1973 Starcraft SuperSport 16ft. restoration questions

[piperjoe]

Re: 1973 Starcraft SuperSport 16ft. restoration questions

Thanks barato2, I'll certainly check that out at Lowes. Thanks Yeonik, I do appreciate your trying to help. It's guys like the two of you who make this process a doable adventure.

Worked on the boat this afternoon and used the vacuum to start cleaning out the rotted wood, dirt and shredded styrofoam...what a mess! Removed the two lower aluminum supports at the front of the splashpan. Removed all of the remaining bolts from the transom and both of the splashpan drains from the transom. Took off the top transom trim aluminum piece. Removed both upper corner wood transom pieces; the starboard piece was intact enough that I can use it as a pattern. Had to remove the Starcraft boat plate from the transom to get that piece out because the plate rivets were holding the wood to the rear metal transom piece. Tried my best to get the wood transom piece out and could not get it to budge; I believe it's glued to the bottom inside aluminum piece that it sits into. Tomorrow I'll give it a go again. Took 3 photos for you.

Safe boating,

Joe

 

[piperjoe]

Re: 1973 Starcraft SuperSport 16ft. restoration questions

One comment that I'd like to make: I had given considerable thought when I first got this boat to just replacing the decking and then putting the boat into the water. After taking this boat apart and really seeing what can happen over the years to the wood and such, I am very glad the decision was made to replace all of the wood from the beginning of the restoration. I could not believe how the plywood had just rotted away and how soft the majority of the transom is. If you are thinking of doing a restoration to an older boat like this Starcraft SS, please give serious thought to checking the quality of all the plywood items on board and replacing them. I know the Admiral and I will have a lot more fun with this boat when on the water knowing the wood items are in nice condition.

Safe boating,

Joe

 

[Yeonik]

Re: 1973 Starcraft SuperSport 16ft. restoration questions

hah, I had just the same realization yesterday piper ;p

I've seen guys use a prybar + 2x4s on the bottom corners to get the transom to pop - maybe try that? It's probably all swollen in there, that's what's holding it.

 

[classiccat]

Re: 1973 Starcraft SuperSport 16ft. restoration questions

Making good progress Joe!

The transom was stuck pretty good on my SS. It sounds like you got all of the fasteners and drain plugs out. The lower channel was clamping mine; motor mount bolts squeezed-it in.

Even with that addressed and after the cherry-picker didn't cut it, I bolted some scrap 2x4's for a vertical hammering surface and started walking-it out using alternating port & starboard whacks :lol: Other guys have successfully used a bottle jack.

 

[piperjoe]

Re: 1973 Starcraft SuperSport 16ft. restoration questions

I used a long crowbar and 2x4's yesterday on the corners; the bottom corners are damp and soft so it wasn't going to work. The suggestion to use 2x4 pieces vertically screwed to the transom just might be the way to go here. I'm thinking of attaching those blocks, bending any aluminum flange away from the wood (just enough to clear the wood) and using a long pry bar placed against the vertical blocks and levered over a 6x6 block. That way I can stand on the deck and apply some good leverage force. Oh, I think I'll place that 6x6 on a new piece of 2'x2' plywood...not that I don't trust the old decking or anything like that.... Thanks for the ideas mates!

Safe boating,

Joe

 

[piperjoe]

Re: 1973 Starcraft SuperSport 16ft. restoration questions

This afternoon, after dodging rain showers, I worked on the boat. Removed the splashpan as a one piece unit; removing the last two top rivets on each of those small aluminum angles was not fun with a large drill. Tool run time again for a smaller drill. After much trying we finally got the damp, rotted and ready-to-fall-apart wood transom up and out of the boat and fortunately I can use it for a pattern. We tried the blocks on the transom idea with a pry-bar and a bottle-jack. Neither worked! I then took a wide steel knife and ran it (hammered it is more like it) down and along the bottom aluminum transom channel. Then I took a small pry-bar and worked the aluminum away from the wood. I then bent the top rear corner aluminum sheet metal out of the way on the port and starboard side. After rigging a wood block for the pry-bar to rest on I drove the straight end into the lower transom wood about an inch above the aluminum and levered each side up a little at a time. It certainly took some effort to get it moving and with the help of a neighbor, Gregg, (never hurts to call on a Marine in times like this LOL) we pulled and levered the wood transom out in one piece. I am sure glad that step is no longer an issue. Joyce and I treated Gregg to a Cajun Catfish dinner afterwards as a "thank you". While talking with Gregg he asked if I had an anchor for the boat and I said no. Next thing I knew he brought over an anchor with the swivel center flukes, and it looked like new; gave him $20.00 and I was a happy camper. Took some more photos of the fun we had today on the "Joy Ride". Reflected to the Admiral at dinner time that I've spent all this time taking parts off the boat and have yet to do anything significant forward of the windows LOL.

Safe boating,

Joe

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: 1973 Starcraft SuperSport 16ft. restoration questions

Perseverance pays off. And go tell it to the Marines. Good deal, Joe. Another tough transom pull, doesn't happen often but often enough.

