1985 16ss. Sylvan

[Kroussin]

Well I am at it again with another tin boat.
Been lurking looking at threads gaining some inspiration.
While I know my boat isn't a starcraft I hope that it will be accepted by the diehard starcraft guys with it rolling out of the factory between Y'alls starcraft's

I bought the boat mid summer knowing it needed some work but was able to at least hear it run pre purchase (people are funny round here)
It did fail its first few splash tests but that is another story
Long story short I had it running reliably within a week and enjoyed the heck out of it with my family for the remainder of summer until the floor was just too soft to really enjoy it anymore.
So now I have tore it down and begin putting it back together.

Bringing the boat home on day 1



Post repairs headed to Lake Michigan for the weekend



Trip to the huron islands

 

[Kroussin]

Boat is a 1985 sylvan 16 as as posted
It is powered by a dealer installed (in 1985)
1975 merc 650 that I now have running like a top. I have several original dealer papers with the matching motor serial number (yes odd I know)
I also have a 198x merc 70 with electronic ignition to potentially replace the 650 and eliminate the distributor. I say 198x because I cannot pin point the model year as it is a merc of Europa

Also have a 1985 Johnson 90hp v4 that will likely be sold come spring time unless my project ADHD brings back to installing it.

As of right now I have stripped it down to the hull and foam. Amazingly the foam was in great shape and therefore left in place. It had no foam up under the bow so some was added as was some added behind the hull access. Still plenty of area for water to make it to the stern bilge pump in a hurry if I ever take that sort of wave.
The new 1/2" marine ply was cut to size using what I could of the old floor as templates. I then coated the ply with 3 coats of epoxy paint on all sides.

 

[Kroussin]

Through the summer I managed to purchase and pillage a couple of boats for parts
First was a 15' larson that was too good to pass up 50$ for the package and was able to sell the trailer the next day for 300$ without ever posting for sale
Pillaged a bunch of hardware
merc 70hp less controls and steering
Trailer

Second was a trihull sea star for 125$
Finally a trailer to replace the rickety one under the sylvan
90hp johnson (2sets of controls)
Windshield that will work perfect on the sylvan
Fuel tank
Rain top
Trailer under sylvan sold for 125$ again without posting.
Alxle that was under seal star trailer sold form 50$ and am replacing with a torsion axle a pillaged from a rotten pop up camper
Tongue on new trailer being replaced with slightly longer to eliminate hitch extension when hauling camper in the truck.

 

[Kroussin]

As it sits now flooring is 90% secured down will pick up more fasteners tomorrow.
Top of gunwales has new vinyl layed...then I decided to pull the motor to paint the splash well....then I decided to pull the transom and replace the wood. (Backwards I know)

 

[Kroussin]

Since I still have motivation before I can get more hardware and marine ply to build a new transom.
I am taking on another side project not intended.
The consoles being angled to the sea side drove me nuts as everything wanted to make it's way overboard so I am reworking the consoles to make them sit level. Quick easy project.
Already plan to replace the dash wood as well as the wood in front of the console so I might as well.
Now when the boat is done and back in the water all of the wood will be new. Good for another 30+ years.

 

[Watermann]

Yeah the Sylvan is a Starcraft as is Smokercraft as is Starweld. It's all good.

I like that you too enjoy the pillaging of worthless glassers in the pursuit of glorious old tin!

 

[Kroussin]

I like that you too enjoy the pillaging of worthless glassers in the pursuit of glorious old tin!

Makes them useful for something.
It's incredible how many people scoff or overlook pillaging something that is roached out for needed parts.
Many many many boats and campers spend their entire life uncovered outside leaving them to a demise of rot and are full of long forgotten goodies.

The camper I pillaged was a deal where they just wanted it out of their sight out of their yard as it had sat for years unused
The two boats were projects that had lost interest and it's a good thing with how rotten and water logged they were.

