Got me a Starchief

[starcraftkid]

Re: Got me a Starchief

One of those metal car ports you see all over for $895 is money better spent. Those tent type portable garages don't last for very long. I did take one that someone threw away and cover it with an old billboard banner, that stuff lasts forever. The only problem with the used banners is that most are black Tyvek material and it gets hot inside since it don't reflect any heat.
I suppose you could paint it silver or white though.

I've seriously considered buying one of those car ports and closing the sides in and making someplace I can work on my boat in the winter.

A neighbor where I used to live in PA bought one and it wasn't quite high enough so he bought two 6x6 timbers and raised it up a bit off the ground, that led to a floor, then sides, then a door, now he's got a huge workshop.

 

[rheagler]

Re: Got me a Starchief

I don't need or want anything permanent like the carports are, also my township wouldn't approve it. I'm only looking to get 1 winter season out of it. A better solution is to find an indoor work space I could rent for 2 months, but it would have to be close enough to home to be convenient to use.

 

[rheagler]

Re: Got me a Starchief

Well, I picked this up off Ebay last weekend...


1974 Mercury 850, 85 HP 4 cylinder. It seems in good shape so far, hopefully this weekend I can get some time to evaluate it better.

It was attached to this.....


1974 Thunderbird. It drained water all the way from Connecticut to New Jersey. I don't have much hope for it to be of value, but I should get my money back on the trailer and some other parts. I'll spend some time this weekend checking it out further.

 

[Bwana Don]

Re: Got me a Starchief

People love those old Thunderbirds. You can probably find someone to take her. Nice score on the Merc.

 

[rheagler]

Re: Got me a Starchief

I decided to take this week off to work on the Starchief. I found a truck repair shop that is letting me use some space to work on it out of the weather, although today was nice enough I could have just left it at home in the yard. I made good progress stripping paint and removing stuff in the way of stripping paint. I also removed the black vinyl top material from one side, along with it's glue. That glue was a bear. I also removed the nasty chunk of plywood from the transom, I'll replace it with a nice piece of aluminum. Of course I forgot to take the camera, so I will have to take extra pics tomorrow. To partially meet the picture requirement, here is one I got from the second owner of the boat's son. It was taken in about 1977 near Philadelphia.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Got me a Starchief

That's an awesome shot! ^^^

 

[YZ165]

Re: Got me a Starchief

Great picture!^

 

[rheagler]

Re: Got me a Starchief

It is a cool picture. Right after I got the boat a friend of mine Googled "pics of starcraft aluminum boat". He found the website of the son of the second owner of my boat. I contacted him and he and his brother emailed me several pictures of the boat from when thier father owned it from 1977 until he passed away in 1992. The boat was garaged until Reelfishin bought it. Reelfishin kept it well tarped until I bought it just before starting this thread..... So today I was back at it for more fun with chemical paint remover. My back aches, my fingers and arms are all beat up, but I am having a blast removing paint! Here are pics of the progress since yesterday...

 

[erwinner]

Re: Got me a Starchief

Such a cool rig! Worth all the pain and suffering for sure. I want an OB Starcraft cuddy so much!!!

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Got me a Starchief

That's some hard work you have put behind you, nice job man!

 

[rheagler]

Re: Got me a Starchief

Thanks guys. I am actually having fun with this project. Today was day 3 of paint strippingpalooza and I can say that the topsides are done! Tomorrow I'll figure out a way to roll it on it's side to get the bottom. I have access to a forklift and most likely a bunch of truck tires. I'm kinda hoping I see a mattress in the trash on the way to the shop, or some hay bales. Anyway, here are the pics of the day, because they seem a little redundant, I'll throw in another of the vintage pics, I'm guessing it is from the 80's...

 

[rheagler]

Re: Got me a Starchief

More paint stripping today, did not work out to turn the boat over today, so more paint removal in the cockpit area. I also took off the rails and seats. I wasn't happy with the way I did the seats in the fall, I had wanted to get original style fold down seat hardware but instead I opted to order a couple short pedestals and I'll make boxes for them.
Todays progress pic...

