1975 StarCraft Mariner build "The Unicorn"

[The John]

Hey everyone, I have just procured a 21ft StarCraft Mariner (I believe it to be one at least). This is a center console model, I procured it from the original owner here in Oregon. My daughter has named it the Unicorn and that has kinda stuck (But dont worry, no pink/purple sparkly paint is forthcoming).

This will be a project boat as the floors need to be replaced and updates made. The previous owner made his own center console for this boat and I intend to keep it. I was given lots of odd and end pieces to this boat as he acquired things to update it before his health became an issue. I will begin the process of taking the boat down shortly, trying to retain the floors and all wood removed to use as templates. If anyone has any advice on starting the removal of the floors I would love to hear it. =-)

Here are pics as she sat at the former owners home. I hope to keep updating this as like many of you, I dont like it when these posts stop with no updates.

 

[jbcurt00]

Plan to replace the transom too

 

[classiccat]

Welcome to the Starmada!

Not much to ripping one of these old tubs down. Be gentle on the trim though since replacing is often difficult. Usually deconstruction takes 1-2 days...and in the case of my latest project, reconstruction took 7 years !

What do you have powering it?

 

[The John]

50 horse Mercury and an 8 horse 4 stroke Honda kicker.

Yeah, I even have the original “valances” for the splash well. They are not in good shape but will make good templates in the future.

I hope to have this boat in the water come late spring but time will tell.

 

[SHSU]

Welcome!!

Man that is a nice project boat. Will be a lot of fun when you get her back on the water.

The 50 HP is severely underpowered for the size boat you have. Did you mean 150 HP?

SHSU

 

[Moserkr]

Ahoy The John! Thats a good looking big girl. Looking forward to watching you tear into it and make the Unicorn fly!! Pretty cool its a single owner boat, really digging these 21’ outboards.

 

[The John]

Welcome!!

Man that is a nice project boat. Will be a lot of fun when you get her back on the water.

The 50 HP is severely underpowered for the size boat you have. Did you mean 150 HP?

SHSU

No, its a 50, it will do for now but wont win any races. Hopefully in the near future I will upgrade to a 4stroke with a higher HP rating but for now this will work.

 

[The John]

Plan to replace the transom too

Oh yes, its not in a good way. once the foam is removed and I clean and look over the bare hull I plan on replacing it. Not sure if I will use wood to replace the transom or plastic (HDPE or something similar).

 

[MNhunter1]

Love the old Mariners/MR center consoles. Looking forward to the rebuild.

 

[The John]

Thanks Everyone, Ordered some Rustoleum rust reformer today and I am hoping to get started on getting the trailer squared away. I plan to tackle this first in order to give me time to plan how I am going to attack the boat rebuild. Depending on the weather I hope to be sanding away the surface rust on the trailer starting Saturday (However it is still duck season through the end of the month, and there are priorities).

 

[SHSU]

Nothing like a quick early project task completion to give you the headway into the boat itself. If I had done my boat restoration before the Motor or Trailer, I am not sure if I would have... Those were quick "wins" that helped keep me motivated while working on the boat.

SHSU

 

[The John]

Nothing like a quick early project task completion to give you the headway into the boat itself. If I had done my boat restoration before the Motor or Trailer, I am not sure if I would have... Those were quick "wins" that helped keep me motivated while working on the boat.

SHSU

Agreed, and it gives me time to think about "all the things" (ie boat layout and other ideas) before i really dig in.

 

[The John]

Well, the weather and water levels were not conducive for duck hunting so I worked on the boat today (don’t worry for me, we have a 107 day duck season).
Got the trailer sanded down and mostly painted in rustoleum rust reformer. I need to go back and get a few more areas after taping stuff off.
I also removed the nav lights and front deck. I am hoping to reuse the front light, it will need to be refurbished. I am not sure I can save the stern light.
If the weather cooperates I will paint the trailer white tomorrow and move on to keel roller replacement.
Quick question, anyone has a tip on getting the front chrome rail unbolted? Going to use some pb blaster or something tomorrow so I can start sanding the connections down as they are deteriorating.

 

[classiccat]

Well, the weather and water levels were not conducive for duck hunting so I worked on the boat today (don’t worry for me, we have a 107 day duck season).
Got the trailer sanded down and mostly painted in rustoleum rust reformer. I need to go back and get a few more areas after taping stuff off.
I also removed the nav lights and front deck. I am hoping to reuse the front light, it will need to be refurbished. I am not sure I can save the stern light.
If the weather cooperates I will paint the trailer white tomorrow and move on to keel roller replacement.
Quick question, anyone has a tip on getting the front chrome rail unbolted? Going to use some pb blaster or something tomorrow so I can start sanding the connections down as they are deteriorating.

That front light is definitely reusable; maybe you want to sand down the pitting and spraybomb it. A simple upgrade would be replacing the incandescent bulbs with LED if they haven't been swapped already.

Regarding the bow railing, I assume that there are nuts on the underside of the gunnels. You can try penetrating oil but I'd probably just try to shear (Stainless shears easily) them off &/or drill them out & replace with fresh marine grade stainless hardware.

 

[64osby]

It is a Mariner, I would guess 1980 to 86 based on the console.

Great boats! Have fun with the project.

As others have stated that 50 is going to be a dog. Getting up on plane will be the issue unless you have someone up front.

On the rail, as CC stated, get on the nut and tighten until it snaps off.

On the light, If you are looking to re chrome you would be $$ ahead just buying a used light online, or find a donor boat to salvage stuff, then dump.

Here is a link to my '73, lots of mods but no rebuild yet. https://forums.iboats.com/threads/starcraft-21-mariner-thats-no-longer-for-sale.494678/

 

[MNhunter1]

It is a Mariner, I would guess 1980 to 86 based on the console.

Definitely older than '82 with the lapstrakes and side rail. Likely a late 70's model.

 

[The John]

It is a Mariner, I would guess 1980 to 86 based on the console.

Great boats! Have fun with the project.

As others have stated that 50 is going to be a dog. Getting up on plane will be the issue unless you have someone up front.

On the rail, as CC stated, get on the nut and tighten until it snaps off.

On the light, If you are looking to re chrome you would be $$ ahead just buying a used light online, or find a donor boat to salvage stuff, then dump.

Here is a link to my '73, lots of mods but no rebuild yet. https://forums.iboats.com/threads/starcraft-21-mariner-thats-no-longer-for-sale.494678/

its actually a 1975 so your close. The PO made the center console himself so its a bit different then most but it will work.

Agreed on the 50, im keeping an eye open for a different engine.

I have seen your mods and have made some notes, mine wont be a restoration more of a renewal.... =-) I love the sun cover that you have.

 

[64osby]

The Green Gunnels would be a big clue to the age.

I miss being able to see the old brochures that were on P-bucket.

 

[The John]

Still chipping away at things, including removing the copper rod holders the PO put in. He was an older gentleman and I didn’t have the heart to point out the issues with that.
Will be neutralizing the gunnel to make sure this won’t continue to be a problem.

 

[64osby]

He was an older gentleman and I didn’t have the heart to point out the issues with that.