1974 Starcraft SS 22’ Transformation

[Hodgey4489]

Hi All,

I’ve been lurking and asking too many questions (and having to many questions) for too long. I’ve decided to post my build/transformation or whatever you want to call it.
This journey starts out with me as a Mid Michigan duck hunter, owning a 15’ Jon boat, wanting to hunt ducks on the big water. I spent all of 2020 hunting from close to shore of the Saginaw Bay. I’d see guys with the right rigs heading out for deeper water and more birds. I decided that I wanted in on that kinda hunting.
I scavenged Craigslist for a few months looking for a Mariner (waste of time) finally I expanded my search to a SuperSport and found one in Michigan.
So far I have gutted the boat, and filled it with water to check for leaks. I’ve marked my leaks with a sharpie and am gathering the appropriate tools (based on this forum and the awesome rivets sticky) to tackle the job of leak proofing my boat or at least get close. I am currently waiting for rivets to come in the mail and will begin drilling and rebucking most of the old rivets. I do have a few questions but will post those at a later time.
My plans for this boat is to rid it of the splashwell, and build an offshore bracket to hold the engine. This gives me a much needed 2 feet of space. I plan to add a side console mounted near the rear of the boat and install a gas tank in the floor towards the middle/bow of the boat.
I know you all love pics! Below are pics of when I purchased the boat, where I am at now, and what my dreams for this boat are (dream boat is an islander believe it or not)
FYI I may hire the fabrication out or have my father do it.

 

[ShoestringMariner]

This is going to be an awesome project. Watching with interest. I can’t get over how big that splashwell is and how low it dips down. I’d want to get rid of it too.

 

[Watermann]

Nice big tin there, she'll make a great multi purpose boat. A 22'r is not an easy find and certainly not an easy size to just whip through. Looks like you've got the tear down done, now for clean up and repairs. I see your 74 doesn't have the rib end braces, be sure to examine it closely for any cracking. If you're wanting to do an open boat side console I would consider adding the braces to strengthen the side spray rail chine.

 

[Hodgey4489]

This is going to be an awesome project. Watching with interest. I can’t get over how big that splashwell is and how low it dips down. I’d want to get rid of it too.

Thank you very much, I thought the same thing about the splashwell.

 

[Hodgey4489]

Nice big tin there, she'll make a great multi purpose boat. A 22'r is not an easy find and certainly not an easy size to just whip through. Looks like you've got the tear down done, now for clean up and repairs. I see your 74 doesn't have the rib end braces, be sure to examine it closely for any cracking. If you're wanting to do an open boat side console I would consider adding the braces to strengthen the side spray rail chine.

That is great info. I’ve seen smaller boats on here that had them and was curious about that. I will look through others’ builds and find out the correct placement for a rib end support.

 

[Watermann]

That is great info. I’ve seen smaller boats on here that had them and was curious about that. I will look through others’ builds and find out the correct placement for a rib end support.

Awesome, I'm glad you are considering the braces. The "correct" placement for the braces is under the rib ends, although the ribs in the older boats are not bent at the end to accommodate the brace like the factory so it would put another stress point by adding the brace under the straight rib.

The alternative is to add the braces between the ribs securing the worst of the issues, the spray rail chine splitting out the side of the boat. I would venture to say this brace install would also help support the hull bottom between the ribs limiting flexing that causes cracks.
(My Chief below)

Not a wives tale either the sides of these boats have and will split out. Which brings out the FB "just weld er up" crowd of chowder heads with no concern as to why this happened.

 

[Hodgey4489]

Awesome, I'm glad you are considering the braces. The "correct" placement for the braces is under the rib ends, although the ribs in the older boats are not bent at the end to accommodate the brace like the factory so it would put another stress point by adding the brace under the straight rib.

The alternative is to add the braces between the ribs securing the worst of the issues, the spray rail chine splitting out the side of the boat. I would venture to say this brace install would also help support the hull bottom between the ribs limiting flexing that causes cracks.
(My Chief below)

Not a wives tale either the sides of these boats have and will split out. Which brings out the FB "just weld er up" crowd of chowder heads with no concern as to why this happened.

The top picture is factory? Or what someone did to add support? I’ll take a closer look at mine to see if it is possible to add bracing at the ends. Otherwise will be doing the in between the ribs. It appears you riveted your supports.
How are you guys getting your hulls so shiny? I used a flap disc (angle grinder) on a small part of to remove glue, but was concerned about how abrasive it was. May go to a 100 or 120 grit rather than the 80 grit I used.

