'79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

[Huron Angler]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Thanks for the replies fellas, and beer talk is always welcome in this thread

I will go with the SS screws, as soon as I get the drain tubes in the mail.

Gotta go see if they came today right now

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Nice work HA I used SS screws for the splashwell . Looks like I better get back to work on the boat your getting way ahead of me.

I had to laugh out loud when I read this

Not sure I'm ahead of anyone, folks have torn down, rebuilt and splashed many times over while I've been tinkering.

Hope the black flies aren't too bad yet up your way with the early spring.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Here are some photos of the kicker bracket rebuild.

We worked on a few back-burner projects tonight since I'm still waiting for the splashwell drain tubes.

Here's the kicker bracket being cleaned up with some stuff Roslynn had on the shelf.

It worked well, just needs the spring in place bolted on the boat to get the rest of it cleaned.

That thing is like a slightly malfunctioning bear trap currently.

The teeth won't hold if you crank it back, and makes for a surprise once in a while.

Here is the spring mentioned ^^ above. It will be a bit tricky to bolt this in while the spring is in place.

We'll see how that goes in a day or two when the varnish is dry.

I had cut one piece out of some 3/4" exterior grade ply...and it had too many voids.

We ended up using some leftover 3/4" Aruco and it looks ten times better.

Here it is all clamped together, with some varnish coated on each interior face.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Here's the fuel tank we will be running the 70hp on to start out

It's basically unused, with an ethanol resistant fuel line...got it for $5 a few years back.

I have never used it, since my 5.5hp needs a two-line tank and the Merc came with it's own tank and fuel line.

Here's a look at the prop, with a light coat of Citristrip on it.

This white paint is thick, but it will only take another coat or two.

 

[Triton II]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Looking good HA!

TII

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

So we made some progress today. Here are some photos.

I prepped the splashwell drain holes by drilling them out again with the 1/2" Forstner bit.

The plastic drain tubes have been my nemesis lately, but I manged to get them in this time(without cracking them).

Lastly, we tackled the SS screws that attach the splashwell to the transom. Loads of fun with these 40+ screws.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Some more photos...you can see how we tried to get the splashwell drains as flush with the actual splashwell as possible.

Here's a shot of the spreader being prepped for drilling.

The drains ended up being pretty flush with the exterior transom skin, which is good

Lots of SS screws got put in their place today, glad to have some of this work behind me!

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Here are the Moeller drain tubes that we ended up going with.

They were a bit heavier duty than the Sea-Dog brand that got the first go-around.

I was glad to get this accomplished, since the prior attempt ended badly:facepalm:.

Lots of SS screws in place.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

I guess you basically screwed around all day, HA. LOL Even my little Nassau has dozens of splashwell to transom screws. And not as much room as your SS. Bet a brewski went down after that. The drains look as good as aluminum tube too.

 

[dozerII]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Nice Job HA, it seems to take for ever to get all those screws in place. I like how the plastic drain tubes work.
Glen

 

[jasoutside]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Alrighty, we have progress, cool! Have ya put a completion date on this ride yet? Sanford Lake Family gathering?

 

[MichaelP]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Lookin great. Did you bother to put a bead of 5200 between the splashwell and transom? I'm about to install my well and wonder if it's worth the hassel. I went with the same drain tubes and now I just have to get around to trimming them.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

I 5200'd mine as such http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w200/ezmobee/New Boat/DSCF2591.jpg and feel it well worth it.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

and feel it well worth it.

Yah, me three. I laid a bead in between and then another on top once the first cured. That's a major wet area worthy of the extra luv and attention.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

I guess you basically screwed around all day, HA. LOL Even my little Nassau has dozens of splashwell to transom screws. And not as much room as your SS. Bet a brewski went down after that. The drains look as good as aluminum tube too.

LOL...Thanks GA, I started out with a screwdriver but we finished up with the cordless drill

After cracking the first drain tube I did consider brass or aluminum but didn't want to take on a new project that requires special tools.

Nice Job HA, it seems to take for ever to get all those screws in place. I like how the plastic drain tubes work.
Glen

Thanks Glen, if you use too much force they are no good, but a plastic mallet or 2x4 and some patience works

Alrighty, we have progress, cool! Have ya put a completion date on this ride yet? Sanford Lake Family gathering?

Not gonna be a firm date, hoping for a April/May splash at the latest.

My family is not having a reunion this year, but I plan on camping at Sanford for a weekend or two this summer, will give you a heads up when we know for sure.

The kids love the splash park and beach there, I like the idea of possibly catching a Musky and meeting up with some of the Starcraft brotherhood

I bet your Islander will be getting wet around the same time eh?

Lookin great. Did you bother to put a bead of 5200 between the splashwell and transom? I'm about to install my well and wonder if it's worth the hassel. I went with the same drain tubes and now I just have to get around to trimming them.

Thanks Mike, I'd recommend it as mentioned by those guys ^^.

I did not run a bead prior to installing, but put enough on the screws to fill it in nicely.

I wish that I had but it was a tight fit and I didn't want to make a huge mess.

Once I run a bead on the top it should be all set.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

I'd love to have her done when you head up this way. It'd be cool to hit the lake with our old/new boats

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

I finally managed to track down some of the right color paint...from Menard's of course

The Light Machine Grey is what I really needed, less glare and reflection than the aluminum.

Side panels almost finished, it will be nice to bolt these in with the flotation and be done with them.

I need to JB some holes on the consoles prior to painting the topsides. I got the insides coated for now.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

So here's my latest plan for the bracket installation. I am open to ideas and feedback but I think this should work well.

I got this 15" x 20"x 6/16" hunk of poly cutting board to bolt in place between the bracket and the stern.

It's needed since the transom trim piece/screws protrude out a bit, getting in the way of the bracket sitting perfectly flush.

It's non-absorbant, non-porous, and will not rot.

Added bonus will be reduced vibration from the motor.

Possible concerns are whether or not it will compress too much when the bolts are torqued, UV damage, cracking from stress, etc.

Rather than this idea...I could always epoxy some plywood instead, or trim/cut the areas in question on the boat or the bracket.

What do you guys think?

 

[bajaunderground]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

I know nothing about the make-up and UV rating for that plastic...I will say I've seen it used extensively in the rock-crawler world with great results. They typically use it in areas subject to rock contact (skid plates, nerf bars, etc...) and it's very durable, easily replaceable and relatively cheap!? I have seen others on iboats use it in other ways as well! I'd say go for it and if not happy with the results or any of the negatives you've shown concern about pop up, you can easily replace it with the epoxied plywood?!

I like that it's rot resistant and maybe have better vibration dampening that wood as I don't think it's as dense?!

Just my $.0002

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Looks a good week's worth of progress, HA.

Test the cutting board for compressibility. Kind of Neanderthallian but whack it with a hammer. I don't think it will even be marked. It is denser than plywood. UV is the big concern. It might get chalky after a while, but this is a guess.