TOPIC: Hello all, I just joined in!

I was visiting my neighbors barn when I saw this 1977 Marlin with a 140 Mercury ‘79.
It was calling out for help but it took me 3 years to get it off him. It had been sitting there since 1999!

It took me quite a few hours restoring it.
New paint job, new electrical and fuel system. And I completely restored the trailer as well. Then I turned it over to a professional upholstery shop and finally the local Mercury shop.

Here it is in all its glory! Does over 50MPH!

I worked as a professional yacht captain for 28 years and I’ve driven a LOT of boats. I’ve personally had a vintage Donzi sweet 16 and later model Cigarette 31’ and they were nice boats but this thing is in a class of its own.

The Mercury has compression in the high 120’s but getting the stator and most modules replaced was pretty pricy but boy oh boy does it purr like a lion

Forgot to mention that I had to completely replace the transom ( which I beefed up considerably and the seating deck)— THAT was the worst part by far!!!

Looks beautiful, glad you saved another classic. How bad was the transom? Working on a '77 Srarcraft now.

Not as bad as yours looks,,,,the wood was "punky" around the motor mount through bolts but I replaced all of it with
I.5" Marine Ply.
I went at it from the inside so I would'ent have to do the whole fairing job on the stern.

Nice job! More pics are welcomed!