1965 Starcraft 15' Jetstar "Project"

[kenters]

I don't know what i should do.
I'v been trying to kill these carpenter ants, nothing kills them.
I think the nest is in the transom.
Its an aluminum boat, so of course the nest is in the corner that i can't get to with out drilling all the rivets out.

Any thoughts on how to attack these things?? They are driving me crazy!!

 

[Thajeffski]

Re: Carpenter ants in the transom

Re: Carpenter ants in the transom

tilt the boat backwards.......fill it up with water? leave it like that for an hour or so?

 

[kenters]

Re: Carpenter ants in the transom

Re: Carpenter ants in the transom

I'd have to sink the boat to drown out the nest, its in the upper corner of the transom.

 

[Thajeffski]

Re: Carpenter ants in the transom

Re: Carpenter ants in the transom

how big of a boat?

 

[bananaboater]

Re: Carpenter ants in the transom

Re: Carpenter ants in the transom

How about taping a heavy plastic "tent" around the area and setting off a bug bomb inside? Leave it for a day or two.

 

[Fingernip]

Re: Carpenter ants in the transom

Re: Carpenter ants in the transom

Carpenter ants only nest in rotting/damp wood. It might be time to investigate your transom anyway.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Carpenter ants in the transom

Re: Carpenter ants in the transom

GOT RAID ?

 

[jspano]

Re: Carpenter ants in the transom

Re: Carpenter ants in the transom

get some termidor (non-repellant insecticide) go out in the evening (thats when their active) just mist a few with mixed solution and they will bring it back to nest and transfer it among their nest mates.

 

[foodfisher]

Re: Carpenter ants in the transom

Re: Carpenter ants in the transom

WD40 where you see them come and go. Soak-em.

 

[kenters]

Re: Carpenter ants in the transom

Re: Carpenter ants in the transom

I have a little more than a month left of summer here in michigan.
Replacing the transom is not an option mid season.

Just for poos and chuckels i filled the bottom of the boat with water and all these ants rose to the top.

I knew replacing the floor was going to be an off season project might as well add the transom to the project list too.

But in the mean time i'm gonna try all the bug chemical mentioned, i'll let ya know if any work.

 

[Wingedwheel]

Re: Carpenter ants in the transom

Re: Carpenter ants in the transom

If the transom is rotted your option may be trying to get your motor off the bottom of the lake.

 

[kenters]

Re: Carpenter ants in the transom

Re: Carpenter ants in the transom

How hard is it to change the transom anyway?
Is there anything i should watch out for when replacing it?
Can i just get treated 2x12 from homedepot?
Its a 15' aluminum starcraft jetstar (1965).

The ants are defiantly under the floor, and they walk up the stern and behind the transom corner to get out of the boat.
but i was poking around the transom and that same corner seems a little soft in an area the size of a match book.

 

[Thajeffski]

Re: Carpenter ants in the transom

Re: Carpenter ants in the transom

How hard is it to change the transom anyway?
Is there anything i should watch out for when replacing it?
Can i just get treated 2x12 from homedepot?
Its a 15' aluminum starcraft jetstar (1965).

The ants are defiantly under the floor, and they walk up the stern and behind the transom corner to get out of the boat.
but i was poking around the transom and that same corner seems a little soft in an area the size of a match book.

Anywhere you can leave the boat in the water for a while? Cut off their food supply and they'll build a raft out of themselves and go else where..

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Carpenter ants in the transom

Re: Carpenter ants in the transom

Hello m8..

IMO I would not use PT wood with alum boats...

Another IMO would be the Drowning method in the Worst case scenario.. Take the motor off and sink the thing on the trailer ( with drain plug out ) in a launch site that will not be used for a few hours.

Get those Ants Off your boat ! Some of the guys might find a good hide spot..and you can inject pesticides at that location..or fill the trail holes with epoxy. You can also sprinkel Borax around your trailer.

