i have 1966 starcraft help plzzzz

[dloveb]

i bought a 1966 starcraft boat. i dont even know what type or model it is .. guy i bought it from built new decks front and rear..kind of like a bass boat. only problem is he completly removed steering cable throttle linkages and motor.. so yes im wondering where in the world to find steering cable and other things to make it remote steering.. i have small jon boats but this is my first real boat.. im wanting to get it all fixed up so me and my son can take it out... i got a 4 hp motor on it now ..but i want it to have steering and buy a bigger motor...so any help at all. would be very greatful...im a mechanic shop owner..so im pretty good at fixing or putting things togther...just need some help to steer me the right way..thank u..ill add some pics when i figure out how to post thgem on here

 

[boatnut74]

Re: i have 1966 starcraft help plzzzz

Fist off welcome to the drydock! Some pictures would help us identify your boat and tell you how big of motor you can run. It is never a good idea to overpower a boat. On your steering question there are several places you can buy a remote steering kit (including here at iboats) and they are reasonably priced. http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=410147 This shows you how to post pictures. If you have a photobucket account it's pretty simple. (if not it's free to sign up )

 

[slim6969]

Re: i have 1966 starcraft help plzzzz

try your local classifieds you might get lucky and find somthing there for a good price that has everything you need also like boatnut says iboats is a good start to

 

[dloveb]

Re: i have 1966 starcraft help plzzzz

here is a picture of inside i need to take more of the sides tomm.. and post them

 

[slim6969]

Re: i have 1966 starcraft help plzzzz

how long is it 14ft?

 

[dloveb]

Re: i have 1966 starcraft help plzzzz

yes but if i measure from front to back its like 14'9 title says 14'0

 

[slim6969]

Re: i have 1966 starcraft help plzzzz

so you dont want to drive it from the back ? a 9.9 to 15 hp would be good i would not go any bigger then a 15

 

[dloveb]

Re: i have 1966 starcraft help plzzzz

i have a 5 hp little motor but would like to have bigger motor with remote steering...just wondering if 25 hp would be too much its fiberglass trihull

 

[kfa4303]

Re: i have 1966 starcraft help plzzzz

25 hp is probably about the max for that boat, but it's as much a matter of weight as it is overall hp. Check to see if there is a hull ID plate or max hp rating on the boat. Older, vintage motors weigh considerably less than their modern, 4-stroke counterparts, so you can often use a higher hp. Here's a chart that can help you calculate the size motor you can safely use.


View attachment USCG HP rating guide.pdf

 

[jasoutside]

Re: i have 1966 starcraft help plzzzz

just wondering if 25 hp would be too much its fiberglass trihull

So wait...

We are looking at a fiberglass tri hull right?

If that's the case, 25 hp would be minimum I'd think. Course, I'd want to be very sure of the transom condition in an old glasser

 

[dloveb]

Re: i have 1966 starcraft help plzzzz

how can i tell what kind of shape my transom is in ..it seems pretty sturdy from feel ..but it a rather old boat...and the guy i bought it from had the whole inside rhino lined.. and the outside too..doesnt look to bad ,,looks alright..but the transom dont know my first real boat ,,im a newbie..i have older jon boats.. another question when measuring my transom do i measure from the top center to bottom center where the drain plug is..cause if i do it measures bout 25 inches..so do i need long shaft motor,,,but if i measure to the side of the drain plug ...its about 18 or 19 inches...dony know how to determine this either...some help please,,lol ..dont want to buy wrong size shaft motor

 

[dloveb]

Re: i have 1966 starcraft help plzzzz

it does have a hull id number,,can i use this to figure out what model i have and the hp restrictions on it..my title just says 1966 starcraft..so i ont what model it is ..like i said im new at this..

 

[slim6969]

Re: i have 1966 starcraft help plzzzz

you could try tapping the transom with a small hammer (not to hard) and see if theres a sound diff also if you dont mind drilling a small hole and looking at the shavings as they come out you would be looking to see if they look wet theres also the jump test but your boat is to small for that there might be other ways but im not sure what they are i think you have it right with the 25inches Measure from the top of your transom to the bottom of your keel. If it is 15" to 17" you'll need a "short shaft" outboard. If it is from 20" to 22" you'll need a "long shaft"

 

[slim6969]

Re: i have 1966 starcraft help plzzzz

you said you have a small outboard right ? you can put that on and trim it up to a 45 then press down on it kind of hard and watch for and stress cracks to open up also watch to see how muchit moves if it looks like it moves /bows alot then you need a new one

 

[dloveb]

Re: i have 1966 starcraft help plzzzz

ok i will try n see how sturdy the transom is

 

[1988Starcraft]

Re: i have 1966 starcraft help plzzzz

For what it's worth my 14 foot aluminum Starcraft Fisherman is rated for up to 35 horsepower based on the Coast Guard rating plate on the transom. I have a 28 horsepower Evinrude and the boat goes plenty fast for me. A fiberglass boat would be a lot heavier and probably could use more horsepower if speed is important to you. My boat has a small, simple, side console and all the cables run down the starboard side. You might be able to find a similar console in someone's old boat or build one out of wood. If you build it put a short windshield on it. Mine doesn't have one and driving around during early season fishing trips can be pretty cold. All that my console has on it are the switches for the running lights and the live well pump, the kill switch, the ignition switch, and the steering wheel of course. I never have replaced the steering cable but I have done the throttle and shift cables and the local marine supply store had them in stock so I think they must be pretty universal. Here's a picture of my console, shift/throttle in my newly refurbished 14 footer. It's just forward of the rear seat. Hope this gives you some ideas. 1988 Starcraft

 

[dloveb]

Re: i have 1966 starcraft help plzzzz

good deal that looks bout like what i would want thank u....for the fiberglassers out there have questions if someone could help,,,god just noticed in the back bottom of inside my boat.. there is the hole for the main drain plug..and the little valley where my bilge sits up above it on both sides there are two more plugs..what are they for ...and yes sticking my finger in them there is quite bit of moisture..god hope its not bad news...not to smart but im thinking there shouldnt be dirty wet grimy stuff in there.. took the boat out last week..and it seemed to be fine.. so im hoping its not taking water in from somewhere justbought the boat..so any guidence would be great...like i said first time owning a boat..so not keen to all this...im car mechanic..not a boat mechanic.....

 

[dloveb]

Re: i have 1966 starcraft help plzzzz

my transom seems to have past the tap test .putting my small outboard on pushing down on it seems sturdy..so i think im good there ..just worried bout the moisture and dirty grimy stuff in those inside two holes with plugs in them ...dont know what they are for...help plzzzzzz

 

[dloveb]

Re: i have 1966 starcraft help plzzzz

and my transom length was almost 25 inches.. so iam guessing i need longshaft motor...my small out board iput to the side of my keel..last week when i ran it so it was down enough in the water..because its a short shaft 4 hp sea king ..shaft bout 16 inches ..seemed to work fine...but before i go putting money into another motor or strying to set up remote steering...def..need to figure out if my hull is taking in water because of the moiusture i found in the two holes above my bilge

 

[kfa4303]

Re: i have 1966 starcraft help plzzzz

You probably will have to get a longshaft motor with a transom that high. Thankfully, most vintage motors can be converted. To do so you'd need a longer driveshaft, water uptake tube(s), lower shift rod and exhaust housing extension. It may sound like a lot, but you just remove the old short shaft bit, install the new longer replacement parts and bolt it up to the motor and voila!