my 14 ft starcraft holiday(with a buncha pics)

[andymcd75]

Re: my 14 ft starcraft holiday(w/pics)

Re: my 14 ft starcraft holiday(w/pics)

thanks for all the encouraging words guys, now some questions for you starcraft experts

the only damage besides a rotten transom is a big ole dent kinda hard to see in this pic

i have quite a bit of body work experiance but none working on aluminium so can i use a dolly and hammer to bump this out or is there some other way to do it?

my steering cables are rusty

they need replacing anything special about them or can i use the galvinised vinyl covered cabling from home despot?

i have never worked on an outboard before, i can tear apart an old aircooled vw engine in a flash.

any of you fine folks from the louisville ky area know of a good outboard mechanic?

and lastly anyone know wth was mounted here with the three rusty bolts

 

[bananaboater]

Re: my 14 ft starcraft holiday(w/pics)

Re: my 14 ft starcraft holiday(w/pics)

We all have mystery holes in our transoms. Get that iron out first then you can begin to decide how to proceed, lots of options. Those phillips head screws are not what my Jet has. Simple slotted aluminum truss head screws. Could be yours have already been replaced once.

You are well ahead of me with the VW engine experience. If I have a problem it is off the the wrench man.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: my 14 ft starcraft holiday(w/pics)

Re: my 14 ft starcraft holiday(w/pics)

Those 3 screws could have been for a kicker motor mounting bracket.

I'm clueless on aluminum bodywork

I'd upgrade that steering to the modern single cable type. The steering systems are surprisinly reasonable. Only thing is your motor doesn't appear to have a steering tube so you'd need an adapter. Here's an example of the adapter http://www.nicksoutboardmarine.com/steeringpg6.html (scroll down till you see "#EG-LPK Fresh Water Kit"). It would be ideal if you could find one of those adapters used somewhere.

 

[andymcd75]

Re: my 14 ft starcraft holiday(w/pics)

Re: my 14 ft starcraft holiday(w/pics)

well i got one problem out of the way amazingly no company makes a class ii hitch for old vw buses what nerve, luckily for me i have an uncle who owns a machine/metal shop.

i am pretty sure this will tow the hell out of my boat woohoo

 

[paparoof]

Re: my 14 ft starcraft holiday(with a buncha pics)



Sweet!

How do you put the hitch pin in?

 

[Daltonxj]

Re: my 14 ft starcraft holiday(with a buncha pics)

darn beat me too it . I was going to ask the same thing..

 

[jasoutside]

Re: my 14 ft starcraft holiday(with a buncha pics)

Shoot man, that thing looks so cool and seamless the hitch will WANT to hold on all by itself!!!!

(I bet he says that he just reaches behind the bumper and slides it in)

 

[CBGale2]

Re: my 14 ft starcraft holiday(with a buncha pics)

Whats up with the motor? They are really pretty easy to work on.

 

[andymcd75]

Re: my 14 ft starcraft holiday(with a buncha pics)

you can get to it easy from above or below, only thing i forgot was loops for the tow chains doh! oh well it is only prototype number one

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: my 14 ft starcraft holiday(with a buncha pics)

you can get to it easy from above or below, only thing i forgot was loops for the tow chains doh! oh well it is only prototype number one

That is some nice work on the hitch receiver there...buy that man a beer

One other thing...the trailer lights wiring? My buddy is converting a Cavalier into a tow vehicle for a little tin can and that's the biggest hassle.

Also I was wondering, is that VW a diesel? What's the tow rating? (Just curious...I'm sure it will pull the Holiday with no problem)

I noticed in the brochure for '78 that the 14' Holiday was rated for 55hp, I wonder what the difference in the ratings is based on.

 

[andymcd75]

Re: my 14 ft starcraft holiday(with a buncha pics)

nope not a diesel just a 1700cc 4cylinder with a staggering 63 hp, the tow rating for the bus is around 2000 pounds i wont be breaking any speed records lol

 

[jasoutside]

Re: my 14 ft starcraft holiday(with a buncha pics)

nope not a diesel just a 1700cc 4cylinder with a staggering 63 hp, the tow rating for the bus is around 2000 pounds i wont be breaking any speed records lol

It's all good Andy, just have a lite breakfast and think streamlined thoughts when you are towing her. Your set up will naturally look pretty fast due to the color.

Cheers!

 

[andymcd75]

Re: my 14 ft starcraft holiday(with a buncha pics)

lol i have lots of stickers on the bus they add at least 10hp

and this guy adds 5 hp at least

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: my 14 ft starcraft holiday(with a buncha pics)

nope not a diesel just a 1700cc 4cylinder with a staggering 63 hp, the tow rating for the bus is around 2000 pounds i wont be breaking any speed records lol

Reminds me of my '87 2.5L inline 4 AMC Jeep...about 100hp

Great tow vehicles(for aluminum boats or pop-up campers)

 

[Bwana Don]

Re: my 14 ft starcraft holiday(with a buncha pics)

Stickers, schmickers, everyone knows flames add 15 hp.

Looking good bro.

 

[andymcd75]

Re: my 14 ft starcraft holiday(with a buncha pics)

thanks for all the kind words on the hitch guys, im pretty sure an old boat is like an old vw if you cant find it you might as well make it yourself lol. well good news had an impromptu leak test yesterday since the kids took the cover off the boat and it rained like crazy but no leaks woohoo