Joined iBoats today after several weeks of useful reading. I am about/have started to tear apart a 1978 Starcraft American 22. Every since 1977, when my dad bought an brand new American 16 with a Mercury 50 (later replaced with a 70 when the previous was stolen), my eyes and dreams aimed at the American 22. Well we had many good years with the 16-footer but it is sold since many years. A month ago I came across an American 22 in very bad shape... but decided to buy it anyway since the price was affordable and the road ahead will be fun (most of the time). I just sold my other boat (Nimbus 29 Nova) so I consider the Starcraft as a project rather than a boat (for now) The plan is to work on it for fun and have no rush, As you all Starcraft owners know, it means a full tear down and rip out, down to the bare hull. Then a complete build up targetet towards a original look but with some modernization.
Starcraft boats was imported to Sweden by my father in law in the late 70's. Then it was not represented at all here for several years so you can imagine spare parts are not available at all (except for standard boating stuff). I will post some pictures as time goes by but for now it looks like every other rotten Starcraft:joyous:. Same issues, same weaknesses, same potential!
My firts questions are:
1. Canvas. Does anyone have the original pattern for the full canvas available. I will have a new set manufactured since the old one could not be saved or recognized. I have asked Taylor Made but they only have patterns from the 90's and onwards.
2. Aluminum and rubber rail. I plan to take a part the top from the hull and would like to replace the aluminum lining that keeps them together, as well as the rubber line insert. Anyone that knows about a manufacturer?
Boat background: After joyful years with a handful of owners, the boat was sadly put away witout any care at all. Last owner lived in nothern Sweden and has been unused the last six years. Unfortunately the boat has been filled with water (on land) from rain and snow for a year or two, to a level just beneeth the chairs.. Water mixed with oil, grease, glycol, and many years of dirt from the "rug". Imagine what the interior looked like!. It has a VP200/280 and burgundy interior. All chrome details needs to be replaced and same for the seat covers an all. Some teak details can be keept after careful treatment but some has to go as well.
Look forward to keep on reading about your renovations since they inspire as well as educates.
Cheers
Urban
Starcraft boats was imported to Sweden by my father in law in the late 70's. Then it was not represented at all here for several years so you can imagine spare parts are not available at all (except for standard boating stuff). I will post some pictures as time goes by but for now it looks like every other rotten Starcraft:joyous:. Same issues, same weaknesses, same potential!
My firts questions are:
1. Canvas. Does anyone have the original pattern for the full canvas available. I will have a new set manufactured since the old one could not be saved or recognized. I have asked Taylor Made but they only have patterns from the 90's and onwards.
2. Aluminum and rubber rail. I plan to take a part the top from the hull and would like to replace the aluminum lining that keeps them together, as well as the rubber line insert. Anyone that knows about a manufacturer?
Boat background: After joyful years with a handful of owners, the boat was sadly put away witout any care at all. Last owner lived in nothern Sweden and has been unused the last six years. Unfortunately the boat has been filled with water (on land) from rain and snow for a year or two, to a level just beneeth the chairs.. Water mixed with oil, grease, glycol, and many years of dirt from the "rug". Imagine what the interior looked like!. It has a VP200/280 and burgundy interior. All chrome details needs to be replaced and same for the seat covers an all. Some teak details can be keept after careful treatment but some has to go as well.
Look forward to keep on reading about your renovations since they inspire as well as educates.
Cheers
Urban