1964 Starcraft Jet Star Aluminum Runabout Project

[jtrom]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Ok thanks!...now does the white seal het glued down?..my windshield was long gone when I bought the boat...

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Ok thanks!...now does the white seal het glued down?..my windshield was long gone when I bought the boat...

No problem....I didn't glue mine and I haven't seen one glued. Just the pressure of the windshield forms a good enough seal. Probably not watertight, but it serves the purpose.

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Flotation day!

Here's what I did for flotation under the bow and gunwales. I couldn't tell you how effective it will be if I swamp, but I can say that at this point, I have more flotation than the original design. There's 1" under the floor, the hunk under the bow is 6" thick and quite a bit bigger than what was under the tiny foredeck that I didn't replace; and I put 3" front to back under the port gunwale. If there's room after all the control cables & wires are in, I'll add some to the starboard gunwale.

The bow hunk taped together for test fit:

Gorilla glue doing its work. My shed floor must not be level because as it cured, the upper layers crept a little so I had to trim it with a saw afterwards.

Glued & trimmed:

Wrapped in my secret silencing weapon, 4 mil clear plastic. I don't know how long the 4 mil will hold up, time will tell. It worked miracles between the floor and hull to silence that, I just don't want a squeaky craft! The plastic is held in place initially by plain old stationery type staples. Strapped in, it will stay in place.

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

My wife's not-first donation to the project: some old vinyl belts for strapping the foam in place. I attached the belts with 3/4 SS screws to the boards under the top deck.

This is an upside down Hail Mary shot taken from the floor in front of the front seat board. A lucky aim.

The belt method detail:

I put two pieces of foam, 1" & 2" under the port gunwale running front to back. They aren't glued together so I could fit them in. The 1" piece was tacked in place with some liquid nails just to hold it in place during installation. The 2" piece was wrapped in 4 mil becuse they'll be rubbing together:

Then I made some support brackets and riveted them in place after inserting the 2" piece. Maybe not the simplest or most straightforward method, but it seemed like a good idea at the time. the wooden block will keep them from sliding forward or backward.

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

I also "almost" finished up the wiring today. Here's the back of the dash. The wires hanging down are for the 12v outlet that is not in yet. I'm still waiting for that Forstner bit to arrive. Probably just should have bought one at HD.

Bilge pump is in:

Only a couple switches with room for one more later if needed. Just keeping it simple. I decided on this solution for not wanting to hack up the back of the dash so the shafts to my switches would be usable. In the end, probably easier this way, and gives me more oak to look at.

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

While I was at HD this morning, I checked to see if they had plastic wire wrap for bundled wires. They didn't have the size I needed, so rather than waste time running around looking for some, I put my brain in motion and came up with this free solution...a piece of old garden hose for where I have zip-tied the wires to the inside of the gunwales:

Before tightening up and concealing behind the gunwale:

I'm beat for today, the sun was very hot. I can't tell you how glad I am to be just about finished crawling in and out of from under that deck!!!!

I'll be sore for days.

 

[slapshotct]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Looks great Lakelover! I just picked up a 1962 Starcraft Jet a couple of weeks ago and will be pursuing a restoration as time permits. Since it is already July, I figure I will just bang on it for the next couple of months and then start restoring it. That being said, I took it out on the lake a few times and it is VERY stern heavy with a 1974 Johnson 50, two full 6 gallon tanks, and a battery behind the rear seat. The only reason I bring this up is because I am contemplating putting something as a ballast (maybe a bad of play sand or two) in the bow. Maybe someone else here with a early 60's Jet can comment about the weight of their stern. Is this a known issue with these boats? It rides 100% better with my girlfriend, her son, and myself in the front seat. Put them in the back and it is a rough ride when you hit a wake or some decent chop!

Once I get some clarity about this issue, I might try to devise a "built in" ballast in the front when I do my restoration so I don't have to look at a bag of sand in my boat and I figured you might want to know about this. Can any Startcraft Jet owners comment?

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Very nice work LL, all your wiring looks pro under the dash. I'd imagine you will have a very reliable boat for many years as a result of your insistence on doing things correctly.

I'm afraid that once you finish your boat my resto will be the longest running

Looking forward to seeing an early august splash for the Jet

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Lake - You are a brave man! What happens when the wife asks "Have you seen my belts?"? If you ever have to replace the bulb in the bow light, look a using a LED replacement. You won't have to crawl under again - lasts forever. Once again, I say time for a new sig pic. You gotta show that baby off!

 

[slapshotct]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Lakelover,

I have quick question about your restoration:

I am going to be rebuilding my transom at the end of the season because I have a 20" shaft on my Johnson 50. I have read this entire thread again (second time) and I couldn't find a piece of information about your transom rebuild. Did you use epoxy on the transom before painting it or did you only apply it to the floor? If you didn't put it on the transom, can you tell me why you chose not to? I am planning on doing the transom in September and would like to purchase all of the material before I need it. (yeah right.. I will probably be running back and forth to the hardware store the entire time).

