'79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

[Huron Angler]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Yeah the plumbing would probably need to be replaced with new, the tank is steel and I should spend the cash on getting the Merc running 100%

For some reason I thought it looked like a good price

 

[ezmobee]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

For a steel tank? Heck no. I gave mine away. And I only paid $40 for that nice 18 gallon poly tank that I ended up not using. That steel tank it worth $0-20 tops.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

I scored these sweet transom straps for twenty bucks. My friend hooked me up with the deal since he knew they were from waste marine listed for 60 and plus they match the boat almost.

I've gone thru two or three sets of straps trying to improve the method each time, and these will be the solution for a while. They are very easy to deal with.

I need to decide how I'm going to tackle removing the motor soon. Lots to think about there. I do have a decent size hardwood in the yard to use.

I'm going to start taking stuff apart again soon.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

I like your new heavy duty transom straps man, price was right too!

 

[dozerII]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Looks like you had a great time fishing, we already have a little ice on the lakes around here. Those are the same straps I purchaced from Bass Pro for $28.00, they sure work nice. I noticed in the photo you have a real beat up license plate. I had the same problem as do others. I went to one of those Dollar/Bargain stores and bought a cheap white plastic cutting board about 1/2" think and cut it down as a backer for the plate, no more problems. I think I payed $3.00 for it.
Glen

 

[fshngho]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Nice t-straps Ha. Definetly a peice of equipment we don't want to skimp on. Remember it is easier to remove the steering cable as you pull the engine.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

I like your new heavy duty transom straps man, price was right too!

Thanks, yeah they are better than my "homemade" ones

Looks like you had a great time fishing, we already have a little ice on the lakes around here. Those are the same straps I purchaced from Bass Pro for $28.00, they sure work nice. I noticed in the photo you have a real beat up license plate. I had the same problem as do others. I went to one of those Dollar/Bargain stores and bought a cheap white plastic cutting board about 1/2" think and cut it down as a backer for the plate, no more problems. I think I payed $3.00 for it.
Glen

Yeah the fishing was great here this fall

You're right, that license plate is being replaced eventually, but not before I rig up my guide bunks so I can place it in a better location. Whenever I tilt the boat up to drain water it hits the ground a bit.

Good idea with the cutting board, that stuff is good material to work with.

Nice t-straps Ha. Definetly a peice of equipment we don't want to skimp on. Remember it is easier to remove the steering cable as you pull the engine.

Thanks Dale, yes these straps are better than what came with the boat, rope I think

Do you mean to wait until the motor is pulled to disconnect the steering? I am great at unhooking the fuel and power pack, not so much with the steering or throttle.

 

[fshngho]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Yeah Mike. I think you have the tube in the front/bottom of your engine, right? Disconnect it and when you pull the engine you will have that extra couple inches needed to pull the cable out of the tube. That way you won't have to fight it. Insallation is reverse. You may not have a problem, but on all the boats I had, I didn't have the room to install the steering cable without 'scooting" the motor over a bit.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

on all the boats I had, I didn't have the room to install the steering cable without 'scooting" the motor over a bit.

I had my motor all mounted on the SS when I realized I didn't have room to get the cable in it. AHHHHH!

 

[tomynoks]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Sorry HA, I can't seem to mind my own business My personal experience strongly suggests a fuse/ relay panel that will control all your electrical needs. You can mount it under the splashwell or even better, under the helm. This will give you a central location to troubleshoot if need be and you don't have to run around the boat tracing where each individual inline fuse is. My favorite added benifit is you can install a master switch to kill all power to the boat when you park it. That will prevent battery draw incase a depthfinder, light or whatever is left on and you don't know it untill your ready to go fishing again. Not that I have ever done that....
Dale

Not trying to hijack your thread HA, but this best place I can find for this question: I have a 6 gang switch panel with breakers? each switch has a reset button.. (wiring/electrical is my weak point too!!) Do I also need a fuse panel? I am using the switch panel in conjunction with + and - buss bars and a Blue Sea selector switch... ???

also... is that Nautolex SHARK vinyl your using?? Looks great and I'm using the same stuff..

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Not trying to hijack your thread HA, but this best place I can find for this question: I have a 6 gang switch panel with breakers? each switch has a reset button.. (wiring/electrical is my weak point too!!) Do I also need a fuse panel? I am using the switch panel in conjunction with + and - buss bars and a Blue Sea selector switch... ???

also... is that Nautolex SHARK vinyl your using?? Looks great and I'm using the same stuff..

