1964 Starcraft Jet Star Aluminum Runabout Project

[GA_Boater]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

That's next on my agenda, I have to remember how to do it, it's been so long!

Yup, I'm getting the itch!!

Edit: DONE!

Well it's about time! So much better now. Itch? This is a TINNY. And a darned good looking one too.

 

[Bighoss]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Nice LL. Very well done. You tube the launch for us.

 

[hidef]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

The plate is the way to go it will distribute the load even better you also should make a couple of 2" square washers for the bottom bolts if you haven't already. Did you change the steering link?

 

[TruckDrivingFool]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

That looks really good with that fancy new Johnson it. It truly fits quite well with the look of the boat.

 

[rivermouse]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

I love the old tinnys.Wood rot never a problem and even one 60 years old is worth a resto

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

The plate is the way to go it will distribute the load even better you also should make a couple of 2" square washers for the bottom bolts if you haven't already. Did you change the steering link?

I did change the steering link connection but the problem persists. I didn't think to do it while I had it unhooked, but tomorrow I'll unhook it again and check to see if the motor turns equally in each direction.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Well I'm finally caught up (was on vacation). Looks awesome! Can't wait for the splash.

I'm too late to tell you that: the HF come-along will work great (I used it for overhead lifting of both my V4's) and your block isn't cracked

 

[KellyC]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

That is one fine looking boat there LL.

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

I'm too late to tell you that: the HF come-along will work great (I used it for overhead lifting of both my V4's) and your block isn't cracked

Thanks, EZ, esp. for the encouraging news on the block. I've gotten a lot of help on that panic here and in J/E forum. I decided to go with the HD come-along just because I didn't want to wait for it to arrive from HF or take the time to drive 20 mi. to the store. The one I got was $30 and it's a good one, so if I do ever need it again (I hope not to lift an outboard!) it'll be there.

That is one fine looking boat there LL.

Thanks, I'm feeling good about it so far. Still a lot of details to attend to! (My relatives are already bugging me to get it to the lake!

That looks really good with that fancy new Johnson it. It truly fits quite well with the look of the boat.

I do like the color scheme, too bad I can't get white rub rail inserts. If I can ever locate and order inserts that fit, I'll settle for black. I called a Starcraft dealer and gave them a part number, but they are hemming and hawing and haven't gotten back to me yet.

Nice LL. Very well done. You tube the launch for us.

Thanks, hoss, I'll see what I can do about that.

Itch? This is a TINNY. And a darned good looking one too.

(Thanks!)

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

hidef

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project
The plate is the way to go it will distribute the load even better you also should make a couple of 2" square washers for the bottom bolts if you haven't already. Did you change the steering link?

5200 is hard to be neat with the first time around--impossible the second! Murphy must have a law related to 5200. On the encouragement of hidef, today I made a plate and 2-2" square washers for the mounting bolts. In doing that, I had to get longer bolts, which I should have done in the first place. I just didn't like buying them at Lowe's because they charge too darn much for SS stuff. It was a messy job undoing 2-day-old 5200 and gooping more on today. I got it all over the place, on me, the boat, tools, you name it. Cleaned it up best I could. I ended up with 3-1/2" bolts.

Made out of 1/8" aluminum plate:

Couldn't really crank on the bolts without spinning the washers, oh well, nobody will know but you and me.

I do feel better about the longer bolts. I think I had read somewhere that when they are tightened down, there should be a minimum of three threads showing.

And on the steering link, I guess I'll just have to live with the difference on rotations left & right from center. I don't think it will really impede maneuvering at all.

 

[hidef]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

It looks nice as long as the outboard turns in both directions about the same you should be good. Make sure you coat that steering ram with a good grease like the BRP Triple Guard Grease. It is messy but it is waterproof and it will keep things from seizing up. There is no such thing as too much grease when it comes to an outboard. Also don't be afraid of making a mess when you put grease into the grease fittings on the outboard. You might have to wipe up the access but once again too much is better than not enough.

What size prop do you have on the 50? I am turning a 15" pitch prop on my 35 I am thinking a 50 might require a 17".

