1972 Starcraft Super Sport 16' Conversion to Center Console

[jacobmeyers]

Re: 1972 Starcraft Super Sport 16' Conversion to Center Console

How are you attaching the windshield ?

Sorry, Forgot to answer this one. I am going to use the existing bolts that came on the windows, we'll re-drill the holes and run them through the console. If that doesn't work, I have a few back up plans for attachment.

 

[jacobmeyers]

Re: 1972 Starcraft Super Sport 16' Conversion to Center Console

Just a few pictures of another restoration we did this summer. It's a 1954 Stamas 14' plywood boat.

 

[roscoe]

Re: 1972 Starcraft Super Sport 16' Conversion to Center Console

I think the control cables were 15' on my 16 SS.


THat little boat looks so cool.

 

[jacobmeyers]

Re: 1972 Starcraft Super Sport 16' Conversion to Center Console

This weekend I was able to get down and dirty with the wiring on this boat. I got everything done and had the lights on, bilge running, and was jamming to Justin Moore on the stereo. Here is a shot of my electronics and bilge hooked up. It's much cleaner than it used to be, believe it or not. Still looks like a mess though.

 

[jacobmeyers]

Re: 1972 Starcraft Super Sport 16' Conversion to Center Console

Here is a quick look at the wiring inside the console.

 

[jacobmeyers]

Re: 1972 Starcraft Super Sport 16' Conversion to Center Console

One thing I had to do was create a switch plate. The current switches didn't have a post deep enough to go through my playwood. We took some marine 1/4" and bored out the back so we can get switches in there. I saved myself some room for another switch or two.

I put this down at the base of the dash because I didn't want to keep jeapordizing structure by cutting holes in the console. I actually like it where it is more. I went with basic switches, nothing complicated. The third switch just kills the radio so it doesn't draw batter power sitting in the dry rack.

 

[jacobmeyers]

Re: 1972 Starcraft Super Sport 16' Conversion to Center Console

Here are a few shots of the console as it stands today. The console is done from a construction point of view. Next, I'll get to using some bondo and sand paper to really smooth the thing out, then finish with a nice coat of spray paint from the compressor. I want a smooth look, and have all winter to get it.

 

[jacobmeyers]

Re: 1972 Starcraft Super Sport 16' Conversion to Center Console

I had 4 speakers to hook up in the console. Realistically, I could only find room for two of them. I actually lost one of the speakers. For now, we'll go with two. Maybe I can run some wire up under the bow floor board to speakers in the bow seats. It sounds pretty good for what it is. The console creates more bass because the speakers are surrounded in a box.

Only problem is, whoever is riding in the cooler seat gets country blaring in their ears for the duration of the ride!!

 

[jacobmeyers]

Re: 1972 Starcraft Super Sport 16' Conversion to Center Console

A low quality video I took of the boat the other night. There is a song playing in the background, so if you are at work.... turn down your speakers.

 

[Friscoboater]

Re: 1972 Starcraft Super Sport 16' Conversion to Center Console

What a cool thread! Great work on this! I think I might get me a small center console for fishing.

 

[jacobmeyers]

Re: 1972 Starcraft Super Sport 16' Conversion to Center Console

I am in the "ideation" process of developing a lean post. Anyone out there have any ideas, have seen anything, or made something that may work for a smaller boat? I would like to lean two across the post at the helm.

I was thinking of using the cooler, but like the idea of having it as a seat in front of the console. I'd also like to keep some weight in the front of the boat as the weight shifted a bit during re-construction.

 

[KennethfromGA]

Re: 1972 Starcraft Super Sport 16' Conversion to Center Console

This probably isn't any help but...

I still love this console/seat design from a Chris Craft war bonds poster.

 

[ShowMeGuy]

Re: 1972 Starcraft Super Sport 16' Conversion to Center Console

This probably isn't any help but...

I still love this console/seat design from a Chris Craft war bonds poster.

That there is pretty slick design..... wonder how it works in real life??

