1964 Starcraft Jet Star Aluminum Runabout Project

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Fail and rescue on the drain tubes.

I had a few problems. I cut the first tube a little too long. And my nut with the dome didn't really have enough of a taper. As I tightened slowly to flare the straight end, I couldn't really see that it wasn't centered well because of the 5200 oozing out and I crushed one edge of it. After a lot of messing around with files, small ballpeen hammers and the flaring tool (all getting very goopy with the 5200...Ha!) I got it so it will work OK and is good enough on the port side. I used 3/4" "M" copper inside the tube to keep the flaring tool centered, but it wasn't quite thick enough. I think 3/4" PVC water pipe would have been perfect, but I didn't have a piece.

I cut the next one a little shorter and tried to keep it centered better and the end result was better. There's barely a flare in the interior, but it will stay and is well sealed with the 5200.

Exterior: I still have to fill those two little holes the PO had in the transom but wanted to wait until after the tube was in so they wouldn't interfere with the work.

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Just wondering, all you Jet/Jet Star owners, do you have covers for your boats? What do you use? I want to get one that fits pretty close, hopefully with the motor cover sewn in so it's all one piece. Right now it's a tarp all the way.

 

[hidef]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

I have a Stearns Orion Deluxe Boat Cover which I use when towing long distances. I works really well and everything stays nice and dry. Unfortunately it doesn't cover the outboard and has gotten stain at the back were it touches the tilt tube and steering ram. For the winter I use a heavy tarp on the boat. I have a frame that I setup in the boat that uses a couple saw horses. The pitch is quit step so the snow doesn't stay on the boat. In the summer the boat stays under the carport to keep it dry if it rains.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Just wondering, all you Jet/Jet Star owners, do you have covers for your boats? What do you use? I want to get one that fits pretty close, hopefully with the motor cover sewn in so it's all one piece. Right now it's a tarp all the way.

For travel or Long term Storage?

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

For travel or Long term Storage?

Thinking in terms of long term storage.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

I'm planning on building one of these out of 1" PVC and using the Foam Pipe wrap for Padding and then Bungie cord to secure a tarp over it and to the trailer. I had a friend to this and it worked great. you can make an extension to cover the motor as well so it would look basically like the extension for the bow. The whole thing costs less than $50 bucks to make and then the cost of the tarp.

Hope you can make sense out of the drawing.

(Click the Drawing to enlarge)




This company has all the specialty fitting required to make the canopy. Don't glue the fittings and it can be stored in a plastic storage container during season.

http://www.littlegreenhouse.com/accessory/pvc.shtml

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

I guess I should have provided more detail about my question...I'm thinking of a fitted cover that I can quickly put on to keep the rain off when the boat is on my lift that I don't have yet while it's at the lake. A long time ago, my father had them with an attached motor cover that he probably bought at Montgomery Ward or something. The fit was pretty close even though they were generic covers. I don't even know if they make them that way any more. I think I've mostly seen only separate motor covers.

I built something similar for winter storage on my other boat out of 1-1/2" PVC pipe that I bungee a tarp over. It comes apart so the uprights and horizontal sections store separately. So far the frame has lasted 8 years.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

I got mine from here: http://www.safeguardcovers.com/ check their ebay store as well. I'm very pleased for the price.

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Thanks, EZ, will check them out.

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Today the splashwell got put back in, I finished up in the rain, ended up working completely under the tarp for the last 15 minutes or so while the rain beat down. All that's left to do is run a bead of 5200 along the transom seem and gunwale seems.

This one shows the curve of the raised center better. It's the best I could get it but at least now the water will run to the two side drain tubes. It took a lot of time, care and finessing but worth it. I think climbing in and out of the boat for more tools should be officially recognized as aerobic exercise.

I'm glad I saved the jack out of my 1988 Chevy Nova before I got rid of it. It was a great help in getting the curve tweaked and accurate, and of course was supplemented by the handyman's secret weapon, duct tape. (As you can see, I didn't bother refinishing the ugly underside of the aluminum...if you can't see it, it's not there.)

I used 3/4" SS screws, except in the middle I used 1" because the splashwell's shape was somewhat distorted and I needed more length to pull it tight to the transom board. 32 screws in all, each one dipped in 5200. Didn't make too much of a mess today, but that sure took some time.

Thought I'd throw in a "before" picture:

I also started building a gantry to hoist the motor on when I mount it.

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

My Red Green frame is ready to receive the motor for mounting. No duct tape yet. Made from lumber recycled from my trailer dolly frame > paint booth of earlier posts.

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Since this thread by djpeters is so helpful, I'm going to stick it in here.

"Official Starcraft Rubrail Thread":

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=501999

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

My Red Green frame is ready to receive the motor for mounting. No duct tape yet. Made from lumber recycled from my trailer dolly frame > paint booth of earlier posts.

Well,that oughta hold that motor without any problems!!!!

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

All 190 lbs. of it. To test it, I had my over-200# son hang on it, and that was before I braced it, so it'll be OK.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

that brings back memorys , my grand dad had one and i grew up fishing on it, thats one of the better old boats around , a very lucky find

 

[tgp***]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

My Red Green frame is ready to receive the motor for mounting. No duct tape yet. Made from lumber recycled from my trailer dolly frame > paint booth of earlier posts.

NICE!! ..... If it was taller I could use it to pull the 140 out of my Islander.

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

NICE!! ..... If it was taller I could use it to pull the 140 out of my Islander.

Since you mention it....I hope it's tall enough for what I need. I was trying to avoid a trip to HD. It depends on how much space my lifting device needs to operate.

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

that brings back memorys , my grand dad had one and i grew up fishing on it, thats one of the better old boats around , a very lucky find

Thanks MH.

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

I needed the SS locknut and washers for one end of my steering link and learned of a great local resource today. I first went to a local marina and they didn't stock them, but referred me to the local business where they get them. For 2 of each:

BRP online price for 2 locknuts and 2 washers: 13.10 plus shipping

Other online store: 8.18 plus shipping

Local industrial supply store: $1.00 including tax.

Moral of the story: Always try to buy local if you can!

 

[kfa4303]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

"Moral of the story: Always try to buy local if you can! " Amen!!!!!

My guy just hooked me up with a $130 pinion gear for $30 and has given me other old parts for free in the past!!! Local guys are the best!