1978 Starcraft Islander project.....

[ricohman]

Re: 1978 Starcraft Islander project.....

Great job on the Islander. My old dad is a bit older than yours and I want to get him out on my Islander when he feels better.
Looking forward to more pics!

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1978 Starcraft Islander project.....

May I ask what was the process you went with on your transom replacement on your 1976? Was your outer skin warped badly too?

Yup, mine was warped out then after the big patch was welded on it had a wave in, then wave out. No sweat, that alum has lots of give. Once I bolted on the rubrail channel, and transom bolts it pulled right back into place no prob.

 

[xtrememuckruck]

Re: 1978 Starcraft Islander project.....

Not much progress today but I did take some time to work on a new fromt engine mount base for the inline 4. Here are a few pictures to look at from the days progress.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: 1978 Starcraft Islander project.....

You don't have to or really need to bond the transom wood to an aluminum hull... but there's no law against it

... at least you didn't use fiberglass on your transom build, there is a law against that!:laugh:

 

[xtrememuckruck]

Re: 1978 Starcraft Islander project.....

....Well ya know what they say. "If your gonna' do it, overdo it". I would hate the "Transom Police" to come busting down my garage door and cite me for an ethical violation... LOL:fear:

I will get some more picts up today when i get more time. I got the back of the boat all prepped for prime so I took it all the way down to aluminum and it looks sweet! Maybe just strip the entire boat and polish the whole thing and clear it? :laugh: It would have a slightly different DeLorian look. Maybe a couple of DMC decals on the side? The hardest part is trying to find a used Flux Capacitor on Ebay anywhere... Looking mighty grim at the moment:facepalm:

Oh well, guess I am just going to have to paint it. I was having the discussion with the wife about colors the last 2 days and she seems pretty hung up on some sort of red/maroon. It is way off-base from what I had envisioned and I am leaning to an off-white. We are at 2 different sides of the fence here completely. All you married boaters out there, remember how everyone says marriage is about compromise? Well its looking like the color of compromise is red.:hippie::hippie:

 

[xtrememuckruck]

Re: 1978 Starcraft Islander project.....

I finally gave up on trying to get the primer and paint I ordered to arrive correctly. The company sent me the wrong stuff 3 ties in a row thus far. I decided that I would just pay a bit more for retail and slide into my local West Marine here in Lansing and get it locally. After a few more hours of prepping on the back of the boat today I managed to get it primed and sanded. I was able to get 3 coats before I wrapped things up today. I will do the final sand tomorrow and prep and paint the first coat on the back. After it cures complete, my plan is to get the engine in and the entire gimble/drive assembly mounted and sealed before I throw in the towel tomorrow night. Should be a good day of progress and am looking to get the engine back in and off the rest of the floor so I can proceed with the rest of the boat tear-down. This is one of those boats that does not fit in my garage all the way so it makes for a strategic plan of attack on rebuilding her. Unconventional to say the least... Maybe after the struggles of the build I will have enough talking-point ammo to get my wife convinced to let me build the pole barn I have wanted for awhile now.:joyous:

 

[xtrememuckruck]

Re: 1978 Starcraft Islander project.....

Progress picts.. BUT FIRST, my wife took me a few days before to see Black Sabbath for some mariner inspiration. Ozzy is much like my Islander, they both looked in much better shape back in 1978 although at least I can fix the Islander.....

 

[xtrememuckruck]

Re: 1978 Starcraft Islander project.....

Todays Progress report. My father, my 8 year old Ethan and myself had a great day together working on the boat. Here are some picts of our progress. I worked with my boy on paint and technique and thought it would mean a lot to let him shoot the back of the boat. It was close to flawless and am super proud of how hard he tried. I helped him a bit when necessary but he felt like a real champ!

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1978 Starcraft Islander project.....

Looks like he's a natural w/ the spray equipment. Likely better then my 1st spray job will turn out :facepalm:

 

[xtrememuckruck]

Re: 1978 Starcraft Islander project.....

Well, almost got all of my engine back together. As long as it is out it gave me good cause to replace the water pump and do an oil change before it gets dropped in. I also went through the wiring and replace all the terminal ends for things such as alternator, coil etc with new factory connectors and shrink tube. I also replaced all of the loom conduit to make it look as new as possible. I just ordered a new fuel pump today and it should be in sometime early next week. Ill get some picts posted as soon as I can so everyone can see the work.

 

[xtrememuckruck]

Its been awhile since my last post. I am starting to work on the boat again with my little boy after a long summer. This project started with my father and I and in May this year my father fell from a ladder and passed away from head trauma. So,... I miss you and love you dad and me and Ethan are working hard to restore our boat. We are going to finish this boat in your memory and I know you will be with us all of the way in spirit. R.I.P. Loren Dean Mohney May 29 1935 - May 1 2014.

 

[Watermann]

That's awesome to dedicate your Islander restore to your father. Sorry to hear about your loss, my son in law lost his father from a fall as well. Will be looking for your updates.