1959 Starcraft 16' Super Constellation - Winner 2016 Starmada SOTY Award

[Watermann]

Looking really good from here dale :thumb:

 

[ssdale]

GA-I don't think I was participating in the forum as I completed the Cherokee project. Although I found a lot of great info here. All of my posts have been as ssdale and I have included a few pics of the Cherokee in this post. I also posted a few pics in "show us yer boat II" I thought I could upload photos of the entire project from my computer and create a "finished projects" post since info on Mckenzie/Cherokee boats is pretty thin. However, as discussed above with JB, I get an "unknown error" prompt when attempting an upload with the new software. Please PM with any suggestions as to how I might submit the completed Cherokee project.

JB-I know photobucket is great, but the upload through the forum has been fine up to now and for some reason still worked well with my latest photos. Really hate that I wont be able to use "before and after's" as I get closer to completion-always enjoy those the most when used by others. Might have to learn how to use photobucket afterall

Waterman-Thanks for the big thumbs up and supersizing the pic!

I have read and learned a lot from what each of you has posted over the years! Kinda proud if this is really the only Super Constellation. She was only a few weeks from being scrapped out:yield:
Dale

 

[hadaveha]

Love your boat I'm going to tag along some if you don't mind

 

[ssdale]

Had some time to work on the Mahogany seats for the SC. Luckily a PO had covered the entire wooden front seat area with a piece of blue vinyl. Hey, was better than nothing! This protected the wood enough for me to save all of the seat support wood and preserved the seat back enough for me to use it as a make shift template to cut out the new mahogany walk-thru seat back. Couple of shots of the before and after seat back and test fitting of the results.

It is tricky to reassemble because the seat back is structural to the boat and everything needs to be squared up and screwed together as a unit, then adjust the gunnels accordingly? Anyone who has done this before is welcome to chime in. The seat tops are aluminum and were nailed to the top edges of the seat backs with domed spiral nails. just loose in the pics to see how it might shape up.

Dale

 

[jhendery]

Looking real nice Dale. Those mahogany pieces look real sharp!

As mentioned the mods are looking at creating a forum for Mckenzie Cherokee boats. Sounds like a great spot for your Playboy restoration.

 

[GA_Boater]

Looking real nice Dale. Those mahogany pieces look real sharp!

As mentioned the mods are looking at creating a forum for Mckenzie Cherokee boats. Sounds like a great spot for your Playboy restoration.

We are? I think Admin said not now until there are more of them. I think this is the second McK/Cherokee.

 

[GA_Boater]

GA-I don't think I was participating in the forum as I completed the Cherokee project. Although I found a lot of great info here. All of my posts have been as ssdale and I have included a few pics of the Cherokee in this post. I also posted a few pics in "show us yer boat II" I thought I could upload photos of the entire project from my computer and create a "finished projects" post since info on Mckenzie/Cherokee boats is pretty thin. However, as discussed above with JB, I get an "unknown error" prompt when attempting an upload with the new software. Please PM with any suggestions as to how I might submit the completed Cherokee project.


Dale

We like the rebuild to be done in the forum as a project thread usually. A completed project is a very condensed thread pulled from the detailed thread. I have looked through all your posts and found this one, but no pics. :blue: http://forums.iboats.com/forum/gene...139411-show-yer-boat-ii?p=6229111#post6229111

This Starcraft will fit well in Completed Projects once you finish. You are doing some nice work.

 

[ssdale]

Thanks!
GA- Ok about the Cherokee not working for the "Completed Projects" . I have included a few pics of the Cherokee earlier in this post. I also posted a few pics in "show us yer boat II" If you have a chance, give them a look!

 

[dozerII]

Just stumbled upon your thread Dale, great looking SC, love the colors and all the mahogany. I will be following a along as well.

 

[Watermann]

That's some fine craftsmanship right there and the mahogany is beautiful, what are you going to seal it with? I know how spar brings out the grain in mahogany, at least what little I had in my Chief it looked great after a few coats.

