1969 Starcraft (Unknown Model) - Need some general advice / assistance

[jasonejasone]

Hey everybody, I recently joined the Starcraft family with this 1969 Starcraft. I'm not sure of the model, so I guess my first question is, does anyone know what this boat is?

I'll notate my big questions like this:

--- Question

I just haven't been able to find much info on different Starcraft models from back then.

When I bought it, the floors were squishy, so that was my first project... it also brings me to one of my major questions:


--- There was zero foam under the floor boards. Is this something that is absolutely necessary for the safe operation of this thing?


I plan to use it for light duty stuff - short fishing trips, maybe some overnights with just 2 or 3 total guys. So far in my testing on the lake, it has proven to be extremely stable and feels very safe.

When I removed the old flooring, I found one aluminum beam running down the center of the boat with wood attached. This served more or less as the 'spine' of the flooring. Then towards the front, the flooring also had support from the ribs. In the back half, I attached the 3/4" plywood flooring to that 'spine' as well as to the to the aluminum on the inside of the boat. I covered both sides of the plywood with waterproof deck paint that is designed to provide traction on wet surfaces. The floor is pretty stable, but it has a tiny bit of give in a few spots on the sides.


--- The deck paint is grippy and looks OK, but I was really hoping to find another product besides marine carpet to layer on top of the floor. Something along the lines of marine foam or similar, but I really don't have a huge budget for this part of the project. Any suggestions / ideas / posts you can refer me to?


I'm pretty happy with the flooring, but ultimately based on some other posts, I'm a little concerned that there's no foam under there.

Now, on to some other topics. As you can see, I built a new console. It was my first crack at it and it turned out fine... it's functional at the very least! I even got a compliment on it the first time I took the boat out.


--- I would be interested to know if anyone might suggest an affordable console I could buy instead... everything I've found has been $400+, which is just not in the budget for this build.


I'm also painting the outside... forced to use rustoleum since I don't have any kind of hoist / lift to remove the motor or lift the boat itself. It has to remain on the trailer, whatever I'm doing to it.

Another issue I'm having is with the rub rail, and the trim that holds it in place. I don't feel it needs replacing or anything, but I'd like to paint it.


--- Any suggestions for paint (or any other substance) I might use? I have some white multisurface rustoleum in a can and a small paint brush... that's what I'm planning to do with it right now. This part of the project is solely for aesthetics - the rub rail seems fine, it just looks like crap.


Another issue is with the gunwales. I'd really like to either paint, or possibly add wood / carpet to them. The problem is the interior trim and rub rail trim.


--- Is there any way to remove the rub rail / aluminum trim on the sides of the gunwales so that I can paint or add carpet? I think if this is going to be difficult, I'd rather just use painter's tape to cover the trim and paint it the same as the hull with rustoleum.


Here's a quick summary of the items I've done already:

- New floors, 3/4" plywood covered with waterproof deck paint for traction
- Fabricated new console from same 3/4" plywood, but used stain and lacquer instead of deck paint to seal it
- Added a 2nd marine battery (one came with the boat) and an all-new electrical system (5 switch electrical panel with in line fuses, positive bus, negative bus, marine grade battery switch, all marine grade wiring, shrink wrap marine electrical connectors)
- With that new electrical system, I have wired in the following: horn, navigation lights, interior LED lights, Garmin fish finder/GPS, bilge pump). This is probaly the most well-done part of the boat, I think... the paint and everything else I've done are just not as high-quality in my view, but it all works at least!
- Lubricated the steering system / control cables
- Fuel system treatment / tune up / new spark plugs / general cleaning and engine tuning stuff
- Rustoleum primer and paint on the exterior (almost done with this item, I have done some additional painting since the photo attached). Also painted a good part of the interior, mainly focused on the front. The old owner had a casting deck the built themselves up front, I will likely fabricate a new one in the near future.
- Repainted the rod holders, touched up some cleats, replaced the rear nav light, added a couple cup holders, added a mushroom anchor, new deck lines, new steering wheel, a few more odds n ends here and there


I'd love to hear any thoughts on the project to date, and any suggestions on budget-friendly additions / updates that don't require a high level of skill / competency (please don't suggest I weld something, for example, I have neither the skill or equipment).

Whatever happens, this project has already yielded a stable, quick little boat that is more than suitable for fishing / camping trips like my friends and I like to do. So I am already pretty ecstatic with where I am!

Thanks for reading, and for any suggestions / constructive criticisms / ideas!

 

[jbcurt00]

1969 or 1976?

