'79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

[olefisherman]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

somewhere i saw mention of 1/2 foam . the home centers around here have 2in blue foam 4x8 sheets closed cell foam . i used it in 16ft lowe john boat under floor and up the sides , also to line added storage lockers above gas tank used two layers on the storage . 20 years no water soaking . i think they use that foam to insulate basements on the outside. lost one boat , had to swim ,dark ,cold,scared. alum will not float
ole fisherman

 

[PaulyV]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

hmmm so the boat that sunk had foam in it ..or no foam..

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

I'm considering going with a taller post in the bow so the seating would be high enough for fishing, similar to this MirroCraft.

I'd been tossing the idea around of maybe putting the bow pedestal on the portside bench, but this would not be ideal for people sitting there when cruising(who wants to sit on a pedestal base?!?)

We tested a small section of the vinyl using the yellow dye. It turned out as I expected, pretty durable finish to it and good coverage...so we'll be spraying the actual seats soon.

My federal tax return got direct deposited into someone else's bank account so certain purchases have been delayed until the replacement check arrives

EZ is cranking his SS out like clockwork, so I need to shift into high gear and catch up to the rest of our armada. I'm really hoping to re-christen the rig by the end of the month, we shall see. Once the temps get into the mid-40s I will be charging ahead full steam

 

[ezmobee]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

I'm wondering if I should go the tall pedestal mounted on the floor route or the removable bow section with the pedestal base mounted on it like I originally planned. Hmmm......

 

[PaulyV]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

I like that High pedestal seat..as long as its sturdy enough at that height.

HA..I luv the enthusiasm..I too am trying for the end of the month..

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

I thought it would only be fair to reveal the true source of my idea to go with the taller seat post...Don S posted this image(sweet photoshop job, love the Starcraft cuddy on top) that features SpinnerBaitNut's sweet skeeter and I took a look at the setup.

It got me thinking, since I was not convinced I could build a insert pedestal strong enough to handle the stress of use.

This is the full image, I liked how the smaller seat allowed the helm view to be unobstructed and the post gives the perfect height from the deck, without any inster pieces or brackets

Thanks goes to SpinnerBaitNut, may he RIP.

 

[PaulyV]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

very nice..thats a great cuddy too..

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

I'm pretty sure this old girl would make the perfect kicker companion to my '71 80hp.

Wonder how much I can talk him down?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Make sure you can get parts for it. Older Mercs are spotty in that department.

 

[bananaboater]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Make sure you can get parts for it. Older Mercs are spotty in that department.

That's it EZ, scare me......My Merc 400 is 1961 and I just dropped it off at my mechanic's shop. I think I saw $ signs in his eyes as he said "I might have to remove the powerhead to get to those levers!"

Not the first to it's just money but I wish it was someone else's. So it goes.

Albert

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Well...I've been working over my rivets with a wire wheel, flapper sanding disc and sandpaper to prep for the gluvit. This involves lots of kneeling on the aluminum ribs...ouch

No pics but she's shining right up and looking good and clean on the inside. They are now calling for temps into the 50s here this weekend...but I have yet to see 40 degrees today.

I'm off to do some more prep work for the gluvit

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

After checking ezmobee's SS thread again I see that he applied the gluvit with the boat on the trailer...as opposed to tilting the hull to each side as some have advocated.

So I'm going to assume this works out ok unless somebody tells me otherwise

We are planning on throwing on a coat of gluvit tomorrow while our youngest is napping. The garage got up to 59 degrees today so it should be a good day to knock this out.

Back to more work on the rivets and stringers

 

[jspano]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

i used an old plastic milk crate to sit on,and an old life vest to kneel on.
when i started i did not have a mask on... my gluvits smelled might have been old.

good luck may the weather be with you

 

[PaulyV]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

HA,
I had no problems applying the gluvit with the boat on the trailer. It seeped in really well..

 

[fshngho]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

HA (and EZ) For my 2cents, I would strongly suggest a removable platform for the front pedestal seat/mount. Trust me, I use a bass boat a lot and I can let you in on a few things. First, the taller the pedestal post, the more chance of working the base loose. If you drop something it would go to the lower deck, if you spin around and get off the seat, its a longer way down. You would have more of a fishing deck on the same level, lessening the chance of falling. You could use a leaning 'bike' type seat, or a smaller pole so you can sit with knees bentand lean back for comfort. Obviously your choice, but when I get my SS one day, I know what I'm gonna do. Dale

 

[bananaboater]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

I would suggest good ventilation. I had a nasal irritation to the fumes (I don't think it was my imagination) and the fumes lasted a few days in my garage till it finally cured. Did mine at 70 degrees. If you are working colder it might give you a few minutes more to work it too.

Albert

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

i used an old plastic milk crate to sit on,and an old life vest to kneel on.

I happen to have a few life jackets laying around...good idea

HA,
I had no problems applying the gluvit with the boat on the trailer. It seeped in really well..

Thanks Pauly, that's what I was hoping to hear

First, the taller the pedestal post, the more chance of working the base loose.

I can see how that would be an issue, I would have to reinforce the pedestal base with a back plate. I will be mulling this over for a while yet, thanks for the input Dale

I would suggest good ventilation. I had a nasal irritation to the fumes (I don't think it was my imagination) and the fumes lasted a few days in my garage till it finally cured.

I will be leaving the garage door open tomorrow when we do it, and running a fan, so hopefully won't have a problem. I appreciate the warning though

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

I stripped the yellow vinyl off this wooden bow piece. Not sure what I'm going to do here, but it will probably be the same as the dash panels.

I'd like to find some stuff like ezmobee used on his Jupiter dashboard that doesn't rot.

This is the wire wheel that I've been using so much. It has a good shape for attacking rivets, I just need to be careful not to take off too much aluminum

She's starting to get cleaned up pretty good. I will be scrubbing down the entire boat tonight again to prep for the gluvit tomorrow. Two light coats over all rivets and seams should help keep her dry.

I took some time to work on these pedestal bases. They cleaned up nicely and got a little shine back (The middle one still needs to be done, included as comparison) I need to get the rust brushed out of the holes somehow?

 

[North Beach]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Dang Mike. You got that bottom CLEAN! Try using a wire brush dremmel on those pedestal holes.

 

[HopeSheFloats]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Nice work H.A., maybe a little oven cleaner and a toothbrush, I wouldn't leave it over night, but a short while, then brush & rinse... doesn't need to shine, just the rust residue removed, the new lags/bolts? will finish it off nice...my 2 pennies