 

[Watermann]

The top pic is factory under the ribs.

Yeah solid riveted the braces.

I used adhesive remover and pressure washer to get that old glue off my 79 SS. You can see the glue removal progress and the factory braces.

 

[Hodgey4489]

The top pic is factory under the ribs.

Yeah solid riveted the braces.

I used adhesive remover and pressure washer to get that old glue off my 79 SS. You can see the glue removal progress and the factory braces.

Man it appears Starcraft really stepped their game up after my model. Yours looks like a V5 though. Thanks for the pointers!

 

[ShoestringMariner]

The top pic is factory under the ribs.

Yeah solid riveted the braces.

I used adhesive remover and pressure washer to get that old glue off my 79 SS. You can see the glue removal progress and the factory braces.

Is your SS an 18’? The center section looks quite deep.

 

[Watermann]

Is your SS an 18’? The center section looks quite deep.

Yes a 1979 18' V5 SS and if you think that's deep you should see it next to the 22' V5 Islander hull.

Man it appears Starcraft really stepped their game up after my model. Yours looks like a V5 though. Thanks for the pointers!

Hey no problem, and yeah it's a V5. SC for sure really added nice features to include a redesigned splashwell.

 

[Moserkr]

Welcome hodgey! I like those pics you shared of the concept you want to build. Will definitely keep it in mind for a future duck boat build. Admiral wanted a fun boat and we live just a bit too far from where i could use a waterfowl boat more. We also upgraded from a small jon boat but only to a 16ss. Have fun with that big tin!

 

[Hodgey4489]

Moserkr,

Thank you very much. I am about 1 hour from big water, and it is tough waking up so early to get out their, but well worth the fun. If you ever find yourself in my neck of the woods I’d be happy to take you out! I’ll be using my 15’ Jon until this big one is done. Probably a couple years we’ll see lol.

 

[Moserkr]

Thanks @Hodgey4489 I doubt Ill ever be out that far east, but I do make it out to hunt waterfowl in the dakotas where Im from. Unfortunately Im living in CA currently... but at least Im in the mountains. Lots of lakes near me, but good waterfowl is 2 hours away, and most are on private rice fields. I will shoot a couple canadas on the local lakes this year though cause they are very friendly to people haha. Good luck with the project!! Ill be tagging along.

 

[Hodgey4489]

Thanks @Hodgey4489 I doubt Ill ever be out that far east, but I do make it out to hunt waterfowl in the dakotas where Im from. Unfortunately Im living in CA currently... but at least Im in the mountains. Lots of lakes near me, but good waterfowl is 2 hours away, and most are on private rice fields. I will shoot a couple canadas on the local lakes this year though cause they are very friendly to people haha. Good luck with the project!! Ill be tagging along.

I’d love to shoot a cinnamon teal out their in CA. Lol. I appreciate you following along!

 

[jdvasher]

Make sure you have the boat cradled true if you are installing braces. when the gunwales and other braces aren't installed, its easy for the hull shape to change. If you install the braces in this case you might have issues getting things back together. I almost made this mistake.

 

[The John]

I’d love to shoot a cinnamon teal out their in CA. Lol. I appreciate you following along!

Lots of interesting ducks in the PNW. =-)

 

[Hodgey4489]

Lots of interesting ducks in the PNW. =-) View attachment 339839

I see a wigeon and maybe a ringneck can’t tell what the other two are.

 

[The John]

I’m Sorryi just realized I derailed the thread and I’m sorry. My waterfowl addiction is 20+ years strong and only intensifying.

 

[Hodgey4489]

Well tonight after work I was able to get the boat off of my trailer and safely on the ground. I hooked a strap to the transom hooks and grabbed the strap with my tractor grapple. From there I slowly pull the trailer out, letting the transom fall onto a tire. I then pulled a little more and placed a second tire towards the middle of the hull. After that she was home free.
Here is a list of what I plan to do:
1. Remove all removable parts from the trailer.
2. Take angle grinder to all loose paint and rust.
3. determine if I need to replace hubs? Unsure of how to do this.
4. prime trailer with self etching primer
5. Paint trailer black with a black farm equipment paint
6. Replace middle rollers with self centering rollers
7. Replace bunk wood and carpet (wood feels good will inspect further). Will replace wood with 2x6 untreated pine, cedar or cypress.
8. Run trailer light wiring and replace lights.
9. take to weigh station and get’r legal.

Any tips or tricks from you pros? Anything you notice on the trailer that I should do?