1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

[jasoutside]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

Nice progress, rewarding to put it all back together

Are you going to seal the deck over the rivets with a nice coat of epoxy? Gives it a great protective layer and lots of strength.

I'm sure that deck is going to feel solid, and will be a great platform for reeling in tons of huge salmon and walleye.

Yah buddy, it's a good feeling doing the rebuild stuff!

Yup, three coats of epoxy already on the bottom side and I'll do three on top too (along with primer/paint/sand). I wanted to wait till the whole deck was installed to finish up the epoxy/sand/epoxy work. I believe this will help with getting the seams to "disappear", knowwhattamean?

One other thing I forgot to mention...

I noticed when I was laying epoxy that there were little divots created by rivets when I did the dry fit. Not a real big deal but I figured there must be something better than just having the deck ride (and dig into) the rivets. So, I glued down thin strips of foam over the alum structure. You can kinda make it out in the photos above there. It'll definitely even the load on the structure (vs. just the rivets), keep the deck from digging into the rivets and maybe even cut down a little on noise/vibration. Well, that is the theory anyway.

 

[proshadetree]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

Cool build and some unique methods indeed. Yd was just trying to help and I am glad you saw that. But like you said there are many ways to do things and if yours works ROCK ON. If they dont well at least you might save someone the headache. I put a 305 Gm truck engine in my old Bayliner after being told 1000000 times it wouldnt work Well its been three years and I am going to use her this year to. I like the innovation you show in your builds. Keep up the great work and just like before if it don't work just say so. Just gota tell you I like the way you keep it real.

 

[captainQ]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

Nice work Jas, Glad to see some accomplishments, unlike my weekend :facepalm:

Ahh well another day I guess.

Later................

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

I believe it was YD who referred to my noodles as "mickey mousing it".

Jas, I added a strip of glass cloth to my seams. Seemed to have helped. Just some cheapie stuff from Lowes.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

Just wanted to revisit your color choices prior to painting.

The last portion of the thread dealing with the painting seemed that all were leaning toward the black accents on the white hull, but the blue in the seats was throwing a monkeywrench into the 3-color idea. Instead of trying to dye the blue to white (which cannot be done), why not just dye the blue to black? This may have been mentioned and I missed it as I was skipping around a bit.

I have been an upholsterer for 18 years and can tell you that there are vinyl paints and dyes that work extremely well, especially for just that small accent stripe in the seats. Going with black will be an easy cover-up and easy touch ups when needed.

If you needed additional direction on this, reply or PM me and I'll get specific information to you on it.

I like the black/gray/white concept. Looks very clean and are classic colors that will never go out of style (that's why I changed my boat from white/tan to white/black). Good luck on your resto. You're doing great!

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

I believe it was YD who referred to my noodles as "mickey mousing it".

Well now that's not very nice. I don't think Mickey would at all appreciate being associated with the likes of you, EZ

Jas, I added a strip of glass cloth to my seams. Seemed to have helped. Just some cheapie stuff from Lowes.

At the moment I am thinking about running biscuits, we'll see though. Maybe glass tape. I think in the end I'll need to do a thoughtful sanding job to make it look nice.

I like the black/gray/white concept. Looks very clean and are classic colors that will never go out of style (that's why I changed my boat from white/tan to white/black). Good luck on your resto. You're doing great!

Thanks fireman! Yah, that is what I really like about the black too, classic!

PM yur way, thanks!

 

[LonLB]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

I'm thinking some of you guys are probably :facepalm: at my backyard, redneck boat building materials and techniques! That's ok, I deserve it, it's all good

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OK, so how about some opinions on the fishbox/livewell...

Lately I have been thinking that it may not be worth the trouble to plumb up a water supply pump. My thoughts are that it would be that much extra stuff (plumbing line, wiring, pump) to account for and have potential problems with on down the road.

Really, the only time I'll be saving fish is when the kiddos want to watch them swimming around in there. In that case I can just throw a few buckets of water in. Any other time I am throwing them back or putting them on ice for a fresh fish dinner, ya know.

I suppose if I ever want to keep fish in there for any length of time I can just let the water drain out and throw in some more buckets of water. Or, just add a bubbler - I think Glenn may have suggested that a little ways back.

I'll definitely have a drain line running from the box to the old bilge drain at the transom.

I can see if I were a bass fisherman in tournaments or something that would be a no brainer. Course, in that case I'd have a different boat too. A bass fisherman with an Islander would be silly.

Anybody have any super special reasons to have a livewell pump installed that I am not thinking of?

Cheers!

One option would be to install a heavier pump. A sureflow pump hooked to a thru hull with a screen over it.

Put a valve on the outlet line, and you could have a fill for the livwell, and a "raw water" washdown. Put a couple of sprayers in the boat, and you could have a way to spray off feet when re-boarding, washing off fish slime, stuff like that. Usually one at the bow, and one at the stern.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

Thanks for checking in Lon! Yah, I think I'll just keep er a simple fish box with a drain line hooked up. I have the old former bilge drain that can now be used as the through hull fish box drain. I think a bucket of water and a scrub brush should work fine for my clean up purposes. I'm feeling pretty good going this route.

I'll need to cut the access hole into the middle deck piece for this drain line. I'll need another for the inspection hatch (still need to buy this) in order to access the 28 gal fuel sender in case there are issues down the road. That's actually another reason why I am installing this deck in stages, I wanted to be on the money exact with these two access holes.

