Proud(!?) first-time owner!
 

Hey guys.... I just joined the club and dropped $700 on a 1979 20' Master Angler (with trailer)!

Seems to be all original except the throttle control and a couple of little extras screwed on here and there. Has a 175 Merc with one bad cylinder. I am trying to decide whether to overhaul or replace it. The floor is real soft, so I am getting quotes on replacing that (I am not a fiberglass/wood guy by any stretch). The hull is in excellent shape... no scratches, dings, or cracks.

Here are some pics... let me know what you think.


http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...t/IMG00001.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...t/IMG00002.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...t/IMG00004.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...t/IMG00005.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...t/IMG00008.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...t/IMG00008.jpg

Re: Proud(!?) first-time owner!
 

Nice find redo the floor and the engine and your in great shape

What I noticed on yours and mine and other that they palced the binnicle on the left hand side.
Most now are on the right, I wonder why

But great find

Re: Proud(!?) first-time owner!
 

Congradulations, you must be in S. TX. I have seen this boat several times. The hull is in great shape, just needs a floor and transom. I would investigate repairing the motor, but it is old, controller is outdated and the motor power head has been exposed to the weather.
Good luck and keep us posted.

Re: Proud(!?) first-time owner!
 

Congrats, don't be so quick to toss the motor check into putting a new slug in it. These boats are so light the old 2 strokes don't do to bad if you can use restraint. It's no 4 stroke or efi, dfi but not what some people think.

Re: Proud(!?) first-time owner!
 

Good find! Even the bow rails still look to be in good shape. I'm sure there will be a Master Angler/Merc specialist chiming in on this one.

Re: Proud(!?) first-time owner!
 

I like that Console! And it has a master angler badge, I haven't seen that before. My 75 MA has the binnacle on the left side too, I think most of them shipped from fatory this way, Potter must be a lefty..

Re: Proud(!?) first-time owner!
 

With a deal like this you are liable to be yelled at by someone for paying to little for it ;) Nice find and welcome aboard!

Re: Proud(!?) first-time owner!
 

Great deal,goodluck with the rebuild

Re: Proud(!?) first-time owner!
 

Thanks everyone. I am looking forward to it. I have been reading this forum for a while now, trying to educate myself a little before diving in. You guys are a wealth of knowledge.

Is anyone on here (other than et23) in the Houston area? I might want to get together and talk shop. The boat is down in Kemah right now at Gulf Coast Composite for a fiberglass quote. I'd like to get a recommendation on a engine shop that won't rake me over the coals on overhauling the Mercury. If there is such a beast.

Re: Proud(!?) first-time owner!
 

Did you get the title straightened out with this boat? Nice boat, I wanted the console out of the boat.

Re: Proud(!?) first-time owner!
 

Yes, I got the title cleared up. The guy is going to be in Houston this weekend to sign the final paperwork. He lives in Corpus and gave it to his cousin, who sold it to the guy that I bought it from. No one ever transferred the title! He was very nice and there shouldn't be any issues.

Re: Proud(!?) first-time owner!
 

My sentiments exactly!! Ron, I appreciate your way with words! Thank you for everything. Your are a consummate(?) good guy! Thanks.

Re: Proud(!?) first-time owner!
 

Old factory set up was binnacle on the port and wheel on the starboard...opposite of a car. If you are a righty then you mostly use your left hand to steer and right to change the dial on the radio sip coffee back hand your kids etc... Most rightys like to steer with their left and control the throttle with their right. At least thats why I changed mine. :D

strick

Re: Proud(!?) first-time owner!
 

Great deal on a sweet rig. :cool:
My steering is original and like that too.

Re: Proud(!?) first-time owner!
 

I have 3 drop on 2.0L Merc 150hp powerheads that should bolt up to that mid-section (unless it's a 2.0L 175). I also have an external trim pump and the hydraulic lines for that single ram setup. If you want to keep that motor alive . . . PM me. Pulling that old powerhead can sometimes be difficult . . . I have a few tricks for that too.

Post a picture of the heads on that motor. If they are diamond shaped . . . then you have a odd ball motor . . . the 175 2.0L is the only motor with super large exhaust ports . . . I think that cowling color was until 1984 (83 was the year of the change).

Re: Proud(!?) first-time owner!
 

Half the cowling is with blue stripes, half with red! What year is that :eek:?

Maybe they got it "one piece at a time".

Re: Proud(!?) first-time owner!
 

I am actually leaning toward swapping the motor. A local shop has a 2001 Merc 150 I can get a great deal on. I am just scared to get into this old beast. Anyone want it for parts? It runs, just has one bad cylinder. And is ugly as sin!

Re: Proud(!?) first-time owner!
 

Make sure you get the title in hand before you do any work on the hull. It was advertised as an IKE recovery with no title last year, this year advertised as "free boat" if you purchase the trailer for $700.

Re: Proud(!?) first-time owner!
 

Thanks, the title will be cleared up as of this weekend.

Re: Proud(!?) first-time owner!
 

Its the labor that kills you, my '94 took a couple hours to get the PH off and it was mostly a freshwater motor till I got it. The LU is worth something at least.

I'm reatarded with my left hand and that wouldn't work at all for me LOL Great buy and it gives you room to have the work done - be sure a use either Mirage + or as I found out a Stilleto will also work - the ride change on mine was amazing. Depending on which tank it has put the batteries in the well under the console in the front - I can get a gr 31 and a 27 in there and makes wiring a snap.

Let me know if I can help on anything

Re: Proud(!?) first-time owner!
 

So true of anything anymore. Now I know all about the marine diesel guys cost's but I think Transmission guys make out like a bandit. Parts are dirt cheap. Once you've done a couple similar ones they come out get rebuilt and put back in in hours with all the right tools. My buddy just redid his trans in his dodge diesel, $700 for every wearable internal one full days work(8hrs), through his shop he would charge $3500 for a middle of the road price. Those parts are like $300-$400 average on most more common lighter duty trannys.