1973 Starcraft SuperSport 16ft. restoration questions

[piperjoe]

Re: 1973 Starcraft SuperSport 16ft. restoration questions

Picked up the trailer plate yesterday and have the paperwork ready to register the boat when we launch it in the Spring (no sense paying for registration now and losing the sticker time while the boat is being worked on). Found a shop that can sand blast the trailer, check for cracks/damage and do repair welds, apply primer and paint. Will be thinking of adding rear side bunks to the trailer in addition to the rollers that are on the trailer. Any thoughts/comments on the bunk idea?

Safe boating,

Joe

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1973 Starcraft SuperSport 16ft. restoration questions

I love my side bunks. I had little guides on my last trailer that were worthless. The bunks are great.

 

[piperjoe]

Re: 1973 Starcraft SuperSport 16ft. restoration questions

Thanks for the positive comments, ez. Can you post a pic to two so I can see how your trailer is set up?

Safe boating,

Joe

Edit: cancel photo request - found photo on another thread.

 

[piperjoe]

Re: 1973 Starcraft SuperSport 16ft. restoration questions

The Johnson has been removed from the boat and is being stored on a hydraulic lift stand at the mechanics shop. Went there this morning and attached the trailer plate and brought the SS home. Parked the boat near the garage so I can work on it, and took lots of reference photos as an aid to getting parts back where they belong as the restoration is completed. Went out to purchase a smaller battery powered drill (my Milwaukee is way to big) and a new 3/16" drill to start removing pop rivets...and made the mistake of driving past the RC flying field...well, not past it exactly...and I didn't make it to the store. At least I brought the boat home today...

Safe boating,

Joe

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: 1973 Starcraft SuperSport 16ft. restoration questions

I'm going to the store for a few bolts. Six hours later, where have you been? I understand, PJ. :facepalm:

 

[piperjoe]

Re: 1973 Starcraft SuperSport 16ft. restoration questions

:laugh:

Safe boating,

Joe

 

[piperjoe]

Re: 1973 Starcraft SuperSport 16ft. restoration questions

My wife and I went to a classic/antique wooden boat show last Saturday. While looking over the beautiful examples of old time craftsmanship I noted a couple of boats had a non-slip linoleum installed over the wood decking. All the examples looked real nice and clean. I was told the linoleum held up quite well, was easy to mop out and available in many color combinations. Any thoughts/comments as to using this type of covering instead of carpet on my SS?

Safe boating,

Joe

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: 1973 Starcraft SuperSport 16ft. restoration questions

Yes - stay away from classic boat shows. A major contributor to MBS and wallet draining. :lol:

I'm not sure about linoleum, But anything beats carpet. Carpet snag fish hooks, trap dirt and water. A marine vinyl like Nautolex has been used by many of us with good results. Easy to clean, water stays on top and laughs at fish hooks. I may be biased by my memories of worn out linoleum on the kitchen floor and watching This Old House.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1973 Starcraft SuperSport 16ft. restoration questions

Linoleum or 'looked kinda like' linoleum? I don't think I've ever seen anti-skid linoleum.

May have been Nautolex, it's non-skid and several have used it & swear they'd never use anything else. I don't know if this place ships to Canada, its available other places. Dozer has used it before, not sure where he gets it. JigNGrub is a HUGE fan of it. 1 of the SC guys just put it down on his deck during put back, CPDChap maybe...

There was a shortage & backorder on at least 1 color recently.

Edit: Yep, although he's having some glue down concerns:

Vinyl installed, consoles and front seating group installed, new plywood for front area cut out. Then I figured out how tall of pedestals I need for my seats. I cut down two buckets, one at 9" and one at 12"........9" is perfect.

Question for anyone who has installed Nautolex before. I used the S-18 glue that they recommend and I am not very impressed. It seems to work excellent glueing to the aluminum but glueing to the plywood over spar varnish did not seem to stick very well, it almost seems like it reacted to the varnish. Was curious if anyone else had this problem.

Overall I like the vinyl (as long as the glue holds

) and like how clean it looks. Now I am going to wrap the front plywood pieces with Nautolex then have my upholstery guy make me some cushions to match my seats to throw in on top of them.......the plan is if its just the guys going fishing cushions stay in the garage and fish guts can get all over the vinyl and just hose it off.......non fishing trip and the girls go, throw in the cushions.

 

[piperjoe]

Re: 1973 Starcraft SuperSport 16ft. restoration questions

Thanks for the comments, GA and jb. I don't recall anyone I talked to at the boat show calling the covering material Nautolex. One fella had a boat restoration shop and he mentioned it was high-end linoleum. What was great about it was the classic boat was very nicely done mahogany with green paint trim from waterline downward and green upholstery. The deck covering had a "small chip" look with green, white, light tan and dark brown. The linoleum really made the boat interior look great. Perhaps I can find out the boat owner's name from the boat show organizers and get more information. Certainly am not ready for the deck covering at this time but it's always good to be thinking ahead.

Safe boating,

Joe

 

[piperjoe]

Re: 1973 Starcraft SuperSport 16ft. restoration questions

Another question: I am going to purchase a new automatic bilge pump and hose kit. Have no experience with this, so, I'm asking for guidance here. What brand/type should I be considering for this 16ft SC SS? Not looking for cheap; looking for quality construction and high level of reliability. Comments and suggestions welcome, and thanks in advance.