Looks like the same boat w the same DIY plywood console
https://forums.iboats.com/forum/boa...1976-starcraft-resto-need-console-suggestions

No info?

Didnt look very hard. Posted right at the top of the forum page you added this topic to
https://forums.iboats.com/forum/own...ures-past-splashes-member-map-rebuilds-restos

Best resource is probably the hundreds (1000s?) of Starcraf rebuild topics posted here.

 

[jasonejasone]

1969 or 1976?

Looks like the same boat w the same DIY plywood console
https://forums.iboats.com/forum/boa...1976-starcraft-resto-need-console-suggestions

No info?

Didnt look very hard. Posted right at the top of the forum page you added this topic to
https://forums.iboats.com/forum/own...ures-past-splashes-member-map-rebuilds-restos

Best resource is probably the hundreds (1000s?) of Starcraf rebuild topics posted here.

Title says it's a 1969, so I have newer info that shows it must not be a 1976. I still haven't found ANY info out there to show what model this is, hence why I've asked the Starcraft owners here for help identifying it.

I didn't get but one reply to my previous thread, and I haven't been able to find any salvage yards in my area as suggested.

Also, the huge number of restoration threads / info out there is exactly why I've asked the community for suggestions and help. I've gone through maybe 15-20 entire threads (some of them 3-400 pages+) already.

I mean, did you want to try to help or not? I thought this was a friendly place to come for help and guidance, isn't that what it's supposed to be?

Aren't we all supposed to be sharing information, asking for / offering advice, and generally enjoying these awesome Starcraft boats that we all enjoy so much?

If I've somehow offended you by asking my questions, or violated the forum rules somehow, I do apologize.

 

[jasonejasone]

1969 or 1976?

Looks like the same boat w the same DIY plywood console
https://forums.iboats.com/forum/boa...1976-starcraft-resto-need-console-suggestions

No info?

Didnt look very hard. Posted right at the top of the forum page you added this topic to
https://forums.iboats.com/forum/own...ures-past-splashes-member-map-rebuilds-restos

Best resource is probably the hundreds (1000s?) of Starcraf rebuild topics posted here.

After checking yet again, your brochure link to the 1969 models is completely empty. The link takes you to a photobucket folder, and the 1969 folder has zero content.

So I mean yeah, there is still no info there for my year of Starcraft. I guess after your post, I expected there to be a wealth of information contained in that link, but it was totally empty.

So I will ask again: can anyone help me figure out what model this boat is based on my photos?

 

[jbcurt00]

Dont confuse brevity w rudeness.

The 1 post in the other topic is about tbe only option unless you get incredibly lucky and someone offers a console on Marketplace/Craigslist, which I suspect you've checked. Sometimes it takes multiple searches a day, for months (years?) to find parts for a project. You could also try another DIY console.

Otherwise, what posts did you expect in a

console needed

topic?

Hence the no other posts.

Summertime is hit or miss for boat work. Thousands of members are likely not logging in as often as they are out using their boats. Esp this year w it being an 'approved' socially distant activity.

A followup post from you a day or a week later would have brought it back up to the top of the recent post list. Maybe someone else would have caught it and replied....

Some might have also posted an

oops, got it wrong, I think its a 1969, not a 1976

In the other topic, but either way, good luck w your project. The incorrectly title topic is now closed as you've asked the same question here.

Again, dont confuse brevity w rudeness. I do suggest you try and pare your posts down. Thats a lot to chew thru in 1 post to determine if I could help.

 

[jbcurt00]

Try fhe brochures 5 yrs older and probably 5yrs newer. Starcraft made the same model boats for many years w few changes other then color. Some were made for decades.

Some topics are decimated by Photobucket. Thats a Photobucket problem, not an Iboats problem.

 

[jasonejasone]

Try fhe brochures 5 yrs older and probably 5yrs newer. Starcraft made the same model boats for many years w few changes other then color. Some were made for decades.

Some topics are decimated by Photobucket. Thats a Photobucket problem, not an Iboats problem.

You know what?

I think I'd rather just go it on my own.

I read through so many threads - I saw enthusiastic Starcraft owners offering advice, giving feedback, showing genuine excitement about other projects.

I just didn't expect to get chided for asking for help - especially when the criticism resulted in actually zero information being where you snarkily told me to go.

A lot of those resto threads are from like, a decade ago, too, man... so I really don't see the issue with asking a Starcraft-focused community for help and advice on a Starcraft.

But if this is what this forum is about - chiding people for their posts and generally being unwilling to help - I can really do without that.