Thanks for your input!

-Steve

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Well, back in town after another glorious week at the lake, filled with sun, swimming, boating and loons. Thanks for the comments. As I indulge myself at the lake, my splash moves further and further into the future! But I do need a break from it every now and then. Since you all are picture werewolves, here you go:

....it is VERY stern heavy with a 1974 Johnson 50, two full 6 gallon tanks, and a battery behind the rear seat.

I'm hoping that with the design of the Jet Star, where the seats are forward and not in the back, that's not so much of a problem for me. I don't know what your motor weighs, mine is 200 lb. I only plan on carrying one 6 gallon tank. Every time I look at a picture of a Jet, I wonder how it could NOT be stern heavy with rear passengers.

...all your wiring looks pro under the dash....I'm afraid that once you finish your boat my resto will be the longest running..Looking forward to seeing an early august splash for the Jet

I guess I'm a good imposter on that wiring, hope it all works as expected when I put the juice to it.

Ha ha, I'd be glad to turn over that distinction to you!

Coming up is getting the motor mounted and hooked up, still have to get control cables and I was able to get together the materials needed to make "Dale's homemade DIY Drain Tube flaring tool". I want to tell you, it is hard to find a single 3/4" Nylock nut! I finally lucked out when my brother in law had one. What are the odds?

You are a brave man! What happens when the wife asks "Have you seen my belts?"?

No no no, you've got it all wrong! In my house, it's more like, "Honey, I'm throwing all this stuff away", and my line is, "Wait a minute, I might be able to use that someday!"

Thanks for the thought on the LED.

Did you use epoxy on the transom before painting it or did you only apply it to the floor?

Did I miss putting that in there? Maybe I did. Yes, I put either 2 or 3 coats of epoxy (can't remember exactly) on it, then the primer, then several coats of the Rusto Marine paint. The manual I bought for my motor stated that a 19" transom was best for that motor, so I ended up having to trim the top of the transom down afterwards because I had originally made it 20" high (total). It may be a little different for your particular motor.

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Once again, I say time for a new sig pic. You gotta show that baby off!

Once I get the motor mounted, I will change my sig picture!

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

I'm at the point where I need to get on getting the motor on. A couple questions...

How do I measure for the throttle/shift cable? I found these, but what length?? http://www.iboats.com/Johnson-Type-479-Control-Cables/dm/*******.292844927--**********.024350968--view_id.250882

Also, I'm having trouble locating a wiring harness for connecting the control to the motor & system check gauge, or more specifically, I don't really know what I'm looking for. I found a 10' extension cable (part # 0176334) with 3 plugs on each end.

Will that do it? Looks like it might be the animal.

A total novice in this area, any suggestions will be appreciated. This is what I am up thinking about at 4:13 a.m.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Hey LL,

I would suggest you post this in the Motor section of the forum. Put your make, model# etc. out there and those guys will jump on ya.

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Yup, I put it on the J/E forum earlier today.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=505089&p=3401258#post3401258

 

[slapshotct]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

How do I measure for the throttle/shift cable? I found these, but what length?? http://www.iboats.com/Johnson-Type-479-Control-Cables/dm/*******.292844927--**********.024350968--view_id.250882

I just replaced my shift cable on a 1962 Jet and the one in there was 13'. I am guessing you will need the same size.

Did I miss putting that in there? Maybe I did. Yes, I put either 2 or 3 coats of epoxy (can't remember exactly) on it, then the primer, then several coats of the Rusto Marine paint. The manual I bought for my motor stated that a 19" transom was best for that motor, so I ended up having to trim the top of the transom down afterwards because I had originally made it 20" high (total). It may be a little different for your particular motor.

Excellent! Thank you! As a side note (to avoid reading the whole tread for a third time), we you able to salvage and rebend your old transom cap to fit the new shape (raised transom) or did you buy something new for it? If you bent it flat, how did you do it? If you bought something new, what did you get and where? Thanks!!

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

I found this...

http://www.go2marine.com/productcenters/teleflex/teleflexCableMeasurements.shtml

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Thanks, that will be very helpful for a start. Hope to get into it in more detail later today.

 

[hidef]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

!3 feet for the shift and throttle cable will work. I believe that is what I am using on my 15 foot jet. The cable drawing is the right cable. The modular plugs only go one way. A ten footer should be the perfect length. I have 35 triple with TNT on my Jet and I am hitting right around 34 MPH on the speedometer I haven't used a GPS to verify accuracy but yours should fly with the 50.

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Thanks for the info, very specific, I appreciate it. I'll be further checking on the paperwork I have soon as it started raining a little while ago, so on went the tarp.