'79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

[jasoutside]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Starcraft mystery piece round II...any thoughts, ideas or humor are appreciated

Apparently there's only one of them so I was thinking it might go in the bow to support something?

The top photo is a left handed thermo coupler, diesel powered, mid 80's vintage so clearly not origional (I googled it). The bottom is a turn of the century spatula so that doesn't even belong on your boat man (unless of course you paint it sunflower yellow, then it's ok).

I know that you are going to say that the photos are of the same piece just different angles but I know better, so don't even bother.

I am here for ya!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Are you sure it's from the bow? Looks like some of the stuff to mount the sliding doors that were originally in the rear. I had one on either side and ripped 'em off and tossed 'em.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Are you sure it's from the bow? Looks like some of the stuff to mount the sliding doors that were originally in the rear. I had one on either side and ripped 'em off and tossed 'em.

I'm 99% sure that you are correct. I knew somebody would know.

That reminds me, I still have some stuff that needs to be stripped off where the previous restorer had screwed a piece of carpet.

 

[sprintst]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Then again they could be beer bottle openers that have been through the ringer. By the heavy guage they look to be standard soviet issue. The commies probably held meetings in it out on the privacy of the water.

...or not

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

I needed to make sure the hole in the dash for the helm is the perfect size to allow the bolts aren't on the very edge of the plywood.

I hunted around for household objects that would fit the bill and this roll of painters tape is the perfect size.

Draw the line.

And it's cut. This is the other side of the board with a circle the size of the black steering wheel pieces. These edges will be sealed with epoxy resin to make sure this thing will last.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

I dismantled the helm and I'm glad I did. It will get a good cleaning and re-greasing. The steering should be much smoother when it's all put back together.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

I did a little mock-up steering assembly to make sure everything looks good before I finish sealing the wood. I'm glad I did since I think I can do better.

I might cut another board as it seems that I could go even smaller on the hole and give the bolts even more room to work with. I really don't want ot do this again so I don't mind doing it right the first time and I have tons of leftover plywood.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Nice job taking your time on that helm and feeling good about your work. I am certain you'll be feeling great about it for years and years to come knowing that you won't have things to repair sooner rather than later (or not at all).

Great day for working outside today huh, sunny and 65!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Mike, you won't want your helm angled down like that.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Mike, you won't want your helm angled down like that.

Yeah I wasn't quite to that point yet in that photo...it will be angled up like it is in this photo.

This is a crucial issue for me since I need as much leg room as I can get.

I am putting the wheel back in a bit higher than it was before too for that reason, and it will also make it easier to drive while standing.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

We got the edges coated pretty well and there are some more left to be done too.

This is a really slow procedure since the resin sinks in really well on the top edge, so you have to rotate the pieces as it cures to get each side a chance to be on top.

(This might be overkill but it works pretty good if you have the patience.)

This void wouldn't be here if this were marine grade plywood but this resin fills it in nicely and adds strength.

A new helm piece with the correct size hole cut!

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Next up was a piece of aluminum that needed two bends in order to fit perfectly in the ski locker.

This will keep a barrier between the foam/noodles and the storage but still allow good air flow to keep things dry.

This piece got trimmed down in quite a bit with tin snips to make it fit even in height with the stringers.

It would take a few tries to get the bends the perfect size to fit, but that's why I like working with aluminum, it's very forgiving.

I stubbornly do almost everything by eye but it seems to work out once in a while.

Riveted in place with two on each end.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Fits like a glove! Very nice HA!

 

[HopeSheFloats]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Wonder if we should mention that they make a pneumatic riveter? Just kidding The work is looking first class all the way Mike, I like the bending work, I can't even bend over, let alone manipulate metal...mutilate yes, manipulate nope! Keep knocking em out one ata time...soooooo close now

 

[ezmobee]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Nice work HA. Funny you should mention that riveter HSF. I was just over at Tim Five's house and he friggin' bought one! What a gratuitous tool He said I needed one. I was like why do I need one, I'll just borrow yours

 

[HopeSheFloats]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Nice work HA. Funny you should mention that riveter HSF. I was just over at Tim Five's house and he friggin' bought one! What a gratuitous tool He said I needed one. I was like why do I need one, I'll just borrow yours

LOL, my neighbor and I tease each other all the time when borrowing tools...what else are neighbors for

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

I think I'd make more mistakes with a pneumatic one...plus it sounds a lot like a disease.

Thanks for the kind words fellas, I put in a long day and am ending with trailer lights

The amber lights work on each side...so I thought I'd take my two brand new amber lights and hook the wires up and piggyback off those. They don't work.

Are the bolts on those a ground? There's only one brown "running light" wire for them so it should be easy enough for a monkey to do.

Good news is that both amber lights are working...the left running lights, blinker and brake lights work on the port side.

The starboard side has an amber light working and that's it. Probably a problem with loose connections or ground problems.

Ya gotta love trailers, my next boat will be a hovercraft so I can eliminate the evil.

 

[HopeSheFloats]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Yep, grounded thru the bolts/screws
And the ground always seems to be the problem more times than not.
"sounds a lot like a disease" LOL

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Yep, grounded thru the bolts/screws
And the ground always seems to be the problem more times than not.
"sounds a lot like a disease" LOL

Cool, maybe I'll go try attaching the bolts and see if that helps matters

I am hoping to get the rest of the lights working, the three main deck pieces screwed down with a final coat of epoxy, vinyl over that, starboard helm attached, motor functional and at least two pedestal bases in by thursday night.

I am going to hold off on ordering paint and getting the bow structure and consoles painted and attached for another week or so and in the meantime I will be starting my "work-in-progress" segment of the restoration.

I'm hoping to tow the rig down to my sister's place in Kalamazoo next thursday night so we'll see how this all works out. Hopefully we will be chasing musky, pike, bass perch, walleye, and bluegill around with my nephews all weekend, and my folks will be in town as well

One interesting thing too...my sister calls today and tells me that she found something on the side of the road that she picked up for me.

"Cool" I say and ask her what it is...she scored two Starcraft boat seats for me and apparently they are in good condition too. What a cool sister!

I may not necessarily use them on this rig but I want to get a 14'-15' SC since I am going to be getting a 1950s 30hp Evinrude for $50(this is the same outboard that Bret/wrfaplacas has on his Ski Champ). This will be my next Starcraft project.

 

[HopeSheFloats]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Hey, I wondered where I lost those seats

I'm with you on getting the necessary things prioritized, if I don't get out fishing in a week or two, I'll probably forget everything I thought I knew about catching em.