14' Starcraft Aluminum Boat Resto Questions

To All:
My wife told me that it was now or never for the fishing boat project that I have had sitting in the yard for the last 6 or so years. It is a 14' Starcraft aluminum boat (Serial #STRG60970681-A2) with a 18hp Mercury XD motor. I am working on a functional restoration so that I can have a fishing boat out on the lake. I am planning on stripping the hull, resealing the rivets with West System G/Flex epoxy, painting the hull, replacing the transom, carpeting and then, hopefully! out on the lake. I have a couple of questions:

-Can anyone identify the boat's year and model by the serial number. Given that the motor is from 1985, I'm guessing that the boat is of the same vintage. It would be helpful to know the exact year though.

- I know the motor pad needs to be replaced, and I think that I will replace the transom at the same time. The plywood transom only seems to go across the top of boat, under the splash shield. Would it be beneficial for the replacement transom to go the full depth of the transom? Is there some guide to getting the splash shield off for this boat that will help me?

-The bottom of the boat is pretty dinged up with one crude patch and several screws driven into the bottom, all gummed up with what looks like 3M 5200 adhesive. How diligent should I be about getting these out and properly patched? Can i just reseal with the G/Flex?

Thanks!

Garet
Cooperstown, NY

Images:
http://i1158.photobucket.com/albums/p612/otsegony/IMG_3751.jpg?t=1342392775
http://i1158.photobucket.com/albums/p612/otsegony/IMG_3752.jpg?t=1342392775
http://i1158.photobucket.com/albums/p612/otsegony/IMG_3756.jpg?t=1342392775
http://i1158.photobucket.com/albums/p612/otsegony/IMG_3753.jpg?t=1342392775
http://i1158.photobucket.com/albums/p612/otsegony/IMG_3755.jpg?t=1342392775

Re: 14' Starcraft Aluminum Boat Resto Questions

No need for the transom wood to go full depth, it'll last longer if it doesn't because it won't be exposed to bilge water.

We need to see the inside of your transom and splashwell configuration to give advise on transom wood removal.

I would remove any needless screws and replace them with blind rivets like in this vid:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0MA1-5NXjs&feature=related

I would also remove and rework that caca-doody patch, the closed end rivets are good for that too.

Before applying any epoxy mixture I'd do a leak test and remove and replace all leaking rivets with the blind rivet method, I consider the epoxy more of a preventive measure instead of a first chioce fix.

When replacing your wood, don't use pressure treated wood. Use regular exterior grade plywood, ABX is the most desireable. Be sure to seal all of your wood with epoxy resin or exterior grade Spar urethane and use multiple coats.

Re: 14' Starcraft Aluminum Boat Resto Questions

otsegony said:

To All:
My wife told me that it was now or never for the fishing boat project that I have had sitting in the yard for the last 6 or so years. It is a 14' Starcraft aluminum boat (Serial #STRG60970681-A2)

-Can anyone identify the boat's year and model by the serial number. Given that the motor is from 1985, I'm guessing that the boat is of the same vintage. It would be helpful to know the exact year though.

Click to expand...

Year of manufacture 1981

Transom Pictures

Transom Pictures

Thanks for the help, I watched the video and will follow that method of repairing the leaking rivets. Here are some pictures of the transom:


http://i1158.photobucket.com/albums/p612/otsegony/IMG_3762.jpg
http://i1158.photobucket.com/albums/p612/otsegony/IMG_3763.jpg
http://i1158.photobucket.com/albums/p612/otsegony/IMG_3761.jpg

Any ideas on how to reasonably get to the wood core would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Garet

Re: Transom Pictures

Re: Transom Pictures

otsegony said:

Thanks for the help, I watched the video and will follow that method of repairing the leaking rivets. Here are some pictures of the transom:


http://i1158.photobucket.com/albums/p612/otsegony/IMG_3762.jpg
http://i1158.photobucket.com/albums/p612/otsegony/IMG_3763.jpg
http://i1158.photobucket.com/albums/p612/otsegony/IMG_3761.jpg

Any ideas on how to reasonably get to the wood core would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Garet

Click to expand...

I like that transom design, good and strong.

To remove your wood you'll need to remove the transom cap on top and every bolt and rivet that goes through the wood, you may also want/have to remove that bench/box stiffener for access and just to see what you're doing. Just keep taking stuff off until you can get the piece that you want off.