 

[jacobmeyers]

Re: 1972 Starcraft Super Sport 16' Conversion to Center Console

I saw these seats today on Ebay, after a little more research, I think they could work for a lean post. My lean post would be 34 inches wide, my console is 24 inches wide. Do you think that is too much of a difference?



DeckMate

 

[KennethfromGA]

Re: 1972 Starcraft Super Sport 16' Conversion to Center Console

They were never built. During the war Chris Craft built Higgins boats by the thousands. To encourage sales of war bonds they released a series of posters with the slogan "Buy U.S. War Bonds Today- Tomorrow command your own CHRIS CRAFT" The posters all featured concept drawings and paintings of "future" models. (This applies to almost all the posters I've seen there may be ones with other themes.)

 

[64osby]

Re: 1972 Starcraft Super Sport 16' Conversion to Center Console

jm, Here is what I put in for my CC seat.

It is great for me, Seats two if your skinny like me, flip the back forward and use as a leaning post at lower speeds, at higher speed I will kneel on the seat and lean into the backrest. Also makes it nice to sit facing backward when fishing or relaxing.

It was originally set up as a live well on a pontoon boat.

Also I have an 18' cable on my 21' CC Mariner. It was a little tight but works great, a 20' would have been optimum.

Don't know how much room you have in front of the console but the original Starcraft's came with a bench that was part of the CC, works great for storage and a seat. A cooler with a pad and lashed down would work pretty good too.

 

[jacobmeyers]

Re: 1972 Starcraft Super Sport 16' Conversion to Center Console

jm, Here is what I put in for my CC seat.

It is great for me, Seats two if your skinny like me, flip the back forward and use as a leaning post at lower speeds, at higher speed I will kneel on the seat and lean into the backrest. Also makes it nice to sit facing backward when fishing or relaxing.

It was originally set up as a live well on a pontoon boat.

Also I have an 18' cable on my 21' CC Mariner. It was a little tight but works great, a 20' would have been optimum.

Don't know how much room you have in front of the console but the original Starcraft's came with a bench that was part of the CC, works great for storage and a seat. A cooler with a pad and lashed down would work pretty good too.

Thanks for the picture!! I think I am going to try and model what you have there. Love the idea of the versatile seat back for fishing or relaxing.

I have a cooler in front of my console at the moment, I think I may just leave it that way. It's a "free" seat that I don't have to build, also serves a purpose.

Love the Mariner CC, wish I could find one out there with a newer Merc or Yamaha on it.

 

[64osby]

Re: 1972 Starcraft Super Sport 16' Conversion to Center Console

One in your hometown - 18' STARCRAFT Not a Merc or Yam but looks great.

N MI w/ 4 stroke Merc, seems a little small for it - 18 Foot Aluminum Starcraft

Detroit w/ a Johnson 21'er seems a little $$$$$ me - 1986 21FT Starcraft centerconsole

But if you bought one you still need to finish your project.:lol:

 

[jacobmeyers]

Re: 1972 Starcraft Super Sport 16' Conversion to Center Console

One in your hometown - 18' STARCRAFT Not a Merc or Yam but looks great.

N MI w/ 4 stroke Merc, seems a little small for it - 18 Foot Aluminum Starcraft


Detroit w/ a Johnson 21'er seems a little $$$$$ me - 1986 21FT Starcraft centerconsole

But if you bought one you still need to finish your project.:lol:

That one in Cleveland is nice, a 40HP though??? I have an 80 on my 16'. I can't imagine that thing moves very quick. But that extra 2 feet may be better in the Lake Erie chop.

I can't believe I didn't see that boat, I comb through the Cleveland listings at least twice a day. Thanks!!!

 

[jacobmeyers]

Re: 1972 Starcraft Super Sport 16' Conversion to Center Console

I got my floor all primed yesterday, taking advantage of a 60 degree day in Cleveland on December 16th. I used some varnish on the edges and bottom of the floor, primed the top. I hope I am doing enough with regards to water proofing. I am in a dry rack at my marina, and the boat will rarely see water on the inside. The only thing I can think of is a sudden rain storm and dripping swim trunks getting back in the boat.