1961 Merc 800

1961 Merc 800 9 years 7 months ago #106076

peter1708
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Hello,

Thought I'd post two videos of a boat I just built, as mentioned in the subject line, it's running a 1961 Merc 800 FGS. The videos below are taken at Lake Crescent and Lake Sutherland, both just outside Port Angeles, WA.

The boat is just over 14' long, shallow V with a padded bottom. Planked in mahogany and maple.

I have a 19"P four blade vented aluminum prop on her. Top speed with this prop is just over 42mph which is just about right for this motor.

I have gone 48mph with a 23"P 3 blade aluminum running at 5000 rpm. I could trim out a little further for a few more mph's, just need to get used to the boat.

Darryl of ClassicMercs did the paint job and the whole package is beautiful!

Special thanks go out to Joe at Ferguson Poole Marine - he's been instrumental in helping me finish the rigging of the boat.

Doc FrankenMerc has been very generous with his advice also.

EDIT: Sorry about the post, I'd like to post a photo and two Youtube videos, but can't figure it out! Too much sun today I guess.

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Re:1961 Merc 800 9 years 7 months ago #106078

peter1708 Topic Author Offline Junior Boarder Posts: 126 Karma: 3 Thank you received: 2	Sorry for the above post, here are links to the videos. I wonder if there is a way to have YouTube play in the post? I'll work on figuring out how to post a photo. Video 1 link: Video 2 link: Pete EDIT: Well, egg on my face!! Guess they got posted. Sorry about the confusion. Attachments: Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:1961 Merc 800 9 years 7 months ago #106080

MarkS Offline Moderator Posts: 5348 Karma: 118 Thank you received: 5	Beautiful boat and a fine Merc Peter, congrats on a job well done! Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:1961 Merc 800 9 years 7 months ago #106081

dave bernard Offline Platinum Boarder Posts: 1470 Karma: 95 Thank you received: 30	Nice setup I would bet it could be tilted out 2 more holes from the look of it . the cav plate should be at least even with the bottom and parallel Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:1961 Merc 800 9 years 7 months ago #106082

peter1708 Topic Author Offline Junior Boarder Posts: 126 Karma: 3 Thank you received: 2	Thanks Mark, took a long time (years) and its a relief to finally drive it. Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:1961 Merc 800 9 years 7 months ago #106083

peter1708
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dave bernard wrote:

Nice setup I would bet it could be tilted out 2 more holes from the look of it . the cav plate should be at least even with the bottom and parallel

Hi Dave,

Thanks for the kind words. I have an aftermarket CMC Power Tilt and Trim unit on her. That puts the motor about 7" or so aft of the transom. The cav plate was 1 3/8" above the keel in the two videos above.

I raised the motor another 5/8" last night and ran the 48mph today. Water pressure was good and I was able to really "air it out". Lots of fun!

Pete

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Re:1961 Merc 800 9 years 7 months ago #106084

Pondrocket44
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Pete,

Beautiful setup you have there! Great job on the build. In you're video little hard to tell, boat seems to run thru water well up to around mid 30's then looks like you get bounced around pretty good above that. Do you have power trim on that motor? Any weights in the bow to help balance out the boat?What are your thoughts on how the boat performs? Almost 50 in a 14' Wow. Again Beautiful boat, love the Power Plant!

Travis

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Re:1961 Merc 800 9 years 7 months ago #106085

dave bernard Offline Platinum Boarder Posts: 1470 Karma: 95 Thank you received: 30	here is a pic of my 1958 16ft Prywing with 2 1962 merc 500's should be close running with yours. should be finished this spring. Attachments: Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:1961 Merc 800 9 years 7 months ago #106091

frog Offline Platinum Boarder Posts: 1431 Karma: 59 Thank you received: 3	pete, I really love the looks of your boat, looks like it is a blast to drive. frog Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:1961 Merc 800 9 years 7 months ago #106095

Doug Reeve Offline Senior Boarder Posts: 239 Karma: 13 Thank you received: 31	Very pretty Rascal. I have a set of these plans also. Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:1961 Merc 800 9 years 7 months ago #106096

peter1708
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Hi Travis,

Thank you for the compliments. Yes, there is some bouncing in the videos, particularly the ~~forward~~ aft facing vid. At full throttle I would try to trim the motor out and it would start to bounce and I'd get out of it. Both videos were with a 19"p prop.

