1982 Correct Craft Mustang ?'s

Hello to all! I'm fairly new to the forum. I bought my first boat and I scored a 1982 Correct Craft Mustang that's ALL original and only 752 hours on it. It had been in storage for about 10 years, but with some TLC she runs out brilliantly.

I'm looking for a few things and have a few questions as well.

1) Anyone have any suggestions on where to get any of the following: replacement side vent glass/window, windshield (or whole assembly), duplicate vinyl/skins, or artificial carpet/turf with marine backing?

2) She runs smooth at butter, but when I get to about 35-40 mph there's a little vibration. I can't tell if it's in the motor or in the prop shaft. But up until that mph, everything is spot on and perfect.

3) Is it natural that the boat pulls to the left? It doesn't do it at lower speeds, just at about 15+ mph. And I also noticed that it turns much easier in reverse for one direction, but doesn't want to turn much the other direction even though moving forward it turns either way no problem.

4) Regarding the above items I'm looking to replace, should I keep it as original as possible? Or is it better to restore? The vinyl and carpet really is in dang good shape being 34 years old.

Donald

Thanks for the feedback and super quick response. I'll keep an eye out for some glass. I found a guy in South Carolina that got me the original Taylor Made hinges and vent window hardware (fairly cheap too).

I think I'll leave the vinyl alone as its pretty fair. But I'm about to winterize it and I plan on doing the carpet (at least the floor) in the spring. When I put it up I plan on making sure the stringers and other components aren't compromised by moisture, etc. There's a small soft spot under the driver's seat so I'll dig it out and patch it with eposy/resin.

I want to keep it as original as possible. I just refinished the shift knob and found the gold globe metal emblem for the center peice (looks good). I think I'll get the hull wet sanded and looking good in the spring too. The finishing touch, as you mentioned, will be to go back and repaint the original pattern on the side. I have the font and size, so everything else should be to scale.

In the end, I'm sooooo happy I didn't go with the aluminum fishing boat I was looking at when I bought this. It's fun to work on and fun to drive! Thanks again!

Casey

Casey,
Welcome to CC ownership. Yes, as mentioned that's a pretty rare boat and I encourage you to keep it as close to original as possible. Enjoy !

I'd like to add to the great comments. Regarding the vibration, do check your alignment but I'd say that's not the cause. An out of alignment condition put's the prop shaft in a bind and typically snubs vibration. The cause is more likely to be a bent prop shaft or a prop that needs a tune up/repair. Sent the prop out to a prop shop and check the shaft with a dial indicator for straightness. The common spot for a bent shaft is aft of the strut. That's where a bend typically occurs when there's a prop strike..

75 Tique wrote: [QUOTE=cbcecil]    A seasoned inboard driver thinks nothing of it, but apparently Mastercraft doesn't cater to seasoned inboard drivers because they recently came up with this goofy innovation of mounting a couple small rudders ahead of the propeller to facilitate turning in reverse, to which I say, If you cant drive an inboard, don't buy one. (I am not saying that to you, I am saying that to mastercraft/mastercraft owners)

Larry (75 Tique),

Thanks for the feedback. Just noticed that you too are in North Carolina. I live in Clayton, not too far away.

I'll work on my "reverse skills". I'll get use to it. Main boats I've ever operated are pontoons and Formula. With the fun factor that my Mustang has, it's a characteristic that I'll easily overlook and is 1st world problems!

Casey
Welcome to the Mustang Club.
High Rock is just above Badin Lake which is where I am located. Plenty of good water on Badin so if your trailering come on by

Welcome. Sounds like a cool find
Try and post couple pictures
Your asking all right questions
Enjoy