Newest Starcraft owner ('79 18'6" SuperSport - pics!)

[Joe_the_boatman]

Well, I'm now an official member of the brotherhood - just picked up this SuperSport last night; it's my first Starcraft. It needs the transom replaced, although it's sturdy enough to hold a 'rude 115 for a lake visit a month ago (according to the previous owner). Floor has aluminum diamond plate laid over 1/2" plywood, which sits on top of the original, rotted floor. Seats are newer, has new gauges, and a real gas tank in the back. Hull looks good and supposedly doesn't leak. Looks like there's some sealant at a few seams on the outside. Not too bad for $200 with the trailer.

You like my duct tape wiring job for the trailer? Hey... it was 8 o'clock last night and I was an hour and a half from home.

I have a 60hp Merc that's (supposedly) been rebuilt, and runs well. I'm guessing it'll be a dog pushing this thing (will it even plane?) but that's what I have for now. I've seen other 18' SS's with 60hp motors (here and on Yahoo), so maybe I'll be OK. I'm hoping to find something bigger this fall/winter to replace it with, if it's too small.

Waddaya think?

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Newest Starcraft owner ('79 18'6" SuperSport - pics!)

Looks good! The cosmetics look pretty good and everything is there. All that's left is some carpentry!
Take a look at my Yahoo group:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/StarcraftBoatRestorationGroup/
- Scott

 

[_brad_]

Re: Newest Starcraft owner ('79 18'6" SuperSport - pics!)

Looks nice! I want one!

Mine was just beat to hell when I got it. Basically not even worth restore. That one is though!

 

[Joe_the_boatman]

Re: Newest Starcraft owner ('79 18'6" SuperSport - pics!)

Brad - I've been meaning to ask you (forgive me if I already have in another thread), but what speeds to you get with that boat and the 70 horse motor?

I'll be putting a 60 hp Merc on mine, thinking I'll get around 25-30 mph if I'm lucky.

 

[burroak]

Re: Newest Starcraft owner ('79 18'6" SuperSport - pics!)

I covet the Mirax fuel tank. Is it clean inside? That's one item that we don't have; still trolling craigslist and ebay. If you have an extra, remember me.

 

[Joe_the_boatman]

Re: Newest Starcraft owner ('79 18'6" SuperSport - pics!)

I hope it's clean - I haven't checked it out yet, just yanked it and set it aside. It has gas in it, so last owner was using it. It's kinda neat - I have a fuel gauge now.

 

[dex76]

Re: Newest Starcraft owner ('79 18'6" SuperSport - pics!)

clean her up a bit and that will be a nice looking boat

 

[iwombat]

Re: Newest Starcraft owner ('79 18'6" SuperSport - pics!)

That aluminum transom plate isn't original, and I'll bet it's there to band-aid up a weak transom. Might want to do some poking at the wood back there.

 

[Joe_the_boatman]

Re: Newest Starcraft owner ('79 18'6" SuperSport - pics!)

Yeah - the rot is visible around the splash skirt on the top. Transom has been replaced before. Now I'm looking for the best way to do it - there's a ton of info (and opinions) out there on the right way to do it.

Floor's out now - it's just a shell. I'm thinking now that it's so light, now would be the time to take it off the trailer, flip it, and paint it. Trailer needs work too. Then I could start on the transom and floor.

I like that big aluminum plate. I'll put that back on the new transom to help disperse the force from the engine.

 

[iwombat]

Re: Newest Starcraft owner ('79 18'6" SuperSport - pics!)

I'll be redoing the transom on my '78 SS this winter. I'd really love it if you took some pictures

The transoms on those are really easy to replace. you just screw the new one in place . . . with about 9.2x10^8 screws.

 

[_brad_]

Re: Newest Starcraft owner ('79 18'6" SuperSport - pics!)

Brad - I've been meaning to ask you (forgive me if I already have in another thread), but what speeds to you get with that boat and the 70 horse motor?

I'll be putting a 60 hp Merc on mine, thinking I'll get around 25-30 mph if I'm lucky.

PM sent. Sorry for the delay.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Newest Starcraft owner ('79 18'6" SuperSport - pics!)

I'll be doing the transom on mine this winter as well. I've been putting it off because the motor has been well reinforced however everything that's bolted through the rotted wood is leaking like heck. I'm not looking forward to it but at least it's not a fiberglass boat.

 

[Joe_the_boatman]

Re: Newest Starcraft owner ('79 18'6" SuperSport - pics!)

I'll be redoing the transom on my '78 SS this winter. I'd really love it if you took some pictures

The transoms on those are really easy to replace. you just screw the new one in place . . . with about 9.2x10^8 screws.

Ohhhh, don't worry, I document everything. More bragging rights when I get the whole thing done.

A lot of my friends, (who'll probably be out on the boat eventually) aren't exactly "hands on", so it'll give them something to oooo and ahhh about.

 

[baldtire]

Re: Newest Starcraft owner ('79 18'6" SuperSport - pics!)