Today I raised the motor 5/8" and put the 23"P prop on. H2O pressure still good. Different results altogether. At speed, trimming the motor out further did cause a couple of small bounces, then she just smoothed out and "floated". I believe this occurs when the boat is riding on the last couple of feet of bottom and on the pad.

Rpm's and mph's went up, all the way to 48mph at 5000, I think there might be a little more left. These numbers are small change with respect to some hi/po outboards out there, but it's fun nonetheless.

Due to the weight of the motor and CMC power tilt/trim unit and after talking with the designer, I added a mahogany wedge of 5 deg to the back of the transom. That tucks the motor in more and helps it not to bounce at moderate speeds. The boat was designed for a late '80's Merc 60 HP weighing about 190 lbs.

She handles great and I love the performance of both.

Pete

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Re:1961 Merc 800 9 years 7 months ago #106097

peter1708 Topic Author Offline Junior Boarder Posts: 126 Karma: 3 Thank you received: 2	Hi Dave, Beautiful boat! I'm already envious of the symphony of sound your going to experience!!! I've always wondered how you connect the motors to each other, is it a simple bar or something more elaborate? Pete Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:1961 Merc 800 9 years 7 months ago #106098

peter1708 Topic Author Offline Junior Boarder Posts: 126 Karma: 3 Thank you received: 2	Hi Frog, Thank you, more fun than I thought it could be. Wife likes it as well, but at a more stately 25-30mph. Pete Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:1961 Merc 800 9 years 7 months ago #106100

peter1708 Topic Author Offline Junior Boarder Posts: 126 Karma: 3 Thank you received: 2	Thanks Doug. It is a fun boat to build and the payoff is wonderful. Pete Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:1961 Merc 800 9 years 7 months ago #106115

Robby321 Offline Contributing Member Posts: 902 Karma: 42 Thank you received: 10	Love it! Thanks the ride Lake Crescent as did M/C trips the loop out Oly, but never boated there. Its simple a gorgeous lake!(As the whole peninsula!) Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:1961 Merc 800 9 years 7 months ago #106116

jbcurt00 Offline Moderator Posts: 738 Karma: 51 Thank you received: 15	All 3 boats are great looking! thanks for posting the pix and the videos Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:1961 Merc 800 9 years 7 months ago #106119

gfgarland
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Looks great! But I think the engine is a little low. Notice the spray coming out from either side of the engine as you run along? I think if you raise her on the transom a little at a time until you start to cavitate the prop in the turns you will see great gains in your top end, and burn less gas doing it. She should not spray off to the sides like that.

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Re:1961 Merc 800 9 years 7 months ago #106120

firstfibre Offline Expert Boarder Posts: 321 Karma: 4 Thank you received: 0	Cool boat and love them white Mercs! Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:1961 Merc 800 9 years 7 months ago #106128

peter1708 Topic Author Offline Junior Boarder Posts: 126 Karma: 3 Thank you received: 2	Thanks Robby! Yes, both Lake Crescent and Lake Sutherland are jewels of the peninsula, they're about an hour drive for me but worth it, when it's not windy! Pete Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:1961 Merc 800 9 years 7 months ago #106129

peter1708 Topic Author Offline Junior Boarder Posts: 126 Karma: 3 Thank you received: 2	Thanks jbcurt00. Pete Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:1961 Merc 800 9 years 7 months ago #106131

peter1708 Topic Author Offline Junior Boarder Posts: 126 Karma: 3 Thank you received: 2	Thanks for the info, gfgarland, I was pretty sure that wasn't suppose to spray like that. Took a chance and raised the motor another 5/8" and the spray went away - also got more rpm's and speed. Pete Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:1961 Merc 800 9 years 7 months ago #106132

