66 Starcraft Sunchief Re-Build

[sschefer]

Re: 66 Starcraft Sunchief Re-Build

BTW, for all you Starcraft folks out there, my wood guy says the transome gunwale (?) piece and the dash were constructed of mahogany and covered with vinyl.

AKA, Brazilian Cherry and Teak depends on where it was grown. Same general species just different parts of the world. Most of what we call Mahogany here in the states came out of the Honduras area.

You do plan to reclaim that wood don't you.. I would be saddened to hear otherwise.

 

[sschefer]

Re: 66 Starcraft Sunchief Re-Build

BTW, for all you Starcraft folks out there, my wood guy says the transome gunwale (?) piece and the dash were constructed of mahogany and covered with vinyl.

AKA, Brazilian Cherry and Teak depends on where it was grown. Same general species just different parts of the world. Most of what we call Mahogany here in the states came out of the Honduras area.

You do plan to reclaim that wood don't you.. I would be saddened to hear otherwise. It would make a great mantle decoration or clock.

 

[North Beach]

Re: 66 Starcraft Sunchief Re-Build

Ugh, that old wood will make it's way to my bow shop. And there's a specific name for the mahogany we're using this time but it escapes me just now. Something about it coming from the part of the tree that is submerged in water wherever it grows???

anyhow, it looks good! and I'll get the specifics in a couple of days.

 

[sschefer]

Re: 66 Starcraft Sunchief Re-Build

Ugh, that old wood will make it's way to my bow shop. And there's a specific name for the mahogany we're using this time but it escapes me just now. Something about it coming from the part of the tree that is submerged in water wherever it grows???

anyhow, it looks good! and I'll get the specifics in a couple of days.

Oh yeah, that's the nice stuff. From what I've read they no longer harvest Mahogany so what they are getting now are the logs that are sunk in the rivers and from the stumps that were left. This wood has some really beautiful grain patterns and is at a premium. I drool everytime it finds it's way into our local Woodcraft store. If you saw my shop you'd instantly know what my other hobby is.

 

[North Beach]

Re: 66 Starcraft Sunchief Re-Build

OK, a little more progress. Matt, the wood guy came over today to do some measuring of the boat. Evidently the word is out not to trust my measurements on anything you want to look good. He informed me the motor box was done except the extension with the cup holders and the cubbyhole. The reason for the measuring was the stuff is laid out and ready to be cut for the side panels and the dash/stern pieces.

Here?s the info on the wood. Since true mahogany is pretty much impossible to get due to overharvesting, we went with an African exotic wood called Sapele. It?s also called Sapelewood, Aboudikrou, Sapeli, Gold Coast Cedar, and Penkwa. Here?s a sample pic from the internet. The plywood we?re using on the side boards is identical to the plain sample on the left except the stripes will be horizontal.

I also received two more shipments today-the bench seats with storage compartments. Here?s what the layout will look like. The space between the two benches is 18?. About the same as before with the foldup laydown seats that were original, plus, I pick up additional storage.

And I found a Brand Spankin New early 60?s steering wheel so now the stainless one is out. Man this freakin wheel is awesome and it?s the exact one I?ve been looking for since seeing an old crusty one on eBay a few months ago. 49 bucks plus shipping!

We?re still seeing rain here off and on and I can?t paint the boat till the dash and stern piece are re-installed so we?re on hold with the paint again.

 

[cnr2003]

Re: 66 Starcraft Sunchief Re-Build

Is the Sapele plywood exterior grade? I went to our local hardwood shop an they had a 4x8 sheet of African Mahogany, but it was not exterior grade, so he didn't recommend it for the boat. They have 4/4 and 8/4 Mahogany boards as well, but I think it would be much easier if I could find a sheet of plywood.

I like the seating arrangement a lot. I was planning on doing one bench behind the passenger seat as well. It looks like a Wise brand, but what model are they?

 

[North Beach]

Re: 66 Starcraft Sunchief Re-Build

The plywood is marine grade with waterproof glue. I'm not sure where he ordered it from but I can find out for you.

On the seats, the helms chairs are Wise Offshore exrta wide with the pedestals and slides. They came from Overton's. The benches are Veada deluxe pontoon benches 46" length with closed storage. I also ordered matching vinyl for the upholsterer so we could keep the original jump seats.

 

[sschefer]

Re: 66 Starcraft Sunchief Re-Build

The plywood is marine grade with waterproof glue. I'm not sure where he ordered it from but I can find out for you.

On the seats, the helms chairs are Wise Offshore exrta wide with the pedestals and slides. They came from Overton's. The benches are Veada deluxe pontoon benches 46" length with closed storage. I also ordered matching vinyl for the upholsterer so we could keep the original jump seats.

Man NB you blew right past me in the cool goodies department. I love the wood and the seats. I've been thinking of going with a cooler seat in the back for those more than one buddy day's. At 18' I don't have as much room as I want but it's still a one man launch so I took the trade off.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 66 Starcraft Sunchief Re-Build

Your proposed seating arrangement is awesome!

 

[North Beach]

Re: 66 Starcraft Sunchief Re-Build

SS, I feel your pain on the 18 footer. I've been looking at Ole Blue and I realized the 22 footer really gives me a lot more room than the 18. I know 4 feet aint that much, but it sure seems like more. And if it was an outboard model with the big splashwell, it would be even worse.

