1961-1963 Starcraft Jet

[TheHickoryStick]

So I picked this Starcraft, Trailer, and motor for $250. I am curious about looking up exact model. Was told it’s a 63 but serial number says 61. Trying to find some info to start the rebuild.
motor is actually a 1976 Evinrude 55HP.

 

[racerone]

Compression test on the motor is step #1.------Remove floor in the boat and have a look under there.-----Likely needs transom work too.

 

[Watermann]

Welcome aboard,
I would say the little runabout has had a tough life over the years, what's the plan for it now? Look at the brochures and match the dimensions to your boat.

 

[classiccat]

Welcome @TheHickoryStick !

Heck of a deal right there!

+1 on what racerone said. As a sidenote, it looks like the transom was replaced/raised at some point (a long time ago) to accommodate a longer shaft engine.

It's hard to tell but it looks like the splashwell is missing.

 

[TheHickoryStick]

Welcome aboard,
I would say the little runabout has had a tough life over the years, what's the plan for it now? Look at the brochures and match the dimensions to your boat.

I’m going to strip it to its bones and give it all new paint and wood to begin with. After that, I will start to build it up to be my go to for the local lakes, canals and rivers. Your regular fishing, cat fishing, turtling, gator hunting and boat fishing.

 

[TheHickoryStick]

Compression test on the motor is step #1.------Remove floor in the boat and have a look under there.-----Likely needs transom work too.

I’m taking out floor to bare bones and clean, replace all new foot.
Motor runs just has some electrical glitches to work out.

 

[jbcurt00]

The transom has been modified to accept a long shaft motor.

Cant tell for sure in the pix, but when you redo the transom, make sure there isnt any different metal contact w the hull. It looks like galvanized metal, which can eat aluminum when mixed.

 

[TheHickoryStick]

The transom has been modified to accept a long shaft motor.

Cant tell for sure in the pix, but when you redo the transom, make sure there isnt any different metal contact w the hull. It looks like galvanized metal, which can eat aluminum when mixed.

Will do thanks!

 

[SHSU]

Even though the splashwell was removed, I almost prefer it to be from what I see. With as small as the boat is, don't know if a splashwell is the best use of space. Will be fun to watch the restore.

Oh, @TheHickoryStick, welcome aboard!!!!

SHSU

 

[TheHickoryStick]

Even though the splashwell was removed, I almost prefer it to be from what I see. With as small as the boat is, don't know if a splashwell is the best use of space. Will be fun to watch the restore.

Oh, @TheHickoryStick, welcome aboard!!!!

SHSU

Still trying to figure out what the splashwell was? Maybe I know it by another name.

 

[classiccat]

Still trying to figure out what the splashwell was? Maybe I know it by another name.

A Splash-well or motor-well serves several purposes:

• !! Minimize the chance of the stern being swamped... which doesn't take much... wake from a larger vessel, trailing wave, etc.
• Provide torsional rigidity by acting as a gusset.
• protection/storage for the cranking battery, fuel, electronics, etc.

I don't think the splashwell was very big on that particular model.

I'd also raise that starboard-side through-hull fitting...i assume that was for a bilge; you can get a 90-degree fitting to fit under the gunnel.

 

[racerone]

Yes----The motor runs , so there can't be much wrong with it.

 

[classiccat]

The leaf-tea sludge is overflowing through the splashwell drain

 

[SHSU]

Relooking at the pictures, it almost looks like the "tray" the battery and leaves are in might be the source for the Leaf-Tea Sludge. Almost looks like they drilled a drain hole for it. So guessing the Transom is shot....

The knee brace also looks really high. @TheHickoryStick, how is the knee brace secured to the floor? Is it just secured to the "pan" the leaves and battery are in?

SHSU

 

[TheHickoryStick]

Relooking at the pictures, it almost looks like the "tray" the battery and leaves are in might be the source for the Leaf-Tea Sludge. Almost looks like they drilled a drain hole for it. So guessing the Transom is shot....

The knee brace also looks really high. @TheHickoryStick, how is the knee brace secured to the floor? Is it just secured to the "pan" the leaves and battery are in?

SHSU

I’m not sure I had a window of opportunity of about 10 minutes where I had $250 cash in hand and that lady was willing to except it and had someone else on the way to look at it so I took it parked at my mother-in-law’s and haven’t had a chance to get into it yet I just knew it was a good deal at 2:50 with a working motor

 

[SHSU]

Yep, can't complain about that. It will be a good project. Plus we love managing other people's projects from the couch.



SHSU

 

[TheHickoryStick]

Semper Paratus as we say in the Coast Guard!

 

[TheHickoryStick]

Well I cleaned all the wood and leaves and sludge out today and scrubbed the console clean. It’s a start!

 

[SHSU]

Always fun to get through that part. Now you have a blank canvas to make your own.

You decide on how you are going to finish the interior before wood or just leave it bare as is?

SHSU