Converting a 79 18' Starcraft V5 to a Bowrider???!!!

[big_moose]

I have purchased a 18' 79 Holiday. I would like to make use of the bow for extra seating. Has anyone attempted to covert this type of boat to a bowrider. As I am just getting to know about this brand of boat, I understand that the "SS" is the same but in a bowrider. Can anyone give me any tips before I start this project???

 

[bassboy1]

Re: Converting a 79 18' Starcraft V5 to a Bowrider???!!!

Why on earth did you post it again? First of all, if you don't feel it had enough responses, respond to your own post, and just say Bump, or TTT (to the top) or something. Every time something gets posted, that thread moves to the top of the page.

Secondly, what was the matter with Chinewalkers advice? Getting another boat would be much easier, and fewer people would HATE you for TRASHING a perfectly good classic. There are MANY aluminum boats that fit what you want, and you wouldn't have any trouble getting them EXACTLY the way you want it. Ditch it and get another boat, or just suck it up and live with what you have got. BTW, if your boat is in good condition, there are people who love classics, but don't feel they have the skill to restore them.(Everyone can do anything, they just have to put their minds to it.) If marketed where enough of these types of people can see the listing, you should be able to get top dollar for it.
The same goes if it is in bad condition. Their are MANY people who LOVE restoring old boats, and if marketed the right way, you can get a pretty good price for it. But, by all means, don't trash it.

 

[big_moose]

Re: Converting a 79 18' Starcraft V5 to a Bowrider???!!!

You must be from the Iboats Thread police. If you noticed I posted in a different forum! Not everyone reading the Starcraft forum may have seen the post. I may be new to this site, but I have been on many other ones I know what TTT means. I muchly appreciated Chinewalkers advice. You on the other hand have offered nothing constructive.

"Secondly" if you feel that moding a classic is unheard of, how do feel about a restored 60's muscel car, let me guess it would have to come back to life just the way it began life... bone stock. The thing is there is nothing wrong with that. But there far more people out there who want to make the things they have unique, it's not always about taking the easy road!!

I like Starcraft boats. I live in Canada. There is no large number of these boats available in any model here. I'm not about to start tripping North America, when I have something to work with in my back yard.

I hope this forum has better advice to offer.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Converting a 79 18' Starcraft V5 to a Bowrider???!!!

While it is Possible to Do,.......

You're biting off a Big Job,......
That forward deck provides Alot of structure,+ support for the Hull.......

IF you reinforce the hull,...... It Might work......
But,.......
I'd take Bassboy's advice,+ trade your boat for What you Want............

 

[bassboy1]

Re: Converting a 79 18' Starcraft V5 to a Bowrider???!!!

You must be from the Iboats Thread police. If you noticed I posted in a different forum! Not everyone reading the Starcraft forum may have seen the post. I may be new to this site, but I have been on many other ones I know what TTT means. I muchly appreciated Chinewalkers advice. You on the other hand have offered nothing constructive.

"Secondly" if you feel that moding a classic is unheard of, how do feel about a restored 60's muscel car, let me guess it would have to come back to life just the way it began life... bone stock. The thing is there is nothing wrong with that. But there far more people out there who want to make the things they have unique, it's not always about taking the easy road!!

I like Starcraft boats. I live in Canada. There is no large number of these boats available in any model here. I'm not about to start tripping North America, when I have something to work with in my back yard.

I hope this forum has better advice to offer.

Woops. I didn't remember that I saw this in the starcraft forum, seeing as I hardly ever venture in there. Thought I saw it here. My mistake. Disregard my first statement regarding that.
Secondly, there is a fine line between "moding" and changing completely.
I see no problem with moding an old classic. But when somebody cuts the back half of the body off, and turns it into a pickup truck, I see a problem. What you are doing is a tad more than just moding. I am not the only one with this viewpoint regarding bow covers on classic boats. Spend a bit of time in the alumacraft forum, and you will find others.

Now, if you feel so compelled, go ahead, I won't stop you. I am just a Georgia hillbilly over a thousand miles away. There is nothing I can do.

 

[iwombat]

Re: Converting a 79 18' Starcraft V5 to a Bowrider???!!!

What bond-o said is exactly right. I have a '78 SS bowrider, and I've looked at the hull reinforcement differences between that and it's closed bow cousin. They are not insignificant. The bowrider has more reinforcing ribs and structure under the floor.

All that being said, you could probably put in a casting platform a few inches below the gunwhale and still maintain the structure you need. Just don't be looking for anything floor height up front w/o adding a lot of aluminum.

 

[FastOrange]

Re: Converting a 79 18' Starcraft V5 to a Bowrider???!!!

I'm glad you and bass boy can smoke the peace pipe now, but if you got a big hard-on for a bow-rider why not just strap a lawn-chair to the bow and hit the gas. Easy and a cheap fix without ruining a beautiful boat.

 

[big_moose]

Re: Converting a 79 18' Starcraft V5 to a Bowrider???!!!

I might be a redneck, but you sound like a moron fast orange! I'd love to see your boat, probably something out of the Beverly Hillbilly's.