1972 Starcraft Holiday 21'

[bchaney]

​​​​Hey guys, it's been a while since I've posted so I thought I'd give an update. The family really enjoyed the boat during the warm weather. Since the weather cooled down I've been taking it out fishing for cutthroat trout. I installed one downrigger and plan to install another. I'm new to trolling but it has been fun learning and enjoying the beautiful mornings on the lake. I'm considering adding a kicker or maybe an electric trolling motor so I don't put a lot of hours on the Yamaha. I have to drag a bucket to get down to trolling speed.

I picked up a barely used lewmar delta anchor and some chain and anchor shackles. I need to figure out if I'm comfortable with the slightly frayed anchor rope that came with the boat out get a new one and get it all assembled. It'll be nice to be able to anchor in coves instead of drifting.

I want to do some work on the trailer before I take the boat on any longer trips. It works great for getting the boat to the local launch and back, and it's really easy to launch and retrieve by by myself with the rollers and small tires. There's a good amount of rust on it and the carpet on it needs to be replaced. The previous owner told me it was a homemade trailer and it shows. The paperwork says it's about as old as the boat. The wiring and lights need to be replaced and I'm not sure of the condition of the bearings. It seems to mostly support the boat on the keel. I'm not sure if it's worth fixing it up or if it's easier/better to find a replacement. Below are some pics, let me know what you guys think.

 

[Watermann]

Sure looks to me like you learned how to drag in the fish!

Yeah that trailer I'm sorry to say looks like it's seen better days. I would start just looking around for a newer bunk trailer, money well spent in the long run.

 

[classiccat]

Nice haul there BC!

Installing a 2nd downrigger will double your haul and keep the boat from trying to drive in circles :lol:

 

[bchaney]

WM I took your advice and started looking - I'm going to check out the trailer below on Saturday. It needs some work - the brakes aren't working (hopefully just low fluid) and I'll probably replace as many of the non galvanized rusted parts as I can (bunk support brackets, u-bolts, and that front piece hopefully). I also plan to replace the bunks and carpet while they're accessible before I swap trailers. Tandem axles is overkill for the Holiday but its a nice trailer and price.

classiccat unfortunately the lake near my house has a 1 pole limit :blue:. It makes it much harder to find the depth and bait that the fish want to bite that day. I'm happy to get out on the water any day though. I have a buddy who's interested in fishing so if he comes I could use both riggers.

 

[bchaney]

Well, I ended up picking up that trailer. I replaced the bunks with some Douglas fir and 32oz marine carpet. I also replaced the rusted bunk swivel brackets and hardware. The frame brackets are aluminum so I added some electrical tape to electrically isolate them and hopefully prevent some corrosion.

I dragged the new trailer and the boat to the launch over the weekend and made the swap. I used my bathroom scale to measure the tongue weight and ended up sliding the winch stand as far forward as possible to get it to an acceptable amount. Unfortunately now the front of the keel can contact the trailer if I'm not careful in launching and retrieving. The boat also isn't sitting on the front of the bunks, it's only supported in the rear. I'm debating either adding a spacer under the front bunk support or sliding the boat rearward and moving the axles to get the tongue weight up. I may add some guides to help get the boat centered too. The bunks are positioned just outside the chines but I still had trouble getting the boat to center. This may improve once I get the boat sitting on the bunks in the front.

The sun came out for long enough to take the family on a cruise around the lake too :joyous:

 

[Watermann]

Big time trailer upgrade right there! :thumb:

 

[DLNorth]

Agreed, well done.