EZ, we just needed some more storage in the boat and my son suggested the pontoon seats with flip up seats. I'm excited!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 66 Starcraft Sunchief Re-Build

I had once pondered putting one in the rear of my boat but it would have just been too big.

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: 66 Starcraft Sunchief Re-Build

Well..... as I mentioned last night..... I might be looking at a holiday this week Mentioned it to the wife and she said sure fill the whole yard with boats!!! Mind you .... we have 2 acres Dang I love that woman Very tolerant of my antics.

Um Bob just checking here but you do know she was being sarcastic right . I called SWMBO after I picked up my 64 Crestliner Del Rio and told her I got another boat and the guy actualy gave me $300.00 to take it and she said I could have as many as I wanted for that deal LOL. Reality was I gave him $100.00 for the boat and trailer and he gave me $400.00 for a used 2 & 1/2 ton AC unit .. I am quite sure though if I show up with any more boats I will be in deep doo doo . I am sweet talking her at the moment for a 1960 Cutter runabout but I only want it for the 1959 45HP Merc hanging off the back of it .


Rick

 

[North Beach]

Re: 66 Starcraft Sunchief Re-Build

OMGosh! You folks are gonna be amazed when you see this wood. I just left the woodshop and the side panels, motorbox, and both the dash and stern pieces are done and about to get sealed. The stuff is beautiful and I Cant Wait! to get it in the boat.

Of course, it's still raining here and even if the dash and stern piece were in I STILL CAN'T PAINT

We've had rain for 8 or 9 days now..............

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: 66 Starcraft Sunchief Re-Build

NB that interior is going to look great and you have given me yet another option for my Larson interior. I have never been fond of the little jump seats on either side of the engine cowling . I could do a full sundeck over the motor ,gas tank and battery etc. and go with seating like yours .


Rick

 

[Mark42]

Re: 66 Starcraft Sunchief Re-Build

Holy Cow! That boat is going to look so sharp with those captain chairs and bench seats. I like the bench seats facing each other, its a nice layout for just cruising.

Really nice work so far. Enjoying watching this rebuild.

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: 66 Starcraft Sunchief Re-Build

NB...
My first chance to chek in on whats going on, still on biz in NYC till Sat...1st of all THANKS!

2nd, those seats are waaaay cool, that extra 4 feet-o-tin must be nice! lol

The wood, well...I know its going to be immaculant like evrything else you have done thus far...My B Ticket is just sitting in my driveway 1200 miles away..sux

 

[North Beach]

Re: 66 Starcraft Sunchief Re-Build

Thanks for all the positive comments guys!

Today we got sunshine so I drug the boat out of the shop and started prepping for topside paint. I hit everything again with the orbital sander with 220 grit disks. I didn?t realize how much prep work was still needed. Re-drilling all the old rivet shafts out of the holes and removing remnants of silicone at all the topside hardware locations.

Once that was done it was time to deal with all the old un-needed holes from all the years of folks drilling and mounting various junk-homemade bimini tops, kmart rod holders, etc.
I found these little gizmos on eBay listed under Stainless Steel Chevelle grill bolts. Perfect! I just re-drilled all the old holes to fit and bolted these puppies in.

The admiral came out and helped some also. She must realize we?re close to launch time!

Here she is all masked off and ready for the Zinc Chromate.

Finally!!!! We got the ZC on and it started clouding up. Here?s a shot of the ZC.

Here?s another right before I backed her into the Boatel. Tomorrow I?m shooting primer!!!

 

[North Beach]

Re: 66 Starcraft Sunchief Re-Build

OK we got sunshine again with a little bit of breeze. Since we're just doing primer I figured the light wind was ok.

Drug the boat out of the Boatel and lightly sanded the Zinc Chromate with 220 grit. I think this made a big difference over the approach we took on the bottom. Prior to shooting the undercoat primer, everything was nice and smooth. Here's a shot of the ZC before I hit it with the air and a damp cloth.

Next step was to rig everything up and get ready to shoot the primer. I used the Pettit 6149 Undercoater Primer. It's good for glass, wood, and previously painted surfaces and is recommended for use with the Easypoxy topside paint we're gonna use here. I followed the directions for spray thinner which was 15 to 20%. I mixed a little less than 2 ounces thinner to 12 ounces of primer. I got one good coat (not to thick) on the areas you see here and used a couple ounces short of a full quart. The second shot is a close up of the area under the bow. We're also gonna cover that area with the Special Green just like the top side.

Tomorrow is Mom's day and I have to work all day Monday, so we may or may not get a coat of the green on Monday evening. I'm trying to get the top and the wood done before I roll out for British Columbia on the 19th.

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: 66 Starcraft Sunchief Re-Build

Cool NB!
What more could Mrs. NB ask for than working on the boat on Mother's day? A chance to be outside, spending quality time with her man..

OK...I guess Diane wouldnt go for it either...

In Atlanta on a layover home....man I cant wait to get back!

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: 66 Starcraft Sunchief Re-Build

That's really nice! Those seats are perfect....... the topside is going to be as nice as the sides....... it will be better than new... SOON we know soon!!