 

[ski2rule]

Hey jasonejasone, don't get discouraged and keep enthused. The response did seem a bit "curt" to me...

 

[GA_Boater]

You know what?

I think I'd rather just go it on my own.

I read through so many threads - I saw enthusiastic Starcraft owners offering advice, giving feedback, showing genuine excitement about other projects.

I just didn't expect to get chided for asking for help - especially when the criticism resulted in actually zero information being where you snarkily told me to go.

A lot of those resto threads are from like, a decade ago, too, man... so I really don't see the issue with asking a Starcraft-focused community for help and advice on a Starcraft.

But if this is what this forum is about - chiding people for their posts and generally being unwilling to help - I can really do without that.

How many knee braces under the splashwell? I think your boat suffered through a bowectomy.

Remove the rub rails and you find will machine screws with nuts inside. Undo those and the top of the gunnel cleared for whatever you want to do.

Some measurements help. Many SCs from that era look alike.

 

[DLNorth]

I won't argue with it being a '69 but, does it still have the S/N plate? if so, what is a the number?
I have been keeping a rough list of S/N's and years.

 

[jasonejasone]

Hey jasonejasone, don't get discouraged and keep enthused. The response did seem a bit "curt" to me...

Thanks, I'm trying not to.

Just a weird response I got, and not at all what I expected. To me, the best resource here isn't a bunch of old threads with hundreds of responses to read through... it's the people that are enthusiastic about Starcraft boats, and all of their combined experience.

I just didn't expect a response from a moderator basically telling me I wasted everyone's time, and that I should just look at the sticky post that actually contains zero information about my model year.

 

[jasonejasone]

I won't argue with it being a '69 but, does it still have the S/N plate? if so, what is a the number?
I have been keeping a rough list of S/N's and years.

No S/N plate, unfortunately. I think it previously had the split console with the bench seat up front though, based on the holes that are still there and what looks like a place where a brace used to be to support the bench... anyways, that is the closest match I can make to what it looks like in real life. It sure would be easier with some kind of serial number or similar!

Best I can tell, it LOOKS most like the images I found for the 1970 Super Sport. At least, the bow and stern most closely match that image... but there are no rails on the gunwales (they could have been removed, of course). If it IS a Super Sport, then the consoles and front bench seats were removed at some point well before it came to me!

Identifying this thing is great example of why I wanted to engage this community, though... I had already pored over every bit of info on iBoats and from every Google search I could think of, and I still can't tell you what it is today. So when that moderator criticized me for asking, it really got me discouraged.

So thanks to you other guys who actually tried to help, I really appreciate it.

 

[jasonejasone]

How many knee braces under the splashwell? I think your boat suffered through a bowectomy.

Remove the rub rails and you find will machine screws with nuts inside. Undo those and the top of the gunnel cleared for whatever you want to do.

Some measurements help. Many SCs from that era look alike.

I'll do you one better, here's a photo!

Thanks for the info on the rub rails - are they a huge pain to remove / put back in? It sounds like they are!

If so, I'll likely just tape off the edges to paint them, then tape off the rub rail to paint the gunwales as well.

Anyways - thanks for the response. No offense to your fellow moderators, but your response was like, 1,000% more in line with what I was hoping for... i.e. some advice / help / shared enthusiasm!

Your comments are all over the Starcraft board, so it's easy to see you spend a lot of time talking about them, working on them, and sharing in other folks' projects. Thanks GA!

 

[GA_Boater]

My rub rail came off easily after removing the rubber and my rubber slid right out after removing the rear corner caps and bow cap. I had the side panels removed so I could get to the nuts inside. The machine screws are about 10 times too long and it's been a mystery why Starcraft used such long screws everywhere. There is a trick to removing the bow cap if you decide to pull the rub rail off.

3 knee braces is a clue. I have a '66 Nassau with 3 of 'em. I think Jupiters also have three. Is your stern flat or V'ed on the bottom? All Nassaus are flat and the Jupiter models started flat and got a V bottom in later models. Don't get mad at me, but in the resto threads we do have both models and you might look at some pics. Also look at the brochures, I think the 1966 or '67 brochure is the one showing the Jupiter getting the V bottom.

I asked about measurements, they are really needed to tell just what you have. With the 3 knee braces, a bowectomy is looking more plausible.

We have a lot of restos documented using Photobucket, unfortunately PB screwed thousands of users by going to a pay site. With some finagling you see the pics, but one thing we can't control is removing or moving pics.

Look at some of my posts, you'll see that can get grumpy or terse, too. It comes with the territory and bleeds through at times.

