New Starcraft owner here... '85 21' center console

matthewp · #1 July 14th, 2008, 07:58 PM

Hello everyone,
First let me thank you guys for this great resource for boat owners. I've only had my boat a few months and this site has helped me out many times. A little on me: first and foremost - saltwater flyfisherman. After years of shore fishing, kayak fishing, and fishing from my brother's boat, I took the plunge and acquired my own vessel to give me access to more fishing throughout the season.

The boat: 1985 21' center console. 75hp force that, so far (knock on wood), has been trouble free. As to be expected - the trailer has been the biggest headache. I think I'm through the worst of that - after new wheels, tires, and hubs.... When I bought her, the console was well forward in the boat - too far for my taste. I moved it back to, well.. the actual center, of the boat - and raised it up 11" so I can run the boat comfortably standing up. Moved and raised the bench to match. Yeah, the boat rode better with the weight in the front. plans to deal with that in the long run. I set it up so I can fish the rest of this season out and begin the big project after the fish have gone south.

What it needs: everything. New deck - not sure yet on the transom. New wiring. Backup bilge, reconfigure the battery arrangement, etc. I'm planning on a new console, bench (w/rocket launchers), and a t-top (I have my eye on a "fishmaster" fold-down rig). Oh, a repower, new paint, and everything else I forgot. This project will likely go in stages - with necessities coming first - and only as fast as my discretionary funds will allow.

Anyhow, here are some pictures before I moved the console and bench - and one shot with the boat "doing its thing", so to speak. (Sorry for the small size - the limit for jpg is 97 kb on this site). The boat did get new electronics within a few days after I got her (standard horizon gps, eagle sonar, vhf radio,). Thanks again for all of the great info. It'll be a few months before this project gets underway, but you can be sure that I'll have many questions while it's in the planning stages.

Matthew

joeyplumley · #2 July 21st, 2008, 02:04 PM

Looks good! The decks on these boats aren't hard to replace at all (comparatively), just got done doing my own.

matthewp · #3 July 21st, 2008, 02:10 PM

Joey,
Your restoration project looks great! It was one of the first I checked out after I bought mine. You left no stone unturned on that project - certainly an inspiration for my future work. How tough was it to flip that boat over?

joeyplumley · #4 July 21st, 2008, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matthewp

Joey,
Your restoration project looks great! It was one of the first I checked out after I bought mine. You left no stone unturned on that project - certainly an inspiration for my future work. How tough was it to flip that boat over?

Did it myself. I'd guess the empty hull weighs 200#. It's good to have a helper though when flipping it to hold it up straight while you run over to the other side.

If nothing else, they can call the paramedics for you!