Hi guys, so to cut a long story as short as I can, here is a bit about the little spitfire I have:
So about five years ago, I used to hear stories about this little boat that my uncle owned. When we started working together, he used to talk about this insane 'Spitfire' and how nuts it was to use. So naturally, I then hassled him until he caved in and said I could have it. He then told me that it hadn't seen the light of day for about 15 years, and that it used to go on the sea. It was currently sat in his shed covered in dust, but he did assure me that it turned over...
Wehn I got it back I covered everything in WD40, but it was clear that this boat needed a bit of work. The steering is on a drum and had unwound. There were no fuel lines, the control cables were connected, but seized. Then engine turned over but had no spark. The original front handle/cleat had been broken, and the seat cover was intact, however all the buttons had corroded and broken off. It also lacks a screen too.
Bang in the middle of the dash is a small (and very faded) sticker that states that the boat is a spitfire, made in Diss, Norfolk. I can't remember what the rest of it says but I'll get a photo next time...
I did some research on the engine and found out that it's one of the late Kiekhaefer-Mercury outboards made in the late 60's. It's a 350 (35hp). I concluded that the stator plate wasn't getting a good earth and needed to be cleaned up. In the meantime, an ad came up on Facebook for two more/less complete outboards, both 350's. So, after a 3-hour drive, I came back with said outboards. I figured they're just that rare now, it was a no-brainer even if they were just for parts. Turns out that one of the engines has never seen saltwater, it also had a spark...
In the pictures, the outboard in the photos is said engine. The swap was instant. I freed-off the cables, and rigged it up to a self-made fuel line. I also fixed the steering too. The stop switch wasn't there, and the other one fell to bits when I breathed onto it. So I sourced a cheap one from eBay and wired it in. I got everything in place for the engine to run and be used on the water too. If you look in the pictures, you can also see that at some point, the transom has been reinforced with what looks to be alloy. It takes the weight and hasn't failed yet.
The engine fired on the second pull. The water pump kicked in and started flowing. At this point it was only on the trailer, muffs-on. It appeared to rev-up well, so I figured to go for the gamble and launch the boat. The first few pictures are from after the first test, it went well, however I couldn't get it to run 'flat out', nonetheless it didn't die. It took on about 2/3 litres of water in about 20 mins, so I clearly had a problem there...
Since then, some holes have been patched, the old 'Mercontrol' box has been taken off, and a new twin lever one has taken its place. The fuel tank cover has been waterproofed, along with three new Cleats, and an oil change. I also bought purple rope to suit the boat, alongside fresh purple paint.
It really does go like stink. Not for long, as I suspect air in the fuel lines (fuel starvation). It kept going and was still a blast to use. It only took on about 500ml too, in the hour or so that I had it on the water for (I can live with that).
Hopefully the next pictures I put up will be with a decent paintjob, and a fixed fuel line. I think I can make a screen (With thanks to Brian on material choice), and for the sake of it, I will also fit an old-style speedo. The trailer needs a bit of work, but again, nothing mega. I might also make a good engine out of the spare two and use it for saltwater. This current motor seems too good to be true, so I'm not taking any risks.
It's a long read, but I figured anyone into these boats will appreciate it. And I'm sat at work typing this, so I look productive whilst doing it.
https://imgur.com/a/cSbJYQm
