MASON MARLIN
photos ex Sven Baker
Following along from the recent Mason Clipper posting we had, todays boat is a Mason Marlin that Sven restored in 2013.
Any more of these classics hiding out there? Photos & details please.
ps Sven previously owned the rather nice Ranui – a 1947 Lidgard. Enter Ranui in the ww search box to view.
click photos to enlarge
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Lovely boat. If anyone happens to have a Mason Marlin for sale please contact me as we are looking for an older wooden classic. Can be a project or water ready.
021-955-969
Thanks,
Jonathan
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Hi Oli – You can’t add photos, I do that. I see that you have emailed me some, will add them. Alan H
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I have just purchased a Mason Marlin 17. I want to return the bow to varnished Timber. Any suggestions? How do I add photos? Thanks Oli (Christchurch)
Photos added below. Alan H

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0211397763
HI I HAVE A 5,5 BY 2.5 METER MASON MARLIN tripple kauri hull ply fiberglass inboard ready to have engine dropped in and finished.shafts rudder and gearbox all mint would be good investment if some body could make me a decent offer.located whangarei call or text me
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Very nice! Any relation of Shirley?
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Hi, New to your wonderful forum here.. I have a 17 FT 1957 Fleetcraft Voyager wooden boat , partially restored after finding her on a farm in the Waikato in 2010 so a few years later with manual labour ( me ) and a boat builder who professionally re glassed the hull .. I am looking for advice and a boat builder , or fan of such to assist with the cabin fitout.. I am considering taking the interior of a 17 FT marlin and re purposing for the fleetcraft .. but essentially I need some help to do this .. I will post some pics of where we are at on the boat , if you could advise how I do this thanks.
Here you go. AH




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Hello John,
but of course you can contact me.
My phone number is 021 963894
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Hi,
Your boat looks great,you have done a very nice Job.
Have just purchased a glass marlin 17 and started restoring it,
Do you have a contact number I can call you on please,thank you John kerr 027-570-1460
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The first sea trail didn’t go very well (21-4-2015).
The old Merc hanging of the transom showed some electrical issues and was running on just two cylinders thus, out of the water she came and back in the shed for some more repairs but this time on the motor.
To make a long story short, the basic issue was wire rot with shorts in various places.
See here: http://simple-pages.homeunix.net/photo-album/BoatProject/#IMG_250171.JPG
Replaced most wiring, the trigger module, the switch box and the rectifier.
Queens birthday sea trail.
This went much better with also very nice weather here in the Bay of Islands.
The numbers:
sea flat, no wind,
boat weight (my guess) 1.5t,
motor Mercury 80hp 2 stroke (1980) not sure if it actually makes 80hp…
top speed 55kph @ 5000rpm,
top speed duration 10min,
average trial speed 25kph,
trial time 45min,
total fuel consumption 12.5ltr,
fuel consumption per hour 16.5lph.
The boat goes easily on the plane at about 20kph @2600rpm and jumps to 33kph @2800rpm.
The sweet spot seems to be around 40kph @ 3800rpm.
I think I’m doing not too bad with the old lump hanging of the transom.
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I should update the photos for a bit with the progress I’m making.
I got new window rubbers. The old one’s were far to short and were gooped up with silicone. It’s a bit of an art to fit them properly.
It’s slow work, but I’ll get there.
Cheers,
Frits.
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Hi Frits.
I have a Glass Marlin as well.
Was restored in early 2000 from what I can make out and re powered with a 90hp yamaha 2 stroke in 2005.
I will try to post pictures for you.
I have just started stripping the varnish and top sides as was not kept up to speed by previous owner.
I have thoughts of painting hull dark navy blue couloir with white topside and timber trim accent.
I always get positive comment about the old girl on the boat ramp.
I like to use the boat but have found the old grp hull to be quite weak and prone stress cracks. Check keel strake area. Add bouyancy where you can. Make sure new windows are sealed. Major source of leaks and trouble in my boat.
Feel free to contact. Sorensens@vodafone.co.nz or 0274546655. Cheers
Lars
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…keep my eyes above the waves
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Mmm, my dad was a panel beater, it was a two person job to get windows out.
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Lucky my boat is in the shed. And there is light in the shed.
Like we used to say in the Navy “You can work 24hrs a day and if that’s not enough, you can always work the night”
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They are the the same as in my classic Mini Clubman parked next to the boat 🙂
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There’s nothing worse than encountering a lindbide scrapper on a moonless night in a dark and dangerous boatyard……
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Ive seen a few lindbide scrappers around the yards over the years – most yards have peaceful staff now though, heck some even employ women especially out from Warkworth….
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Rubber windows!!!!????
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Hi Frits,
The quick look I had at your windows on your website. They look to be rubber. You would be best to talk to a panel beater as these are similar to the old windows set in to a car. He can explain the technique for removal. I would look at haveing him reinstall them as you would require a small tool to aid you with this. If they are perished you might consider new ones.
A lindbide scrapper and strong wrists shall remove paint.
P
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Thank you Alan,
I will most certainly follow up on the link you’ve supplied.
Many regards,
Frits.
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Hi Frits
No problems with the questions, but you might get better advice if you google search Chris Craft & try one of the owners forums. AH
Link added.AH http://www.chris-craft.org/discussion/
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What a lovely restored boat.
I’m trying to get a really close view of the mouldings around the windows because I have a bit of an issue with my boat and need some help. I’m located in the Bay of Islands.
Although my boat has a fibreglass hull, the top is timber like the Mason Marlin in the photo but it’s a bit butchered. I’ve put some more photos of the deck damage on my website:
http://simple-pages.homeunix.net/photo-album/BoatProject/
To get a half decent repair on the cabin top I really need the front window out. How do I do that?
And what is the best product to use to get the old paint off and then what to use to prep the timber. Should I use 2 pot epoxy timber sealer?
Is it actually okay to put those questions here.
Frits.
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We just bought a 17 ft Glass Marlin from 1980 with an 80hp Mercury, also from 19080, hanging of the back.
It’s a bit of a doer upper.
http://simple-pages.homeunix.net/photo-album/BoatProject/
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Very smart in her simplicity!!
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She is so lovely, as all the Mason boats are, or were when they were built & she is so wonderfully original. — Tony M was an artisan of the highest order. Those lines & concept are why I enjoyed so much, writing the posts on her bigger sisters C’EST LA VIE & ARONA . — She is a great credit to Sven. The beauty of natural varnished timber always b rings great character & beauty to a boat, in my view. — KEN RICKETTS
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There’s a Mason Marlin same spec as this covered in filth under a tree on the way to Kumeu from West Auck on a roadside farm. ‘Wants saving
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