Introduction, and 1977 Starcraft Holiday 18 I/O restoration

[mfelthousen]

I bought my first boat from a friend in May 2018- it is a 1977 Starcraft Holiday 18 I/O, with the Mercruiser 120. I've started a mild restoration just so I can use it comfortably, although I have a feeling that next year I'll work on aesthetics. So far I have removed all dead electronics and gear, replaced the floor, refurbished the gas tank, and I'm building new steps/center support/console. Seats are on their way, and I am replacing the carpeting and carb this weekend. The goal is to have a splash around July 4th, but since I also have to replace the trim sender, I may miss that goal.

Thank you everyone for your posts, especially the Starcraft restorations. They've been very helpful in convincing me I wasn't crazy to spend $500 on this boat and trailer in the first place.

Here's some before/during/after pics, so far.

 

[jbcurt00]

Changed the deck (floor) but not the transom?

 

[mfelthousen]

Changed the deck (floor) but not the transom?

Right. The transom is in decent shape for the age, and I wanted to get some time on the water this year. I realize I may have to do it 'soon' though.

 

[ab59]

that sure is some purdy ply on that deck I might have been tempted to lay on 4 or five layers of poly resin and thrown in a handful of sand and called it good. good work so far .

 

[mfelthousen]

Thank you! I like the look of the wood also, but it will all end up covered.

Yesterday's progress between rain storms- cleaned/painted the transom, reinstalled the tank, changed fuel lines, and started replacing the blower hoses. Plus urethaned the console pieces before they get skinned in vinyl.

 

[mfelthousen]

Still making progress, but life has gotten in the way of hobbies for a bit- the carpet is in, and I'm rebuilding the center console, rear engine cover, and rear kick plate. Also chasing down trim control issues...

 

[mfelthousen]

Splashed- took her out for the first time this weekend. I still have a couple things to fix, such as fuel delivery (starvation issues started about 1.5 hours in), and trim issues (rams need rebuild- don't keep the drive down in reverse). But, I'm happy with how far this came considering it is my first boat and first attempt at restoration.

 

[sheboyganjohn]

Rams don't need to be rebuilt. They are only for up and down. The reverse lock-out will be somewhere inside the boat. usually has a switch associated with it so when you shift in reverse it locks out the hydraulics so the drive does not raise. Start with the switch for adjustment. If that does not do it then I would look at functionality of the switch. In the engines section under I/O's there should be some information that will help.

 

[BWR1953]

Congrats on the splash! Looks good on the water. :joyous:

 

[mfelthousen]

Rams don't need to be rebuilt. They are only for up and down. The reverse lock-out will be somewhere inside the boat. usually has a switch associated with it so when you shift in reverse it locks out the hydraulics so the drive does not raise. Start with the switch for adjustment. If that does not do it then I would look at functionality of the switch. In the engines section under I/O's there should be some information that will help.

Thanks- I should add that the drive also struggles to trim down, so I'd still be looking to rebuild the rams at some point. I'll certainly check the switch also.

 

[66Holiday924]

Just found your thread and got caught up on your work. Looks good! Your wood work is great! I look forward to following along with you. You're doing stuff that is in my future for sure. I like your doghouse and jump seat setup, better than mine.

I don't know what year/model outdrive you have, and my boat is about 10 years older than yours, but if for whatever reason you happen to have the same outdrive that I do, the reverse lock is mechanical and not hydraulic. Is there a spring loaded mechanism on the front of the upper housing?

 

[mfelthousen]

Just found your thread and got caught up on your work. Looks good! Your wood work is great! I look forward to following along with you. You're doing stuff that is in my future for sure. I like your doghouse and jump seat setup, better than mine.

I don't know what year/model outdrive you have, and my boat is about 10 years older than yours, but if for whatever reason you happen to have the same outdrive that I do, the reverse lock is mechanical and not hydraulic. Is there a spring loaded mechanism on the front of the upper housing?

Thank you! It's my first boat, and first restoration, so I'm sticking with the original woodwork as a template. My out drive is original, so it is also a 1977. I ended up having a mechanic replace the throttle and drive cables, but it was too late in the season to test whether the lockout is working properly now. There is a hydraulic line that leads up to the mechanism however.

Mat

 

[Watermann]

I would have to say that the issue with the drive tilt and trim is a bad pump that is leaking down. Does it hold trim while under way or sink all the way down?

 

[mfelthousen]

I would have to say that the issue with the drive tilt and trim is a bad pump that is leaking down. Does it hold trim while under way or sink all the way down?

It did seem to hold trim while under way. The trim gauge wasn't reliable, so it wasn't always easy to tell though. As part of the winterization the rams were rebuilt (one started leaking) and the system was flushed/bled, so I'll know more about where things sit now, in the spring.

 

[mfelthousen]

An update- most of the work since my update last year was on the stern drive. I've had a mechanic working on the trim system and the lower unit. The boat now has new shift and throttle cables, gimble bearing, u-joints, and a few other updates. The lower unit is currently being repaired for damage on the skeg, and getting painted. So, while I wait for that, I've done some refinishing of the teak and will be replacing the bilge pump.

 

[Watermann]

Sounds to me like someone is just about ready for some time on the water.

Hey I know a guy :joyous: that has a matching Starcraft logo IO Tach and speedo.

 

[mfelthousen]

It may be ready for this weekend, depending on whether all the parts arrive this week. I'd have a mix of gauges anyway, but thanks for the offer!

 

[mfelthousen]

I got out on the water for the first time since early September... since the last time she saw water, I've done the following:

-Refinished all of the original wood with teak cleaner and several coats of teak oil
-Added a power cut-off switch and fuse panel at the stern for my auxiliary trim switch and automatic switch for the bilge pump
-Replaced the bilge pump and hose
-Had my keg repaired and repainted... had a chunk missing and it was bent. Also the prop was touched up.
-Rebuilt the rams
-Replaced the points and coil with Pertronix (keeping the originals as spares)
-Replaced the plugs
-Painted any rusting spots on the engine with high-temp paint
-New throttle and shift cables
-New shift shaft
-New gimble bearing
-New u-joints
-Slow progress on painting the trailer

I still have work to do. I need to paint the hull, but that is going to wait until next year. My trim gauge stopped working again, and the dash trim controls wouldn't raise the drive. I know this is a minor wiring issue since my auxiliary switches work. The carb still needs to be tuned, but I got GPS-verified 33 mph at 4200 rpm today without the benefit of trim controls, so I can't complain much. It was happier at 3800 rpm (30 mph).

 

[steve_h7]

Congratulations! She's a beauty. :thumb:

 

[Watermann]

Super! Great to see you Holly floating once again :clap2: