TOPIC: Saved because all my friends love it

A couple of years ago I ended up with this 73 MFG Gypsy, nice boat needed work and I thought I would sell it turn a profit, meager at best, and get the motor off it a 1150 Mercury( Neil you are not the the only one that buys motors with boats attached to them, but you are the best at finding so many of them). This was my plan, but after my long time girlfriend rode in it she decided this was the nicest boat in the fleet. I was puzzled, I think I have far cooler faster rides, why this boat? So after spending a summer getting to know this 16 foot fat bottom girl, I began to break down and enjoy it myself. It is far more spacious than the others, though not as quick. It doesn't have the lines that appeal to me, but its a dry soft ride. I guess it grew on me the most, because I could enjoy the company of 7 other people and ski from the same boat. For this to be my main boat some things had to be addressed, we all customize our boat and this is no different. I thought I would share some of what I had to do to make this boat mine, well maybe my girlfriends.

First after waxing and buffing it needed a logo again


We use this boat to ski and entertain so I need more like a Limited Sport of ski boats
Some Where to store skis
A rear bench for the girls
I needed some comfort to so gauges and a radio
And this is why I it will never leave the family and found a place in our home
It's not perfect or the the coolest, but the floor and stringers are redone the carpet is new the seats are slowly getting redone and the fun factor is worth way more that the boat. Priceless in memories come from the labor of love in this old MFG.

Good story so far, pics and more please.

Bob

It's not perfect or the the coolest, but ....... the fun factor is worth way more that the boat. Priceless in memories come from the labor of love in this old MFG.

The look on the girls faces say it all my friend, good job and thanks for sharing!

Thanks for the little sidebar about the motors. Way cool.
And I would not give you a million bucks for that Merc!!
That little girls needs to grow in that boat and drive her children around in it someday. That is indeed the biggest payoff for all this crazy stuff we do in this hobbie.
A deep, deep bow to you sir.

Neil and Mary Ousnamer

I was trying to get an old Gypsy from a guy. I needed tons of work including floor and transom. He would not go less than $350 without a motor or steering. I wanted to make a shallow draft fishing boat. I think he cut it up. I offered $100.00 because it had a well made trailer that needed tires, wired, lights and new chains. Still are a bunch of them out there and people like them.

If the boat is cool to you and your family, it's cool to me too! Nice job, and yeah, more pics, maybe a video?

Frank

Looks like I caught you mid post. Yep that's a keeper!!!! The smiles say it all!

Bob

Neil you are welcome. sorry so long getting back work keeps getting in the way ,and I have gotton a dinger of a summer cold. The 1500 on the the back was just for a trial that I never got around to removing it runs great. But as you know Neil all the Mercs do. I will most likly return the original 1150 to her some day.

Frank I would love to be able to get a good vid, but I bet the GF would not let the camcorder that close to the water. Funny how she is about eletronics, my hands, and water

Robert these boat have a really shallow draft. We run the river a hole lot, and it works great.