1963 Starcraft Rebuild

[63jet]

Picked up a 1963 Starcraft Jetstar with the original 28HP Johnson outboard. The trailer is also a 1963 original to the boat. Hull is in fantastic shape. Needs some transom work, new upholstery, wiring upgrade. Motor runs very well. It was last in the water in 2019 after the seller had multiple kids and lost time. This is my first boat. Absolutely in love with the bubble windshield and old school look.

I cant wait to see this on the water!!!

 

[classiccat]

Welcome! classic rig right there!

 

[Rasdiir]

That's a beautiful vintage boat, looks like it's in great shape!

 

[Watermann]

Welcome aboard and thanks for the nice pics of your sweet little Jet run about. They always need lots of work but it's very rewarding in the end.

 

[Moserkr]

Welcome! Cool looking classic starcraft. Will definitely be worth the time and trouble to fix her right.

 

[63jet]

So the tear down has begun.

Took off all the cleats, lights, etc. Started to sand down the hull with 100grit and an orbital. Has anyone used a soda blaster for the hull?. We plan on doing the same red/white color combo from the factory.

The plywood was soft on the floor, so that got removed as well along with the hideous green carpet. Seats were rotted too. I'm installing angle aluminum across the ribs, to install a flat floor of cypress 1x4 boards.

The transom was removed due to rot, and I'm currently 3 coats in on spar varnish for the new transom that I put together.

The trailer axle, wheel bearings, rims and tires got replaced, along with a new wiring harness and lights.

First boat, and first boat restoration. The knowledge from everyone on this site and on a few FB groups has been invaluable.

Looking forward to a splashdown at some point before the fall!!

 

[BWR1953]

Has anyone used a soda blaster for the hull?...

I haven't used soda blasting but opted for dustless blasting on my Chieftain instead. It was a bit cheaper than soda and doesn't leave a harmful residue. Quick too!

 

[Watermann]

Sounds like a solid plan. Before the deck make sure you leak test, replace rivets and seal up the seams.

The SC FB group is full of some really bad advice with only a few guys there that actually know what their doing. I pretty much stopped giving advice there because the guys with the easy way out always seem to garner the most attention.

 

[Moserkr]

Moving right along! Awesome. Will be following your build and looking forward to a splash!!

 

[63jet]

Project update.

The girlfriend and I went and bought a bigger compressor and an abrasive blaster from Harbor Freight. Using 80grit glass beads has been a god send to getting the primer/paint of the hull and tight areas.

Most contractors wants $250-$275 an hour for sandblasting.

Also got the transom bolted in. I wanted to get this in before we flipped the boat over, so the paint covered the bolts that run through it.

Also picked up 100 pieces of 5/8"x3.75"x6' kiln dried cypress boards that we're going to use for floor. $4.10 a board. Can't beat it.

 

[Watermann]

Nice looking wood you found and the transom wood looks really solid with lots of layers.

 

[63jet]

Hello all,

Just an update. About 90% done with stripping the hull, to get it ready for primer and paint.

I did a leak test before doing any work, with nothing found. I have, however, found this hole in the bottom of the boat. It appears to be what was a rivet, which is now gone. Just curious if anyone else has come across this before.

 

[BOYS & TOYS]

That is a drain hole. It's supposed to be there.

 

[63jet]

That is a drain hole. It's supposed to be there.

Thank you so much!

 

[Watermann]

Yeah that keel strip chine is riveted on the bottom rather than formed like the other chines so it needs to have that drain hole. Some guys haven't asked and filled it in, so good on you for inquiring.

 

[Moserkr]

I actually drilled another drain hole in the rear of mine since I live in a freezing climate. A lot of water was actually trapped in there and I worried about it freezing during the winter.

 

[63jet]

I actually drilled another drain hole in the rear of mine since I live in a freezing climate. A lot of water was actually trapped in there and I worried about it freezing during the winter.

That's a great idea. I'm in New England, so it's also a worry of mine. I'll be doing this as well.