1975 Starcraft ss18 restoration

[Midwestangler]

I picked up a 1975 Starcraft ss18 with a 85hp merc today for $650. the guy threw in new seats a roll of new carpet and material for the bolsters. The transom seems to be in good condition. Not super dark or soft at least it seems. But the floors weak seats are shot etc. motor is missing the coils and power pack so that’ll be it’s own other project lol. But on the upside he also threw in a 70 hp Evinrude that runs for 250 so should be ok on the motor front one way or another. But at the price for everything I couldn’t pass it up even not knowing if the motor is junk or not. I’ll be starting this resto in a couple weeks when I’m done with my 87 tracker tx17 rebuild. This seems to be the place with the most info on these boats, so if any of you have advice, pointers or do and donts for this boat or things you wish you had done let me hear it. And when I get into this build feel free to criticize what I’m doing if it’s wrong as I always want anything I build or repair to last as long as possible. Planning on taking the next year or so on this boat and doing it well. Fully gutting and rebuilding from the ground up. I want to keep the classic feel I think its a beautiful boat, but update a bit to some modern amenities. I don’t like my boats being younger than me lol. I will post pictures sometime tomorrow of the state it’s in now.

 

[Moserkr]

My starcraft is 6 years younger than me but thats alright. Put that 70 on yours, fix her up nice, and you will have a good boat. Should move this over to the starcraft forum too. You got a great deal on the ss18. Pics??

 

[Midwestangler]

I’ll post pics tonight when I have some time to take a few. I’ll move it now. Any reason your saying put the 70 on besides I know it runs? I’m kinda partial to Mercs which make me wanna dump a couple hundred into the wiring first to see if I can get it going. I know it could be a waste of money but I kinda wanna gamble it.

 

[Moserkr]

Only thought on the 70 was that it runs and Ive heard of the older mercs wiring issues. If you have time n money by all means get that merc running on it. Sounds like you will be tearing through her top to bottom anyway. Guys in the starmada mob will be your best resource for the rebuild. @jbcurt00 may be able to help move you there.

 

[jbcurt00]

All you have to do is ask and topics can be moved. Avoid starting duplicate topics.

Either the resto forum you started this in or the Starcraft forum would be a good place to document your project, just not both.

As this had replies, it was moved to the Starcraft forum. The dup was then deleted.

Good luck w your project.

 

[Midwestangler]

thanks @jbcurt00 I appreciate that. @Moserkr not that I necessarily have money to waste, I’d just hate to see and old merc go to its grave if it doesn’t have to some may call me a fan boy lol. And sorry I spaced on the pics again. Trying to finish this bass tracker by next Friday. Put 16 hours on her today. Gotta make room to get the Starcraft going.

 

[frazoo]

Looking forward to watching your rebuild come to life, good luck with it!

 

[Midwestangler]

Snapped a couple quick pics when running past it today lol. I’ve got all the covers for the motor I just took 5 minutes to look inside it yesterday and didn’t put anything back on . I’ll probably not be posting in here for a few weeks. But would like to say thank you to those who have reached out already and anybody in the future. It’s forums like these that allow people like me that know nothing to build a nice boat and not have to spend 40k on something new. Though I know I will be in pretty deep by the end but nothing near buying new

 

[Midwestangler]

So I do have a few questions I know I’ll need help with. First being are there any know structural issues I’ll need to think about dealing with while it’s fully stripped? Know fail points or anything like that. I’ll be leak testing and fixing that stuff but outside that. And second being in your guys experience what the best approach to battery storage and placement, as well as where are you guys putting your live wells after rebuilding. Only ask these questions this early so I can think about materials and try to design and plan a good layout.