1975 Starfire SF160

[lbc970]

I picked up a boat in pretty decent shape, I think. The price was right for a "light project", and now I'm looking for some info and help!

Fortunately the boat came with all the paperwork from the day it was purchased in 1975, including the trailer info. However, that's all the info I have been able to find. How about some pictures!

My plan is to figure out something with the floor, install some seats, and get the motor and electrical hooked back up.

If anyone has any info on the Starfire Industries SF160 boats I would greatly appreciate it! I have found plenty about the larger Starfire boats, but absolutely nothing about the smaller ones like this.

Thanks!

 

[lbc970]

Re: 1975 Starfire SF160

A few more...

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1975 Starfire SF160

Welcome to iBoats!

You need to check that transom to make sure it doesn't have any flex when you bounce up and down on the lower leg of the motor. I don't like the looks of the holes around the motor mount.

 

[lbc970]

Re: 1975 Starfire SF160

Welcome to iBoats!

You need to check that transom to make sure it doesn't have any flex when you bounce up and down on the lower leg of the motor. I don't like the looks of the holes around the motor mount.

Thanks for the heads up. Those holes were from the previous motor, and the boat hasn't seen the water, except for rain, since having the last motor removed. The inside has a bunch of crap in it from sitting uncovered through a winter, it's all the same black color too. The fiberglass seems to be ok on the inside, but the holes probably allowed water in.

One of the tings I wondered about, my last boat was an aluminum 14' with a wood transom, and the motor was only a 9.9 HP, but it wasn't bolted through the transom like this one looks to have been. I'm guessing I don't want a 70 HP motor coming off the boat at full throttle, should I be drilling the transom new holes to mount the "newer" motor?

Thanks!
Cody

BTW, I don't know what famous ship sank in 1912 off the top of my head, but apparently it was called "ASDF" cause that worked!

 

[lbc970]

Re: 1975 Starfire SF160

I am looking into seats on iBoats, and have a few questions I was hoping the people with experience might be able to answer.

This boat will be used for fishing, transportation, and swimming/tubing, in that order. The factory style seats are the reclining style, back to back. I have been looking at the pedestal style seats though, with rotating bases. Can anyone tell me if the pedestal seats would be strong enough for the captains chair? I'm worried about the mounting more than anything. I am planning to glass in a piece of gluelam at the bases for screwing into, but what about the pedestals themselves? Do I need to worry about bending one (or four) while underway if the water gets rough?

I'm thinking about the pedestals with rotating bases because I want to be able to swivel towards the side to fish, and towards the middle to talk to the other passengers. If you guys have any advice as to whether this is a good idea or not and why, I would love to hear it. My previous boat was an aluminum one and we all sat looking one way, it was small, and the wife felt cramped. I'd like to make this one as family (and wife) friendly as possible.

Thanks!
Cody

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1975 Starfire SF160

I don't think you picked up on what WOG was suggesting, the water staining coming out of the previous motor mount holes, indicates the transom may have gotten water damaged.

I also think you have a good bit more work ahead then you expect: Transom, deck & stringers. Get that big ole motor off & start poking around.....

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1975 Starfire SF160

Hey Cody, welcome to iboats!

Yah, I'd be thinking seats at this point would be super optimistic. Take a look at any one of the fiberglass projects here on the Restoration Forum and I think you'll quickly see you have a very long way to go before seating.

Sorry man, don't mean to be a wet blanket on your new boat purchase there.

 

[lbc970]

Re: 1975 Starfire SF160

I don't think you picked up on what WOG was suggesting, the water staining coming out of the previous motor mount holes, indicates the transom may have gotten water damaged.

I also think you have a good bit more work ahead then you expect: Transom, deck & stringers. Get that big ole motor off & start poking around.....

I think I did pick up on it, and as he suggested, I did bounce on the motor and there is zero movement. I know that doesn't necessarily mean there isn't water damage down low, however after pushing and poking at it, and tapping with a ball peen, I am thus far seeing zero movement, and it still sounds solid. I have also been over the floor checking for squishy floor, but have yet to find any soft spots.

