'79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

[Huron Angler]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

So I'm thinking that since I can barely get 2 pieces for my transom out of one 4x8 sheet...I should go ahead and get a sheet of marine grade to see what all the fuss is about.

I know folks have gotten it at Menard's locally, last year at this time I could not locate any in the Lansing area. Hopefully they have it in stock since I'm not going to ship plywood.

I'll just go with Aruco ply from Lowe's otherwise.

Can't wait to get going on some more items, but I will need to wait a bit for my boat budget to come in here in a couple weeks.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Hey buddy, they won't have any in stock but they will order it for you at no extra cost. I ordered 2 sheets but I think they will even get you just 1 if that is all you need. They got it in pretty quick actually, just a few days if memory serves me. You have a Menard's just on the west side of Lansing there, eh? I think I paid like $75 for a sheet of 3/4".

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

I just spoke to a guy at Menard's and you are correct, they can order one sheet of 3/4" for about 70 bucks.

He did mention that folks have been using ext grade for boat projects quite a bit and it may not be worth the cost. I guess he does not work on commission

I'm really on the fence here, since I could score a nice teak swim step for the amount saved by going with ext grade??

 

[jasoutside]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Well, I will say this...

For my future projects, Auraco Ply will be my go to for transom, deck, and the like. Like you, I can think of plenty of ways to spend that 50% savings

 

[fshngho]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Mike, Auraco ply and epoxy will outlive us all. Don't make it too easy on your great grandchildren.

 

[Azlo]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

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

Love this pic Huron. It seems peaceful. Secret place were u go think about things and do a little drinking,

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Well, I will say this...

For my future projects, Auraco Ply will be my go to for transom, deck, and the like. Like you, I can think of plenty of ways to spend that 50% savings

Mike, Auraco ply and epoxy will outlive us all. Don't make it too easy on your great grandchildren.

OK I agree, ext grade auraco it is.

Love this pic Huron. It seems peaceful. Secret place were u go think about things and do a little drinking,

Thanks Azlo, that's up north on Lake Huron, with a view of Middle Island, Canada is the next thing you hit other than that...wish I was there now (course it's frozen right now)

 

[GLG fishing]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

So I have been following your thread and I see you have mentioned that you want to put on a new kicker bracket for your trolling motor. Have you thought of modifying your transom to attach the kicker straight to that? I helped my buddy do his transom last year and we did that and it has turned out well. His tie bar sits on the front of each motor and does not have to be removed when lifting either motor. The transom area where the kicker sits is about 2 inches higher that where the main sits. This was needed to clear the mains steering tube rod. We also had to grind off some excess metal on the kicker to get full lock-to-lock steering. Like I mentioned this modification has worked out very well and was easy to do. Another plus would be the cost savings of not buying another kicker bracket.

This modification was on a 18 foot Holiday so I?m not sure it would work on a 16 foot SS.

GLG

 

[ezmobee]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

So I have been following your thread and I see you have mentioned that you want to put on a new kicker bracket for your trolling motor. Have you thought of modifying your transom to attach the kicker straight to that?

http://users.sisqtel.net/jkriz/Outrage/Kicker/

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

GLG I have seen some set up with a EZ steer, they are pretty slick and make it a breeze when trolling for salmon.

I already bought the kicker bracket a while back, so I will be using it for at least a convenient spot for a minn kota.

I'm not sure if I'm going to tie in the kicker to the steering, I've had very good luck just using the Merc lower unit as a rudder

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

I got some work done on the rig tonight. Mostly cleaning with the shop vac, metals shavings from drilling out screws and such.

I bought another kerosene heater from my buddy. It cranks out way more heat than my other one, we got the boat garage up to the mid 40s in only a couple hours.

I had the data plate the NB hooked me up with out to think about possible locations for it.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

OK guys I'm gonna be making some serious progress starting this weekend

I do have a couple questions before I waste some boat funds on unnecessary items.

Should I be looking into getting a piece of aluminum cut to match the transom wood...to make an interior skin?

Or will it be fine with epoxy resin, coated with either paint or spar varnish for UV protection?

Also related to the Merc...should I maybe have my mobile mechanic take a look at the carbs before I order two brand new ones? It seems like maybe they could be cleaned/soaked and rebuilt?

This is the first outboard that I've taken apart so I don't want to waste time and money for no good reason.

