1964 Starcraft Jet Star Aluminum Runabout Project

[Bob_VT]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

FYI Interstate Battery will re-build the poor craftsman battery

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

That floor is looking awesome! Nice work.

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

First day of retirement

and the floor is done. It's not perfect, but considering this is my first rivet job ever, it's not too bad. Getting the front sections in place with that bend made me sweat a little, but it worked. The thing that pleases me the most is that I overcame that horrible foam-squeaking and it's completely quiet when I walk on it.

I'm going to put vertical supports under the centers of the seat boards for added strength, so I gorilla-glued two pieces of 1/4" ply in place to fasten them to. I'm going to stabilize the bottoms using aluminum right-angle stock screwed to the supports and floor, so that total 1/2" floor thickness will give something more substantial for the screws to grip.

A while back I purchased some SS nuts, bolts, washers & screws for the seat brackets and reassembling the transom, so I have to mention this great source. I got them at Boltdepot.com where you can order almost anything you might need in any quantity with reasonable prices and shipping. They come in small zip bags, completely labeled, sent exactly what I ordered and I was impressed that the count was exactly right. Quick service too.

Next I'll be working on the seat supports and painting the floor.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Looking really sharp!

 

[djpeters]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Congrats on the retirement...that must feel good! You'll have that boat done in no time now.....

 

[jimdd810]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Man that floor looks great! Keep up the good work I cant wait till mine gets that far.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

That's the worst decking and riveting job I have ever seen. You have absolutely ruinded that Boat! I'll be up to haul if off so you won't have to look at it and be embarrassed. OK??????

Well I had to try anyway. GREAT job LL. For an Old Retired guy you're really hitting a home run!!!! Now that you have all this time on your hands we'll expect that boat to be done by the end of the month!!!!

I'm must sayin...

 

[North Beach]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

I know I'm just repeating what everyone else has said, but good job on the floor. Now hurry up and get done so you can come and do mine!

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

I know I'm just repeating what everyone else has said, but good job on the floor. Now hurry up and get done so you can come and do mine!

Well, I could use some more practice. I thought I might be painting this fall, but as I work out there and see all the leaves and debris falling from the trees, I can see this is a bad time of year to do that. So I'll just concentrate on making it heavier for when I flip it.

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

That's the worst decking and riveting job I have ever seen. You have absolutely ruinded that Boat! I'll be up to haul if off so you won't have to look at it and be embarrassed. OK??????

OK, bring a very large check.

Well I had to try anyway. GREAT job LL. For an Old Retired guy you're really hitting a home run!!!! Now that you have all this time on your hands we'll expect that boat to be done by the end of the month!!!!

Old!?! I just turned 55 in May! I'm just getting started!

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Congrats on the retirement...that must feel good!

Oh yeah....

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

I messed up on my order to Boltdepot.com a while back and didn't get the SS screws I need to attach the aluminum angle stock, so I'll try to get those locally.

Dry fit of the seat boards & supports...they are pretty solid, but I think without that give of the full width, unsupported board, the ride might be a little rougher. That's part of the fun of it, right? I'll depend on the seats to absorb the shock.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

The deck is looking very nice, good job!

The Jet Star is gonna be a fun toy for you to play with now that you're done working, congratulations

 

[QUIC]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Hello
I have been watching your prgress, you are doing a great job. I have a 64 jet also and there was no floor when I got it and Ive been using it that way but you have inspired me to put one in. Did you use 1/4 inch plywood? I know you were given the rivets by another member But where can I get them? Thanks
Quic

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Hello
I have been watching your prgress, you are doing a great job. I have a 64 jet also and there was no floor when I got it and Ive been using it that way but you have inspired me to put one in. Did you use 1/4 inch plywood? I know you were given the rivets by another member But where can I get them? Thanks
Quic

Hi,
Yes, that's 1/4" exterior plywood. Both sides have 2 coats of epoxy, and then the underside and edges have Rustoleum primer and then 2 coats of Marine Topside paint. When I get finished, the top of the floor and the seat boards will also have primer and multiple coats of paint. If you use flotation foam, I definitely recommend putting the plastic sheet over it to suppress the noise of any movement. Otherwise it squeaks like crazy.

As far as rivets, there are many places you can get them online, just google pop rivets and check out what comes up; broad head are best for the floor. Or maybe you have a Fastenal or similar store near you.

I just thought replacing the floor ply would make it a little easier on the feet esp. since I often boat barefoot in the hot weather. I know the naked aluminum floor can be kind of painful if you step on the ribs. It added a little weight but that's a compromise I was willing to make.

 

[QUIC]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Was the original floor 1/4"? Im just curious. There is a Fastenal by me, what size rivets did you use? Im guessing 1/2" long.Thanks for all the information
Quic

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Was the original floor 1/4"? Im just curious. There is a Fastenal by me, what size rivets did you use? Im guessing 1/2" long.Thanks for all the information
Quic

The floor was 1/4"; anything thicker and I don't think you'd be able to get the curve in there. Mine was prety rotten and came out in small pieces, but I was first able to make templates on big pieces of paper before removal. I'm pretty sure it was the original by Starcraft.

The rivets I used are 3/16 dia. x 3/4 long. The broad head is 5/8 dia. You could probably get away with 1/2" length with the 1/4 plywood.

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

I haven't posted in several days, but I have been making progress laying down coats of paint on the seat boards, supports and transom board. Not much to take pictures of, and less than cooperative weather. I had to order more marine primer for the floor (@$23.99/qt!

- ouch). I had considered cheaping out and getting Rusto's cheaper all-purpose primer, but after digging into the documentation, saw that is wasn't for applications subject to repeated wetting or standing water.
-------------------------
Edit 10/6/10: I just received a reply to an email I sent Rustoleum regarding this issue:

The Marine Primer was specifically formulated to adhere to wood and fiberglass
surfaces and to be compatible with our Marine Topside paints. Our CoverStain
primer can be applied to both wood and fiberglass surfaces, as well as PVC,
aluminum, etc. It also is designed to help block tannin stans and other bleed
that comes out of wood siding, shutters, etc. While the Marine Topside paints have not been tested over the CoverStain primer, I would not see any compatibility problems with this application.

Even though the "regular" primer is only $8.99/qt., in light of the conditions it will be subjected to, I'll bite the bullet and go with the marine primer.
--------------------------
I'm expecting more rain this week, but when the primer arrives, I can put that down, and then I have enough paint left to put down one plain coat, then two coats with the anti-slip additive. Outside time is fast slipping away here in NY. Hope the primer arrives soon. I feel like I'm in a race with the clock.

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

The primer came in and I got a good coat laid down, then the next day started with the first coat of paint, trying to finish before we went away for the weekend. The weather cooperated in the morning, so I started and everything was going along pretty well, when suddenly a flurry of soot particles began descending on the wet paint. I couldn't figure out where the heck it was coming from, thinking that a neighbor might have started a fire in a wood stove or fireplace, when I realized it was coming from my own oil fired boiler. Grrrrr....... Murphy's law.

So I went in and turned it off and finished that coat, letting it dry while we were away. When I got home today, I managed to vacuum a good portion of it off. Tomorrow when I start applying the finish coats with the anti-slip in it, my temporary solution is to shut down the furnace before I start.

Then I have a furnace cleaning project ahead of me.

 

[fshngho]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Sorry that Murphy came to visit. But I have to admit (snickering) that Murphy fella has a sense of humor.
At least it wasn't the finish coat.