 

[ssdale]

Have refinished a lot of antique furniture, but never anything that has to stand up to the elements like a boat. I bought some Minwax Helmsman SPAR Urethane at the local hardware. It talks a good talk, but I'm still a little concerned that it will hold up. My son was trying to tell me about how you can glass over the wood and that the grain and wood can still show through. Wood or any of you glassers know what he is talking about. The only thing I know about fiberglass is that I once waxed a semi hood eep:

 

[jbcurt00]

Yes fiberglass goes clear under poly or epoxy. Use epoxy to seal it, and then coat it w spar for UV protection

 

[64osby]

Don't know if it is appropriate to congratulate you on the two year anniversary.

Really glad your back at it. :thumb:

 

[Woodonglass]

I'd recommend you watch this...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6X-0Y9xMY0
to learn how to stain it and then watch this...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqiXZrs5hvM
to learn how to seal it. Even though the second video is talking about TEAK it applies to Mahogany or any other Marine wood.

Having been a woodworker for 40+ years I'm very appreciative of the work your doing and I LOVE your colors!!!!

 

[ssdale]

Don't know if it is appropriate to congratulate you on the two year anniversary.

Really glad your back at it. :thumb:

Two years-wow- I can't believe this has dragged out that long! Not sure whether to be proud or ashamed:facepalm:?

Thanks for the video links! The epoxy topped off with urethane looks like the way to go, especially on the horizontal seats that will take a beating. No matter what, I am definitely going to invest in some true marine urethane. It has just been too cold to do anything with finish. I have some heat in the shop but then the fumes and the dust- sound like I got a bad case of lead in the:deadhorse:

 

[Woodonglass]

Personally, I think this is the Best Marine Varnish you can Buy...

 

[jhendery]

We are? I think Admin said not now until there are more of them. I think this is the second McK/Cherokee.

Yes. A new Cherokee or Mckenzie boats forum request will be addressed with administration membership by TONEEEES. If you're interested to know more please PM me and I will provide more details.

Dale - Great work with the mahogany pieces. I used a Minwax stain for my oak dash and other pieces. Then used Epifanes marine varnish to seal things up and sanded several times between coats. Agree with WOG that Epifanes is good stuff.

 

[jtaylor24]

Ssdale, you did a great job on the resotoration. I too like your forward momentum and eagerness to accomplish the resto accurately. I have a 1959 Starcraft 15' Jet that I'm preparing to restore. If you have any tips, please don't hesitate to share.

 

[ssdale]

WElcome aboard! and thanks for you first post! One of the main things that has kept me going with this is finding the vintage starcraft literature on this site and actually seeing what this boat looked like in 1959. for you and others who have yet to see great pics of your boat and other Starcrafts, click forums, then scroll down to "owners groups by Manufacturers". Click on Starcraft and it will bring up a list of literature starting with a spectacular brochure from 1958. Print a copy to look at every time you want to quit!:deadhorse:

There have been some tremendous starcraft jets completed on this forum. Peoriaone posted just recently in the Starcrafts forum. I would encourage you to start your own thread and post as many pics as you have time. WARNING!!! posting is addictive and you will soon spend much more time posting and looking at iBoats than working on your PROJECT!:loco:
Dale

 

[ssdale]

Finally had a few minutes tonight to do some more sanding to get the seat back wood shaped so that the aluminum seat tops will fit snugly. Loosely fastened the components and tried to snug everything together with clamps and strap to find the sweet spot where everything fits reasonably well. Then pre-drilled all holes for final fastening prior to staining and spar varnishing so that NO new holes will be drilled exposing unprotected wood. Also spent some time vacuuming up all the sawdust from sanding in preparation for staining and varnishing. Dust is going to be a big issue and the forecast is not too cooperative. The seat/bookcases in the second picture are all the original blue painted peices in the earlier photos, I reversed the two top peices of wood above the clamps as the other ,now hidden sight was just too damaged to save.The benches and front seat back are new mohagony. I already told that story. The groundhog definitely saw his shadow at my house! Dreaming of SUMMER!
Dale