No worries on hijacking...I am going to be installing a fused switch box since inline fuses are a bit of a hassle. So I'm starting from scratch on the wiring again this winter.

I'm not going to use a separate fuse panel, just the fused switch box.

Thinking about maybe one like this.

As far as the vinyl, I do not have any bad things to say about the Nautolex. The color is good too since it's light and doesn't get too hot in the sun. Very durable stuff and easy to work with.

 

[tomynoks]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

http://www.harrisspeedworks.com/product.php?productid=243

This is a link to what I actually need, it's called a "12 volt 40 amp relay socket with wiring harness", and $20 isn't too bad.

The ones that came with the boat were a casualty of the tornado that swept thru lower Michigan and Indiana a few weeks ago. They are prone to corrosion and should never get wet.

I just hope I can find a local supplier(cheap too) of this part so I can get this thing hooked up soon

EDIT-----I just found this link...not sure if it's real but I'm gonna order some since they are only $3!

I've seen others using an SPDT too.. where and for what do you use it?

 

[tomynoks]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

I wish I would have bought a switch panel with fuses...mine has breakers, so I guess I'll spend another 20-$30 on a fuse panel!! Man.. all those MI lakes look the same!! I have a friend on Cedar Island Lake...straight west of Pontiac. I am back there every year over the 4th of July... I love it back there!!...well, in July anyway!!

Like mine, but mine is 6 gang:

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Well I've been back to work on the rig so it's time to post something

I am building an outboard motor stand. It's pretty easy, will post some photos of the progress later.

I am hoping to get the Starcraft in the garage before we leave for Florida on thursday. We're having a southern thanksgiving, and may even meet up with CBK while we are down there

I am going back to work on the stand, and continuing vacating space in our garage for the SS. Hope to get a lot done this winter on the transom and interior so it's about time I get to it.

 

[tallcanadian]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Good to see you back at it. I've got mine put away now for the winter. What plans do you have for her??

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Good to see you back at it. I've got mine put away now for the winter. What plans do you have for her??

My existing transom may or may not be pressure treated ply, which is bad news for aluminum due to copper and other stuff.

So I am planning on bolting in two new pieces of epoxy-sealed ply, marine, exterior grade or otherwise

Other than that, I need to:

-paint the interior
-paint the exterior
-finish/redo the dash panels
-get RPM, battery gauges
-buy and install swim ladder
-install kicker bracket
-lots of other stuff

Not sure what will get done and what will remain on the list

 

[jasoutside]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Well the good news is that the local lakes will be iced up solid sooner or later. This will completely prevent that SS from sneaking off and doing a little afternoon fishing when it should be getting rehabbed, eh!

Nice job on using the boat all summer and nice job getting back at it Mike!

 

[tomynoks]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

HA.. check out Arauco ply. The 23/32" is 7 ply, exterior, hardly any voids and plugs on one side only. A little 5200 and screws 2 layers was the right thickness for my transom. At $25-30 a sheet, I think it beats marine grade. Your coating with epoxy anyway.. I did too and sealed it in everywhere with 5200. Worked on my Chieftain today.. check out the new pics..

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Here's what I'm working on. 3" metal caster wheels, 2x4 frame. I'm using swivel wheels on the front and fixed on the back, got them for $5 each after seeing rubber wheeled ones for $9.

I have ideas from iboats that I'm using, but not sticking to any specific plans.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Well the good news is that the local lakes will be iced up solid sooner or later. This will completely prevent that SS from sneaking off and doing a little afternoon fishing when it should be getting rehabbed, eh!

Nice job on using the boat all summer and nice job getting back at it Mike!

Thanks jas, yeah we did have some fun all summer. "Thorough testing" is a really demanding part of a resto but I managed to get thru it

If it were only that easy I actually launched the SS in the Looking Glass river last week for the first time. I could've sworn it's too shallow for the Starcraft but we launched her and had a great day casting for Pike.

We didn't catch anything but we sure were comfortable compared to sitting in my little 12 footer

My buddy stopped by this morning asking if I wanted to go fishing from shore with him but I told him I have a motor stand to build so there's hope for me yet!