'79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

[Huron Angler]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

I forgot to include that my 4.5 year-old son got a MONSTER sliver while he was inspecting one of my cuts...so he now has some blood, sweat, and tears into the restoration too

He's already got a pretty clear understanding that he will be cruising, fishing, tubing and swimming off the boat this summer and he's on board so to speak.

I explained to him that this will be his boat someday too so when he is helping he feels like it's pretty important.

 

[HopeSheFloats]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Coming along good H.A., we had drizzle most of the day here add to that I've been sick for days and it looks as though your flying & I'm moving backwards.
Nice to see you sharing this fun with the boys...something they'll remember for years & years

 

[Anydog]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Thanks for sharing your ideas for restoration. I have enjoyed looking at your handywork. If you hear of any SS 16-18 foot O/B for sale, please let me know. I would like to work up a boat sometime. I have been looking. Thanks


anydog

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Coming along good H.A., we had drizzle most of the day here add to that I've been sick for days and it looks as though your flying & I'm moving backwards.
Nice to see you sharing this fun with the boys...something they'll remember for years & years

Thanks Kenny, hope ya get better soon and this weather decides what to do also

Thanks for sharing your ideas for restoration. I have enjoyed looking at your handywork. If you hear of any SS 16-18 foot O/B for sale, please let me know. I would like to work up a boat sometime. I have been looking. Thanks

Welcome to the site anydog, and thanks for the compliment.

Check out craigslist in your area for boats. If none there look closer to indiana and drive to test and get the boat. We have tons of them here in Michigan. What's your location?

 

[wilkboater]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Same deal here in southern Missouri; haven't seen an aluminum starcraft in years. I'd love to have an 18 or 21 SS. I'll have to start watchin CL a little farther from home.

 

[North Beach]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

OK, now were makin progress!

 

[jasoutside]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Hey Huron! Great job on the boat building stuff and being a dad stuff!

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

OK, now were makin progress!

LOL I hear ya...actually I've been using a scientific formula to ensure my plywood is properly dried...or maybe just been busy and slacking off

Hey Huron! Great job on the boat building stuff and being a dad stuff!

Thanks J, just trying to keep the boys active/outdoors and maybe get this thing on the water someday!



I have the aft deck piece ready to cut...not much to cut on that piece as it's basically a rectangle. Cutting out the ski locker will be next and then I can get this wood sealed up.

I will be doing some measuring to configure the bow deck...since the previous owner had raised it for a casting deck....no template, but not a big deal either. Can't wait to get back to work, after work...

I'm planning on some riveted aluminum as a subfloor down in the locker to keep gear/rods off the bilge if it's wet. So that will get done after gluvit.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

After much debate I've decided to go with West Systems epoxy resin. It does cost more than many competitors but I will feel much better about the deck being sealed permenently with the best available resin.

I'm probably going to pick up some 105, hardener, pumps and buckets and get started on friday. Haven't decided if I should get the fast or slow hardener yet. I may call West Systems and see what they have to say if I get too confused.

I know people are going to say that I might as well have gotten the marine grade ply...and all I can say is you're probably right. I couldn't find a good supplier locally and didn't want to pay shipping so I got impatient and grabbed the ext grade.

On another side note...my uncle who has the 75hp 'rude has been involved in aviation in the Bay City/Midland area for many years and he actually knows the Gougeon brothers who developed the West Systems backin the 70s for airplanes, kayaks, sailboats and ice boats.

BTW...no we have not painted the vinyl seats yet...sorry for taking so long

 

[ezmobee]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

My opinion (which you didn't ask for) is since we're (I'm including myself) aren't going to go the WHOLE WAY....fully glassed marine ply.....AND you're putting down vinyl which will go a long towards abrasion protection....I would not waste my money on resin that is only determined to be the best due to being the most expensive. My 2cents (probably worth less).

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

I cut the stern deck piece and got the two main pieces in the hull for a test fitting. Pretty close to the template and a good fit

The piece with the pedestal mount holes needs to be flipped, since the portside seat is supposed to be a bit more forward than the helm, not vice versa.

