18' Starcraft center console - 1974?

[akoz]

Hi,
I recently picked up this 18' Starcraft center console that I believe to be a 1974 based on the last 2 digits on the hull id number (STR00747M74H). You have to drop the last letter 'H', so I'm not sure if this is correct. It's got the 120hp Mercruiser I/O that has a cracked block. Since the transom is also rotted, it's going to be replace, so I'm going to put on a 120hp Evinrude outboard. I'll post some project pics at some point, but for the moment, what do I have with respect to year/make/model based on that HIN? Thanks, Al

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: 18' Starcraft center console - 1974?

Akoz welcome to iboats and since you posted a pic the Starcraft club . You are right on on the year of your boat and I will have to do a little digging to get the model . I do have to ask though do you already have the outboard you are planning to use . The project you are planning isnt an easy one on a fiberglass boat and even harder on a Tin Can . 120 mercruisers were used in alot of boats and you may actually be able to pick up a rough fiberglass boat with a good motor in it and save yourself aloooooot of headaches . I actually just sold a 74 Larson trihull for $350.00 that had a good 120 in it . Thats the direction I would go if it were me . While I have you here be sure to check out the link at the bottom of my post on the 2010 Starcraft club get together we are planning for next summer .


Rick

 

[akoz]

Re: 18' Starcraft center console - 1974?

Hi, thanks for welcoming me into the club!

I already had a nice outboard, freshwater, strong compression, before I found this boat and I have experience with fabricating transoms (ok, I take two 3/4 sheets of PT plywood and bond them with construction adhesive...clamped for 24 hrs). That part of the job is done including the cutting of the old transom "skin" and patching of the outdrive "hole". I just took this pic this morning, fresh off the press...I also added one where the old transom is just coming out...rotted with bonus carpenter ants!

I do admit that this isn't for the faint-hearted and that given how low the transom cut is (long shaft = 20 in), this will definitely need some kind of splash well. Since I'm already going to reinforce the new transom and tie it into the floor stringers, I'm thinking of just building that up and have it turn into the splash well at the top. Still whirling around in my head right now so nothing is set in stone (or wood/aluminum) yet.

Al

 

[leshadow]

Re: 18' Starcraft center console - 1974?

Beautiful boat! Saddened by the fact I can't seem to find one like that. Keep up the good work!

 

[Joe_the_boatman]

Re: 18' Starcraft center console - 1974?

You may want some reinforcement from the mid/upper part of the transom to the gunwales to transmit the force from the engine to the hull. The splashwell in my Starcraft is fairly heavy gauge aluminum, I'm sure to help distribute the load as well as be sturdy enough to support us when working on engines - ahem, I mean swimmers re-boarding.

 

[akoz]

Re: 18' Starcraft center console - 1974?

Thanks! Hey, I followed the link to your boat and realized that I had seen this before I registered and made my first posting. That is one heck of a restoration, specifically, the great attention to detail...very nice!

p.s. you don't have a spare 100 hours or so to help me out, do you?

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: 18' Starcraft center console - 1974?

Akoz looks like you are moving right along on her . The only thing I would warn about is the use of treated Ply Aaluminum boats and the copper in the Treated Ply dont play well together . As fra as Splashwells feel free to look at my thread there ar some decent shots of my transom in there and I can get you more if you need ( next week when its rightside up again ) .


Rick

 

[akoz]

Re: 18' Starcraft center console - 1974?

Rick, nice...another fine resto. Is that a XL shaft on that Merc? Maybe it's just the pic, but it looks tall. Wouldn't think you'd need that splash well...wink, wink...

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: 18' Starcraft center console - 1974?

Actually Akoz I dont know . I do know it came from the dealer on the back of the boat in 1970 thata way so I hope its right LOL. I will have to dig deeper into the OLD Merc in a few weeks ll I know right now is she does run and I need to do a water pump from her sitting a good part of the last 8 years .


Rick

 

[akoz]

Re: 18' Starcraft center console - 1974?

Rick, thanks. I sealed the PT with an oil-based primer/sealer like a KILZ (or ZINSEER)...forget which right now. In any case, I am trying to minimize any direct contact of wood to alum.

I totally forgot about this other product called Advantec (sp?). It has a 50 year warranty and no voids in it. It looks like an OSB plywood, but it's not and is supposed to be using the same glue as marine plywood. The kicker is that it's $20 for a 4x8 sheet of 1/2" vs $50+ for the same in marine grade. It also has to be a lot easier to glue together since it lays flat and smooth (unlike that PT crap I used which needed to be clamped and screwed 7 ways to Sunday).

On your Merc, you should be able to get a simple shaft length or just measure the transom.

 

[akoz]

Re: 18' Starcraft center console - 1974?

I've been slacking...ok, I've been trying to find a replacement for my lawn mower of 10 years that finally decided to give up the ghost yesterday...clearly cutting (pun intended) into my boat resto...

Here's a picture of the back of the transom with the reinforcement. I took a couple of PT 2x4's and through-bolted them to the transom, then ran a couple more all the way under the floor and hooked into the stringer with another set of through-bolts. Then I laid in a pair of double 3/4 PT plywood "triangles" and sunk in a bunch of 3" treated deck screws and tied the whole thing together.

I just need to do a couple of cross-braces (more 2x4's) and the partially cover the "hole" and leave the back-end open for access to the bilge.
-Al

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: 18' Starcraft center console - 1974?

Al looks like your moving forward and thats all that matters .

Rick

 

[akoz]

Re: 18' Starcraft center console - 1974?

Here are a couple of pictures for this weekend. Still waiting for the aluminum channel for the transom cap, so I'll be hanging the outboard on Sat...I hope.

Nice piece of "scrap" taken from one of the old transom panels came in handy for that floor patch. I put down some glass and resin and waiting for that to dry.

Al

 

[akoz]

Re: 18' Starcraft center console - 1974?

finally got the motor on today...now for the real fun...

 

[PaulyV]

Re: 18' Starcraft center console - 1974?

Hmm..what happened to the post....maybe the motor fell off...hope not..

 

[Rudi2]

Re: 18' Starcraft center console - 1974?

Hmm..what happened to the post....maybe the motor fell off...hope not..

Yikes! let's hope it's still together! ;-) But you're right, he was moving right along, and then -- nothing. Gotta love these tincan rebuilds.

 

[DukesFin]

Re: 18' Starcraft center console - 1974?

That motor looked/looks a bit low by the last pictures he posted... Could be the angle of the photo though.

I hope he's just out having too much fun in his boat to post!!!

 

[akoz]

Re: 18' Starcraft center console - 1974?

Boat goes great, motor is setup well, full down trim is the sweet spot.
-Al