New to me 16ft Starcraft!

[Superchief]

Just bought a 16’ title doesn’t say what it is. It has a side console , a live well And a storage box. The floor was pulled out of it, as it rotted away, along with the transom and any other wood in the boat. The hull seems to be in great shape No sccratches or dents

Came with a 9.8 mercury electric not sure if it runs. Hope it pushes this big tin can around sufficiently.

#1 on the T2Do list is clean it up, #2 is to figure out how to start the engine, reinstall the helm and water test it.

I’m not sure how I want to build it out, I hate plywood and carpet so I’m not going to make a bassboat. I need a workboat then will think about fishing convenience. Actually wondering if a wood slat floor would be too much work. I don’t think it will hurt to deal with no floor until I decide what I really want.

Another big 2do is the transom is fairly rotted. Any good rebuild references for the transom?
Also looking for a thread on a trailer refurbish, I’d like to find a Good refurb reference to add guide poles. spare tire carrier, possible wheel and axle upgrade. i also would like light up the rear on the road with good tail and brake lights, and maybe some additional brake lighting and reverse lighting.

I’m looking forward to this boat, I’ve been wanting a work boat to go with my ski boat And another excuse to do some small water exploring.

 

[Watermann]

Just bought a 16’ title doesn’t say what it is. It has a side console , a live well And a storage box. The floor was pulled out of it, as it rotted away, along with the transom and any other wood in the boat. The hull seems to be in great shape No sccratches or dents

Came with a 9.8 mercury electric not sure if it runs. Hope it pushes this big tin can around sufficiently.

#1 on the T2Do list is clean it up, #2 is to figure out how to start the engine, reinstall the helm and water test it.

I’m not sure how I want to build it out, I hate plywood and carpet so I’m not going to make a bassboat. I need a workboat then will think about fishing convenience. Actually wondering if a wood slat floor would be too much work. I don’t think it will hurt to deal with no floor until I decide what I really want.

Another big 2do is the transom is fairly rotted. Any good rebuild references for the transom?
Also looking for a thread on a trailer refurbish, I’d like to find a Good refurb reference to add guide poles. spare tire carrier, possible wheel and axle upgrade. i also would like light up the rear on the road with good tail and brake lights, and maybe some additional brake lighting and reverse lighting.

I’m looking forward to this boat, I’ve been wanting a work boat to go with my ski boat And another excuse to do some small water exploring.

If you haven't done so yet, start a thread in the main SC section and ask questions there. Forum members are more apt to provide links and details for you there.

 

[jbcurt00]

Move to new topic

 

[Moserkr]

Welcome! Throw up some more pics and a vin if possible. Im redoing the transom in my 16 currently but looks like our boats are slightly different. Yours will be a good little fishin boat when done!

 

[Superchief]

Thanks Im excited to spend time with this boat.

Here are a couple more pics, hopefully I will get to clean it out tomorrow, pull carb, inspect...start

 

[Superchief]

Looked closer at the Data plate looks like it says f-16 assuming it’s SF-16

I determined this may be too flexy to run without a floor. I also think the support spar down the middle, would probably get trashed.

 

[Moserkr]

Looks good! I would definitely put a floor in for structure and ease of use. Do you know if it leaks at all? Having no floor is a good time to test. Also look for foam, and strongly consider adding some below the floor. Wood covered in epoxy or spar or OTF n carpet or vinyl are cheapest and durable for the floor. You will want epoxy for your new transom anyway.

As far as the trailer goes, I had good luck with LED’s from the jungle, and theres a post in a thread somewhere about whole new axles for around $150. Everything is just bolt on so easy to work on.

Your boats different than my 16 SS but similar too in ways. Give it a little time n $$ and you will have a boat built to last.

 

[Superchief]

No leaks as far as I can tell, I let it fill with rainwater and the trailer is dry so at least the keel area is tight. I currently have the motor off and am building a template to cut the flooring with. I busted out the aerial photography apparatus and wanted a good overview shot to play with layout and to doodle on.



You can see the rusty staple stains on the benches where they must have had some sort of pad screwed down.

My initial thoughts were to remove the flanges from where the livewell was hung on the port side and the storage box on the Starboard side. I decided not to for two reasons, I don't want to make this a major project, I just want it on the water so I can use it. Two I think the structure benefits from the added rigidity when they get bolted to the floor. I don't want the livewell so I'm going to figure out a way to brace the flange from it to the floor.

 

[MNhunter1]

Check out the "joggle stick method" for templating your deck if you run into fitment issues. I used it for the bow casting deck on my 16SS and it worked like a champ.

 

[Superchief]

Check out the "joggle stick method" for templating your deck if you run into fitment issues. I used it for the bow casting deck on my 16SS and it worked like a champ.

Thanks, especially for the terminology google is a bit finicky these days. I came up with this after talking to a friend that explained how he does counters on the phone. I have one sheet cut and it worked well.

I cut a coroplast signboard into strips and just taped them together to make a line to work from, pulled it from the boat and cut the sheet. It came out close, no pics I worked into dark thirty tonight.

 

[Superchief]

Here's the engine, if I go by SN I come up with a 1984 build date, If I use the cowl graphics then its a 1980.


I have to order a carb kit rebuild kit I think this boat has been sitting awhile. so I think it should be disassembled and cleaned. I'm hoping this is as straightforward as a motorcycle carb. I tried to find merc 110/9. carb rebuilding how-to on the interweb all I come up with is sites wanting to sell parts.

I am leaning hard towards finding a 35-40 hp upgrade so I am also researching converting this engine to a tiller control. it looks like the parts are out there,

 

[Superchief]

This old tired motor, I think is gonna need some serious love. I need to start a project this is a work boat I ran out of time to try and save some $ and ended up buying a almost new 25ELPT.

now I get to rig it and restart my learning curve and figure out the care and feeding of a newish four stroke?

Can the run hours be verified by a dealer scan of the ecm? Is there a way to do it at home? I noticed Mercury has engine monitoring apps and wonder if they work with the smaller engines.

the Starcraft is coming along I hacked together a plywood floor, and found some scrap aluminum for the floor between the back bench and stern.

 

[Moserkr]

I dont know much about the new motors but man, that looks sexy hanging off the back of your boat. Nice buy!!

 

[Watermann]

Love the looks of the newer Mercs, very sexy motors. Some of the fellas in the Merc section should know all about the newer 4 strokes.