 

[rheagler]

Re: Got me a Starchief

Another Starmada member has requested pics of the cabin interior. It ain't much to look at, the original cushions were a moldy mess when I got the boat so they are long gone. A previous owner had built up the left side bunk, I think to put in a marine toilet. I"m leaving the through hull fittings. The small one was easy to plug. The larger one I had to get creative.....

Hope these help Craig

 

[barato2]

Re: Got me a Starchief

looking great so far. i really lke the woodwork on your door but then i'm a sucker for varnished wood.

 

[rheagler]

Re: Got me a Starchief

Thanks Barato2. I'm planning on some more varnished wood for the interior, I think it helps with the vintage look. Today's progress was the final bit of roof paint removal, bow rail and more fittings removal and the beginning of the festival of sanding. Sadly I forgot to take the camera with me, and I can't get into the shop until monday. For the first time this week I stayed in the shop at lunchtime so I could do some standing and staring while I ate a slice of pizza. Staring was good, I like the way the boat is turning out. Tomorrow I hope to find time to get started on the 'new' Merc 850.

 

[MichaelP]

Re: Got me a Starchief

Staring is progress too! Looking great and your moving right along on the stripping. I also like the varnished wood look and I'm planning to do my helm, cuddy bifolds and splash well sliding doors with stain, epoxy and spar varnish. Not really sure if I have to do the epoxy step. I wavered on the seat arrangement as well. I even bought pedistals but returned them after deciding to make raised seat boxes. I like the extra storage space.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Got me a Starchief

She's gonna be a good looking Starchief. The natural wood bulkhead and door are a natural. I'm a sucker for wood grain. Keep up the good work, buddy.

 

[rheagler]

Re: Got me a Starchief

Thanks Mike & GA. When I had the boat at home I would do more staring, I'm paying rent to the truck shop, so I have been trying to keep moving. When I take it out of the truck shop, I have a connection to put it in an empty warehouse for 2 weeks rent free. I won't feel as guilty about staring then.

Michael: I hope I'm done wavering on the seats. I ordered 12" pedestals, I'll put them on 10-12" high boxes with storage. On the helm side I'm thinking of a flip down step for when driving standing. Just standing on the floor the top of the windshield is at exactly my eye level. I think I would rather look over it than through it while standing. But I want to be able to stand directly on the floor when I have the top up, even if I have to slouch a little. I hope this makes sense.

Today's progress.... I checked compression on the new to me Merc 850. cyl # ! - 130 , #2- 120, #3- 100, #4 -125. So, I've got some thinking to do. The wiring needs to be replaced, the PO said it has a fuel leak issue. There is some corrosion evident. The pluses are that it is complete, the lower unit oil showed no signs of moisture or extraordinary amounts of metal. It was dirty so I know it wasn't just changed as a tease. If I keep it, I'll rebuild it top to bottom. If I get rid of it, I've got a standing offer that I will break even for the motor and the Thunderbird & trailer it came with.

I also cut my replacement transom piece, to replace the plywood. It's 3/16" thick 5052 aluminum. I cut it with circular saw with a 40 tooth carbide blade, very slowly.
Here are the pics of the day.....


I had a sign shop I do a lot of business with make me a pair of new Starcraft emblems. They are plastic outdoor sign material cut out with a laser. I think they came out pretty nice.

Thanks for looking & Happy New Year!!

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Got me a Starchief

Man check out those Starcraft Badges, awesome! Anticipate some pm's from some of the guys regarding contact info for that sign shop. Well done!

 

[MichaelP]

Re: Got me a Starchief

Nice emblems and I'm with Jas. Your about to get pummeled with inquiries. I cut alot of aluminum on my table saw with 60t carbide with great results.

I'm a little worried about the #3 cylinder. Maybe a simple decarb to free up the rings? What the hey. If your tearig it down your probably putting new rings in anyway.