I Guess I'm a Tin-Head-

[170freedom]

I just found a 1973 18' starcraft- I believe it is a starchief cuddy. I have a 2004 fourwinns- but this starcraft scream classic lines!!! I bought it and the trailer for $300 bucks. It runs, and just needs to be restored. I am gonna install a new transom, new floors, and I need to replace the wall on the cuddy. I cant believe how cool these old boats are!! This one has a different engine than others I 've seen. Mine has a inline 6, not the typical merc 120-4 cylinder. I am trying to read how to do the transom replacement. I have seen alot of how 2's thus far. I guess the most important question I have- What is the best way to remove the top,cap, or whatever it is called from the top of the transome?? I am still trying to figure out why someone put the 6 cylinder in this boat, i'm sure its not stock. Ok, I have pics- but i am supposed to have a "url"??

 

[170freedom]

Re: I Guess I'm a Tin-Head-

Here are a ouple of pics

 

[170freedom]

Re: I Guess I'm a Tin-Head-

a couple more- I guess she was worth 300 bucks???

 

[170freedom]

Re: I Guess I'm a Tin-Head-

I really have my work cut out for me, any advice would be helpfull. Thanks in advance.

 

[starcrafter65]

Re: I Guess I'm a Tin-Head-

$300 bucks - think of what you spend on groceries every week! Of course it's worth it!

 

[170freedom]

Re: I Guess I'm a Tin-Head-

I took those pics where I found it as it stood with my cell phone. The prior owner used it last summer, and then over the winter started pulling it apart. He said that the engine ran sweet, I did a compression ck, all seems good. I want to set her up for fishing. I will probably get alot of heat from the other members, but I live in Pensacola Fl. And this boat is so light compared to my old boat, I am gonna set her in saltwater, 3 days a week. I just found a guy who will convert it to a heat exchanger cooling system. I would hope the engine will last a bit longer. Cant wait to take her out thru the pass and set some hooks!!!!!

 

[motorpsykler]

Re: I Guess I'm a Tin-Head-

You stole that boat for $300. Don't worry about setting it up for fishing. Sure there are purists here, but there are plenty of anglers here as well. I say it's all good, set it up the way you want it and use it. You're keeping another old boat on the water and that's a great thing!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: I Guess I'm a Tin-Head-

Great find! As long as you don't cut the cuddy off it and turn it into a center console, we won't mind

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: I Guess I'm a Tin-Head-

Nice score for $300

That rig will be great for fishing and it sounds like you are up for the job of breathing some new life into her

 

[170freedom]

Re: I Guess I'm a Tin-Head-

I only plan to restore her to her original condition. These are truly awesome looking boats!! I believe they look like an old classic wood style, just made of aluminum. OK- I have read a couple of how too's on the transom, however, they both were outboards, since i have a in/out, is it kinda the same transom build??? Maybe I havent found the right link yet on a in/out transom job. Thx for the support-

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: I Guess I'm a Tin-Head-

If I were you I'd take some time to read NB's Sunchief thread and wrfalpacas' Starchief thread.

Both boats are I/O's and both are in great restored condition after lots of hard work and some help from iboats

 

[jasoutside]

Re: I Guess I'm a Tin-Head-

Hey freedom, sweet deal man!!!! Welcome to iboats and way to go!! Great guys around here to help us both out! Just click on my rebuild link below and check out my transom job - it's out. I have a similar rig but you'd have less issues than what I have to deal with. Mine has a giant hole in it's backside

HAVE FUN!

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: I Guess I'm a Tin-Head-

WOW! $300 bux?
I would have driven up there for that!
I think the 165 is stock, or was an option, but hey either way they are great motors and 25 to 45 more seahorse power than typical..I call that a bonus!

I look forward to watching your progress!

 

[wrfalpacas]

Re: I Guess I'm a Tin-Head-

WOW! Nice find, These boats are a lot of fun to restore, take a lookat the starchief thread in my sig line, Let me know if you have any questions. HA said it right, I wouldn't have had a chance in heck of restoring mine without iboats

 

[170freedom]

Re: I Guess I'm a Tin-Head-

Well, 3 hrs of work and the engine/drive/housing are out and the transom is bare aluminum, with the exception of a good scrubbing. Perfect day down here to be out working on projects. Transom wood was shot, crumbled, so now I have to make a template, I also need to figure out how to make a template for the piece that goes from port to starbord above the engine. The dog house stops against it- sorry for the lack of words, do really know what its called. The only wood that was saved, are the pieces of wood that connect the transom to the front piece under the cap I took of to access the transom. Again, sorry for no proper technical terms.

 

[timfives]

Re: I Guess I'm a Tin-Head-

Well, 3 hrs of work and the engine/drive/housing are out and the transom is bare aluminum, with the exception of a good scrubbing. Perfect day down here to be out working on projects. Transom wood was shot, crumbled, so now I have to make a template, I also need to figure out how to make a template for the piece that goes from port to starbord above the engine. The dog house stops against it- sorry for the lack of words, do really know what its called. The only wood that was saved, are the pieces of wood that connect the transom to the front piece under the cap I took of to access the transom. Again, sorry for no proper technical terms.

Welcome!! and great boat.. I'm in the process of doing the same, take a look at my thread, may give you some insight.

Ask questions, and enjoy the restore.

T

 

[timfives]

Re: I Guess I'm a Tin-Head-

Well, 3 hrs of work and the engine/drive/housing are out and the transom is bare aluminum, with the exception of a good scrubbing. Perfect day down here to be out working on projects. Transom wood was shot, crumbled, so now I have to make a template, I also need to figure out how to make a template for the piece that goes from port to starbord above the engine. The dog house stops against it- sorry for the lack of words, do really know what its called. The only wood that was saved, are the pieces of wood that connect the transom to the front piece under the cap I took of to access the transom. Again, sorry for no proper technical terms.

One method of making a template would be to get some strips of wood, old yard sticks, firing strips etc. then place them against the inside of the transom. In effect tracing the outside edges. Tack them all together and you would have yourself an effective template.

T

 

[170freedom]

Re: I Guess I'm a Tin-Head-

Thanks for the idea, I will ponder on it. I might just do it the old fashion way- Measure, and lay out. I appreciate all the advice from the members here. I cant imagine having a flawless boat like the ones I've seen on here. I want to actually use mine daily, down here it gets kinda rough at times. I have seen many $$$$NICE$$$$ boats get smashed into docks, trailer guides, etc etc. I am gonna touch up some nicks on my very weather'd original white paint, redo the floors, sides, cabin wall, and use the hell out of this old girl. "sorry to all the purists". I got her for use, and I intend to use her. I would be ashamed to bring her up to one of your meets- it would be the ugly duckling on the pond-haha.

 

[170freedom]

Re: I Guess I'm a Tin-Head-

FYI- I am desperately looking for a bow hatch cover. The guy I bought her from said it was in the pile of parts in the hull-- ooops!!! I should have checked, cause its not. ANY IDEAS ANYONE??? Thanks again,
Joe

 

[jasoutside]

Re: I Guess I'm a Tin-Head-

FYI- I am desperately looking for a bow hatch cover. The guy I bought her from said it was in the pile of parts in the hull-- ooops!!! I should have checked, cause its not. ANY IDEAS ANYONE??? Thanks again,
Joe

Check this out...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/86-S...at_Parts_Accessories_Gear?hash=item2c46f7208d

I'm pretty sure that it won't be stock for you as I am betting your hatch corners are more rounded - but it may work??

Cheers!