I did already pick up a livewell pump - anybody needs one out there shoot me a pm since I won't need it anymore.

Cheers!

 

[tomynoks]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

Good to see your progress, Jason!! Doing it on a shoestring budget and utilizing WHATEVER will work is my style (and pocketbook) too! I used aluminum from patio doors and a ton of AL from the old splashwell for supports and angle where ever I could. I had no business starting my project either, but if we wait until we can afford it, or the time is right...it'll never get done!!!

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

but if we wait until we can afford it, or the time is right...it'll never get done!!!

You are right about that buddy, spot on! Thanks for swinging by tomy

Not a whole lot of progress over the past few days. I have been picking away at flotation some and messing with the fishbox drain line fittings/placement.

On the deck - I'm mainly held up by the fact that I haven't been able to find just the right hatch for access to my midship fuel tank fittings.

I believe I have narrowed it down to this one...

http://greatlakesskipper.com/produc...s-10-inch-gray-boat-deck-inspector-plate.html

...but I am trying to figure out what else I need from Great Lakes Skipper in the near future to make the shipping cost worth my while. Once I get that hatch, I can cut the deck accesses, seal it up and install. I don't like being held up by stuff like that, I really should have had this figured a long time ago! Ah well.

I have been thinking through battery placement too as it will actually impact my deck build. Originally I was thinking I'd simply mount them to the deck at the transom. Well, now that I have modified my gunwales I have more deck space and batteries would end up sticking out (if that makes any sense). So basically I'd have to mount them higher on the transom and I'm not really into that.

I started a couple of other threads asking some questions about batteries in proximity to the Merc and just how many I should be using. Looks like I'll be mounting three (2 deep cell, 1 starting) right in front of the Merc and under the doghouse. I'll show ya what I am thinking once I get the deck down.

Rock on!

 

[dozerII]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

Hey Jas, looks like some great forward motion on your project. As far as batteries go, I use AGMs for trolling and accessories, and a starting battery. Like you I ilke to find a deal. If you have a large battery shop in your area, ( ie specialize in them) ask them about salvage agms. I have a very good friend that owns one of these shops and he regularly gets these salvage items and sells them for$40. to $60. In Canada Hospitals and government building have run back up power systems using large banks of these batteries. For saftey reasons they have mandated that these 7 to 10 year batteries have to be replaced every three years, hense the good used ones with 4 to 7 years left in them. With batteries there storage capasity is directly related the there weight, no mass no storage. The first two I got from him weighed 70# each the last two 100#, I could run my Minkota PD 55 for two days trolling and when I borught the boat home the batteries still tested 11.9 volts. What I like about these is you can mount them at any angle, and there is no off gassing. The only requirement is a good 3 bank charger to maitain them.
Glen

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

Great tip Glen!!

Yah, my power needs will really be low for the most part. GPS/FF, bilge pump, nav lights, nuttin really. I'm not even putting a radio in. But I am thinking that I'll rig one of these...

...which I know will be a hog.

"large battery shop"

Huh, I'm not even sure where to start with that. I am certain you don't mean Sears/WalMart

Hmmmm...

Glad I have some time to do some hunting.

 

[dozerII]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

Hey Jas I did a quik google search and found these guys, might be a good place to start.
http://www.batteriesplus.com/store_locator/state/MI.aspx

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

I have one of those Batt+ stores right near my school, we'll see what they have going on over there. Thanks!

 

[Teamster]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

Jas, Your boat might be a bit big for a Minnkotta engine mount,.....Why not look for a screaming deal on a 9.9 kicker????,.....

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

Jas, Your boat might be a bit big for a Minnkotta engine mount,.....Why not look for a screaming deal on a 9.9 kicker????,.....

I have thought a bunch about what you are asayin there teamster....

I "think" that dual prop engine mount will be enough power for me. I'll need to do some more research to know for sure though.

Really what I need to do is troll with the Merc for a while and see if I really even need that MinnKota, I may not.

Here is the thing if I pick up a little 9.9 kicker...

I'll need to also pick up a little 12' Starcraft for it to sit on when the Islander is taking a break.

Is that such a bad thing?

Well, anyway, for now I'll build the boat as if I am running 3 batteries - that way if I need the space for em, I'll have it. If I don't end up going with that engine mount MinnKota than my energy needs will be waaaay less which means I'll have a little extra storage space.

We'll see how that unfolds...

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

The disturbing thing is that you can probably buy a pretty nice small outboard for what that Minn Kota and accompanying batteries is gonna run ya.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

The disturbing thing is that you can probably buy a pretty nice small outboard for what that Minn Kota and accompanying batteries is gonna run ya.

One up....

If I play my cards right I could prolly put together a 12' Starcraft, 9.9 hp motor and trailer for the same $$ as that MinnKota and batts!

The draw to that MinnKota is that it's completely silent, very nice!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

True. I will say that I fished with a buddy of mine who had an 80's or early 90's Merc 9.9. I could not believe how quiet that thing was, especially at lower speeds. My Evinrude 4 is a wonderful motor but not exactly quiet.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

Yah, the other bonus with the MK is a nice clean transom and no OB kicker flopping around while running in swells. Course the thing about an OB kicker I like is that there is so little that can go wrong with it.

Pros and cons both ways ya know.

Seeing as I have no $$$ for either and have a looooooong way to go before I have to commit, it's all good for now