I know..Im gonna hear about water loggin the boat and its wood..but Carp ants are Very tenatious..Your Wood Will be gone in time otherwise with these creatures. Dam if you do..dam if you dont...

Untill you see no signs of ants..your NOT done ...or.. your DONE for..replace everything when they finally leave from lack of food (wood).

YD.

 

[kenters]

15' 1965 starcraft jetstar (Another "project" boat)

15' 1965 starcraft jetstar (Another "project" boat)

Found this 1965 jetstar on craigslist.
Needs some work.

I pulled the original carpet out and seats.

I have been totally annoyed with carpenter ants.
I think i have killed them, then they come back.
They are in the floor or the foam.

So i filled the boat up with enough water to cover the floor.
Then all the ants started running for safety. but they cant swim well or something. I'v done this 2 days in a row now, drained it and refilled it.
At this point i think i have won. But its been two days, i could have tore out the old floor and replaced it by now.


Sunday I will drill out all the rivets holding the deck in place.
Pull the deck out, my template for the new one.
Actually the front piece looks great, might not replace that.
I'll cut the new floor and prep it for install (sealing and coating).
Then i can seal the inside with the gluvits.

But do i really need to put the foam back in?
A buddy of mine said he took his out and picked up a few more mphs. So he never put any back in. Its a little louder he said.

The original floor is one piece 4'5" x 9'
Can you even find that size anymore?

Thats where i'm at with my project.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: 15' 1965 starcraft jetstar (Another "project" boat)

Re: 15' 1965 starcraft jetstar (Another "project" boat)

No need to start new threads.

Leaving the foam out will NOT give your more speed unless you are talking about sinking speed and is a BAD idea.

You probably do not even know what foam you need or what the total weight is of new foam. You could fill your entire boat with foam up to the top and a 3rd grader could carry the foam.

Yes the rivets could be sealed with gluvit if you do not want leaks.

You want more speed? Carry less gas....... or get a newer outboard

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: 15' 1965 starcraft jetstar (Another "project" boat)

Re: 15' 1965 starcraft jetstar (Another "project" boat)

You are not required by law to put foam back in a boat when you restore it, but it helps ensure your boat will not go down like the Titanic if it ever swamps. Use pink, closed-cell foam from the box stores...you can buy it in sheets like plywood. Use two layers of ordinary exterior grade plywood, glued and screws together and encapsulated with f-glass resin to make your transom...PT is not good, the chemicals will react badly with the aluminum hull. As noted, use gluvit to seal the seams after you get the inside clean.

 

[kenters]

Re: Carpenter ants in the transom

Re: Carpenter ants in the transom

I was going to put the pink foam in. I know its really light, its foam.

I'm not sure why i need two layers on the deck?
The original floor has 1 ply.
The original floor is 97% solid still after 45years.

I'm thinking about other deck treatments instead of carpet, any ideas?

BTW going to get a 40hp, still shopping. Not really needed at this point.

 

[jspano]

Re: Carpenter ants in the transom

Re: Carpenter ants in the transom

http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/housingandclothing/dk1015.html

Carpenter ants feed on sources of protein and sugar. Outdoors, carpenter ants feed on living and dead insects. They are also very attracted to honeydew, a sweet liquid produced by aphids and scale insects. Aphids and scales feed on trees, shrubs, and other plants. Indoors, carpenter ants feed on meats, as well as syrup, honey, sugar, jelly, and other sweets. Carpenter ants DO NOT eat wood. They remove wood as they create galleries and tunnels.

Most foraging is done at night between sunset and midnight during spring and summer months. Sometimes workers travel up to 100 yards from a nest in search of food.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Carpenter ants in the transom

Re: Carpenter ants in the transom

Hello JS..

And your point is .. ?

"The damage to wood structures is variable. The longer a colony is present in a structure, the greater the damage that can be done. If structural wood is weakened, carpenter ant damage can be severe."

That is off the same site m8..

YD.

PS. I still stand with my post above ..