1973 14' Starcraft Holiday Floor Resto

[Helihover]

Hello guys and gals! Its been a while since I've posted here. Someone reminded me the other day about this section of the forum I had totally forgotten about (my bad. Anyway, I just started a new project on my Holiday "salmon boat", replacing the rotted flooring. I made a video showing the first steps and plan to make more following the progress. I would love any input and advice as I know there are some really knowledgeable folks here, and this is my first time So go easy on me! Im still really curious about the size of the sheet I pulled out though...

 

[Watermann]

:welcome: back,

Deck replacement usually goes hand in hand with transom and side panel replacement. I'm not sure your little Holly had side panels but if the transom is original then it too will need replaced.

I've found 9' long plywood before used in side panels so the wide one piece sheet isn't a surprise. You'll just have to go back on cross ways with seams every 4'.

Don't reuse that old styrofoam, go with rigid foam board.

Once cleaned up you'll need to do a leak test to find loose, broken or missing rivets. With the deck out is the time to find and repair them.Most will seal the seams on the inside with gluvit epoxy as well.

 

[bchaney]

Nice Holiday man! I've watched your boat walk thru video on YouTube a few times, it's really well done with the overhead shots and all. I'm in the PNW too (Seattle).

Like Watermann said, definitely replace that waterlogged foam. It's there mostly for flotation in case of capsize, and it won't be able to do that well if it's waterlogged. Even if you dry it out, it will absorb water again next time it gets wet. You want to replace it with a closed cell foam like expanded or extruded polystyrene (eps or xps). I realize that your YouTube channel is called the frugal fisherman for a reason but 1" eps is only like 12 bucks for a 4x8 sheet at lowes or Depot. Search for r-tech to find the stuff, it's actually made in the PNW. It can be cut easily with a hand saw or bread knife, I insulated my whole basement with it. You can also use a power saw but it gets messy. xps would work too but is more expensive and may not dry out if it ever absorbs water. See link below for comparison.

https://www.plymouthfoam.com/eps-vs-...-be-the-judge/

Definitely go with marine grade plywood and replace everything you can so you will be good for a long time. Treated plywood and aluminum don't work well together.

Good luck!

 

[jbcurt00]

Personal experience and several hundred of starcraft topics disagree w that assessment of eps vs xps use in a boat.

Overtime eps also looses tiny little styro beads that can clog limber holes (between the ribs and hull) intended to allow water to drain back to the bilge. Stryo beads are also bad for your bilge pump's impeller.

Watermann

 

[bchaney]

My bad! Didn't know that about the Styrofoam beads, it makes sense. Xps does sound like the better choice for this application.

 

[Grizzly_A]

Helihover, let me know if you need a hand. I posted on your video comments, but I'm only 15 min away from your place. I've got a 1966 Holiday.

 

[BWR1953]

My bad! Didn't know that about the Styrofoam beads, it makes sense. Xps does sound like the better choice for this application.

This is how I did the foam for my Kingfisher.

 

[Helihover]

Man,.. This forum is so great! Thank you guys for all of the replies.
I will toss the foam and source new xps foam.
I wandered around HD the other day and didn't see any marine board, but I didn't ask anyone either. Probably would have better luck at a lumber yard. I also found this stuff called Starboard, basically rot proof plastic. I kind of like that option, but the quote was around 550 for one single piece shipped to my place. Shipping was more than the board cost. What I really want is diamond plate. Theres a place here in Oregon City that sells sheets, but I have not priced them yet. What would be the right way to do that?
My other option is to just paint the plywood on all sides and sand coat the top for traction.
And hey Grizzly, I might need a hand. Lets see how this goes.

 

[Watermann]

Many of us seal our decking and transoms with Spar Urethane, Old Timers formula or epoxy resin. I've not used the resin, too many ways for it to fail for me.

No need to over think the deck material, I've used both marine grade and good fir ACX. Marine costs twice as much as ACX because it has fewer voids and 2 sanded A sides. If you use diamond plate well I've no experience with it other than knowing it's heavier than plywood, more difficult to work with but will allow for the boat to be neglected as it won't rot.

 

[Helihover]

Mission creep has officially set in.....

 

[bchaney]

Wow BWR that foam looks great. Did you cut each piece individually?

OP, you can get xps at your local HD (pink stuff, owens corning) or lowes (blue, dow).
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[BWR1953]

Wow BWR that foam looks great. Did you cut each piece individually?

OP, you can get xps at your local HD (pink stuff, owens corning) or lowes (blue, dow).
​

Yup, almost 4 years ago each piece was hand cut from 3/4" foam board then the sections were glued together with waterproof PL adhesive. Next, I taped the sections together with aluminum duck tape. Finally, the "blue" sections were just more pink pieces but they were put inside HDPE (gasoline proof) plastic bags.

Finally, we numbered the sections for easy replacement which is good because they're all back out of the boat now while I'm working on the latest efforts.

I would have used 2" foam board but that size wasn't available. The larger thickness certainly would have reduced the amount of cutting necessary.

 

[Helihover]

Got some more work done Just waiting on some decent weather so I can start painting.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EPm27-un50

 

[bchaney]

Nice work man. Good luck finding some nice weather, it's been real hard to come by lately. What color you going with?

 

[Helihover]

I have the colors picked, I’m just going to let that be a surprise. I’m super excited them.

 

[Watermann]

Got some more work done Just waiting on some decent weather so I can start painting.

Lots of work to make a boat naked, looks like the aerosol stripper worked pretty well for you even in the cold weather. :thumb:

Hey if you use the A advanced editor and the video icon you can embed the vid player in your post like I did in the quote.