New to me 1970

[Squeezy]

Hello All,

New to the forum and new to owning a Starcraft. Yesterday I picked up a 1970 Starcraft. I'm unsure of the model, but quick research has me leaning towards the 'Super Sport"? I'm sure someone here can confirm the model.

It's got a 1990 (haven't confirmed yet, but what previous owner told me) 2 stroke 70hp Evinrude on it.

Very basic interior, which I was after. Going to be a boat for fishing the Saint Clair River and Lake Saint Clair with my son. Plans to mount a trolling motor on the bow (any input on size is appreciated). Possibly toss some new seats in it as well. Going to be also stripping it down and repainting.

Hoping to learn a lot from this forum.

 

[racerone]

Model # of the motor ??-----And does the tell tale hose come off the side of the block ?-----Or off the top of the block?----At any rate install the latest water pump kit 432955 before your first fishing adventure.

 

[DLNorth]

Nice boat - similar to ours, but with that safety glass windshield it's a bit newer then '70, maybe a '72?

What is the S/N on the rating plate?

 

[Squeezy]

Model # of the motor ??-----And does the tell tale hose come off the side of the block ?-----Or off the top of the block?----At any rate install the latest water pump kit 432955 before your first fishing adventure.

Motor is an E70TLESB. Tell Tale is on RT side same level as the bonnet lever

 

[Squeezy]

Nice boat - similar to ours, but with that safety glass windshield it's a bit newer then '70, maybe a '72?

What is the S/N on the rating plate?

I have yet to find any original data on the boat. Registration states it is a 1970, while the PO said that the hull S/N was provided by the SOS, being there was no data plate. He had etched the number into the rear of the boat.

 

[racerone]

The motor is a 1990 model.----Fact.-----The tell tale hose come off a fitting on the side of the block at the factory.----There was a service bulletin in 1994 to move the fitting to the top of the block.----Outlet for tell tale has always been on the lower cowling.

 

[Squeezy]

The motor is a 1990 model.----Fact.-----The tell tale hose come off a fitting on the side of the block at the factory.----There was a service bulletin in 1994 to move the fitting to the top of the block.----Outlet for tell tale has always been on the lower cowling.

Know where I could find a copy of that S/B... Sounds like something I will need to do.

 

[racerone]

Water pump kit 0432955 ( factory ) has all the parts / information you would need to update cooling system.-----But post results of compression test before spending beer tokens on parts.

 

[matt167]

The data plate to the right of the helm should say the model. Would be weird if it’s not there

 

[Squeezy]

The data plate to the right of the helm should say the model. Would be weird if it’s not there

Weird enough, the only thing where it "should be" is a poorly etched number.

 

[Moserkr]

Nice old boat! Welcome. Paint reminds me of mine when I got it. Plenty of work to be done but the hull looks to be in good shape.

 

[Squeezy]

Nice old boat! Welcome. Paint reminds me of mine when I got it. Plenty of work to be done but the hull looks to be in good shape.

Yes - I've got some work cut out for me. There are a dozen (at least) rivets on the hull I will be replacing. I'd also like to add a trolling motor, fish finder, fuse box to clean up the wiring. A paint job is also on the docket. First, I plan on doing a compression check to find out where I stand. PO stated the motor runs strong. Also be changing the lower end gear oil before maiden voyage.

 

[Moserkr]

Sounds like a good plan. Make sure the motor is up to par then the hull is water tight. I replaced around 150 rivets in my boat after I used it for a summer. Stripping paint is fun haha. Make sure your transom and floor are in good shape too. They add structure so if rivets are breaking, thats a sign of other underlying issues. All easy to do with time! Keep us posted how as it goes.

 

[Squeezy]

Sounds like a good plan. Make sure the motor is up to par then the hull is water tight. I replaced around 150 rivets in my boat after I used it for a summer. Stripping paint is fun haha. Make sure your transom and floor are in good shape too. They add structure so if rivets are breaking, thats a sign of other underlying issues. All easy to do with time! Keep us posted how as it goes.

Will do. I've got some practice with rivets - so hopefully that isn't an issue at all. Going to possibly pull windshield(s), motor and anything else needed and flip the boat on saw horses for the stripping/painting. Hopefully a couple buddies and I can get her turned over - can't imagine it's that heavy with motor off. Also, be pulling the floor (if it's not too much of a PITA) to check for substructure and if anything needs TLC down under.

 

[Moserkr]

Flipping is easy once shes apart. Would highly recommend getting under the floor for a peak, especially if you have rivets to do. Usually a foam replacement or upgrade is in order as well. Makes you sleep better at night knowing your hard work wont sink all the way to the bottom. Mine didnt even have enough old styrofoam to float me haha.

 

[Squeezy]

Flipping is easy once shes apart. Would highly recommend getting under the floor for a peak, especially if you have rivets to do. Usually a foam replacement or upgrade is in order as well. Makes you sleep better at night knowing your hard work wont sink all the way to the bottom. Mine didnt even have enough old styrofoam to float me haha.

You're right... why go 80% of the way... I'll be pulling the floor to investigate as well. Now, I wish I had a pole barn or adequate space to work opposed to driveway work.

 

[DLNorth]

Can you read the number -
1970 numbers are in the 95x,xxx range,
the 1971 in the 99x,xxx range
and the 1972 in the 10x,xxx range.

Weird enough, the only thing where it "should be" is a poorly etched number.

 

[Squeezy]

Can you read the number -
1970 numbers are in the 95x,xxx range,
the 1971 in the 99x,xxx range
and the 1972 in the 10x,xxx range.

Nope- no markings other than the registration number carved into the aluminum.

 

[Squeezy]

Been spending some time working on the boat. Took it out this past Monday for its maiden. Engine tan great and trolling motor tested fine on 12v. Picked up a used Minn Kota Terrova 80lb.
Waiting on circuit breaker for install of trolling motor system. Going to Mount both batteries and on board charger under from platform onto a piece for 3/4 plywood.
Stripping all wiring previous owner did and installing fuse block under drivers console. Have a 5 gang toggle switch ordered. Wife is going to make me new face boards for the consoles. Just ordered a Garmin ECHOMAP UHD 93SV for the drivers location.
New bilge pump is also on order. Paint is being stubborn, but getting there. Going to use rust oleum top side paint. Black bottom with battleship gray sides. Really enjoying working on it this far. New seats and swivl eze posts/brackets also ordered.

Wife asked, have you spent more on parts than the cost of the boat yet? It’s getting close!

 

[racerone]

What you paid for the boat has nothing to do with what it costs to fix it.-----The project I am working on has taken more $$$ on just epoxy than what I paid for the boat.----And I picked up a $2000 Evinrude 150 HP 2 stroke instead of a new $20,000 model 4 stroke.----The end result will be a solid / never rot boat that would be out of reach to buy new !