'79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

[Huron Angler]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

OK I think I understand...throw away the old impeller, store the spare prop and buy a 3-blade, tach and get the motor running

I think I can handle that. It will be neat to lower the throttle and actually get into my ideal RPM range with a 3-blade. This rig will be shooting out of the hole much faster than what we experienced last summer.

I'm also looking forward to mounting up my kicker bracket, it will probably give an even smoother troll and a bit quieter being set back properly.

Thanks for stopping by fellas, I appreciate the advice.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Well...myself and a buddy worked on removing the transom for about an hour last night.

That thing is acting really stubborn and I'm impatient.

We tried using the ladder as an anchor point to pull it up with ratchet straps, but that failed since the ladder is sitting on the boat. When we tried pushing down on the boat to pull the transom out, the ladder was lowered also, achieving nothing.

Then we set a 4x4 across the gunwales, as suggsted in many SC resto threads. Lacking enough eye bolts to use the 4-5 ratchet straps, we called it a night and ran up to the store. So I'm prepared to try again with 5-6 anchor points on the plywood.

I might set the heater closer the the transom, maybe that will help loosen it up a bit.

Any other ideas?

 

[LonLB]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

so what your saying is I should be glad that my transom is so rotten I can just dig it out with a screwdriver?:facepalm:

 

[jasoutside]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Dude, you are like seven and a half feet tall. Reach down, grab it and pick it up.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

so what your saying is I should be glad that my transom is so rotten I can just dig it out with a screwdriver?:facepalm:

Exactly what I was saying last night..."too bad this thing wasn't rotten to the core, we'd be done by now and just have to empty the shop vac"

Excellent use of the new "facepalm" emoticon BTW

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Dude, you are like seven and a half feet tall. Reach down, grab it and pick it up.

LOL Thanks for all the help jas...why didn't I think of that

 

[ezmobee]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Any other ideas?

Yes. I tried variations of what you've done and it didn't work. It's stuck in the channel at the bottom. You've got to "pop" it out of there. That channel (at least on mine) shouldn't go completely to the sides of the boat. From inside the boat, pry up on the transom board from there. It should pop. I used a 2x4 to pop mine.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Yes. I tried variations of what you've done and it didn't work. It's stuck in the channel at the bottom. You've got to "pop" it out of there. That channel (at least on mine) shouldn't go completely to the sides of the boat. From inside the boat, pry up on the transom board from there. It should pop. I used a 2x4 to pop mine.

Awesome, that is actually another plan we discussed. You're right...those are the only spots that are exposed and can be pushed, hammered, pried, etc.

Thanks for the suggestion EZ.

 

[Triton II]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Good luck with it HA!

TII

 

[tomynoks]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

THAT's FUNNY!!! I was just looking at your transom pics thinkin..."Well at least it doesn't look like old crusty brown fiberglass like my transom did!!! I t crumbled to the touch!! lol... I used Auroca ? ply too...everywhere.. 2 plys, 3M 5200 and screws for the transom. In a few years, we'll see how it holds up... Glad to see everyone making progress!!!! If I ever tow mine back to MI...we'll have to all get together someplace!!!

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Good luck with it HA!

TII

Thank TII...I will be getting after it tomorrow

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Some progress! The interior transom is out. I used the method recommended by ezmobee, using something to pry it out on each corner from under the splashwell and it worked great.

This is the pry bar that we used to finally get the old transom wood out.

 

[LonLB]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Good job.

What are you using for ply? Where are you getting it?

I didn't see you mention it, but what are your plans this winter?
And BTW that heater makes me warmer just looking at it!

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Good job.

What are you using for ply? Where are you getting it?

I didn't see you mention it, but what are your plans this winter?
And BTW that heater makes me warmer just looking at it!

Thanks LonLB, I plan on using either marine grade or Aruco exterior grade for the transom. Two pieces of 3/4" sealed with epoxy resin, bonded together with PL and bolted with stainless and 3M 5200.

