The “Tin Cup”

[Instigator]

Been wanting to do this project for a long time when I stumbled on this boat a couple miles from the house and couldn’t pass it up.

Was not for sale but saw the owners in the yard one time passing it and stopped to ask about it and they agreed to sell it.

Hull is a 1968, 13 1/2 foot Sea Nymph that had a 1953, 25 horse Evinrude on it.

Really wanting to run it as is to start with but it was in very poor shape.
Motor ran but steering was locked, controls were missing etc. .

So instead of spending good money and time to run in a couple times before re-rigging for current power I decided to strip it and punt.

Found a 50 horse, two banger JohnRude with trim for it.

Had to raise the 15 inch transom to 20 to get the motor to work.

Rebuilt the trailer and starting to rig now.

If all goes well I may get it wet ones before our Ohio water gets hard this winter.

BTW, hull weight is 168 lbs 😉

For fun per $, a small, light boat is hard to beat!

[largecar91]

A buddy of mine bought this a couple months ago. We just went and picked up a very clean 67 Merc 1100 short shaft. it should fun. These old tin boats are cool.

[Instigator]

That will be way cool!


A buddy of mine bought this a couple months ago. We just went and picked up a very clean 67 Merc 1100 short shaft. it should fun. These old tin boats are cool.

[powerabout]

Great engine

[VinTin]

1950 Feather Craft Firefly.

[Instigator]

Beautiful!


1950 Feather Craft Firefly.

[Instigator]

This thing was supposed to be a fun, relaxing project but so far, it has fought me every step of the way!

In the last wk of my free time I’ve:

Rebuilt both carbs

adapted a red plug harness to a Deutch style

rebuilt the trim system

built a battery box for my 15 lb garden tractor battery

wired the gauges

replaced the impeller

a complete linc and sync

converted the gear case to (semi) lwp

stripped the gear case

replaced several missing rivets

Ugh!

The good is, I’m almost ready to test.

Ran it on the hose yesterday and it sounded good!

No wonder the previous owner punted on this thing.
The linkage was an absolute mess, amongst other things!


Weather turned to **** here in Ohio but supposed to be a couple of 40*+ days in next wk or two.

[1954bmw]

Think you might be too late on the weather, just returned from a Panama City thanksgiving to 22 degrees this morning???

[Instigator]

No doubt!

Only in Ohio.

16 this morning and Supposed to be 51 tomorrow!

We’re taking the next couple days off and going to the big lake though.

We’ll see what happens next wk.

Panama City?
W/the scooter?

We’re planning a re-con trip to the pan handle for possible retirement destination a yr later.
Drove through a yr ago but had the dog and couldn’t find a pet friendly place so stay over and snoop around.

Bought a camper for next time!





Think you might be too late on the weather, just returned from a Panama City thanksgiving to 22 degrees this morning???

[Instigator]

Love the lines of this lil booger!

[1954bmw]

Any progress to report, how did the sea trials turn out??? So, you going to hot rod the little 50, paint or polish, did you build the dash using your wood working skills, looks great, what's the plan Stan???

[LakeFever]

That thing looks great! I've got a 12' aluminum Sears boat with same year SportTwin 9.5 looks similar in hull shape. The mota sat for many years unused then my brother took it out and corked it up. Get a merc 9.8 now the sucker flies great with that 2 blade

[Instigator]

Hah!

Sea trial sucked.
Motor runs perfect on the hose.

In the water w/back pressure on the exhaust, not so much.

Probably done for the yr w/this project.

[1954bmw]

Any updates???

[Instigator]

Test session #2.

Got the motor tuned well enough to get off the trailer.

Wind was howling and 1’ - 2’ waves in the local pond.

Saw 35-ish before it tried to throw me over the side!

My tin prop slipped as soon as I hit the up-trim button.

Motor was shutting off under full load.

Since then:

Hammered more cup into the tin prop.

Verified my thought that motor was pulling a vacuum on the tank due to the vent hole not going through to atmosphere.

Boat don’t drain for ****!

Opened up tiny drain holes holes in seat bases so bottom/floor will drain to main plug.

Main/only hull drain hole is through bottom into a scupper and only 5/8” and worthless!

Fabbed and added a real drain plug!

I don’t have any simple, basic projects!

I always tell my wife, this is God telling me I should have been an accountant!





Any updates???