I'm looking at buying another boat to work on over the next few years.... and restore. I found a 1976 Mirage and after talking to the current owner he had also did some digging and was told the boat was the the old race Mirage "Lil Rhino". It currently was set up with staggered small blocks. I just dont have alot of knowledge about some of these old race boats and would love to hear someones input or opinion
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The only thing I thought was off after looking at photos of Lil Rhino is it doesn't seem to have a cuddy and this Mirage does

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Mirage race boats were built very different than the pleasure edition.
No finished off cabin.
Most, even if not staggered had the long engine hatch to the back of the race bolster.

I throttled Gazpacho for a year, great rough water boat. I also had a pleasure edition Mirage.
I'll try and find a pic of it.

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Current owner was told by someone on facebook that it could be Lil Rhino, but I don't believe there was any proof, just speculation. I'd be pretty thorough with researching for some verifiable proof before buying! That boat sat outside uncovered for years, and would be a years long restore! If you do purchase it, good luck with the restore, those old Mirages were great!

I appreciate it. I have the hull ID .....idk if that does any good

This one looks alot like the M793 in the photos. Whats confusing is it doesn't have any hatches like pleasure boat would and the back is full of braces in the engine cradle like race boats would of had. I just have no idea if it was a race boat.....and if it was which one. Would love to find out then it would be worth restoring just to save the history part or it in my eyes.....

The hull ID reads CDB which is Mirage then 29004 so from what ive looked into its a 29ft and #4 made.....

Almost positive this boat is not Lil Rhino. It only has two air vents Lil Rhino had three and the dash layout is different also. [ATTACH=CONFIG]565149[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]565150[/ATTACH]

Yeah I noticed that too. Does anyone know how many Mirage race boats there were in 1976? Fairly certain it's got to be some sort of race boat with a fully unfinished Cuddy as well