Overdrilling and then epoxying and drilling out the right size holes will make sure no rot will occur for at least a few years

The overall plan for the winter(since you asked):

-get the transom rebuilt
-fabricate a bit under the splashwell for batteries and gas tank storage
-finish the dash panels including tach gauge
-side panels made out of something
-paint prep
-finish or altogether redo the bow benches with a hatch in the middle section
-install newly rebuilt kicker bracket
-install teak swim step/ladder(not purchased yet)
-fix the Merc including new carbs, plugs, impeller, tuned and propped correctly
-trailer needs to be stripped and painted
-probably 8-10 other things that I will think of as time goes on

I have some cleaning up to do now and also need to order several hundred dollars worth of supplies and parts. That will happen in about 2-3 weeks when tax returns and bonus checks hopefully show up

 

[jasoutside]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Sounds like a good plan Mike! We still have plenty of winter left to get some things done, so game on

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Sounds like a good plan Mike! We still have plenty of winter left to get some things done, so game on

There's quite a bit of winter left...but it's been a great one so far

Here's a picture to keep us all motivated. Can't wait to get back out on the rig this spring/summer. Looking forward to a friendly "race" across Saginaw Bay. Even if I get this Merc 100% you might still have me on top speed with that 4.3

 

[ezmobee]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Skip the PL on bonding your transom pieces. Your already going to use epoxy so you may as well laminate with it as well. Darn good adhesive! I used PL on my Jupiter but that's cuz I was just painting it. I used epoxy on the SS.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Skip the PL on bonding your transom pieces. Your already going to use epoxy so you may as well laminate with it as well. Darn good adhesive! I used PL on my Jupiter but that's cuz I was just painting it. I used epoxy on the SS.

Cool...one less thing to worry about. One other question, as far as overdrilling and filling with epoxy and then drilling again...should I use cabosil or wood flour to thicken the epoxy on the transom?

I'm doing lots of planning in my head and that's one issue that I keep going in circles on.

I also realized that I forgot to mention that I also will be re-wiring the entire boat as well. A 6-gang fused switch box will do nicely.

I'm torn on whether or not to pursue a bow-mounted trolling motor. If my 5.5hp Johnson well-maintained it's about as reliable as a Minn Kota so I might opt to stick with gas only for a change.

We'll see.

 

[djpeters]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Cool...one less thing to worry about. One other question, as far as overdrilling and filling with epoxy and then drilling again...should I use cabosil or wood flour to thicken the epoxy on the transom?

I'm doing lots of planning in my head and that's one issue that I keep going in circles on.

I also realized that I forgot to mention that I also will be re-wiring the entire boat as well. A 6-gang fused switch box will do nicely.

I'm torn on whether or not to pursue a bow-mounted trolling motor. If my 5.5hp Johnson well-maintained it's about as reliable as a Minn Kota so I might opt to stick with gas only for a change.

We'll see.

Ya know, I mentioned that overdrilling in JA's thread quite a long time ago mostly just as a thought, and then I got to working on other parts of my boat. Tomorrow I will get back to the transom and have been pondering the exact same thing as you. I think I am going to drill the holes size for size (1/4" drill for a 1/4" bolt) and go with 5200. That should leave no room for moisture, and if I want to get this boat done I can't keep taking the long route on everything so I think that is what I am going to do. JA's way is better, but 5200 should seal it up pretty well also. It makes me wonder how my original transom made it 30 years in decent shape and it wasn't sealed at all.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Ya buddy, the way I did it definitely adds steps and work time. I do think drilling to exact size, or just a hair bigger, and running 5200 would be better than how these boats came to us! I will say that is was really nice to see epoxy chips coming out rather than wood when I was drilling out. Piece of mind you know.

Wood flour worked great for me Mike. I think you can save some time and steps if you do it right as you are building the transom and laying epoxy. By over drilling, filling, and drilling after the fact (like I did) there are a few more steps and a little more time involved.

Hey thanks for the motivation pic!