1963 Montgomery Ward Sea King / Starcraft Starchief

[cadmaster02]

Consider this an extension from @tglime I have been trying to find info on this specific boat by Montgomery Ward but it seems to be a unicorn. There are a few references online for the Starcraft Starchief 18' Cuddy, but nothing for the Montgomery Ward variation. As I mentioned the only time I found one was on this site from postings in 2011. As it turns out, it is the same Boat!

 

[cadmaster02]

Demolition Was first on the Docket, the boys jumped right on it. Before we knew it, new flooring was installed, after I flex sealed all of the joints, and rivets of course.

 

[cadmaster02]

Next Up, was the transom. This needed help! evidently there was an I/O option on this boat so there was a large oval that was underneath a factory cover. I removed the rotten wood, sand blasted the whole Transom. I do some work for a Fabrication company, so we did some labor exchange to redo the Aluminum on the outside, add Aluminum on the inside, along with making a new beefy Transom Cap.

 

[cadmaster02]

I know nothing about the Johnson 85HP motor that came on the boat, but there were a bunch of loose bolts, so I am sure there are issues. A friend of mine was nice enough to give me a donor boat with a working Mercury 90. I love the style of these old stacked motors. Plus I was able to take the steering from this boat, and it had a nicer trailer under it as well.

 

[cadmaster02]

The top of the side rails needed help. Not sure how many different items had been bolted to this boat in the past! Off to the Fab shop to dig through the scraps.

 

[airshot]

Monkey Ward as we used to call it, never actually made anything, instead just put rheir labeling on other mfgrs products, JC Penny was the same...didn't make there products bad, just an issue down the road getting parts !

 

[cadmaster02]

Monkey Ward as we used to call it, never actually made anything, instead just put rheir labeling on other mfgrs products, JC Penny was the same...didn't make there products bad, just an issue down the road getting parts !

That's why I listed the actual manufacturer along with Montgomery Ward. The Joys of doing a Resto-Mod is nothing going back into this boat is going to be OE parts. May have to break down and get a new windsheild some day, but its good enough right now.

 

[cadmaster02]

Patches the inside rails today. Makes a huge improvement.

 

[cadmaster02]

Covering the holes in the roof. Getting very close to being able to do a primer coat.

 

[BOYS & TOYS]

Nice to have little helpers. My son helped with everything he could. Now we are having some fun catching some little fish

 

[ski2rule]

Nice to have little helpers. My son helped with everything he could. Now we are having some fun catching some little fish

I know nothing about the Johnson 85HP motor that came on the boat, but there were a bunch of loose bolts, so I am sure there are issues. A friend of mine was nice enough to give me a donor boat with a working Mercury 90. I love the style of these old stacked motors. Plus I was able to take the steering from this boat, and it had a nicer trailer under it as well.

Did you save the swim platform? I put a similar one on my 1963 Starchief.

 

[cadmaster02]

Did you save the swim platform? I put a similar one on my 1963 Starchief.

I have not taken it off the donor boat yet, but am planning on it. Do you have any pictures of your Starchief?

 

[ski2rule]

I have not taken it off the donor boat yet, but am planning on it. Do you have any pictures of your Starchief?

Yes

 

[cadmaster02]

Yes

Looking at your windshield, looks like you replaced it. Where did you find a replica?

 

[ski2rule]

Looking at your windshield, looks like you replaced it. Where did you find a replica?

It is the original.
But replacements are available...

Starcraft Windshields 1960’S Models Archives - UPD Plastics

These Windshields Cover multiple Starcraft 1960’S Models: 1960 18ft Holiday Deep V Aluminum · 1960 21ft Aluminum Outboard · 1961 18ft Holiday · 1962 14 ft

www.updplastics.com

 

[BWR1953]

It is the original.
But replacements are available...

Starcraft Windshields 1960’S Models Archives - UPD Plastics

These Windshields Cover multiple Starcraft 1960’S Models: 1960 18ft Holiday Deep V Aluminum · 1960 21ft Aluminum Outboard · 1961 18ft Holiday · 1962 14 ft

www.updplastics.com

Nice link!

 

[cadmaster02]

Sprayed the epoxy primer earlier this week.

 

[cadmaster02]

First coat of ‘sand dollar’ applied. Turning out well so far.

 

[cadmaster02]

On to the cabin! Got the side walls wrapped with carpet last week, as well as painted the interior gray to match.

 

[cadmaster02]

More carpet! Amazing the transformation. Front bench carpet is glued down, main deck carpet is cut and fitted.