Funny part about the camper
They forgot or really didnt care it was full of all of their personal camping stuff. (Obviously had not used it in years.
After a quick message reminding them I got a response of well it's all yOUR problem now......
Well ok.
Sleeping bags and pillows went right into the dump pile.
Tote full of paper towels rodent free
Large first aid kit still wrapped in plastic
Full 30# propane tank
Very clean very fresh Coleman roadtrip deluxe gas grill I sold on marketplace with well over the cost of the camper.
120v coffee pot
Several packs of playing cards
A bunch of candles
Flashlights
Etc.
It was like they got the camper and fully loaded it out for camping then never used it
I was able to strip all appliances and fixtures very hastily to sell them off or give to friends.
Not much of it went to waste. Turned a great profit for an evenings worth of work stripping it

And I thought I was gonna take a hit in the wallet because I wanted the axle in a bad way. Coffee pot addition to the shop made it worth it

 

[SHSU]

Looking good. You have really been moving along. See you are riveting the deck down. You using 5200 to seal the holes?

Love the Shark Nautolex. I have really enjoyed it on our boat.

Side note, glassers make perfect donors

SHSU

 

[ShoestringMariner]

Would like to see more pics of your Sylvan.
I bought one, stripped it and sold it earlier this year. Would have liked to keep it as another resto project but I needed the cash. I liked the fact sylvan used aluminum sheet for the vee - bench seats and the front of the helms as opposed to the vinyl clad plywood starcraft used. Perhaps a little more utilitarian but able to withstand the test of time.

 

[Kroussin]

There is a dab of 3m in each hole before the rivet is put in, have a couple of oops holes to fill and need to get another box of rivets to finish up the deck.
Also need to find a box of long rivets to put the trim back around the gunwale.

Past couple days I have been in mandatory work quarantine due to working alongside someone that later tested positive for the rhona.
Not gonna run for any parts until I am in the clear.
So I have a list of things I need that is growing longer and longer every day.
Gonna be a bit painful when I get the little paycheck.

 

[Kroussin]

Also, I plan to eliminate the bow rider function and the front will be a solid casting/ relaxing platform with storage underneath. Will use a combination of aluminum angle and epoxy coated wood to complete that task. Cannot rebuild that until I have the consoles back in place and that has to wait until the flooring is done.

In the meantime I will be working on another project that is also slow going but I have parts for. Building a crawler buggy with my son son. It is his project and he does all the work with my supervision. It is a learning project for him.

He will have the coolest go cart of any kid I know.

 

[strokendiesel002]

Great little boats! Love mine!

 

[SHSU]

He will have the coolest go cart of any kid I know.

Sir I beg to differ, that isn't a go cart....

lol

Your son will be King of the Dunes with that thing!!!!!

SHSU

 

[Kroussin]

Well I've been busy working away in the garage, unfortunately I got sidetracked and revamped things a bit. Rem ou ving 9' of workbenche. Garage had 36' total

I did purchase the needed 3/4 marine ply for the transom and got it cut to rough size. Also picked up more epoxy and 1/2 marine ply for the gunwale storage area.
Slowly but surely.
Tonight i moved the stereo system in the garage to round out the revamp. Just some final cleanup

 

[SHSU]

Any progress is good progress.

I have said it before and I will say it again. I am so envious of ya'll that have the outdoor building space for large workshops. One day I hope to have that option.

SHSU

 

[Kroussin]

Inching my way towards spring and towards completion

 

[SHSU]

I love the Nautolex. I see you did the top of your gunwales too. Mine have held up to the abuse of fishing and stepping on and off. I have to guess this is much better then the others I have seen that have painted the top.

SHSU.

 

[Kroussin]

Last minute decided to pull the carpet and put down the vinyl.

 

[Kroussin]

Added another coat of epoxy to the bow pieces today. Tomorrow morning I will add the last coat before wrapping them in vinyl. Will also paint to bow aluminum tomorrow to cover the wood grain.
Picked up another epoxy kit as I still need to cut and coat the gunwale wood pieces as well.

 

[SHSU]

The bow pieces, are those for the front seating area? Not sure I remember the wood pieces on the gunwale unless you are referencing the teak (assumed) deck steps.

SHSU