peter1708 Topic Author Offline Junior Boarder Posts: 126 Karma: 3 Thank you received: 2	Thanks firsfibre, love the sound of that old Merc! Pete Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:1961 Merc 800 9 years 7 months ago #106134

gfgarland Offline Expert Boarder Posts: 363 Karma: 47 Thank you received: 3	There you go. I have found that the pre 1965 engines seem to be a bit longer in the driveshaft housing by an inch or more and should be raised to suit. My 1960 400/Sangstercraft combo had the same issue until I raised it on the transom. Made a Hell of a difference. Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:1961 Merc 800 9 years 7 months ago #106141

Pondrocket44 Offline Senior Boarder Posts: 197 Karma: 12 Thank you received: 1	Pete, Would you post a pick of your setup with the CMC and where the cavation plate on your motor is set from the hull. Travis Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:1961 Merc 800 9 years 7 months ago #106147

gene gene Offline Contributing Member Posts: 325 Karma: 8 Thank you received: 0	Hi Pete, Thanks for the pics and vids, they warm my heart. It's -18 deg here this morn. Your boat looks and runs great !! Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:1961 Merc 800 9 years 7 months ago #106150

peter1708
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Hi Travis,

Here are a couple of photos. The wedge is 10.5" deep as shown and is 15" wide, solid mahogany. The perspective is odd int the photo, but the top of the wedge is even with the top of the transom and the top of the tilt/trim is even also.

The top of the level in the other photo is in contact with the bottom and the cav plate is about 2 3/8" above the keel.

In the first photo you can see that the tilt/trim unit pushes the motor away and down from the transom. That is why the cav plate needs to be so high to run efficiently - raising the motor gets the geometry back to original, non-setback configuration. It's an empirical thing now and I'm not quite satisfied yet.

I get good water pressure at this height, and I think I can go higher, but need to modify the tilt/trim unit as the motor bracket holes will interfere with the hydraulic fluid sump. Boats runs okay now and I'll save that for later

Pete

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Re:1961 Merc 800 9 years 7 months ago #106212

Seymour Offline Senior Boarder Posts: 158 Karma: 8 Thank you received: 0	Wow beautiful boat in the great PNW hope to see you on the water on day great job on the boat and motor!! Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:1961 Merc 800 9 years 7 months ago #106213

firstfibre Offline Expert Boarder Posts: 321 Karma: 4 Thank you received: 0	i have to get a wedge, i have spray in my videos too Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:1961 Merc 800 9 years 7 months ago #106232

gfgarland Offline Expert Boarder Posts: 363 Karma: 47 Thank you received: 3	Try raising it first, you are probably too low in the water. Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:1961 Merc 800 9 years 7 months ago #106234

barnickelbill Offline Expert Boarder Posts: 334 Karma: 24 Thank you received: 15	Beautiful boat, you'll have lots a fun with her! To answer your question on connecting twins, check out the twins thread on the main forum. Dr frankenmerc posted some good pics. Cheers Bill Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:1961 Merc 800 9 years 7 months ago #106260

Pondrocket44 Offline Senior Boarder Posts: 197 Karma: 12 Thank you received: 1	Pete, Thanks for the pics I have a Glen-L Zip and it finally saw water at the end of last summer. I have a stationary jack plate with a Mark 58. Still need to do testing and get it set up. I have a PT-130 but to heavy. Travis Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:1961 Merc 800 9 years 7 months ago #106264

peter1708 Topic Author Offline Junior Boarder Posts: 126 Karma: 3 Thank you received: 2	Hi Seymour, Thanks, I'm going to try and get to some other lakes around here once the weather warms up. I'm kind of isolated as far as having good lakes to go to out here, the lakes I shot the videos on are about an hour away. Pete Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:1961 Merc 800 9 years 7 months ago #106265

peter1708
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Pondrocket44 wrote:

Pete,

Thanks for the pics I have a Glen-L Zip and it finally saw water at the end of last summer.

