1979 Starcraft 16’ SS Refresh

[Moserkr]

I used Fasco epoxy for my sealing. Other big names are Total Boat and West System. Also there are recommendations to use glass if you are using epoxy to seal. I didn't, but something to take into account.

SHSU

Thanks, I will have to look up the other systems. West system looks nice but made me choke a little at the price lol. My budget is not unlimited!!! I dont think Im going to do glass cloth if I have that extra piece of AL. The wood will literally be sandwiched.

Still happy with how the build is going overall though, despite being more work/money than expected. Dreaming of that first splash...

 

[SHSU]

Thanks, I will have to look up the other systems. West system looks nice but made me choke a little at the price lol. My budget is not unlimited!!! I dont think Im going to do glass cloth if I have that extra piece of AL. The wood will literally be sandwiched.

Still happy with how the build is going overall though, despite being more work/money than expected. Dreaming of that first splash...

Ya, West System is steep but has a huge name in the industry. I tried Fasco just because it was $55 a gallon back when I did it. Think they bumped it to $75 now. Been happy with the results and their customer service was quick and courteous with any questions I had.

As for the glass, main purpose is not for structure, but to help prevent epoxy cracking and failure of your waterproofing.

SHSU

 

[Moserkr]

Would putting spar over the epoxy help prevent cracking? Heard of people doing that. I know I have glass in my shed from way back when I wanted to shape surfboards. Pretty sure its not enough but could always get more.

 

[MNhunter1]

I used the US Composites epoxy on my last two transoms. Spar on the decking, side panels, and other interior pieces covered in vinyl.

 

[Moserkr]

Thanks @MNhunter1 !! I read your build thread recently too and you made one fine, clean looking boat! Ill check out US composites too. Looking for the cheapest quality I can find lol. Most of my deck was epoxied by the PO so Im lucky there, I just need to fill in the screw holes that he put in. The only deck pieces not epoxied were the front bow area. I need to cut all new pieces up there anyway to fit my design in mind so I will seal them with whatever I have left over - spar or epoxy. Probably epoxy first. Side panels will get spar, and i will have minimal vinyl, mainly on the consoles. Need to cover the many holes all over it. The floors and gunwale tops will be covered in that hydroturf type stuff. Hated the crazy green color of it originally but the feeling is so nice on my feet. I like to be bare foot on my boat haha.

 

[SHSU]

Would putting spar over the epoxy help prevent cracking? Heard of people doing that. I know I have glass in my shed from way back when I wanted to shape surfboards. Pretty sure its not enough but could always get more.

Not needed and may cause other issues.

The cracking would occur from the wood expanding and contracting based on temperature and such. Also how loads are distributed would play a major role in any failure: i.e. a point load not distributed

SHSU

 

[Moserkr]

To do list update. Been a few and have not progressed far!! Waiting on some tools and partsthen its go time. Will be in the garage daily until its done.

Strip boat and turtle - 12/27 - last update
Strip paint - least fun part haha
Fix trailer bunks - done but not installed
Wire/nylon wheel rough spots - done
Fix rivets/knee brace - HERE NOW
Install SW and bow cover
Build and install braces
Leak test
Coat-it
Build and install transom
Cut and install foam
Install deck to console area
Install gas tank
Build, stain, spar, and install gunwale wood
Install front casting deck over gas tank
Install hydroturf on deck and rails
Install Consoles
Install batteries, wires, electronics
Build folding rear bench seat
Build bow seats
Install motor
Engine work: Rebuild carbs, Fix tach
Check for other issues
Splash??
Rebuild Stinger 75
Install Stinger?
Resplash??

Really looking forward to making some big steps happen after watching others moving along!!

 

[SHSU]

Make sure to take lots of pictures!!!!

SHSU

 

[Moserkr]

Make sure to take lots of pictures!!!!

SHSU

I will definitely do that. One thing that will require some finesse will be getting the Admiral to help me rivet in a cold garage at night lol. Kinda scary to know that when I look up from under the boat, she will have a 4lb bucking bar in her hand... lol. Mainly waiting on a vise so I have something to hold AL while I practice rivets before attempting ones that count on the boat. But the front bow area is ready to go back in, and so are all the stern pieces. Once I get the supporting structure back in, Ill move on to the sides and underneath the boat. Then add trailer bunks so i dont hurt my progress, and start bending AL to “battleship” her. I was able to pick up a 4’x8’ sheet of AL for $200 last friday. Also on order is a bender for that sheet.

I know those are going to be big steps, as well as the leak test and coat-it. Hoping my temps come up enough for that step, as well as paint. Guessing I have around a week before Ill be moving at a good clip again, but the weather is being nice so Im counting my blessings.

 

[benfish909]

A good set of ear muffs or ear plugs helps with the riveting. Specially when recruiting help

 

[Moserkr]

@benfish909 Thanks for the advice. Ill give her plugs n muffs, and ill use plugs. My hearings already pretty shot from hunting haha. At least my neighbors have been watching the slow resto and are aware of whats about to come. They are all for it! It may be an HOA but it pays to know your neighbors and be in good standing.

