I recently purchased a Midship 25 # MDS500400273 from Wisconsin and brought it to it's new home in Texas. The boat has been in storage in a large garage for the past seven years. It is in good general condition but it needs a thourough refit to be sea worthy. My immediate priorities is to get it sufficiently in shape for use on local lakes. My current projects are:

1. Get the engine running (Vire 6) and bench test it. It turns freely and has compression but is not making spark. I have pulled the engine but not torn in to it yet.

2. Fix the rudder cage. (done)

3. Fix cable brackets for wheel steering system.

4. Repair damaged rudder.

Here is what I have done on my rudder so far.


     The rudder was damaged by fire. It was warped by the heat into a gentle "S" curve in the bottom 1/3 of it's length.   I removed the outer layer of fiberglass (woven cloth). That leaves a thicker laver of fiberglass (unwoven mat). The core of the rudder is made of high density foam. There is steel reinforcment in the top half of the rudder.
     
     Next I cut a kerf in several places with a hand saw so I could bend the rudder straight.

     Next I made a longitudal groove to accept a oak backbone. The groove changes dimension where I found the steel reinforcement.

     I used urethane glue to bed the oak.

     That's as far as I have gotten. More to follow.
     

On the Vire, make sure you check the magneto.  Mine was troublesome and replacing solved all my issues.  There is one that is made for Jet skis that fits perfectly.  Will see if I can find the part number.

Good luck.

Bob