Replacing my 16ft SS Starcrafts Transom

[jbcurt00]

Re: Replacing my 16ft SS Starcrafts Transom

Let us know how that works.

If the plan doesn't include protection from a flying barrage of frying pans, it's destined to fail, IMO.......

Good luck

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Replacing my 16ft SS Starcrafts Transom

Ok JB, point taken.

Step one - Hide the potentially harm causing stuff! :lol:

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Replacing my 16ft SS Starcrafts Transom

Alright, now that the WMD's are well hidden we can proceed.........

Now about that heat pump. Would it be wrong if, say, a sharply pointed metal object, of it's own free will mind you, happened to damage a coolant line, just about the time you drove by in your heat pump repair van?

Maybe a nice bakery fresh dozen cookies could suddenly appear on the boat owner's neighbor's front porch w/ a nice note that reads:

What's the deal w/ that big ugly metal boat in your neighbor's backyard? How LONG HAS it been there and is he EVER going to do anything w/ the hideous, sun blocking hulk, or not?

PS: Enjoy the cookies, but please don't share them w/ your derelict boat hoarding neighbor.

Good luck w/ the neighbor & the Admiral

 

[Tnstratofam]

Re: Replacing my 16ft SS Starcrafts Transom

I got allot accomplished tonight so there will be a few posts forthcoming.

First I picked up this piece of flat aluminum stock from my local Fasental. I got a good break on the price as our company has purchased allot of stuff from them over the years, and all the guys who work there know I'm in the middle of repairing the Starcraft.





Here I am making reinforcement plates for the motor bolts, and the ski tow eyes.



I used my hand held grinder to cut them into 3 inch pieces.

 

[Tnstratofam]

Re: Replacing my 16ft SS Starcrafts Transom

I used my drill press to drill 3/8inch holes for the bolts.



The drill press was a $40 dollar yard sale find from earlier this spring.

 

[Tnstratofam]

Re: Replacing my 16ft SS Starcrafts Transom

When I drilled out for the drain tubes the transom wood busted out a little. I added some more spar varnish to the bare wood for protection.



I taped up what I didn't want painted on the stern and primered the bare spots.





I also primered the aluminum pieces I cut. All the bare aluminum was primered with rustoleum aluminum primer.



Once the primer dried I painted the stern. It turned out pretty good. This is our fishing boat so I'm okay with it not being perfect.

 

[Tnstratofam]

Re: Replacing my 16ft SS Starcrafts Transom

Here is how the ski tow eyes, or stern tie downs were originally backed.



Here they are with the aluminum plate I added. Much beefier I think.





I installed all the screws in the splash well. Having and impact driver and a screw guide are really helpful in this situation.

 

[Tnstratofam]

Re: Replacing my 16ft SS Starcrafts Transom

I installed the bilge pump, and reconnected the drain hose.





I installed the transom cap with stainless steel screws, and some 5200 for good measure.



Installing the end caps were a bit tricky. With the new transom wood installed, and the knee brace repaired things didn't line back up just perfectly. I set the caps in place holding them down I drilled out the holes for the new rivets to fit good.





A word of caution. In this picture you can see I am drilling down for the top rivet hole. This is in line with the rub rail. I had to be careful not to drill all the way through.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Replacing my 16ft SS Starcrafts Transom

Looks like it's almost motor hangin' time, TN. Can't be long now.

Boy, that's an old drill press - Prefect for working on old tin.

 

[Tnstratofam]

Re: Replacing my 16ft SS Starcrafts Transom

Here are more pictures of me installing the end caps.





The finished product.





I think they turned out good. Like I said lining everything back up when you replace the transom, and repair the damaged knee brace takes some adjusting. Things get out of alignment when the transom gets weak.

Overall I think it turned out pretty good for an amateur.

 

[Tnstratofam]

Re: Replacing my 16ft SS Starcrafts Transom

Okay this may sound goofy, but I taped up this old dealer sticker to keep it from getting painted. We haven't named this boat, and I want to keep a little of its history as I continue to make her ours. Weird I know.



Who knows maybe I'll run into someone someday at the lake who recognizes the decal, and maybe even the boat.

So it's a short list tomorrow. First I have to lower the bunks a bit as I have them set to high. Hang the motor. Reconnect the cables, and steering. Install the foam, and rear walls. Put the batteries and gas tank back in. Pull her out of the garage. Warm up the old Chrysler 75, and take her to the lake. Let us hope that all goes smoothly...

 

[Tnstratofam]

Re: Replacing my 16ft SS Starcrafts Transom

GA, Jb, Sig I have to tell you all what the Admiral said this morning. She and I were talking about the conversation we all had last night about the Stratos. I told her that you all had come up with a wonderful plan for our tired glasser's powerful engine. As I told her about the wonderful benefits of having a large tin beauty to match our little fishing boat, she looked straight at me and asked me and I quote " Do you need to go see a doctor about some kind of multiple boat syndrome?" I swear I nearly spit my coffee all over the kitchen table I laughed so hard. She was like " What's so funny?" I said "Have you been watching me type on the computer at night?" I told her that MBS is very real, and that the only known cure was more tin in the driveway. To which she laughed, and said I bet.

I am a lucky guy.. She knows I would have another boat in the driveway like yesterday if we had the funds. The funny thing is I actually think she would be okay with it.

Of course she may also through a frying pan at me too. I'm not sure I want to find out right now.

 

[Tnstratofam]

Re: Replacing my 16ft SS Starcrafts Transom

Yeah GA that drill press is kind of sexy isn't it..



It fits in real well with all my other old tools. By the way my garage is a little long in the tooth as well. It was built in the early 30's.

Wanna know whats ironic. The man who built our house, and garage worked on boats out of this garage for nearly 50 years. Hopefully he is watching over my work with approval...

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Replacing my 16ft SS Starcrafts Transom

I think he's sittin' on your shoulder. :smile:

The Admiral sounds like a hoot. Tell her she's making stuff up! MBS indeed!!!! :lol:

 

[lakelover]

Re: Replacing my 16ft SS Starcrafts Transom

The transom looks great, and you'll be confident knowing that it's solid and strong. Nice touch keeping the original dealer sticker.

 

[lckstckn2smknbrls]

Re: Replacing my 16ft SS Starcrafts Transom

Are you going to do something with the cracks in the bends of the splashwell? I have the same cracks.

 

[dozerII]

Re: Replacing my 16ft SS Starcrafts Transom

Great job on the transom, hope the plan for the weekend all comes together for you. It is nice having an understanding Admiral.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Replacing my 16ft SS Starcrafts Transom

The dealer sticker and Dorm Fridge match is perfect! Did you know Chrysler OBs make ice cubes and some models can do crushed as well?

 

[Tnstratofam]

Re: Replacing my 16ft SS Starcrafts Transom

Yeah GA I think mine only does cubed ice, and I think the factory left out the water dispensor as well. I sure cant find it!

 

[SigSaurP229]

Re: Replacing my 16ft SS Starcrafts Transom

Hmm we may have to meet on a lake to do a double splash. You did a great job and she looks awesome hang the motor and go. I am drooling over that drill press, ESPECIALLY for $40.