68 Starcraft Starchief 18' Cuddy Restoration

[wrfalpacas]

I dove into the mix yesterday and started tearing out the floor. I will need to replace the transom wood, as well as the wood in the cabin and cabin walls. Basically if it is wood, it is gettin replaced. And there lies my first question. It appears the floor was 1/2" plywood. and either I need to replace with same or raise the threashold of the door and the walls 1/4" to fit thicker flooring. Suggestions? I need to remove the outdrive and motor to change the transom (and replace the wood front bearing plate), so do i pull the head and have the valves and seats replaced to run unleaded? I will have to repaint inside and outside and am planning on using roll in bedliner on the floor and exposed interior sidwall areas. I need to buy new seating and build a new doghouse as well as rebuild the cabin interior. wow that seems like a mountain of work ahead of me!

I will be posting the before and initial tear out pics soon. the mice turned the foam into one big exploded beanbag chair

-Bret

 

[halas]

Re: Starting a 68 Starchief Cuddy Restoration

Re: Starting a 68 Starchief Cuddy Restoration

What size is the boat?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Starting a 68 Starchief Cuddy Restoration

Re: Starting a 68 Starchief Cuddy Restoration

I am happy to see a SC Cuddy being re-finished

Bondo has one and I consider him the expert. If you want 3/4" plywood ..... go right ahead and the deck will not flex. On the side boards 1/2 is fine. Yes it would be a good time to do the head on the motor.... I believe North Beach just did his

I vote against the bedliner on aluminum. If you should ever encounter a problem ....... you will have a mess on your hands. If you are talking about using it on the deck (on the plywood) check out durabak which has marine applications and has been used here before. Do not consider the bedliner as a substitute for sealing your plywood.

Since you will be this far into the hull..... tighten the rivets, apply some gluvit, check your outdrive bellows, your transom...... Might as well do it all the right way once and not worry about it again.

We love Starcrafts here..... post pictures of your progress.

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: Starting a 68 Starchief Cuddy Restoration

Re: Starting a 68 Starchief Cuddy Restoration

Great! Everything Bob_VT said!!!

The only thing Bob left out was pics...we live for project pics and yes, we can be an unruly mob till we see some!

Bob...looks like ya need to update the Starcraft Armada list again...

 

[wrfalpacas]

Re: Starting a 68 Starchief Cuddy Restoration

Re: Starting a 68 Starchief Cuddy Restoration

She is 18'. Here are some before and initial floor rip out pictures.

I am thinking about naming her Nuts for all the nuts I found in and amongst her chewed up styrofoam.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Starting a 68 Starchief Cuddy Restoration

Re: Starting a 68 Starchief Cuddy Restoration

Better the chewed styrofoam then the wires

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: Starting a 68 Starchief Cuddy Restoration

Re: Starting a 68 Starchief Cuddy Restoration

Thats what I'm taling bout! Pics! Thank you, the mob has been sent home..

Love that boat, it's my Holiday with a cuddy!

If ya rename her..ya hafta go through the renaming ritual..I like the name Nuts!

Welcome aboard, check in with the Starcraft forum as well once in awhile..

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: Starting a 68 Starchief Cuddy Restoration

Re: Starting a 68 Starchief Cuddy Restoration

well...I just dont read well enough I guess..Of COURSE Bob asked for pics, he's one of the picture mob henchmen..lol

 

[wrfalpacas]

Re: Starting a 68 Starchief Cuddy Restoration

Re: Starting a 68 Starchief Cuddy Restoration

Here are a few more pics.

-Bret

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Starting a 68 Starchief Cuddy Restoration

Re: Starting a 68 Starchief Cuddy Restoration

looks like a great project.

 

[halas]

Re: Starting a 68 Starchief Cuddy Restoration

Re: Starting a 68 Starchief Cuddy Restoration

You are a courageous man.
Do you have help or you planning to do it all.
I am doing the 69 Starcraft Holiday 18' O/B alone and will be happy to give a "helping hand" on these forums.
I used the 5/8" thick for new deck. The original was 1/2" as yours.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Starting a 68 Starchief Cuddy Restoration

Re: Starting a 68 Starchief Cuddy Restoration

Great project! I haven't seen one like that. Good luck with it and welcome to iboats and the Starcraft club.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Starting a 68 Starchief Cuddy Restoration

Re: Starting a 68 Starchief Cuddy Restoration

Oh, that is just too cool. Love that boat. Where were those dual gas tanks located? It has a lot of neat little details, like the foot rest at the helm.

Is there enough space in the cuddy for an adult to lay down?

 

[wrfalpacas]

Re: Starting a 68 Starchief Cuddy Restoration

Re: Starting a 68 Starchief Cuddy Restoration

I am mostly doing this alone, although I am trying to enlist a friend. My wife thinks it's "CUTE" The fuel tanks were under the jump seats, as far as the cuddy, you can lay with your knees slightly bent.

 

[APPALOOSA2]

Re: Starting a 68 Starchief Cuddy Restoration

Re: Starting a 68 Starchief Cuddy Restoration

Looks like your off to a good start Bret. She will look fine when your done....

Could name her Hotel Holiday

 

[wrfalpacas]

Re: Starting a 68 Starchief Cuddy Restoration

Re: Starting a 68 Starchief Cuddy Restoration

Ok, All of the wood is out. I plan on using degreaser then MEK to scrub her clean prior to the gluvit also to clean the troughs on the sidewalls. She sure looks strange without the endwall to the cuddy Will post pics tonight.

Thanks, Bret

 

[APPALOOSA2]

Re: Starting a 68 Starchief Cuddy Restoration

Re: Starting a 68 Starchief Cuddy Restoration

Bret
I don't know how bad your bilge is but I bought a gallon of Castrol Super Clean at Walmart and used it straight in a spray bottle, with a stiff nylon brush and it came out **** & span.

I had old oil residue and other gunk but that Super Clean cut right through and I just rinsed the inside with a hose.

That Castrol Super Clean is great on upholstery also !

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: Starting a 68 Starchief Cuddy Restoration

Re: Starting a 68 Starchief Cuddy Restoration

FWIW..
I had really good sucess with shop hand cleaner..It degreases great, water soluble, and cuts cold grease....Just dab it on a scrub pad and get to cleanin..

 

[wrfalpacas]

Re: Starting a 68 Starchief Cuddy Restoration

Re: Starting a 68 Starchief Cuddy Restoration

Here are the promised pics, I am going to give those other options a try Tom and Kevin before the MEK, thanks! BTW that transom doesnt look too bad, mebbe it'l last a few more seasons HA HA!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Starting a 68 Starchief Cuddy Restoration

Re: Starting a 68 Starchief Cuddy Restoration

You're making great progress. Looks good.

Something that looks good is if you clean up and spray those gunnel storage areas with Wal-Mart spray on bedliner.