68 Starcraft Starchief 18' Cuddy Restoration

[canadman]

Re: 68 Starcraft Starchief 18' Cuddy Restoration

Well what a joy to find this thread! I bought a 1968/69 18' Starcraft Starchief a year ago and have spent the last year getting a engine rebuild for it. I've included two pictures of it. I am doing much the same thing to mine as is described in this thread. I've stripped the boat and intend to rebuild it all come Spring.

I do have some challenges, like a ''bumpy' hull ( several minor dents and dings) though the hull itself is sound. I filled it with water and it never leaked a drop. The hull is also painted so I want to strip the paint (will likely use stripper...will any paint stripper work?) then fill in the little imperfections (bondo?). Then paint the hull.

I actually built a temporary plywood (1/2") floor and duradecked it but I think I'll start from scratch and durabak it as it looks really good that way in the pics on this thread.

I like the cuddy walls and door, I think I might do the same. I REALLY like the stone paint for the inside walls. May go that way as I built a dash for my gauges and used it on that and it looks good.

Anyway, I'll be back on this thread checking in and will definitely use it as my instruction guide come Spring.

Thanks so much for posting this. What a GREAT help!!!

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: 68 Starcraft Starchief 18' Cuddy Restoration

Canadman make sure to start your own resto thread as well us starcrafters love pictures especially of other Starcrafts .


Rick

 

[Andy in NY]

Re: 68 Starcraft Starchief 18' Cuddy Restoration

Bret, when do you plan on getting back on this project?

 

[wrfalpacas]

Re: 68 Starcraft Starchief 18' Cuddy Restoration

Andy,

Outdrive lower unit done, upper unit in progress, still need to mount the upper windshield, grab rails and rear seats, then it's done. I am waiting on the state DNR for paperwork on the numbers and license. I probably won't splash it till spring. I am hot and heavy into the SkiChamp now (My ADD Kicking in)

 

[Andy in NY]

Re: 68 Starcraft Starchief 18' Cuddy Restoration

Andy,

Outdrive lower unit done, upper unit in progress, still need to mount the upper windshield, grab rails and rear seats, then it's done. I am waiting on the state DNR for paperwork on the numbers and license. I probably won't splash it till spring. I am hot and heavy into the SkiChamp now (My ADD Kicking in)

but you are planning on bringing it to tinstock, right?

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: 68 Starcraft Starchief 18' Cuddy Restoration

I would be happy to see either of Brets fantastic Starcrafts at Tinstock ( and since he is planning to travel with me I will know which one he is bringing for sure before most of ya ) .


Rick

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: 68 Starcraft Starchief 18' Cuddy Restoration

Brett keep in mind that you could save some cash by sleeping in the big rig at Tinstock too

I agree with Rick either boat will be nice to see as they are both sweet vintage aluminum...decisions, decisions

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 68 Starcraft Starchief 18' Cuddy Restoration

I agree with Rick either boat will be nice to see as they are both sweet vintage aluminum...decisions, decisions

My vote is firmly in the Starchief's corner.

 

[Andy in NY]

Re: 68 Starcraft Starchief 18' Cuddy Restoration

My vote is firmly in the Starchief's corner.

+1 for the starchief.

 

[timfives]

Re: 68 Starcraft Starchief 18' Cuddy Restoration

love your dash, going to have to do something similar to mine. awesome work on this boat, i've taking tons of notes on how you've done stuff. I may be asking you some questions as i get into the refit of my islander.

Tim

 

[Andy in NY]

Re: 68 Starcraft Starchief 18' Cuddy Restoration

love your dash, going to have to do something similar to mine. awesome work on this boat, i've taking tons of notes on how you've done stuff. I may be asking you some questions as i get into the refit of my islander.

Tim

ya the wood on the dash came out awesome! i wish i could do a wood dash like that...

 

[MichaelP]

Re: Starting a 68 Starchief Cuddy Restoration

Re: Starting a 68 Starchief Cuddy Restoration

Can you elaborate on the boat renaming ritual?

 

[MichaelP]

Re: 68 Starcraft Starchief 18' Cuddy Restoration

Greetings from Maine.
I just found this blog and signed right up. I have a 1970? 18' Starchief OB in the back yard that I'm considering starting to restore. I just finished a 1983 16' SS and I know how fast the budget can go out the window. How did your project resore end up?
Mike

 

[wrfalpacas]

Re: 68 Starcraft Starchief 18' Cuddy Restoration

Well now that the 57 is done, I'm back at the young 68 girl ! I took a chapter out of ez's playbook, and got the upper windscreen painted black

 

[ben2go]

Re: 68 Starcraft Starchief 18' Cuddy Restoration

That black is gonna get hot in the sun,remember not to lean on it.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 68 Starcraft Starchief 18' Cuddy Restoration

Hey you are back at the Starchief! I am really looking forward to seeing this old girl finished up too!

I am thinking that I'd go black on my windshield too. What was your prep work on it?

Cheers!

 

[wrfalpacas]

Re: 68 Starcraft Starchief 18' Cuddy Restoration

Ben,

As it is on the roof of the cuddy, the leaning won't be an issue

Jas,

As far as prep, I sanded smooth, prepped with rustoleum dark grey metal primer, and painted with rustoleum satin black.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 68 Starcraft Starchief 18' Cuddy Restoration

OK, have another random nit pickey windshield type question (it's all about the details, eh)...

So when you install snaps on your windshield for your cover, will they also be black or regular aluminum/chrome?

Cheers!

 

[sprintst]

Re: 68 Starcraft Starchief 18' Cuddy Restoration

The windshield looks great. Can't wait to see it on the boat.

 

[wrfalpacas]

Re: 68 Starcraft Starchief 18' Cuddy Restoration

Time for some new pics! I got the windshield on, then tackled re-attaching the rebuilt outdrive. one on we fired it up in the bucket, and found the carb accellerator pump did not work. bought anothe carb rebuild kit and changed out the pump for one with a spring, and then it purred like a kitten. and wouldn't bog down when you gave it the gas. Trim pump sounded sick, so out it came for new brushes and a little clean up on the commutator. Now I am waiting for a few finishing items to come in the mail, and we are planning the shakedown cruise for next thursday.