Hi Travis, congratulations on the Zip, that is a classic design! It's great fun to take them out for the first time.

I have a stationary jack plate with a Mark 58. Still need to do testing and get it set up. I have a PT-130 but to heavy.

Travis

I had that concern of the extra weight as well and after much thought, I got one. The 800 is quite a bit heavier than what the boat was designed for (late 80's 60HP), so I got the CMC in the hopes that I could at least control any porpoising by using active trim. So far so good as she handles the extra weight well and it helps to air the boat out a bit. Since it handles the weight so well, I told my wife that 800 and CMC unit together weigh almost the same as a '70's era 1500!

(and got a very emphatic shake of the head no in response)

Pete

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Re:1961 Merc 800 9 years 7 months ago #106266

Dr_Frankenmerc Offline Contributing Member Posts: 1433 Karma: 185 Thank you received: 44	And,... I 'just happen to have' a 'few' 1500xs shorty Mercs and even would consider selling a couple of them. doc Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:1961 Merc 800 9 years 7 months ago #106269

daveswaves Offline Expert Boarder Posts: 396 Karma: 36 Thank you received: 0	Two shorty 1500 xs's on the back 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. Remember, my opinion in no way diminishes your opinion, nor yours mine. Collectively, there is a middle ground that is \\\"correct\\\" for the reader balancing all the input.

Re:1961 Merc 800 9 years 7 months ago #106290

Seymour Offline Senior Boarder Posts: 158 Karma: 8 Thank you received: 0	I think there are some individuals out there who could hide an extra 20hp maybe even more underneath that cowling and your wife would be none the wiser. Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:1961 Merc 800 9 years 7 months ago #106302

peter1708 Topic Author Offline Junior Boarder Posts: 126 Karma: 3 Thank you received: 2	Seymour wrote: I think there are some individuals out there who could hide an extra 20hp maybe even more underneath that cowling and your wife would be none the wiser. I believe it, need to start filling that slush fund up! Pete Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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Re:1961 Merc 800 9 years 7 months ago #106316

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peter1708 wrote:

Thanks Robby! Yes, both Lake Crescent and Lake Sutherland are jewels of the peninsula, they're about an hour drive for me but worth it, when it's not windy!Pete

Had to watch the vids again as "need a Merc Fix"! Thinking it now, as you leave PA you pretty much leave civilization behind and seem to go back in time to a unspoiled world! Now had I seen you and that beautiful boat out there I would have to stop and take a look at my Harley to make sure IT wasn't a old HD too, and not way newer! Love the old "wood" and of course "the old Merc!"

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Re:1961 Merc 800 9 years 7 months ago #106321

peter1708 Topic Author Offline Junior Boarder Posts: 126 Karma: 3 Thank you received: 2	Those lakes are spectacular. Gonna try Lake Sutherland tomorrow and make some noise!(supposed to be sunny). Pete Check this box to be notified of replies to this topic. Note: BBcode and smileys are still usable.
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TOPIC: 1961 Merc 800

1961 Merc 800 9 years 7 months ago #106076

Re:1961 Merc 800 9 years 7 months ago #106078

Re:1961 Merc 800 9 years 7 months ago #106080

Re:1961 Merc 800 9 years 7 months ago #106081

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Re:1961 Merc 800 9 years 7 months ago #106084

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Re:1961 Merc 800 9 years 7 months ago #106115

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Re:1961 Merc 800 9 years 7 months ago #106128

Re:1961 Merc 800 9 years 7 months ago #106129

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Re:1961 Merc 800 9 years 7 months ago #106132

Re:1961 Merc 800 9 years 7 months ago #106134

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Re:1961 Merc 800 9 years 7 months ago #106265

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Re:1961 Merc 800 9 years 7 months ago #106316

Re:1961 Merc 800 9 years 7 months ago #106321

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