Seats may be optimistic, yes, however having a plan of action in place before I rip the boat apart is only smart. If I do pull up the floor, I would like to build the seat supports into the floor rather than glassing in something on top. I'd like to lay out the project with as much foresight as possible, hopefully to avoid making too many mistakes along the way. Being in construction and maintenance for the last 13 years I know how quickly projects like this can go south in a hurry, that's why I want to be prepared. This is my first boat "restore" but I want to be fairly certain it's worth it before I start.

I plan to pull the motor today, once that's out of the way I will drill a couple of holes and see what I come up with. Thanks guys for your input, I know it's going to help keep things realistic for me!

Thanks
Cody

 

[theoldwizard1]

Re: 1975 Starfire SF160

Thanks for the heads up. Those holes were from the previous motor, and the boat hasn't seen the water, except for rain, since having the last motor removed. The inside has a bunch of crap in it from sitting uncovered through a winter, ...

Most trailer boats rot from the inside out due to rain water/snow melt. I hate to burst your bubble, the the stringers and cross members are likely rotten.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1975 Starfire SF160

I want to be fairly certain it's worth it before I start.

One thing you gotta know at the outset is that a 70's Tri Hull with a Chrysler will never be worth the investment you put into it. The only time it's really "worth it" is when you can get it out on the water with hardly nothing invested or you might have some sort of emotional attachment or something (like grandpas boat passed down).

If you decide to go forward with the project you are in a great spot. The guys that hang out here on iboats will help you every step of the way!

All the best to ya!

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1975 Starfire SF160

Ok, since it passed the "Bounce" Test I'd recommed drilling into the transom on the inside down low in the bilge area using a 3/8" bit. Drill about 1" deep and in several spots and check the shavings. If light colored and dry then I'd say you're good to go.

For your pedestal Seats I'd recommend installing Mounting Bases similar to these...starting @ Post #63...http://forums.iboats.com/boat-restor...-603346-3.html

 

[lbc970]

Re: 1975 Starfire SF160

Ok, since it passed the "Bounce" Test I'd recommed drilling into the transom on the inside down low in the bilge area using a 3/8" bit. Drill about 1" deep and in several spots and check the shavings. If light colored and dry then I'd say you're good to go.

For your pedestal Seats I'd recommend installing Mounting Bases similar to these...starting @ Post #63...http://forums.iboats.com/boat-restor...-603346-3.html

Wrestled the motor off today, managed to drag it into the "shop", ill hopefully be able to drill in the morning. Thanks for the heads up on the bit size and depth, i was ready to drill straight through. Ill post up some shaving pictures tomorrow.

One thing you gotta know at the outset is that a 70's Tri Hull with a Chrysler will never be worth the investment you put into it. The only time it's really "worth it" is when you can get it out on the water with hardly nothing invested or you might have some sort of emotional attachment or something (like grandpas boat passed down).

If you decide to go forward with the project you are in a great spot. The guys that hang out here on iboats will help you every step of the way!

All the best to ya!

I hear ya, if I hadn't picked up this boat for +$700, (that's me making $700), I probably wouldn't have gotten it. I know the Chrysler motor isn't the best, and a mid-70's tri-hull isn't going to get the chicks crawling over each other to get at me, but to be honest, if the boat does what I want it to for a few years, I think it's worth it to me. A year of taking my 3 year old out fishing with it will be a great ROI.

:thumb:

We have snow coming Thursday afternoon, hopefully it holds off!

Thanks!
Cody

 

[theoldwizard1]

Re: 1975 Starfire SF160

Anyone thinking about buying an old fiberglass boat to "restore" should buy this book

Runabout Renovation: How to Find and Fix Up an Old Fiberglass Speedboat

Sure, its old, but still relevant. It is written by someone who has "been there and done that" in plain English.

 

[lbc970]

Re: 1975 Starfire SF160

Damn...

1st drill, next to the lowest drain hole...

2nd drill, port side about a foot and a half from drain hole...

3rd drill, starboard side about a foot and a half from drain hole...

And just for fun, the lowest point closest to the drain hole in the splash well...

The first three were moist, a little darker, but not completely black, it's that splash well one that's the darkest!

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1975 Starfire SF160

Fun Times Ahead!!!!

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1975 Starfire SF160

I think you'll quickly see you have a very long way to go before seating.

Sorry man, don't mean to be a wet blanket on your new boat purchase there.

But, you are in great company if ya want to go forward on this project!