's a whole big subject in itself! Just posted the new thread. Nice looking boat by the way! Looks like you're already pretty far into a rebuild! Denny

[ROBCAR]

Thanks for the comment Bush. I will check out your new thread about brackets and hopefully it will help me make my decision on the bracket/transom issue.

And yes, that is what two of my friends say. One of them, a former tech for Mercedes Benz, has already helped me with the 200 HP Mercury. We took it out last week to clean the carbs, impeller, seals, oils, ...etc. And on top of that, I have been trying to put few hours of work on the boat everyday (when possible). Today for example, I decided to work from my house (i also have a home office) but spent most of my day removing the old wood from the transom and picking up the Marine plywood needed for the job...all in one day (not bad) Truth is, I just want to put her in the water.

[Bigshrimpin]

raising the transom 5"

http://www.classicseacraft.com/forum...r=62097&Forum=,,All_Forums,,&Words=transom&Searchpage=0&Limit=25 &Main=61623&Search=true&where=bodysub&Name=272&dat erange=1&newerval=100&newertype=w&olderval=&oldert ype=&bodyprev=#Post62097

[Bigshrimpin]

Keep that merc . . . Those old 2.4L chrome bore motors last forever. I ran a 1981 v225 on the black seacraft for a few years and I run a 1979 v200 on my seafari. The seafari cruises at 34/35mph and I average 3.5mpg at that speed. Those early motors are light (360 lbs) same weight as a 130 yamaha or a 115 etec. If it runs great then there's no reason to replace it . . . if you raise the transom 5" then you can buy the kit from bayMFG or cobble together your own from a pieces off a 80's merc that blew up (water tube, 25" lower with long bolts and 5"spacer, shift shaft). There are hundreds of them out there for $200 - $500. The downside is that the powerhead is probably frozen onto your mid section so swapping the shift shaft might not be easy (you can buy the shift shaft extension seperatly from BayMFG). WaterTube is just 1/2 copper pipe 23 3/4 for 25" motor and 18 3/4 for your 20".

[GradySailfish]

I just finished a compelte refit of my 78 Master Angler. I replaced and raised the transom to 25 inches, I replaced the deck, removed and recored the topcap.

I hope my pictures will be helpful. If you have any questions, let me know.

-Alex

Master Angler Restoration