Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild
Boy, your making some great progress Jas. It is not a lot of fun being in all that sanding dust. I don't know about you guys across the border buy it is not even winter yet, and I am tired of it up here.
Glen
Thanks buddy! Yah, I really wish I could have done all this work outside during the summer months, but I am at where where I am at, so I'll make the best of it!
I sort of feel like I am gaining on er though. It'll take me a little while to get that bottom hull prepped/primed/painted but once that is complete I can begin installing that Merc. I am really looking forward to moving ahead on that!
Obviously the trim will exposed to the elements, but I just can't see the trim dulling down that quick. I would think a yearly touch up would be fine. Powder coat is some tuff stuff but the nicks, scrapes would show up worse?? I think I will try to leave my trim naked and I could always go another route later if need be. I don't have near as much as you though Jas.
That is a good point - I suppose a fella could always paint or clear coat down the road if he wasn't happy with the results.
What you've done to the trim is more than sufficient for the budget rebuild you're persuing. It will not age that badly or quickly.
Yah, I guess I am thinking that if I polish them up once a year while I am doing a yearly wash/wax it really shouldn't be that big of a hassle.
Thanks for helping me keep an eye on my budget buddy, appreciate it!
Jas Nice job I read the thread on the weekend. Was wondering if there is some reinforcement to do on the Transom. Gussets from transom to floor?? I have a Stringer on mine and would like to fill the "Big Hole" but also have read that the outdrive transfers all the stress to the stringers but with a mercruiser it is "forced" on the transom. Thoughts?
Hey fogducker! Welcome! Glad you are here man!
Here is my take and plan on the issue...
My transom now is really no different that any other aluminum rig out there with a Merc that came original. If anything, with the extra aluminum skins (inside and outside) it's stronger. Plus, I added that aluminum "shim" which makes it even stronger yet. So, in short, I have full faith that my transom is plenty strong to handle the push that Merc will provide.
But check this out...
You kinda need to look close, you can barely see them, but there is a pair of brackets that connect the transom to my stringers (sorry for the poor photo). That set up is obviously specific to the old OMC Stringer but I plan to reuse and install those brackets right back where they were for my new Merc setup. So, in essence, any push on the transom will be transferred to the stringers, and then transferred to the hull. I do think they are unnecessary but it makes the entire system that much better and that much stronger with hardly any extra effort on my part. My shade tree engineering tells me that I should have a super bomber set up for my transom.
Thanks for stopping by man! All the best on your project!