I decided to keep this arrangement since I am 6'5" and it worked well during my November test runs(I need lots of knee room).

The deck is just sitting in there and isn't lined up exactly perfect for the photo...but it does sit on the stringers and ribs very nicely and won't be rubbing the side of the chines/hull at all when the hull is stressed and flexes.

I may sand it down a bit more to be sure of this.

It handles my weight(220) well with no flexing and I am glad I went with the 3/4" rather than 1/2" ply.

Since I did use the templates...the downside is that my deck stops short of the transom.

This was remedied by the use of this removable carpeted piece to set the battery and gas tank on. I may use this for a while and decide another solution later on.

I am still debating on exact placement of the locker, this may work well but would get lots of traffic in the walk-thru.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

I finally got my stainless steel flush-mount rod holders

They came from Hawaii so it took a few weeks. They look great and are brand new, with oil still on them from the factory. I will be dreaming about trolling for walleye, trout and salmon even more now...and thinking about where exactly to put them on the rig

 

[jasoutside]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Coming together Huron! I really like your rod holders!

Yah, I might be leaning towards West System myself, maybe. I actually met one of the brothers and took a tour of their operation. Nothing fancy, but man they know their stuff! We'll see how that part of my project shakes out.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Roslynn and I had a late night working on the rig last night and have some progress to report, no pics yet.

We built a template for the bow deck using cardboard, tape and some 1"x2" lengths of pine. This worked fairly well and we got some lines traced to ballpark the cuts.

We then started measuring and mapping out a grid of the stringers and ribs to make sure this thing will be resting on the correct locations and snug.

This should be ready to cut tonight and it seems like tonight will be a good night to apply the gluvit(finally) since it's getting warmer every day up here.

I started making a list of things that need to be done and got halfway down the back page...what a bunch of tedious little things!

As some of you know I prefer to have a "work-in-progress" approach and will be conducting water trials and fishing off her while we complete all the cosmetic stuff that make her look pretty.

Yes this will mean that I will be out enjoying the boat when I should be working on installing gauges and finishing cushions, but it's about time to have some fun

 

[jasoutside]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Yes this will mean that I will be out enjoying the boat when I should be working on installing gauges and finishing cushions, but it's about time to have some fun

Well, I don't know who told you that you could do that!!!?? What do you think, this whole boating thing is supposed to be fun or something??

Er, ah, yah...

Have fun man!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

I'm going with the same approach. You guys are certainly bangin' it out.

 

[HopeSheFloats]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

LOL, if only someone else could make our list's and ration out portions at a time to us....I decided on using the 3/4 decking myself, being I ain't getting any smaller..I'd post a current picture of myself, but not everyone has a wide screen.

At this rate your moving, I'll have to stand at the end of the dock at point out those hot spots to you .....keep on truckin..err boating

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

I got the bow piece of the deck cut last night and got all three pieces test fitted.

We have located a supplier of swim noodles for a buck(dollar store) each so I'm going to send Roslynn out with the boys to buy some tomorrow. That way when we're ready to get the deck permanently installed we can move forward.

I still haven't decided on the epoxy...Ezmobee said that when he got the cheaper resin he used a lot more of it than he would've liked...so I was leaning toward the west systems for that reason.

The Clarkcraft prices are a little better so I may order from them, but if I am ready to epoxy this weekend I will need to run out and buy it locally.

I didn't apply the gluvit yet since we hit a little cold spell, but warmer weather is on the way

 

[jasoutside]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Hey Huron! Get that Gluvit ready, I see 70 degrees later this week! Yah baby!!!

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

I got these switches with LED indicator lights for the dash...running lights will be green, bilge red, and interior lights blue (BTW I know it doesn't look blue, not sure what that's all about)

Tackling this wiring job is a big challenge that I have to look forward to soon. I will also have the CMC trim/tilt switch on the dash. My secondary bilge pump will be automatic so no wiring to the helm.

I have no idea how she managed to find this many yellow noodles And she says there are more if we need them. We picked up 25 at a buck each.

I'm thinking about this as a possible layout for the foam. The pink piece would be cut down smaller. It would leave room for the ski locker and drainage to the bilge. Open to suggestions here.