wrunner74
Seaman Apprentice
- Joined
- Mar 27, 2016
- Messages
- 41
Recently I acquired a 1974 Starcraft Super Sport with a Mercury 500 (50hp) from a relative for a dollar. I know this boat was one owner and I actually learned to water ski behind this very same boat. Because it was always stored indoors, after 42 year this boat is still in very good condition and the hull has no dents, scrapes whatsoever, but it needs to be updated to the 21st century. I have some ideas, but if anyone out there that has any ideas or suggestions, please let me know. I will post photos soon.
Here are a few of my concerns...
1. The motor looks showroom new. It started right up but no tell tale water output. I rebuilt the water pump and when reassemble, it worked for a few minutes, but the water slowly slopped flowing out the tell tale. However, warm water was felt coming out above the cavitation plate. I'm guessing all the water that enters the engine is not passed out the tell tale and that is it's own tap circuit off the engine block. I am wondering where the bulk of cooling water goes after circulating the engine?
My suspicion is that the old water pump impeller, which was completely destroyed had sent pieces of its fins up into the engine where they rattle around and eventually find the tell tale water path and clog the small opening. I've blown air into the tell tale hole and I can here air coming out down near the water pump. I'll try running it again today. Any advice on this is welcome.
2. The floor. I'm a much bigger guy these days pushing three bills, so I worry about the floor decking. I've seen old camper floor start sagging and the floor does seem bad at all, but I am thinking about adding a 1/4 or 1/2 inch plywood and carpeting. Good idea or bad?
3. The seats. They are ion good condition but they are too low for my liking, about 8 or 9 inches off the floor. I am wondering if anyone has installed pedestal seats in a super sport and what is the best height. I see a lot of seats on eBay, but not sure what type of pedestal would work best.
4. Electronics. The nav lights work, but it has a old bulky Lawrence sonar unit from the 1980's. I just ordered a new Lawrence Elite 5 HDI Combo unit that was closeout priced at $300 to replace it. Anyone interested in the old unit? I'm adding a Pyle stereo with weather band and four speakers. I'm also going to run water proof LED rope lights the length of the boat, the 16 foot lights fit perfectly under the gunwale as indirect lighting. The hosrn shot so I picked up a nice 9" electric trumpet horn on eBay, I'll let you know how it sounds when I get it.
5. Retiring the rag top. Again, being a big guy, there's no point keeping the 42 year old rag top, as it's way too low for my 6'4" height. Again, this could be sold to anyone interested. It's in considerably good shape. I'll likely replace it with a Bimini top I saw on Amazon for about $150.
6. Bow rails. I like them and they are in showroom condition, but they make it impossible to install a trolling motor. I'm using this boat primarily for fishing, so I'm investigating any workarounds before I am forced to remove them. Again, I'd consider selling the bow rails if removed.
7. Paint. I'd really like to nix the old sky blue color. The hull needs no paint as it looks like it was recently painted (found out it was) but that blue has got to go...any paint type suggestions...I'm not a painter.
That's about it. I'll be working on her today, testing the cooling and installing the stereo and lights. Any comments suggestions are welcome.
Here are a few of my concerns...
1. The motor looks showroom new. It started right up but no tell tale water output. I rebuilt the water pump and when reassemble, it worked for a few minutes, but the water slowly slopped flowing out the tell tale. However, warm water was felt coming out above the cavitation plate. I'm guessing all the water that enters the engine is not passed out the tell tale and that is it's own tap circuit off the engine block. I am wondering where the bulk of cooling water goes after circulating the engine?
My suspicion is that the old water pump impeller, which was completely destroyed had sent pieces of its fins up into the engine where they rattle around and eventually find the tell tale water path and clog the small opening. I've blown air into the tell tale hole and I can here air coming out down near the water pump. I'll try running it again today. Any advice on this is welcome.
2. The floor. I'm a much bigger guy these days pushing three bills, so I worry about the floor decking. I've seen old camper floor start sagging and the floor does seem bad at all, but I am thinking about adding a 1/4 or 1/2 inch plywood and carpeting. Good idea or bad?
3. The seats. They are ion good condition but they are too low for my liking, about 8 or 9 inches off the floor. I am wondering if anyone has installed pedestal seats in a super sport and what is the best height. I see a lot of seats on eBay, but not sure what type of pedestal would work best.
4. Electronics. The nav lights work, but it has a old bulky Lawrence sonar unit from the 1980's. I just ordered a new Lawrence Elite 5 HDI Combo unit that was closeout priced at $300 to replace it. Anyone interested in the old unit? I'm adding a Pyle stereo with weather band and four speakers. I'm also going to run water proof LED rope lights the length of the boat, the 16 foot lights fit perfectly under the gunwale as indirect lighting. The hosrn shot so I picked up a nice 9" electric trumpet horn on eBay, I'll let you know how it sounds when I get it.
5. Retiring the rag top. Again, being a big guy, there's no point keeping the 42 year old rag top, as it's way too low for my 6'4" height. Again, this could be sold to anyone interested. It's in considerably good shape. I'll likely replace it with a Bimini top I saw on Amazon for about $150.
6. Bow rails. I like them and they are in showroom condition, but they make it impossible to install a trolling motor. I'm using this boat primarily for fishing, so I'm investigating any workarounds before I am forced to remove them. Again, I'd consider selling the bow rails if removed.
7. Paint. I'd really like to nix the old sky blue color. The hull needs no paint as it looks like it was recently painted (found out it was) but that blue has got to go...any paint type suggestions...I'm not a painter.
That's about it. I'll be working on her today, testing the cooling and installing the stereo and lights. Any comments suggestions are welcome.
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If you do a google search for boat handrail bullet end fitting you will find a real nice way to finish off the tube end of your bow rail if you cut it off about 2-3 inches in front to the forward mount on each side, will give you lots of room for a bow mount. Iboats sells them but there is no picture for reference.
