help id this small trihull and mercruiser 120 4cyl please!!!

[newbeetony]

i inherited this little boat and would like help determining what the make and model of the boat and the engine. thanks

[Yellowjacket]

The engine is the GM 4 Cyl that was cut down from the Chevy stovebolt six (essentialy 2/3 rds of the six cyl). I had a friend that had a boat very similar to that in the mid-70's. It was very fuel efficient, burned a lot less fuel than any outboards, but was a bit heavier.

Neat little boat.

[gonzo]

That's an 'Iron Duke". They are great engines and parts are readily available.

[BMcF]

Ditto on the engine; one of the most reliable little I/O packages Merc ever made. Like most of them, however, that one appears to be raw-water cooled. If it was operated in salt water I would not hold out much hope the castings are any good.

The hull?...bears an amazing resemblance to a Woodson below the gunwales...but not the topside molding or the I/o setup.

[newbeetony]

thanks guys for all the info, it helps a lot. i really would like to get this going for a little tubing and fishing boat.

[BMcF]

IMHO, you won't be sorry. I've kept a Woodson 18' OB in the water as my 'daily utility' craft for more than a quarter century now.

Many other boats I own and many have come and gone..but I've found nothing of similar size that matches the Woodson for balanced overall performance....although I've run across numerous Woodson copies over the years and assume they would do just as well.

[newbeetony]

how can i turn the motor on with out being in the water?

[marriemb]

thats an iron duke i recon

[BMcF]

Originally Posted by newbeetony

how can i turn the motor on with out being in the water?

Wow..this really is your first exposure to boats, eh? You stop by the nearest marine supply store and buy what we call 'muffs'...a set of rubber 'flushing muffs' with a hose attachment that you slip over the water intake grates on the lower unit.

That said..you should expect to have pump problems and definitely MUST change the water pump impeller if/when the engine runs and before you try to drop the boat in the water.

The impeller is in the lower unit btw, just above where you will slip on those flushing muffs.

[newbeetony]

thanks very much, and this is my very first time. but i have a lil mechanical skill and tools so im willing to try it out. any info i can get to make this easier helps a lot.

[mandesign]

Very nice boat hope you are planning on an adventure with it because it looks pretty fast too.