Started 78 mistress project
 

OK guys,going to need some help the next couple months with this restorstion.Had her home a week and she need some work.Most urgent matter is starboard trans.if anyone knows where I can get one.Bow fuel tank is not hooked up,both engines are running out of belly tank.Any hints on pressure testing tank to check for leaks?Both alternators are dead,trim tab pumps are questionable and leaks everywher in the bilge.Check out pic of gimble bearing,think I can get a few more miles out of it?ha ha!
Will keep pics updated and I appreciate any help everyone has to offer.
Thanks

Re: Started 78 mistress project
 

Good luck bro. I love projects like this, I wish I had the time, money and know-how to do a project like that. Theres awesome potential there. Keep us updated with pics.

Re: Started 78 mistress project
 

Hey have fun with this project and don't forget to keep us updated with lots of pics !!!
Best Luck
M

Re: Started 78 mistress project
 

do you have more photo's maybe of the whole boat and transom.. I think this might be a boat I have been looking for.. maybe not, but I still like these old ones... does this boat have a cabin or is it bare, and what do the hatches look like in the deck... one big and one smaller?

thanks
Ernie

this is the one I am looking for.. dad remembers it as a '77
http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=58330

Re: Started 78 mistress project
 

Have Fun

Re: Started 78 mistress project
 

topspin, you're looking for a 36, right?

Re: Started 78 mistress project
 

justice, the front tank on my mistress has never had fuel in it,. i run both motors of the backtank. if you want info or parts on the trans or the trs drives call jim deschryver at sterndrive systems 586 764 4611

Re: Started 78 mistress project
 

You think running both tanks have a bearing on the handling ,or just more fuel storage?

Re: Started 78 mistress project
 

When we had our mistress I would leave about 3 to 4 gal of h2o in the fresh water tank. That is in the bow. The boat would ride like a tank through the rough...................... :)

Re: Started 78 mistress project
 

My 1985 mistress is H20 up front, not a fuel tank.

Re: Started 78 mistress project
 

Yeah my H20 tank is port side under the sink soon as you go down in cabin.Looks like my bow fuel tank has not been hooked up for some time.Think I will pressure test just to see if it is good.

Re: Started 78 mistress project
 

we had waste and fresh water tanks in the bow
jr.

Re: Started 78 mistress project
 

a friend of mine used to race these boats years ago and he tells me the front tank was filled with water and used for ballast, there was a switch you could pull to drain the water out of the front tank when you wanted to lighten up the boat

Re: Started 78 mistress project
 

Think I will leave bow fuel tank unhooked and just run belly tank.I have two factory switches for each tank under helm that have been unhooked.Pulling starb motor and trans next weekend.Anything I need to know?

Re: Started 78 mistress project
 

Think I will leave bow fuel tank unhooked and just run belly tank.I have two factory switches for each tank under helm that have been unhooked.Pulling starb motor and trans next weekend.Anything I need to know?Here is a pic of tank switches under helm.

Re: Started 78 mistress project
 

i bcant help you there, the guy i bought my boat from told me it was set up to run both motors of the back tank and i have never touched the switches in the 3 years i have owned it.i do know the back tank is a 120 gallon tank. i am jealous of your white dash mine is black.

Re: Started 78 mistress project
 

What year is you Mistress?
You have any pics? She sure looks clean!My boat was not maintained very well by previous owner,OK though I like projects.

Re: Started 78 mistress project
 

mine is a 1977

Re: Started 78 mistress project
 

Sure does look like she was mistreated....Made me want to cry after all the hard work my husband did on it. Looks like they may have hit something on the front of it as well..?? Good luck, she sure was a good riding boat.

Re: Started 78 mistress project
 

Yeah,
She was run hard and just put up.No maintenance to speak of.Looks like last owner didn't care about his boat.I'll get her back in shape.Pulling starboard motor and tranny this weekend.Motor looks good but tranny is shot(mud,sand and water on dipstick).Bet she really looked good when you had here fixed up!You can't beat these old boats and their history

withdrawn

Thanks for the info Mike,I thought best thing to do when I got her was to tear down to the hull,replace the transom and start from scratch.Check out the fiberglass and paint forum.Have new intakes and carbs for motors.Thinking about pulling heads,what kind of shape were the motors in when you sold her?Have rebuilt starboard trans and replaced gimbal bearings.Replaced seals in both drives and rebuilt gimbals.Trim tabs will be replaced and I pulled all the wiring.Any other info would be great.

sounds great the boat is a part of history & i'm glad I was a small part of it. you're on the right track & the boat will be awsome. the motors had very few hours on them & all good parts were used. The motors were very strong for 468's new carbs & accessories should be all you need as far as engines go. On my wish list was new style trim & tab pumps & upgraded plumbing. beyond that i think you are in control. Sorry for the rant but I loved that boat after I got over the engines & drive problems. we ran the mistress through destin pass with small craft advisories & my friends wil never forget what an old school cig can do!!let me know if i can help. mike

Removed old wind shield to redo the teak,really do not like the looks of the old style and it was in bad shape.Any ideas on new style or materials to use?Also need to replace docking lights,any idea where to get replacements?

It's coming along VERY well Justice. Here's a link to a replacement http://www.shopping.com/xPO-Sierra-S...-Docking-Light but I guess it depends on the size of the existing hole. I would get with Sierra to find out what size holes these new ones require and they may fit. I also noticed all your transom work and it's awesome too. Glad to see you're continuing to make progress and let me know if I can help.

James

If it's salvagable, I say "Keep the Teak!" The teak on the dash is over 1/4" thick and takes well to sanding & re-finishing. I used a belt sander to sand away the weathered material then use a random-orbital to finish sand. The belt sander will take the rubber strips down even with the wood, too. Caution - keep the belt sander moving so not to "dig" a hole. Finish with multiple coats of Watco teak oil (available at Home Depot). The finish will easily last me an entire season or more here in the midwest.

For the docking lights, it looks like they're aluminum housings. I'd suggest media blasting and powdercoating. I think you'll have a hard time finding a direct replacement to fill the same size hole.

Update on 78 mistress
 

Getting her back together guys! Port motor is in and interior is almost done.Starting to rewire boat this weekend.

That looks REALLY good. Keep the pics coming. Keep up the good work!

Nice Progress. How about some more Pics...

Gorgeous teak work. Very nice job.

Love those cabin shots. Keep up the great work. More pics.

Few more shots of cabin
 

I think the teak was as much work as the transom!

rebuilding trim and water pumps
 

trim and water pumps

Awesome work, any new pics?

Hey guys,considring selling my project.75% complete and I have just about everything needed to complete the build.Business has been good last year and have not had any time to complete her.Hate to see her sit.Know what I have in project but know I can't get that in this economy.If anyone is interested give me a shout and I will send the latest pics and additional info.
Thanks Ben