Ratherb's 74' 21 Ft Starcraft Islander

[Ratherbboatin]

Waterman : Yes, A couple hours away. I am located about 5 mins away from Stave Lake. Let me know if you are ever out this way.

 

[Ratherbboatin]

One of the local Glass shops donated me some good condition used U channel rubber for the lower window yesterday. Sooooo happy I found some. I will be installing the lower window over the weekend and continue with the paint stripping on the lower hull.

 

[Ratherbboatin]

I spent some time over the weekend working on the lower window. Took it down to the bare aluminum and polished it up. New window rubber and some tint. I am happy with it!!

 

[Ratherbboatin]

I started sanding down the wood that goes under the bow for support. Going to re-coat it, although not really sure Starcraft did all those years ago??

 

[Watermann]

Most the deck supports I've seen from the 70's and earlier are mahogany that had nothing sealing it.

 

[Ratherbboatin]

I originally thought they were oak, but it is most likely the Mahogany. They really liked to put them in very rough finished.

 

[Ratherbboatin]

I got sidetracked with a work bench project. Was given this heavy duty metal bench that must have come out of a mechanics shop.

 

[Ratherbboatin]

After tearing it apart and 2 spray bottles of degreaser it got re-assembled. Now re-painting the 2 front drawers then it will be done!

 

[Watermann]

All I did for the mahogany bow supports in my Chief was to sand well and apply 3 coats of Spar.

 

[Ratherbboatin]

I expect I will only apply a few coats of varnish after I get it all sanded. I am about halfway done the sanding. I was not able to get the 3 small bow pieces out without taking the entire front panel off so they will have to stay how they are. Hopefully it won't bother me that I didn't do it......

 

[Ratherbboatin]

WM what did you do for insulation? Did you cover it with anything after that? The factory had some sort of 1/8" thick soft foam insulation about 18" wide stapled on top.

 

[Watermann]

Mine didn't have any insulation on it.

 

[Ratherbboatin]

1st coat of Spar Varnish on the front supports. I will give it 2 heavy coats before re-installing.

 

[Ratherbboatin]

Went through all the lower window screws and bolts, cleaned them all up. PITA. Very time consuming.
I dyed the bottom window rubber from white to grey as well. Test fitted the window and put the rivets back in.

 

[Ratherbboatin]

I just received my aluminum edging and thought the item said it was 42 ft, turns out it was 4.2 ft. It was so hard to see the decimal in the ad. Guess I will go back and order a larger roll.

 

[Ratherbboatin]

Spar Varnish completed on the front support.

 

[Ratherbboatin]

I still have the main cross-member to do. After I pulled off the old ugly vinyl wrap, it looks like the ends have some damage / rot. I looked at all local building places and no one carries 1 x 8 Mahogany. The closest replacement is oak, but it would be about $50 for the boat. I may see if I can repair with polyurethane glue. I also considered replacing with Cedar, but that wood is a lot softer and I am not sure it would make a good replacement.

 

[Ratherbboatin]

I will be wrapping this main cross member with carpet, so looks does not matter all that much. I might consider cutting it out of plywood, but I only have regular around and no marine stuff.

 

[ezmobee]

As long as the ply you have is exterior, I'd use it.

 

[Ratherbboatin]

Actually after I went over it with the sander, added some poly glue, clamps it seems good. The glue dried and has been sanded once. I just applied more glue. Should be stronger than when it was new. I will post a pic when I am finished. It looked worse than it was.