1973 Starcraft SuperSport 16ft. restoration questions

[Gibbles]

Normally they spit out to the side, so not through the transom.
I only have two boats setup for a factory bilge pump, my Nova, and the Islander.
Both have the bung on the right-hand side near the back.

 

[Gibbles]

I will note that the factory LiveWell on the islander does draw water and it has a separate exit on the back, real low on the water line!

Bilge is near the top.

 

[piperjoe]

Would appreciate hearing from those folks who have put Nautolex vinyl flooring in their boat. Would like to read your pro and/or con comments, and also find out what you used for the adhesive along with your thoughts on how that worked out. Thanks!

Safe boating,
Joe

 

[piperjoe]

Thanks again, Gibbles! When posting the above question I was thinking that I had normally seen the bilge water coming out on the side of a boat. How high above the waterline (chine?) would you suggest for the bung? Also, can I size the bung hole discharge tubing to accommodate the two bilge pump’s output with a check valve in that hose, and use a y-connection to attach each of the individual pump’s discharge line to it? I would then only have to put one hole in the side of the boat with this layout. Lots of questions I know…however, I know when I don’t know and have never been shy about asking for assistance.

Safe boating,
Joe

 

[Gibbles]

So for the nautolex flooring in my starchief, the only complaint I have is that it seemed to "stain" a little due to leaving it uncovered in a few rain storms.

Reading some of the reviews, others have had the same issue with staining that won't clean up.

So, for my islander I'm thinking I want marideck to see if I have the same issue.

One concern is I do like the aggressive texture of the nautolex, I would be disappointed of the marideck is softer/smoother.

Another thought is that the islander has some vinyl in the cabin, and I think some of that stuff is also covering the engine cover.
Makes me wonder if that is marideck.

That stuff is nice, but it's not what I would consider flooring.
I may need to see if i can order a sample pack or something...

 

[piperjoe]

Thanks again, Gibbles! I am aware of the stain issue on the Nautolex vinyl which is about the only thing I have come across in my reading about the product. I’ll check out the other brand you mentioned, too.

Safe boating,
Joe

 

[piperjoe]

The Admiral and I got the deck piece, that goes in front of the two pieces already riveted in place, drawn out on the new marine plywood sheet. Started to cut the outside edges with my saber saw…got one side cut off and, while cutting the second outside edge, the saw blade broke into two pieces. And do you think I can put my hand on the package of new blades that took off and hid on me?

Safe boating,
Joe

 

[piperjoe]

Went to the hardware store this afternoon and purchased a 4-pack of new saber saw blades. When the Admiral and I returned home we decided to make the cuts required for the new plywood decking piece that had been set aside yesterday. Very windy with threatening rain be darned! The Admiral and I dressed for the cool weather and accomplished the task. Had some light rain with mixed sleet for a bit, too. The new decking piece is now cut to shape and sanded; awaiting warmer temperatures so I can apply the West Systems epoxy to the bottom surface. Hope to rivet this deck piece and the small bow area plywood piece to the boat before having to stop for the Winter season.

Safe boating,
Joe

 

[piperjoe]

The weather forecast is calling for temperatures ranging from 54 degrees to the 30’s over the next week and we are getting on into October. So, my question for the day: Does anyone have experience applying West Systems epoxy over plywood during the low temperature range above, and, how about the second coat application and curing? I really don’t want to bring the plywood pieces into the basement so I can get the epoxy coat on the bottom surface of the remaining decking pieces.

Safe boating,
Joe

 

[shinytopgeezer]

Hi Joe and Joyce! I have a question and a thought (my wife is always thrilled when I have a thought). The picture of the 2 chipmunks setting on your trailer tire....it looks as though your trailer has a lower control arm and a automotive type hydraulic shock. Is it on air bags? WAYYY back when I was a kid, the Tee Nee trailer Co in Youngstown Oh re-branded some of their trailers and added airbags and shocks and called them Air Buoys. That was in the late 50's early 60's. I've never seen any others. Have to wonder if yours is one of them.
As for your floor covering. Ever thought about pick up truck bed liner? You can get several different brands of do it yourself products or have the pros do it. I like the idea of it filling small gaps and sealing to the hull sides. LineX brand is very good stuff, but kinda spendie. It's meant to be out in the sun and weather, and shouldn't be slippery when wet. Great build! Stay warm. Pete

 

[piperjoe]

Hi Pete! Our trailer doesn’t have an airbag suspension, just regular springs and shocks. Our Chipmunks are no more….took care of seven of them out of our garage since the photo was taken and I saw one more yesterday. That’s the most I’ve ever seen in my garage!
As for the bed liner material. Dang if that idea completely left my mind, and I had checked into the application last Spring. Thanks for the heads up as I want to look into the material again.