1974 Model Supersport: W/ 125 Force = nealry 50 MPH
==========================================
Relaced my dash with solid teak wood, lasts for years and looks great.
Installed wood on sides between aluminium caps. Finished my back with sliding panelled screen doors.
Rebirbed all floors, reupolstered front section, lower side and back cushion over sliding doors. Built a carpeted deck across back engine cowling for sunbathing and and fishing off of. Looks like it should have alwasy been there. Pedistal mounted fishing seat on top.
Added drop plate on back for 4 HP trolling motor and shallow salt water fishing.
Added small section to front for removable swivel fishing pedistal mounted seat.

Love my boat (my 57' Chevy on the water)

Good luck with your project!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Newest Starcraft owner ('79 18'6" SuperSport - pics!)

We're going to need some pics baldtire! I'm going to be getting mine out of storage in a few weeks to start working on the transom. Fun fun!

 

[2timer]

Re: Newest Starcraft owner ('79 18'6" SuperSport - pics!)

Hi ..I now own my second 18' starcraft. The first one was an early 70's model, that light green color often seen, that had a center seat arrangement , like a long bench that ran the lenght of the boat from the console to the transom. I removed all that and built a center console from mahogany. The boat was powered by a 1977 55hp evinrude. I was younger than but it did have the power to pull up a slalom skier with 3 people in the boat. I used the boat in the ocean off central New Jersey and would wonder over 15 miles off shore on a nice day in the summer. I had 2 6 gallons cans and only would get into the second can when I was almost back to the inlet. The one I have now is just like yours..same color however it has been modified with a casting platform in the bow with built a in live well a pedestal seat, pedestal seats at the console and a live well in the transom. This one is powered with a 1986 90hp johnson. It gets up to about 40mph ( according to the gps) with my young son and myself..and skiing with 2 adults in the boat while towing another goes about 38. These are great boats, and are great on fuel however the light hull does have the cost of a pounding ride with even the slighest chop. I was to lucky to find mine (on ebay and nearly 7 hours away) already redone so I could just enjoy it...I do need to get a new trailer for this season ....
Good luck with your project. Don

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Newest Starcraft owner ('79 18'6" SuperSport - pics!)

Wish I had caught this thread earlier... the SS 18 I have is a '79 and I had nothing but the shell of the hull when I started.
This is the boat I do all of my prop testing on with a modified 200HP 'Rude.
Yes, it's rated for 150, but in the state of KS (and maybe other states), if you do a total refurb and add the design requirements, you get to call yourself the manufacturer and set your own limits.
Beings parts are no longer available for this boat, if there's something you need and I have it, you're welcome to it.

 

[Joe_the_boatman]

Re: Newest Starcraft owner ('79 18'6" SuperSport - pics!)

Don and Walleyhed - thanks for the input. Due to several other projects (motorcycles and a jetski refurb) the SS has been put on hold, but she's front center stage now that it's warming up down here.

I'm going to start the transom this week - the PT plywood's been drying in my garage since Jan. Yes, it'll be coated in epoxy so it won't react with the aluminum.

 

[wmgraphics]

Re: Newest Starcraft owner ('79 18'6" SuperSport - pics!)

I have a 18ft 1978 SS O/B and want to change out the transom before I repower with an etech 90. Can you send me some picts and/or info on how exactly to replace it step by step. Any help with this would be appreciated.

Mike

wmgraphics@yahoo.com

 

[Joe_the_boatman]

Re: Newest Starcraft owner ('79 18'6" SuperSport - pics!)

[cut & pasted from a previous post of mine]:

-A little aluminum cutting & bending under the rear corner covers let the transom slide up and out, as a whole. The splashwell doesn't need to be removed, nor does the transom have to be more than one piece this way.

-I used 1 sheet of pressure treated 4'X8'X3/4" - it was more than enough for both "layers".

-I used PL Premium Construction Adhesive and a 1/4" notched trowel to glue the 2 rough-cut layers together. A full 10 oz tube barely covered the whole thing.

-If I had it to do over again, instead of clamps, I would've used 1" drywall screws - this would've made for a much tighter bond.

-Use the old transom as a template, but just for the sides and bottom. Once sides and bottom are cut to match your template, slide it in the boat with the top uncut Then trace a line to match the splashwell/outer transom skin. Mark all holes whiles it's in, too.

-I used a belt sander w/ 24 grit and a plane to take off some thick areas so it would slide in and out easily.

-I used epoxy to seal the whole thing, paying special attention to sides and the predrilled holes.

-I mixed the epoxy w/ sawdust (from the floor) to make a paste, and filled in the voids on the sides and faces.

-I thinned the first coat of epoxy w/ 25% Xylene (following others suggestions). It REALLY soaked in, almost like water. The outer surface wasn't even glossy.

-Plan on about 3-4 coats on the sides, and 2 on the front/back. The sides, being very porous, really soak up the resin.