To side board or Not to side board ??

Kainon · #1 October 12th, 2009, 10:50 PM

Hello, so I'm thinking about not installing the old full side boards in my Islander, I was at least thinking about 1 2' wide peice up front (each side) and 2 1' peices aft somewhere. Right now they are Red but would be changed to blue vinly that I am replacing over the engine/aft deck support and cuddy roof support.

Do I keep the original long peices and replace the Red with Blue?

Or Make new Smaller versions giving more Feet room under the gunwale and reducing boat weight?

I'll also be installing the radio speakers into the new smaller boards.

Thank you for your thoughts.. you can check out my picture gallery (updated a couple days ago).

ezmobee · #2 October 12th, 2009, 10:55 PM

I like your originals. My new SS is missing them completely and I wish I had 'em.

Kainon · #3 October 15th, 2009, 12:47 AM

Not much for votes, considering the visits.. I guess I wasn't clear enough.

My Starcraft Islander like other Starcrafts have boards that run the length of the deck on both sides.. I find them to be heavy and a pain. If you need to know what they look like you can look at my pics and other Starcrafts.

Rickairmedic · #4 October 15th, 2009, 10:35 AM

I voted for keeping the originals . I think they ad a nice finished look to the interior that 2 smaller boards wouldnt have . I simply painted mine with vinyl paint as they were in great shape other than the blue color which would have just been a little to much with the red and white theme of my boat.

Rick

Kainon · #5 October 15th, 2009, 11:25 AM

Thanks guys.. You're making me feel bad about not using the boards(kinda what I wanted to hear), even though my wife that doens't like my boat cuz she doesn't like me going fast over waves.. Thinks I should keep the full boards to keep things behind them handy like Fenders and the anchor, bottles of water, life vest.. etc..

Thanks !!! for your thoughts !!

I was wondering about Vinyl painting the Cabin cushion area, as I want it to be blue like the rest but I'm not ready to replace the wood or the vinyl.

ps.. I've done some updating of my boat website www.kainonmedia.com

efgolden · #6 October 15th, 2009, 11:45 PM

I vote for leaving it stock ....I just bought some speakers that I measured to make sure they would fit in the sides .....a bunch of rope and life jackets will fill them up in no time. There is never enough room on board a small cuddy. Try a four or five day trip with only two adults and look at the mountain of stuff you bring along . We filled the whole cabin and slept on the fold out seats on every trip I ever made on boats this size. You`re doing a beautiful job on the boat, everything looks great.

Kainon · #7 October 16th, 2009, 08:20 AM

Thank you !!! Thank you !!! Thank you !!! Thank you !!! Thank you !!!

I will keep them !! - I smiled when I saw another posting today and the kind words, and a couple more votes..

I hope I can remove the top metal peice without hurting it.. I painted the back side of the boards a couple years ago to help protect them, I hope I have enough of the material left to do one of the boards. I can get more material thankfully the Fabric Store is down the street.

coolbikeguy · #8 October 16th, 2009, 07:37 PM

are you talking about the metal peice that goes around the edge of the sideboards ?? mine was just held on with small screws. i was carefull not to ler it it get bent when removed though .... snap us some pics along the way

Kainon · #9 October 16th, 2009, 09:07 PM

Yup, I plan on taking more pics, I hope to get back to it within a couple days.

by the way.. the 1 vote for going with the smaller boards, was mine :-)

fishrdan · #10 October 17th, 2009, 03:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kainon

by the way.. the 1 vote for going with the smaller boards, was mine :-)

I just voted along with you too,,, so you didn't feel all alone

I don't own a Starcraft or know how they are constructed, but on my Crestliner rebuild I left the sideboards off. I wanted the deck open and leaving the side panels off bought me about 8-12" of deck width. I have enough storage to where I don't need the side compartments and without the side compartments I can build rod holders there, enough for 10-12 rods.

If you leave the side boards off, you have to deal with all the cables/wiring that's running behind them and it might not look so pretty with the sideboards off if it's rats nested. I lucked out and was able to run all my cables and wiring up under the gunnels.

Kainon · #11 October 17th, 2009, 12:44 PM

Thanks FishrDan !! Exactly, yea I do have my wires and cables under the gunwales, I wish my steering cable was 1-2' longer and my throttle cable was 3'-4' shorter but hey.. in time. I like to have feet room, dont' need the room for rods, do need someplace to keep the bumpers and an anchor when out on the water. I dont have storage under the floor but have plenty in the cabin seating and where the head was. And I wouldn't be completely leaving them out, they do add a bit of character. I've even toyed with just cutting them in half and using the forward 6' or so, they are 12' long !!! It's a tough decision, I guess I wont just trash them, I'll Save them for either a fellow Tin boater or.. ??

Thanks

Kainon · #12 October 21st, 2009, 06:52 PM

worked on the side boards today.. after tearing apart the port side, found it to be rotted, well I decided to cut some new ones, but 8' long instead of 12' long ( easier to manage and install in the boat ) and still use full .. here's what I got..

The 2 new peices on the left side-by-side 75% coated (1 side remaining) with Behr Premium Waterprooding and Sealant, I know.. it's not the best stuff, but thoroughly doused and coated it with it.. somethings, better than nothing.. I'm thinking of painting them too, with maybe an enamal spray.
Then will cover and finish with 2 deck lights and 2 radio speakers and the new blue vinyl I have.

Kainon · #13 November 3rd, 2009, 07:37 PM

Got 1 side board covered and 1 speaker and 1 deck light installed, need to purchase brass brads and think about how I am going to attach the channel on the bottom.

efgolden · #14 November 3rd, 2009, 11:02 PM

Looks like "factory" new to me.

Kainon · #15 November 4th, 2009, 12:16 AM

Thanks !!! after I do the side boards, I need to make a new engine cover. and think about how I am going to kinda close up the back section

Kainon · #16 November 4th, 2009, 05:41 PM

Well the covering and Speaker installation is done.. just need to mount the trim.

ezmobee · #17 November 4th, 2009, 07:31 PM

Hey Kainon, those look great. I'm going to be doing mine soon. Well actually mine don't yet exist so....

I was thinking of adding a very thin layer of foam under the vinyl when I do mine.

Kainon · #18 November 4th, 2009, 08:20 PM

after I finished the first one, I was thinking I shoulda did the foam under ( much like the original ) had quilted type foam squares, maybe using something to "trim" It ? like plastic covered buttons, I think using 3M 777 to hold the foam agaist the wood, would be a good idea, then 777 again the vinyl to the foam, then button it?? Maybe you took talk with an upholsterer for better ideas. I coated/soaked the wood with Behr Premium Wood protectant, also I used a rough wood which affects the feel and look a little of the vinyl. One of the things I found under the old vinyl was that some carpenter ants had had a little feast. I dont like the deck lights I have as the screws are visible ( they were free though ).

good luck..