1977 18' Star Craft SS Refurb.

[FJ_Russo]

Hey I'll take 45!! On the water that's still really moving!!! And if the dead rise which makes these boats great in rough water is what means I have 5mph less or so, then I'll take the trade off. I always loved the ride of my 16SS only reason for getting rid of it was size. Hopefully the 18 is the same ride just a little more room!!

 

[Watermann]

I would just use some aluminum cleaner, I've used JVV's Best.

http://www.jjvsbest.com/index.php/products/aluminum

 

[FJ_Russo]

That's a great motor and a lofty goal but these boats are not made for speed with a huge power robbing dead rise that rides great in rough water but not like a speed boat with a pad. I have a 79 Merc 140 on my 18' V5 SS and here is my top end speed.

You'll notice that most guys who brag about their 50 MPH tin boats don't show the GPS. :lol:

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What is a "V5 SS?" Is this a different model than what I have, which I've always called the 18' SS?

 

[Watermann]

The V5 hull was started in 1978 and was the forerunner to the later Starcraft V models. They are sought after prized variants with lots of changes, like port side fuel filler. curved windshield, extended spray rail up the bow and smooth sides with no laps. Mine has a bunch of added weight too now that it's a fishing machine.

Here is your 1977 18' SS

Here is my 79 V5 18' SS before restoration, they look fast sitting on a trailer :lol:

 

[FJ_Russo]

OH WOW I really like the looks of those!! They really did make some nice improvements on that styling... Dang it all, back to craigs list for a V5 now..... LOL That front bow area looks like it significantly deeper than mine as well? Boy I bet those ride nice!!

 

[Watermann]

Yeah they are special boats but it took me a long time and a long road trip to get mine from another forum member. I looked for 2 years and never found one for sale in my state or the surrounding states.

 

[M2HB]

Mid 40s is plenty fast for those boats.

 

[FJ_Russo]

Got a little more work done over the last few days. Its amazing how the small details really slow you down. it gets to a point where you spend a day working on the boat, and it doesn't look like much was done when its all electrical or something like that. I'm hoping to have this boat done by memorial day weekend.... cross your fingers LOL I have the boat set up with three batteries in the back, and a 12 gallon tank. I hope that isn't going to make for too much weight rearward. I just wanted to save space in the front.

 

[BWR1953]

Lookin' good! :encouragement:

 

[Watermann]

All those smalls take way more effort than a guy thinks, looks like things are coming together for a splash, looking forward to some water pics/vid!

 

[Decker83]

Looks great. Hope you meet your splash date..:eagerness:

 

[Watermann]

Deadlines kind of take the joy out of the process, took me 13 months for each of my SC boats from start to finish.

 

[FJ_Russo]

Deadlines kind of take the joy out of the process, took me 13 months for each of my SC boats from start to finish.

You are not lying about that Watermann!! This really isn't what I consider too much of a joy project though, I will want to tear into something deeper and I have to keep reminding myself this is face lift essentially, not a full restore. I have done several boats that I go all out on, and in the end have way more time and money into them then they are worth, but it was a fun experience so its ok. This one I just want to look decent, and be able to use it ASAP. I currently have a wooden boat that I pick and plug away at, that is my enjoyment project. If this ones had seating and storage like I wanted I might not have done a thing to it. But it was a little more along the utilitarian lines than I or the misses wanted.

 

[FJ_Russo]

So I finished up the new chariot for the starcraft. I thought I was gonna be good to go. But after the boat was sitting on it. I didn't like how all the support is kind of narrow and just in the middle of the boat. Makes me feel almost like it could tip to one side while trailering. So I think I'm gonna run a second set of bunks along the outside edges under the boat. I'm also waiting for my side guides to arrive to install those.I ended up lifting the boat by the transom eyelets and the bow eye. seemed to work fine, the wife was supervising and had a few nervous looks at times LOL What do you all think? Extra bunks needed? Or am I being paranoid?

 

[M2HB]

Nice looking trailer.

I would add an outer set of bunks and side rails.


You removed your in a similar way that I did mine. I used my Ford front end loader and lifted the entire rear of the boat with the I/O engine in it. I then had my wife pull the trailer forward and set the rear of the boat on wood. I then went around to the front and lifted it with the tractor and had my wife drive the entire trailer out from under the front of the boat. Keep in mind, my trailer has two sets of roller bunks.

 

[Watermann]

For a 16'r 2 bunks are fine but for an 18'r I recommend 4 bunks and they be 2x6x8'. Both my 18'rs are set up the same with the addition of a keel roller on an added brace on my Chief trailer.

 

[M2HB]

I have 5 keel rollers on my trailer for my 18' SS. I wouldn't be without the keel rollers since that is the strongest part of the boat.

 

[FJ_Russo]

Yea Keel rollers wouldn't be a bad idea at all!! Got a question, since about a million of these OMC's have been mounted on these starcrafts, where are most people finding there motor is mounted. I did a bit of measuring today and looks to me I'll be in the lowest setting for mine. Is that about what most people are finding on these OMCs and the super sports.

 

[FJ_Russo]

Yea Keel rollers wouldn't be a bad idea at all!! Got a question, since about a million of these OMC's have been mounted on these starcrafts, where are most people finding there motor is mounted. I did a bit of measuring today and looks to me I'll be in the lowest setting for mine. Is that about what most people are finding on these OMCs and the super sports.

 

[Watermann]

It's not really brand specific for transoms and OBs. You have a 20" transom and the OB for your boat needs to be a 20" long shaft mounted with the AV plate above the prop either level or about 1" above the bottom of the keel.