New owner: 1964 Starcraft Jet

[ezmobee]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Congrats, that's half the battle right there! I bought my project without testing the motor at all (got such a good deal I figured I could part it out if it was dead). I was quite ecstatic also when it fired up. It also made my wife resent the purchase a good deal less

 

[Gibbles]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Nice score!


I picked one up last year with a good running 20hp mercury (slow but steady ).

it came with a new paint job, no windshield, and tiller steer

I kinda threw it together to get on the lake as soon as possible, made my own steering bracket (have a proper one via ebay waiting to go on) and made my own throttle control via a few pieces of metal, drill, bolts, and plastic washers.

My FIL said it it looked like a frying pan handle :redface:

My shifter was a cable end tied to my seat, worked great, push and pull to shift.



This year I make the boat nice

I have done lots of shopping for parts on ebay and I plan on replacing the floor and seats.

I also got a new windshield installed from a trihull parts boat my FIL picked up for the engine.

Right now I have a second matching 20hp I found cheap while looking for a 40-55hp engine.

I managed to get it running and pumping water before the snow fell
My hopes is to run them side by side as duals...
I have the linkages figured out and I think I can make it work well.

My plan for this spring is to replace the current floor (was replaced by the previous owner but it was never sealed)
I want to put in a flat floor as the current one has some curve to it making it hard with the current seat setup, and I want to install pedestal seats to clear up the floor.

I also have a new steering system from the parts boat I plan on playing with, but it will need a new cable and maybe some lube...

Currently the transom is holding and seems solid but noticed it is not as solid as it should be.
I plan on replacing it once I get all of the bugs worked out of the other engine, and decide that it will actually work.

I also have the proper mercury controls for both engines now, and they are setup so I can link them side by side and mount the handles on either side if the dual engine thing works out for me...

I also picked up starter motors for both engines, and everything needed to hook them up not counting the battery.

It should be a fun project once the weather calms down

 

[heyyou325]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

When I mentioned the Gluvit, and the web site to get it. I failed to say you needed to clean the seams real good, which should go without saying, and wash with vinegar water. Not sure what the vinegar does but I've always been told to use it. I had people here reremind me just before I started, and no one else mentioned it here. So I thought I would, if it isn't too late. Sorry about that.

 

[Pugetsound]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Its 1130 pm here the 21st. My daughter in Hayden sent me a email of the 2 inches of snow and still snowing. Have a nice day

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Gluvit: This is from the Marinetex website:

Remove all contaminants from repair area with solvent or a strong detergent cleaner. Sand the area with 80-100 grit sandpaper to provide a profile for adhesion, then wipe with clean dry rags. Apply a coat of Gluvit with brush or roller at 6-8 mils and lightly tip with a foam brush to smooth surface if desired.

http://www.marinetex.com/gluvit.html#Anchor-Application-35882

When I did mine, I didn't know this and didn't sand or prepare other than getting it very clean, but the Gluvit still had good adhesion to the aluminum. You might speed things up by using an SS wire brush on a drill though. I applied with a 1" paint brush, no real need to tip off.

 

[KellyC]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Ok, am now glad that I keep getting on this site as I am learning a lot. Thought I was ready to put the gluvit on:facepalm:, just waiting for it to warm up a little more is all. Gonna have to get the wire brush out again and see what I can do to the seams and then clean it out again.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Ok, am now glad that I keep getting on this site as I am learning a lot. Thought I was ready to put the gluvit on:facepalm:, just waiting for it to warm up a little more is all. Gonna have to get the wire brush out again and see what I can do to the seams and then clean it out again.

I just powerwashed mine. I think all that wirebrushing might actually be counter-productive when it comes to rivets and leakage.

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

I just powerwashed mine. I think all that wirebrushing might actually be counter-productive when it comes to rivets and leakage.

I don't know, I think there's a lot more force from a power washer than an electric drill.

 

[Woodsjj]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Well I was able to wrestle the transom out in one piece time to remove a little more hardware and then off to the soda blaster to clean it up for Gluvit and new paint! Can't wait to see it sripped and cleaned up

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Ahh, the luxury of soda blasting. Can't wait to see how it comes out.

Do you mind if I ask how much you're getting charged for that? I looked and looked and couldn't find anyone near me who does that.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Ahh, the luxury of soda blasting. Can't wait to see how it comes out.

No hidden! Looking forward to seeing how purdy she looks after her date!

 

[heyyou325]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Wire wheel on a 4" side head grinder is quicker and easier than a drill I think. When my Gluvit finally cured it was good. 30 to 40 degrees takes awhile to cure, with snow almost every day, including today. Tomorrow is supposed to be nice tho, maybe. I'm about 30 miles north of Puget's daughter. Getting tired of the snow.

 

[Woodsjj]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Ahh, the luxury of soda blasting. Can't wait to see how it comes out.

Do you mind if I ask how much you're getting charged for that? I looked and looked and couldn't find anyone near me who does that.

No hidden! Looking forward to seeing how purdy she looks after her date!

After many phone calls and a few emails I have to travel 45 miles and pay $85 per hour with the estamate being between 4 to 8 hours.
This is the cheapest I could find. They will also tig weld the holes left behind by someone with a snap machine or so it appears they are all over the place! The price rang went all the way up to $150 per hour. I cant wait I am hopeing to get it in by the middle of next week we will see how that goes and post pics as soon as I get it back.

 

[Pugetsound]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

There is hope! Thats about how my 16 SS looked and then 3 months later and a lot of hours a new boat. Less a few dollars but well worth it. Have fun and do it all in the summer. I did not but wish I had.Total cost and a compplete rebuild about 1600 great way to spend some quality time. Pugetsound

 

[Woodsjj]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Well shes in the shop getting stripped down now hope to have a stripped shell to show off i nabout a week. I will post pics as soon as I get it home.

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Looking forward to seeing the results!

 

[Woodsjj]

Re: New owner: 1964 Starcraft Jet

Still waiting between the snow, rain and trying to move the boat is on hold for now but I hope to pick it up and start working it over soon but not soon enough

 

[TM-1(ss)]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Very nice. But don't you need a bigger bow light?

 

[Woodsjj]

Re: New owner: 1964 Starcraft Jet

It looked like the orignal light so its going back on after new paint

 

[jetstar]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Just wanted to say "Hey!", as I too have just picked up a '64 Jetstar and am putting a '68 Merc 500 on it! I'm new to boating and the forums here but am thrilled there is such enthusiasm for such a beautiful vessel. Mine sat in a shed on a farm for 40 years till someone pulled it out (when the shed started to collapse), set the trailer tongue on the ground and let it fill up with leaves and water. Other than a now rotting floor, she's in great shape and the original vinyl seatbacks still look like new! I can't wait to get her running and finish restoring her to her original beauty!