 

[DLNorth]

After looking at your pics, my SWAG is that it's not a SS. This only based on comparing it to our 1970 SS16. It "seems" that it has a longer bow and is narrower then our SS16. Here is an example of ours, except we have the for/aft seating.

 

[jasonejasone]

My rub rail came off easily after removing the rubber and my rubber slid right out after removing the rear corner caps and bow cap. I had the side panels removed so I could get to the nuts inside. The machine screws are about 10 times too long and it's been a mystery why Starcraft used such long screws everywhere. There is a trick to removing the bow cap if you decide to pull the rub rail off.

3 knee braces is a clue. I have a '66 Nassau with 3 of 'em. I think Jupiters also have three. Is your stern flat or V'ed on the bottom? All Nassaus are flat and the Jupiter models started flat and got a V bottom in later models. Don't get mad at me, but in the resto threads we do have both models and you might look at some pics. Also look at the brochures, I think the 1966 or '67 brochure is the one showing the Jupiter getting the V bottom.

I asked about measurements, they are really needed to tell just what you have. With the 3 knee braces, a bowectomy is looking more plausible.

We have a lot of restos documented using Photobucket, unfortunately PB screwed thousands of users by going to a pay site. With some finagling you see the pics, but one thing we can't control is removing or moving pics.

Look at some of my posts, you'll see that can get grumpy or terse, too. It comes with the territory and bleeds through at times.

It's all good - just a bit discouraging when you come to a community like this for help, and somebody basically says you're wasting everyone's time. That's the vibe I got off of that first reply. It just wasn't very welcoming, and in the end the link I was sent to was dead anyways.

...and here we all are with all the brochures and all of your expertise and we still don't know what model of boat it is... so I think I was still right to ask for help on this one.

Anyways - I am going to move on from that.

I'll take some measurements today, and I'll take a look at the stern. If memory serves, it's flat.

I also agree with you - I think there was something up on the bow that was removed previously. There was flooring and a different homemade console on the boat when I picked it up, and it's doubtful this was ever a tiller steer. I think it had to have a console or something along those lines up by the bow originally.

As for the rub rail, the rear caps are held on by rivets, and I don't have any of the necessary tools to replace them... so I think it's a better plan to attempt to just paint the rubber itself and the 'housing' for lack of a better term.

 

[jasonejasone]

A couple more tidbits:

- The boat is approx. 190" long on the centerline, so more or less 16'
- The beam is 66.5" at its widest point
- Looked to measure the transom, but not sure exactly where or what to measure there
- It does appear to have a flat stern (see photo)
- I also included a pic of the top of the splashwell b/c I've noticed in some photos, there is a hole in the middle for the motor controls... mine has holes on the side... maybe that will further help with identifying it.

 

[jasonejasone]

I'm really starting to think that the title may have bad info on it... the physical characteristics and measurements of this boat just don't match up with anything from 1969 that I can find.

I thought it looked a lot like a mariner, but it only has the single brace under the splashwell - mine has three.

Trying to match the measurements to another boat and it just isn't wide enough - everything else is over 70" wide at least, and this is just a tad over 66".

Sure wish there was a serial number, hull number or similar somewhere!!

 

[DLNorth]

A couple comments,
remember it is summer, lots of folks are out in their boats, not working on them (or playing on the computer).

2 - I wish I saw your post in June/July, I scrapped a SS16 that had both consoles. I'd of given you the boat if you wanted it. (I tried to offer parts here but was told it was a NO-NO. Not sure why, there not parts i-boats would have.)

and, at least here in MN, there are a number of folks that scrap and part out boats, and often run ad's on c-list, including consoles.

 

[jasonejasone]

A couple comments,
remember it is summer, lots of folks are out in their boats, not working on them (or playing on the computer).

2 - I wish I saw your post in June/July, I scrapped a SS16 that had both consoles. I'd of given you the boat if you wanted it. (I tried to offer parts here but was told it was a NO-NO. Not sure why, there not parts i-boats would have.)

and, at least here in MN, there are a number of folks that scrap and part out boats, and often run ad's on c-list, including consoles.

Heck yeah, I wish you had seen it, too! I've been scouring CL, FB marketplace, anywhere I can think of to find a console. No luck yet, but at least the one I fabricated is functional.

...and I know people are out on their boats, and working on them (me too!)... so if I have somehow give you or anyone else the impression that I am impatient or disappointed in the number of responses, let me clear that right up: I'm not. I am ecstatic that ANYONE has responded with advice / info to help.