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

I just checked the prop, it is 12-1/4 x 15. That's what they put on it before I bought it, when I test drove it, they had a "plastic" prop on it, so they told me. Not sure what the deal was on that, sounded like they routinely used those on the rentals.

This morning I did unhook the steering link and moved the motor side to side by hand. It moved equally both ways, and a little further than it does with the steering hooked up. Just a few degrees difference I would guess, maybe 10 or so.

I used Sierra marine grease on the link, the green/blue stuff. I agree with your assessment of how much grease is good for outboards.

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Just to look back, I thought I'd show you this craigslist ad from when I bought this beast. Here's a scan of the printout:

I have to laugh...almost all of the "extras" were junk and were either thrown out or sold (gas tanks with West Bend). Sold the ladder, skis & motor. Trailer was complete and total junk...held together by rust, tires badly cracked, but he said they were OK because he had put tubes in them; rollers were total junk; winch and trailer jack junky. I still have the ski rope, using it for general purposes and the anchor is way too small and I'll be replacing it. He didn't even tell me about all the mice that were in it!

In response to some email questions I asked the seller:

"It has always been stored outside with a tarp" means a tarp that was mostly holes.

"The floor is original marine plywood and will need some patching" is self explanatory:

"Yes, I started the motor two weeks ago and runs fine". When I went to check it out I found out that he routinely started it out of water on the trailer.

"I have some older life cushions that go with it also" means "will you throw these away for me please?".

In spite of all this, by my inexperience and enthusiasm, I gave him $700 for it. I was kind of in a bind because when I got there, a couple guys were there looking it over. Anyway I ended up selling the motor for $350, the ladder & skis for $30, and I gave away the trailer when I was done with it to someone who wanted to make a yard cart and was delighted to get it.

The battery was pretty good though and I'll be using that.

Looking back, after countless hours of work and I'm afraid to tally up the costs, I'm glad I went through with it, it's a really cool boat! Is that blind dedication or what?!?

 

[hidef]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

I don't think you over paid for the hull when you minus what you sold the outboard for. My Jet cost me 350 for the boat and trailer and my brother had to haul it home on his flat bed. Both tires were shot on the trailer. The floors in the boat were more mush than wood. That was ten years ago. Redid the floors, I put a 25 on it that I paid 200 for but needed another 300 in work. Although I just sold that for 500 this spring after spending 1000 on the 35 so I figure the 500 gave me power trim and tilt and new controls plus the outboard is 20 years younger. The trailer is still going strong just replaced the tires this year bearings are still good from when I rebuilt the trailer. So I can't complain. Boats cost money but the Jetstar is nice haul and it can handle some pretty sloppy weather.

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

The whole project turnd out to be a whole lot more involved than I expected it would be at first. But one thing led to another, and....you know how it is. I'll be pretty happy with it in the end.

 

[yooperangler]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Boat looks great excellent job

 

[TruckDrivingFool]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

The whole project turnd out to be a whole lot more involved than I expected it would be at first. But one thing led to another, and....you know how it is. I'll be pretty happy with it in the end.

We all know how it is. It definitely is more work than first thought but if mine looks that good when I get to it and done I'll be exstatic!

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Thanks yooper & TDF, just waiting for some parts to arrive now.

 

[hidef]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

You have done an excellent job on the restoration unfortunately any time you take on restoring one of these old boats it is a lot of work and money. I need to paint my boat but I have been putting it off because I know how involved it will be once I start.

If the renter hits a rock with a plastic prop it will be destroyed but the hub and prop shaft will be okay. When you hit a rock with a stainless or an aluminum prop you can damage the prop shaft and bearing assembly due to impact being transmitted through the propeller. They are trying to protect there investment and most renters drive them like they stole them.

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

If the renter hits a rock with a plastic prop it will be destroyed but the hub and prop shaft will be okay. When you hit a rock with a stainless or an aluminum prop you can damage the prop shaft and bearing assembly due to impact being transmitted through the propeller. They are trying to protect there investment and most renters drive them like they stole them.

I figured that's what it was. Couldn't that also be part of the reason for the lack of speed when I drove it? In combination with the weight of the fiberglass boat. I imagine they flex quite a bit more in normal use too.