 

[crankbait cowboy]

looking good Mose, its nice to see your to do list. mine has changed a bit over time, as i found its best to have an order of things to do , which keeps from putting " the cart before the horse " so to speak and having to backtrack.

 

[Moserkr]

Thanks @crankbait cowboy The list changed a little bit and will probably change again. As the boat comes together it will start making more sense! Only thing I cant control is the weather. My garage has a big buddy heater, but its uninsulated. In CA, March will generally be the start of spring but with one last snow storm. Im getting excited for the work to come. Doing stuff thats new and out of my comfort zone is a good thing. Now just waiting on the postman... wish I had the budget and space to get everything at once!!

 

[Moserkr]

All right! Soft start again... baby steps... put the last coat of spar on the front bow wood and got the AL pieces almost ready to punch in. Im replacing the old foam under the bow cover with some neoprene. Will that be an issue? Was just going to glue it to the wood, pretty sure that will hold it and not need staples. I can staple if needed... Have a few old rivets to remove from the brackets and then just cleanup any corrosion. Air compressor needs one piece of pipe for the filter then it will be ready to hammer down. Also got a little and big present today!! Little ones are the aluminum SW drain tubes. Big one is the gas tank!!!

Gas tank plan:
Original plan was to have a shallow, long 17 gallon tank under the raised bow casting deck, resting even with the floor level. New plan is a 19 gallon rectangle tank that fits between the stringers/consoles, and will sit below floor level under the casting deck, as low as it can be to the hull. I will build a cradle in there for it to sit on. It will eliminate the small stringer in the bow, but i will beef up the surrounding structure to make up for it. I may need a small “step” between the consoles to clear it on top, but will make that bridge when i need to cross it! I have around 3” of clearance between the top of the fill opening and the casting deck when the tank sits as shown in the picture Im excited to have it sit lower, be a better shape, and hold 2 more gallons. I have a heavy hand when i drive... hahaha. WOT or death!!

 

[SHSU]

Im replacing the old foam under the bow cover with some neoprene. Will that be an issue? Was just going to glue it to the wood, pretty sure that will hold it and not need staples. I can staple if needed... Have a few old rivets to remove from the brackets and then just cleanup any corrosion.

I didn't add any when I put ours back together. We haven't noticed an issue or noises but might also be because we have the front anchor cleat that goes through it and secures the aluminum straight to the wood.

Gas tank plan:
Original plan was to have a shallow, long 17 gallon tank under the raised bow casting deck, resting even with the floor level. New plan is a 19 gallon rectangle tank that fits between the stringers/consoles, and will sit below floor level under the casting deck, as low as it can be to the hull. I will build a cradle in there for it to sit on. It will eliminate the small stringer in the bow, but i will beef up the surrounding structure to make up for it. I may need a small “step” between the consoles to clear it on top, but will make that bridge when i need to cross it! I have around 3” of clearance between the top of the fill opening and the casting deck when the tank sits as shown in the picture Im excited to have it sit lower, be a better shape, and hold 2 more gallons. I have a heavy hand when i drive... hahaha. WOT or death!!

I like it!!! I would have done something like that if the admiral didn't want to keep the front seating area.

Something to keep in mind is your fuel pickup location being on the high side. As you get up on plane, if your nose is high the pickup might have difficulty pulling fuel. That being said, with a 19 gallon fuel tank don't think you should have any issues with running low on fuel.

SHSU

 

[Moserkr]

@SHSU Glad you like it! I will still have front seats, just no walkway - slightly awkward. Admiral insists on sitting up front, and I want a casting deck. We will see how it turns out down the road lol. Ill plan on gluing the neoprene in then too. Doesnt seem like a big issue if you have none!

Im not sure where exactly the fuel tank will sit but it will find its spot up there. Part of the reason I wanted it lower and not such a long/shallow tank is because of feed issues. I rarely run it low and I should have a working gas gauge now hahahaha. You think the pick up side matters a lot? I can have it facing either direction (at least i think so right now).

 

[MNhunter1]

I used sill plate gasket between my front bow supports and the aluminum cap. Just tacked it to the wood with a few stainless staples.

 

[Moserkr]

@MNhunter1 Looks closer to the original stuff. Im just using whats on hand to save a buck. If it doesnt work I will circle back and try that stuff. Thanks!

 

[Moserkr]

HAMMER TIME!!!!!

Vise came in today. Hooked up the compressor and the 4x rivet gun. Just finished me test rivets and now the fun begins!!! Woohoo!!!! Beer first. Hammer next. Going to see if i can reattach my bow area first. Excited!!!!! I must be deaf cause the riveting in a closed garage didnt bug me at all hahaha. The top rivet tail got a little squished but i was playing around. Honestly, once i figured out how to get my rivet gun to work, it wasnt that hard. Didnt have the right spring size on the front so used a cutoff wheel to take off just enough to where it slid through. It works now so guess i done did right!!

 

[classiccat]

They're some good bucktails! After about 500, I realized that my gun pressure was way too high...backing off to 40-50psi seems to be the sweet spot with my setup.