I bought this for $1400 a few months back. I knew it was a project ( rotten floors, fuel leaks etc), so far no surprises since opening up the floors and tinkering on the motor. Came with super beefy (overkill really) custom welded steel trailer, trailer could use some paint. I'd like to sell this trailer and buy something lighter in weight (galv or aluminum). The original paint and decals are in pretty good shape- if you like beige/brown/orange. Power is a nice looking low hours 1985 Johnson 90 VRO- vro was deleted so it is premix now. Strong compression, started/revved/idled pretty good considering all the fuel leaking from the carbs and lines. Rebuilt the carbs and replaced the lines-, new plugs- seems to run great but have not had any load on it. Ordered a water pump kit, wondering what else I should preventative replace on this motor? Which repair service manual would be best? I pan on all new wiring and gauges, new plumbing while floor is up.
I have read so many threads on restoring these Starcrafts- still have some questions.
Anybody ever put down aluminum flooring instead of the plywood? I have some old freeway signs that are fairly rigid, enough to do whole boat. I am interested in saving some weight wherever I can as i want to put in a belly fuel-tank below the deck, and a large Bait Tank that can keep a couple scoops of sardines/Mackerel/chovies alive for a day. Also would like to raise the height of the center console or replace it with a taller/slimmer console- I like to stand up straight when running the boat and I am 6'2". Thinking about replacing the seat with a leaning post that can fit the baitwell under it. . Would also like to add a T-Top. I plan on towing this boat all over Baja and launching from the beach- so I need to save weight wherever I can. I have owned more boats than I can remember- have fished all over the west coast and Mexico so I have a good idea of what I want, just not sure of best way to make-it-so on this riveted tin boat.
Also- bottom of boat is unpainted raw aluminum, has minor small pits/ashy all over. I'd like to coat the bottom with something very durable that will hold up to the abuse of being beached on coarse sand, something that will last a long time, maybe help prevent leaks too.... I dont want much right? I guess Gluvit is for the bilge- no leaks or pitting I can find so that is good.
Will post pics in a bit. Wish me luck.
I have read so many threads on restoring these Starcrafts- still have some questions.
Anybody ever put down aluminum flooring instead of the plywood? I have some old freeway signs that are fairly rigid, enough to do whole boat. I am interested in saving some weight wherever I can as i want to put in a belly fuel-tank below the deck, and a large Bait Tank that can keep a couple scoops of sardines/Mackerel/chovies alive for a day. Also would like to raise the height of the center console or replace it with a taller/slimmer console- I like to stand up straight when running the boat and I am 6'2". Thinking about replacing the seat with a leaning post that can fit the baitwell under it. . Would also like to add a T-Top. I plan on towing this boat all over Baja and launching from the beach- so I need to save weight wherever I can. I have owned more boats than I can remember- have fished all over the west coast and Mexico so I have a good idea of what I want, just not sure of best way to make-it-so on this riveted tin boat.
Also- bottom of boat is unpainted raw aluminum, has minor small pits/ashy all over. I'd like to coat the bottom with something very durable that will hold up to the abuse of being beached on coarse sand, something that will last a long time, maybe help prevent leaks too.... I dont want much right? I guess Gluvit is for the bilge- no leaks or pitting I can find so that is good.
Will post pics in a bit. Wish me luck.