 

[piperjoe]

Re: 1973 Starcraft SuperSport 16ft. restoration questions

...and, the rest of today's photos. It was a good day!

Safe boating,

Joe

 

[piperjoe]

Re: 1973 Starcraft SuperSport 16ft. restoration questions

Thanks, GA_Boater. I am really enjoying this project and much of the inspiration comes from friends, like yourself, who keep me going with sound advise and kind words. I've learned some new skills and accomplished things that, at first thought, I wasn't sure I could do. My goal is to produce a nice boat for the Admiral to enjoy and I now believe that is a reachable goal. Many thanks to all who have come on board this thread!

Safe boating,

Joe

 

[Yeonik]

Re: 1973 Starcraft SuperSport 16ft. restoration questions

Hey, good job getting that transom out bud!

 

[piperjoe]

Re: 1973 Starcraft SuperSport 16ft. restoration questions

Thanks, Yeonik. A major milestone was reached LOL!

Safe boating,

Joe

 

[piperjoe]

Re: 1973 Starcraft SuperSport 16ft. restoration questions

With the transom out of the way, the Admiral and I took up the two aft decking sheets (from transom to helm) this morning. Drilled out the rivets and used a flat pry-bar to lift the plywood decking CAREFULLY from the boat. With Joyce's help we were able to extract both sheets intact and there is enough to use as patterns for the new decking. I could not believe the mess under that decking; chewed up foam, foam that was thoroughly waterlogged, pine cone remnants, mud, water, leaves, cloth material and probably things I'm glad I didn't recognize. Used a small plastic dustpan and a Shop Vac in addition to lifting out the larger pieces of foam and putting them in garbage bags. Filled two large contractor bags to the top, and that was the junk under only two of the decking sheets. No matter, the job was quite easy and we were pleased that the boat hull was in nice condition. A shower and a nice dinner and it's another good day. May go out and work some more on the boat because the sun is out, or I might just go to the RC flying field...guess which one...

Here are some photos of the days progress. Look alive now as the Admiral is in one of them LOL.

Safe boating,

Joe

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: 1973 Starcraft SuperSport 16ft. restoration questions

Oh yeah, it gets funky under there. Fish hooks, sinkers, screws, washers, mouse poop - You name it, it's under there.

I think your lady has her nose turned up, can't blame her. You're gonna need some pressure washing, several times to get her (the boat) cleaned up.

 

[piperjoe]

Re: 1973 Starcraft SuperSport 16ft. restoration questions

"Funky" works, GA. Can tabs, some ones shorts (!?), a penny with a 1974 date on it, misc screws and some things a person can't begin to describe. You're right about the Admiral...I don't think she was pleased with what she saw; I thought it best if I cleaned the boat out myself. Pressure washing at the local car wash and then at home with some Aluminum cleaning products is on the agenda. I plan on having the boat sand blasted inside and out prior to starting the reassembly and finish work. Only want to do this one time.

Safe boating,

Joe

 

[64osby]

Re: 1973 Starcraft SuperSport 16ft. restoration questions

No sand blasting, too harsh. Soda blasting is what you want. Looks like a great day of work.

 

[piperjoe]

Re: 1973 Starcraft SuperSport 16ft. restoration questions

Soda blasting...I'm not up on that method. Is that where you shake the heck out of a liter of soda with your thumb over the top of the bottle and let it go off in the area of the boat that you want cleaned? Seems like that would make a real mess of things...probably.

Just kidding! I will check out that option and thanks for the heads up 64osby.

Safe boating,

Joe

 

[djpeters]

Re: 1973 Starcraft SuperSport 16ft. restoration questions

I would totally soda blast mine if I had it to do all over again. Stripping and grinding off old paint and carpet glue is no fun at all....

 

[InMotion]

Re: 1973 Starcraft SuperSport 16ft. restoration questions

Hey PG --- good progress there. For paint removal on the outside, I found when taking the paint off my Jet, the trick was to let the stripper sit for a while --- like many, many hours. I usually put it on at night or in the am before work and then worked on it the next morning or that evening. Really goop it on. Then the paint would literally fall off in my hand. It worked great. Was enviro friendly -- no gas mask etc needed. Cost less than $30 and took really very little time. Another option vs soda blasting for ya!

Have fun!

J.

 

[piperjoe]

Re: 1973 Starcraft SuperSport 16ft. restoration questions

Thanks for the suggestions djpeters and InMotion. I am definately going to check out the soda blasting idea as I am looking to have the entire boat cleaned/stripped and also the trailer. That said, I am interested in what product InMotion used for paint removal that is environment friendly. I don't mind doing the work but don't want a chemical mess in the yard or garage from usage...not to mention we have well water out here.

Safe boating,

Joe

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1973 Starcraft SuperSport 16ft. restoration questions

I don't mind doing the work but don't want a chemical mess in the yard or garage from usage...not to mention we have well water out here.

I'm on well too, when I stripped the paint on the bottom of my Jet Star it was a huge job an a real pain. Soda blasting would be quick and easy if you can find a fella who can do it for reasonable $$.