new guy with 1964 niagara custom

new guy with 1964 niagara custom 13 years 7 months ago #63710

mfgwiz
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Hello, I'm new here and have bought a 1964 Niagara Custom. She is in very good original condition, still having the original seating, top, windshield, deck hardware, boarding ladder, outboard, and trailer. Working on bringing back the shine on the deck and gunnels. I posted on the MFG site, but have since read a thread saying it would be better to post on the main forum. This is my first fiberglass boat, have always owned wood. Liked the classic lines of the MFG. Here are some pics of her. Thanks, Mike

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Re:new guy with 1964 niagara custom 13 years 7 months ago #63720

FANTM58 Offline Junior Boarder Posts: 130 Karma: 3 Thank you received: 0	That is one sweet little boat ! Good luck Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:new guy with 1964 niagara custom 13 years 7 months ago #63721

satx78247 Offline Contributing Member Posts: 2688 Karma: 66 Thank you received: 3	MFGwhiz, downright PURTY BOAT. yours, satx Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:new guy with 1964 niagara custom 13 years 7 months ago #63722

1963winner Offline Junior Boarder Posts: 63 Karma: 3 Thank you received: 0	My favorite style....I have a a 63 Winner that reminds me of that boat...Roy Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:new guy with 1964 niagara custom 13 years 7 months ago #63727

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I forgot to mention that I also have a MFG. That is a wonderful looking boat. Mine is a 58. I only use it to fish from because it was stripped of it's deck, controls and hardware long before it was mine. But my hull also came as a utility boat. I love the way it handles and my 8 hp Honda 4 stroke puts here on a plain. Are there any soft spots in the floor? All the help you'll need to do a transom you will find here I'm sure. Dirty from use and my 59 Winner is in the background.

Before I made her black.

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Re:new guy with 1964 niagara custom 13 years 7 months ago #63746

mfgwiz Topic Author Offline Fresh Boarder Posts: 34 Karma: 2 Thank you received: 0	Thank you. She's simple but strong, and we are looking forward to making her our own. Mike Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:new guy with 1964 niagara custom 13 years 7 months ago #63747

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Wanted to say more in my last reply. Thanks to everyone for your thoughts. She is solid throughout including the transom and floor. I guess the only projects are going to be going over the 1960 Johnson 40 HP Super Sea Horse, rebuilding or replacing the Sun'N'Fun original seating, and finishing the compounding and buffing on all the topsides,...only?!? Don't no when we will have a maiden voyage. Thans again, Mike

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Re:new guy with 1964 niagara custom 13 years 7 months ago #63749

john-gibson Offline Contributing Member Posts: 4014 Karma: 324 Thank you received: 0	welome mike to the world of glassics,,you are now part of the fg family. very nice boat by the way!john Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
	Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation. \"too soon old,too late smart\" my pap Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.“ ---Mark Twain

Re:new guy with 1964 niagara custom 13 years 7 months ago #63763

littlefin Offline Contributing Member Posts: 397 Karma: 14 Thank you received: 0	I love her lines. There just something about the old Glassics. She looks like she could go for a little run in the sun (before) you start all the work. Heck strap a electric troller onto it if you gotta. Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
	Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation. 1963 Starcraft 14' Ranger

Re:lv handbags 13 years 7 months ago #63775

robert-lorigan Offline Platinum Boarder Posts: 2524 Karma: 60 Thank you received: 4	Thank God that spam is gone. Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:new guy with 1964 niagara custom 13 years 7 months ago #63778

69 caprice Offline Fresh Boarder Posts: 5 Thank you received: 0	Nice boat. Enjoy. Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:new guy with 1964 niagara custom 13 years 7 months ago #63798

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Thanks for the welcome John. I am happy to be part of the fg family, and have already found indispensible info on the forums. This MFG opens a new chapter of boating for us. Our 1933, fourteen foot wooden runabout has been the center of boating fun for 21 years and has been towed along on all vacations to VT.,CT.,MA.,NH.,and here at home in N.Y. She is getting soft in the bottom and the trailor rides are too much now. We are very optimistic that the Niagara will fit our needs well. Mike

littlefin, thank you. The lines of the Niagara are what attracted me too. Mike

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Re:new guy with 1964 niagara custom 13 years 7 months ago #63799

mfgwiz Topic Author Offline Fresh Boarder Posts: 34 Karma: 2 Thank you received: 0	69 caprice, thank you. We like her a lot. Looking forward to using her. Mike Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:new guy with 1964 niagara custom 13 years 7 months ago #63800

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robert lorigan, I like the early MFG's like your '58. The combo of wood and fiberglass was good looking and easier to care for. I have a 9.9 Honda 4 stroke on my antique wooden utility, and it is a fantastic engine, I would never part with it. There are no soft spots in the floor of the Niagara and the transom is good too. Mike

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Re:new guy with 1964 niagara custom 13 years 7 months ago #63801

robert-lorigan Offline Platinum Boarder Posts: 2524 Karma: 60 Thank you received: 4	Oh yes it is a nice little boat. My Honda 4 stroke is an 8. It pushes that boat around every bit as good as my old 9.8 Mercury 2 stroke. It will idle all day for pennies too. Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:new guy with 1964 niagara custom 13 years 7 months ago #63896

mfgwiz
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Yes, these small 4 stroke Hondas sip gas. While on vacation with the wood runabout,and Honda, I fill the six gallon fuel tank when we get there and never fill it again for a weeks use and then take some home.

Now it's time for me to hang my head low and inform that I know little about engines and am not a mechanic. The MFG Niagara that I bought last week has a 1960 Johnson 40 HP Super Sea-Horse outboard. I have been reading up on them and understand that vintage Johnson's are very good so long as the 60 and 61 year models are avoided. Can anyone tell me what it is about them that I should know?

Thanks, Mike

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Re:new guy with 1964 niagara custom 13 years 7 months ago #63902

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mfgwiz,

imVho, ALL the BIG TWINS are FINE, except for the 1961, which was just plain too bored out & powerful for the "bottom end" of the powerhead.
in 1962 OMC "beefed up" the Evinrude/Johnson/Gale/Sea King 40 & it is TOUGH, as long as you AVOID the electric-shift OBs.
imVho, the post-'63 FORTY is the TOUGHEST of the breed, as i KNOW of one that was run all afternoon with FAR TOO LITTLE 2cycle oil in the gas W/O damage.- NOT a recommended practice!
(my first cousin was "tipping the fruitjar" that day & FORGOT to add the oil to a nearly empty 6-gallon tank.)

fwiw, MY FAVORITE is the last of the GALE SOVEREIGN 40s.

yours,satx

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Re:new guy with 1964 niagara custom 13 years 7 months ago #64019

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Thanks satx,
I have just received a copy of "Cheap Outboards" through the mail and it explains the situation with the boring very well and I understand it. My 1960 is mechcanical shift so I guess I'm allright there. We have always just putted along or sit at anchor, so speed is not a priority. Isn't the correct fuel ratio 24:1 for this vintage engine? Thanks Mike

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