I will be getting some Aruco ply from Menard's tonight, the stuff from Lowe's was terrible and almost the same price as the aruco, which looks perfect with no voids and it's actually flat.

I had a good experiece the first time around with clarkcraft.com for epoxy so I'm gonna stick with those guys. Wooden boat makers tend to use good resin so I like their products.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

OK guys I'm gonna be making some serious progress starting this weekend

We'll hold ya to it!

Should I be looking into getting a piece of aluminum cut to match the transom wood...to make an interior skin?

Nah. Put the time and money into other cool stuff for the SS

Or will it be fine with epoxy resin, coated with either paint or spar varnish for UV protection?

Makes perfect sense to me man

Can't help on that Merc sorry. I am pretty sure I'll just go with an IO on my Jet, so much easier to work on you know

 

[djpeters]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

OK guys I'm gonna be making some serious progress starting this weekend

I do have a couple questions before I waste some boat funds on unnecessary items.

Should I be looking into getting a piece of aluminum cut to match the transom wood...to make an interior skin?

Or will it be fine with epoxy resin, coated with either paint or spar varnish for UV protection?

Also related to the Merc...should I maybe have my mobile mechanic take a look at the carbs before I order two brand new ones? It seems like maybe they could be cleaned/soaked and rebuilt?

This is the first outboard that I've taken apart so I don't want to waste time and money for no good reason.

I will be getting some Aruco ply from Menard's tonight, the stuff from Lowe's was terrible and almost the same price as the aruco, which looks perfect with no voids and it's actually flat.

I had a good experiece the first time around with clarkcraft.com for epoxy so I'm gonna stick with those guys. Wooden boat makers tend to use good resin so I like their products.

My inner transom has no skin and won't see the light of day so I'm leaving it as is. (Epoxy Coated)

Unless your carbs are physically broken, there should be no reason a rebuild won't make them as good as new ones. I guess you have to weigh the cost of the kit + labor and choose.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Jason they did have an I/O in '68 for the 16' Jupiter that put out a whopping 80hp...more like 70hp once it got to the prop probably. (not sure if any still exist as they were probably slower than my Minn Kota).

Sounds like two votes against the aluminum skin. I think they might just trap water in places where it shouldn't be anyway?

I'm getting ready to order a three-blade prop but I'm gonna wait until I check compression and look at the carbs.

I'm lookin at a 15 pitch Hustler for about $100. No idea if that would be the correct pitch for my set up, would need to test it with a tach this spring.

I might be better off investing in a newer outboard depending on what we find out. There are two spots on the engine block where compression was noted, and the numbers were good.

The only reason for skepticism is that the last date was 1984 I believe.:facepalm:

 

[ezmobee]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

There should be little reason to completely replace the carbs. The rebuild kits replace about anything that would wear out. If I had had the metal, I probably would have skinned my transom but that's up to you.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Huh, maybe I'll just drop the V6 into the Jet then and find something bigger for the Islander. There is a 7.4 454 under the hood of my Burb

Your SS would love a new OB I bet

 

[tomynoks]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

Sounds like two votes against the aluminum skin. I think they might just trap water in places where it shouldn't be anyway?

I viote against the skin as well, for the same reasons.. trapped water... cost... I think it's unnecessary. I coated both sides of my transom w/ System 3 epoxy...probably 3 coats and then bright white paint..

I agree on the carbs too... no sense buying new when you can rebuild.. the kits are inexpensive (ebay) and fairly simple to do. I rebuilt the carbs on my old '69 Johnny and it was simple...even for an idiot like me..

I used Aruaco ply on my transom, deck, sidepanels...everything... I love it.. I think if it is properly sealed, it should hold up for a long time! I too will be bustin' *ss this weekend! It's supposed to be in the mid-70's here so... it will be great to work outside!!!

 

[jasoutside]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

It's supposed to be in the mid-70's here so... it will be great to work outside!!!

Oh yah, well the sky opened up and I saw the sun today for 10 minutes today.

Ok, it was more like 8 minutes. I just rounded up.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

There should be little reason to completely replace the carbs. The rebuild kits replace about anything that would wear out. If I had had the metal, I probably would have skinned my transom but that's up to you.

Had to argue with that logic. Thanks for the info.

If I can find some free aluminum I might go that route. With scrap prices being what they are there's no such thing as free metal anymore so I'll probably leave it epoxy/spar varnish and go fishing.