Safe boating,
Joe

 

[piperjoe]

The weather forecast is calling for temperatures ranging from 54 degrees to the 30’s over the next week and we are getting on into October. So, my question for the day: Does anyone have experience applying West Systems epoxy over plywood during the low temperature range above, and, how about the second coat application and curing? I really don’t want to bring the plywood pieces into the basement so I can get the epoxy coat on the bottom surface of the remaining decking pieces.

Safe boating,
Joe

After some more research it appears that 60 degrees is the magic number for the West Systems epoxy/206 hardener mix that I am using to coat the bottom surface of the plywood. So, it might be possible to get the epoxy onto the plywood on the day the temperature reaches 54 degrees or so as it probably would just require a longer cure time in the garage. Overnight should work fine and if the epoxy is a bit tacky in the morning that would be good for the application of the second coat of epoxy. Well, we’ll see how it goes….Thursday morning looks to be the only window without rain for the upcoming week.

Safe boating,
Joe

 

[shinytopgeezer]

Hi Pete! Our trailer doesn’t have an airbag suspension, just regular springs and shocks. Our Chipmunks are no more….took care of seven of them out of our garage since the photo was taken and I saw one more yesterday. That’s the most I’ve ever seen in my garage!
As for the bed liner material. Dang if that idea completely left my mind, and I had checked into the application last Spring. Thanks for the heads up as I want to look into the material again.

Safe boating,
Joe

Oh yes. I forgot, some did use coil springs and others used leaf springs.

 

[piperjoe]

The Admiral and I applied the first West Systems epoxy coat to the bottom of the recently cut out front deck piece, and, to the bottom of the small deck piece that fits right at the bow. Also found the aluminum deck strap that connects these two deck pieces so I will get it cleaned up and ready to install. Tomorrow looks like a good day for applying the second epoxy coat to the deck pieces and getting the floatation foam placed into final position within the bow area…then it’s rivet time again!

Safe boating,
Joe

 

[piperjoe]

Second brushed on coat of West Systems epoxy is on the bottom surface of the above two decking pieces and curing. Removed the rivets from the forward decking strap. Thought the task would take a few minutes…not. Anyway, if it’s not raining tomorrow we’ll have a go at getting the two pieces of decking riveted to the boat. Onward we go!

Nope! Just thought of a question. After I fill the countersink holes in the new decking with 5200, how long should I wait before applying the spar varnish to the topside surface of the deck?

Safe boating,
Joe

 

[piperjoe]

Dang…it’s raining…again.

Safe boating,
Joe

 

[Gibbles]

I would say give it a solid week to ensure you have a full cure of that west system epoxy.
that varnish will also take forever to cure.
West system cured pretty quickly for me in general.

I used the fast cure during the winter, and the slow cure in the summer.
In the summer, even the slow cure does not like sunlight during curing.
Stuff reacts fast when it gets hot!

I also used a small heater to keep the piece warm, it helps that my garage door is insulated and has weather seals to keep the draft out.

Another thing I did was to go to see how newer boats are setup, bass pro, marine dealerships, and the local boat show were huge inspirations.


Me finally having a "newer starcraft" boat, I already love having storage compartments everywhere.

 

[piperjoe]

The West Systems epoxy has only been applied to the bottom surface of the decking, the surface against the floatation foam, rib ends and deck rails. The top surface, with the countersunk rivets, still has the bare marine plywood exposed. Hope to get those countersink holes filled with 5200 within the next few days if the weather cooperates. I think 3-4 days afterwards would be a long enough wait before I apply the spar varnish to the top decking surface? Would like to get 2-3 coats of varnish on before battening down the hatches for Winter. Looking at the long range weather forecast, I just might have time to get the task completed. Finishing up this part of the restoration would certainly be a milestone and I could then relax a little and take a deep breath.

Another question: just about made up my mind to use a quality vinyl type deck covering for our boat. Should I secure the vinyl deck covering to the top of the decking as one continuous piece, bow to transom, and then attach the various aluminum structure over the vinyl, or, attach the aluminum structure directly onto the plywood deck surface and then put down the vinyl deck covering? Would certainly appreciate your thoughts on this.

Safe boating,
Joe

 

[Gibbles]

on my starchief I installed it as one big piece, overlap went up the sides just a little to prevent water from running down the sides, and to direct it to the back of the boat.
How I clean the boat is to use a hose...

My Islander, it has that pour in foam stuff, and the decking is in three pieces due to having the middle deck being fuel tank access.

I'm still trying to figure out how I want to do it there...

 

[piperjoe]

Thanks again, Gibbles! Thinking that perhaps I can lay the vinyl covering down as one piece and, after locating an aluminum part over the vinyl, I would go around the aluminum part mounting base with a thin line marker, cut out the vinyl as required and attach the aluminum part so that it rests directly on the plywood deck.

Safe boating,
Joe