Safe boating,

Joe

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: 1973 Starcraft SuperSport 16ft. restoration questions

Look for a pump with a separate float switch. Switches fail more often than pumps. The pumps with built in switch and the timer type are prone to 1) the switch failing and killing the whole thing because the switch can't be replaced and 2) the timer type runs needlessly and runs down your battery.

Rule makes good pumps - go with a fair sized one, at least 1000 GPH if you go with one pump. They get the water out faster. I put two pumps in, both 600 GPH. One is 100% auto with a separate switch and the second is manually controlled. Between them I have 1200 GPH. I like the redundancy.

 

[piperjoe]

Re: 1973 Starcraft SuperSport 16ft. restoration questions

Thank you, GA. I like the idea of a separate switch on the bilge pump, and the backup plan using a pump with manual control. Your assistance is appreciated, my friend.

Soft landings,

Joe

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1973 Starcraft SuperSport 16ft. restoration questions

GA makes an excellent point for sure.

Here's another opinion:

I've installed the fully automatic pumps...

http://i543.photobucket.com/albums/gg451/jasoutside/Starcraft Islander/IMAG0258.jpg?970

...and really appreciate the simplicity of everything all in one ya know.

Just gotta be comfortable with what you are building and running is all.

Cheers:joyous:

 

[piperjoe]

Re: 1973 Starcraft SuperSport 16ft. restoration questions

Thanks, jasoutside. Both you and GA bring up good points for consideration. I had been giving the "backup pump" idea thought for some time now as we have big water/big waves up here. I'd sure hate to lose my one bilge pump, for whatever reason, say, on Lake Michigan during rough seas. Some time back we had a situation over near Frankfort where a couple was trying to get off Lake Michigan while large waves were breaking over the transom; they lost their motor and bilge pump and nearly lost their lives as the Coast Guard and locals worked to save them as the boat was sinking. Much to consider during this "planning" stage...

Safe boating,

Joe

 

[barato2]

Re: 1973 Starcraft SuperSport 16ft. restoration questions

Joe---you mentioned serious reliability. take a look at the Rule "gold series" 2000gpm pump.....it's their premium pump and comes with a 5 yr warranty vs the 1 or 2 the others carry. they make two 2000gpm pumps, a cheaper one and this one. not cheap at abt $130-140, and it draws 7.5 amps so you'll need to wire it with at least 12 gauge wire to keep voltage drop below 3 %.........but when the SHTF as in above scenario, you'll be glad you dropped the bux.

remember that your pump is doing well to achieve 60% of the rated flow once you add in some lift, through-hull outlet fittings, and corrugated hose....the # they quote is for nothing attached to the output!

i'm installing two 2000-gpm pumps on my boat. how long do people survive in Lk Michigan water temps before the hypothermia gets em?

 

[piperjoe]

Re: 1973 Starcraft SuperSport 16ft. restoration questions

Hi, barato2. Man, if I had two 2000GPM pumps on my boat and angled the water stream just right, that would be a couple of cool looking rooster tails coming off the back of the SS! LOL Just kidding, I think you meant 2000GPH. I did look at those gold series pumps and made note of the 5 year warranty. 60% of 2000GPH = 1200GPH; this would give a nice emergency rate if required. When it comes to safety issues my tendency is to try and anticipate the "what ifs" and pay the extra money to get reliability and peace of mind. Have never regretted going that route. Not sure on a timeline for hypothermia as there are many variables depending on the time of year. I can tell you that there have been plenty of times when I have come out of Lake Michigan in August with "blue lips". The water may be warm in the beach shallows, and then again, the water may be quite cold if there are rip currents and such involved. Seems like the water gets warmer in September, which is why we have so much "lake effect" snow in this area during the winter months; snow that is a direct result of warm moisture rising off Lake Michigan and being carried by the wind inland where it turns to snow as the air temperature falls to normal winter conditions. We get many feet of this snow type and no storm conditions are required. In short, if I were out on the big lakes within our area, or on Lake Michigan, I would want to take precautions in case I found my clothes in the water with me in them. Thus, getting back to our subject, that bilge pump question is IMPORTANT.


Safe boating,

Joe

 

[barato2]

Re: 1973 Starcraft SuperSport 16ft. restoration questions

oops....yeah, 2000gpHour. i'm with you on that overkill when it comes to getting yer butt home type stuff....i expect to be taking my boat out into the open Pacific eventually and bought bilge pumpage accordingly. IIRC on hypothermia, even at 65 degrees F, you only have a few hours at most, less for my scrawny self.

there's actually a theme song for choosing bilge pumps for Lake Michigan. it's called "The Wreck of the Edmund FitzGerald"......

 

[piperjoe]

Re: 1973 Starcraft SuperSport 16ft. restoration questions

Question: Have decided to replace the transom and the decking in that order. Will be using 3/4" marine ply for the transom; two ply pieces cut to full pattern and glued together with Titebond III. Should I then seal this one piece transom and edges with epoxy resin or spar varnish for additional waterproofing?

Question: will be using 1/2" MDO or marine ply for the decking. What is the best product for waterproofing/sealing this area? I'll have a combination of 2" pink expanded foam sheet, 1" expanded foam sheet and probably some noodles under the decking for floatation.

Safe boating,

Joe

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: 1973 Starcraft SuperSport 16ft. restoration questions

Spar varnish adds decades to the longevity of the original wood put in by Starcraft. Epoxy/cloth adds eons. Either choice is good and better than original. And good on the transom and decking.