Found a Starcraft Mariner 220 '76 ... let it begin

[Watermann]

There are many here that really dislike this style of SC transom but it sure makes it nice to add on a kicker without a bracket. Most of them want to be able add a swim platform and ladder which this style does not allow for.

 

[jonnyfish]

For sure, I can see that being a problem for some who's main use would be recreation, fortunately my primary usage will be fishing, with a secondary use of rec. Ironically the guy gave me a ladder he kept in the boat which was a nice little add on.

Speaking of the kicker. I'm actually considering removing it permanently, as I rarely use a kicker for trolling (and rarely troll). It's also kind of a goofy setup as you have to start that motor manually and reposition the steering shaft ect. to get it all going. It also runs on it's own fuel tank, kind of a hassle to dink with from my perspective.

Regarding weight ratio's and distribution, how much weight in the front of the boat might be too much? I'll be bolting on a new trolling motor up there, which is a pretty standard add on, but this trolling motor is a 36V, so I'll have 3 batteries in the bow, that together weigh somewhere in the 150lb range I'd guess, should I be concerned with this?

 

[Watermann]

That weight is nothing to even worry about with a 22'r, sure would be a concern for a 16'r.

 

[jonnyfish]

Another quick question as it's all hands on deck this weekend and the project gets started tonight, how do I get the transom caps off of the back?

I've been digging around on posts but this particular detail seems to be often skipped over.

 

[Watermann]

Transom cap, if stock SC spiral nails then it's a wrecking bar with the nail puller end to bang on the head to get the nail started coming out and then the puller. Of course you have to take those motors off first. :lol:

End caps should just be screws.

 

[ezmobee]

FYI that piece of wood on the outside of the transom doesn't need to be replaced. I omitted it on both my restores. It's unnecessary, newer boats don't have them. All they do it compress from the motor thus splaying out the wood plys which then leak and rot. So ditch it or replace it with something non-wood. Good luck this weekend.

 

[jonnyfish]

ezmobee I heard it's not needed at all. Is that true

 

[Watermann]

That's right, the wooden motor pad is not needed. Some of us put the pad back on although not wood. I used AL to form one because there was pitting underneath from the wood and that was a great way to cover it up.

 

[jonnyfish]

How did you guys disconnect all of the wiring to the motor?

 

[DLNorth]

If you don't get an answer here, go over to the Merc section of this site and ask there.

I'm of no help, as I haven't figured out how to remove it from my '85 yet, which is completely different than my '76.

Dan

 

[ezmobee]

How did you guys disconnect all of the wiring to the motor?

At least on a Johnson/Evinrude it's far easier to disconnect things on the motor side than from the control box.

 

[Watermann]

Pop the motor top, disconnect the control cables and unplug wire harness from the motor.

 

[jonnyfish]

No Title

Unfortunately, we did not do the transom this weekend. Disappointing is an understatement as this is something I really wanted to do. The problem came down to not feeling confident in unwiring the motor, the image attached was the main culprit that made us concerned.

I'm not sure if that entire block comes off to make removal easier, but we couldn't see a way to do that if there is one. The steering column would also not pull all the way out. I ended up doing some easier things on the boat, got the kicker off, mounted a new trolling motor, mounted my depth finders. Cleaned up the metal on the backside of the transom and got a transom saver. But all in all I'm disappointed I couldn't accomplish the task I had set out to do.

And now I have another problem to solve regarding how to disconnect the motor.

 

[Watermann]

Johnny you don't disconnect the entire wiring harness on the motor. Follow the main wire cable where it passes through the motor hood. Mine has a single exterior plug but yours I think has a plug inside under the hood that goes to the motor harness.

 

[jonnyfish]

Awesome, I'll have to take a look, if that's the case that would certainly make that task less daunting. Both of us were a little confused as to how removing motors would be sane if we had to keep track of where all the wires went.

Regarding the steering column, I could not get it to completely unattach from the sheeth. Does the motor need to be lifted up to do this? It seemed like we ran out of real estate with the splash well

 

[Watermann]

You can't get the steering cable all the way out with the motor attached, you have to pull it and move it away while suspended.

 

[jonnyfish]

Thanks for all of your help Watermann this has definitely been a learning process on my end.

 

[64osby]

There are many here that really dislike this style of SC transom but it sure makes it nice to add on a kicker without a bracket. Most of them want to be able add a swim platform and ladder which this style does not allow for.

My solution.

 

[Watermann]

Now that ^^^ is a super smart solution :thumb: Did you cover that ladder addition in your Mariner thread?

 

[64osby]

Now that ^^^ is a super smart solution :thumb: Did you cover that ladder addition in your Mariner thread?

Why yes I did. :lol: The ladder was salvaged off an old Hurricane deck boat. The deck was custom. I will pop up the rear rod holder to use as a hand hold when climbing. The ladder has worked great, makes getting out of the water super easy.