Replacing my 16ft SS Starcrafts Transom

[Tnstratofam]

Re: Replacing my 16ft SS Starcrafts Transom

Got some cleaning, and sanding done on the splashwell as well.







The tools I've been using.



I'll have to get some gluvit before I can do much more than just sanding and prep work. Till then thanks for stopping by.'

Dave.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Replacing my 16ft SS Starcrafts Transom

Having water sit in the hull thru repeated freeze~thaw cycles is usually what kills foam.

The foam below decks now appears to be similar to what many vintage SC's had from the factory: white bead styrofoam like a cooler.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Replacing my 16ft SS Starcrafts Transom

You got good wood, Dave. :smile:

I hate that styro (misused beer cooler) foam. It crumbles and plugs the limber hole, clogs bilge pumps and switches and generally makes a mess. And it also holds water. The junk under my deck smelled, too. I prefer the closed cell sheet insulation from the big box. It stays together and is impervious to water. So I recommend tossing the styro for the sheet foam.

On the splashwell, since you are doing some new rivets on the knee brace, I would make a 90? angle to fit behind the separation and put a couple of rivets on each flat. I think that's a sealed seam anyway, but the added angle will stop the spread. And maybe when the brace is reattached and the transom wood is in place and secure, the gap may close on its own. I'm fairly certain the loose brace caused the split.

I've forgotten, Dave - Are you replacing the floors? Sorry, these threads start to run together after a while.

 

[Tnstratofam]

Re: Replacing my 16ft SS Starcrafts Transom

The floor was supposedly new when we picked her up last fall. I hadn't planned on pulling the floor this year. My plan is to finish the transom replacement and use her all summer. Then if I have the Stratos finished, and out of the garage tear down the Starcraft for a repaint. Then replace the floor and foam if needed. The rest of the rivets along the bottom of the hull all looked good. I could gluvit the rear seam and knee brace then take her to the lake and do a leak test without the outboard on. I live 10 minutes from Watauga lake here in East Tn so it's not a hard trip to a public ramp. If it leaks, and I find water anywhere in the bilge or under the floor I could pull the floor then and gluvit what I need. What do you all think?

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Replacing my 16ft SS Starcrafts Transom

I say that's a plan. Are the floors solid now? A year old, they should be.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Replacing my 16ft SS Starcrafts Transom

Yep, much better to float test, rather then fill the boat w/ water..

 

[lakelover]

Re: Replacing my 16ft SS Starcrafts Transom

My question is will 5200 work okay on the bottom rivets or should I also get some gluvit?

5200 by itself will be fine.

 

[Tnstratofam]

Re: Replacing my 16ft SS Starcrafts Transom

Got some more work done this weekend. Got the splash well painted.







Primered the inside of the transom skin.

 

[Tnstratofam]

Re: Replacing my 16ft SS Starcrafts Transom

Repaired some more damaged rivets. This time with 5200.:facepalm:



This is the knee brace going back in.

 

[Tnstratofam]

Re: Replacing my 16ft SS Starcrafts Transom

More of the knee brace. I think she turned out good.



Also got the z brace for the transom reinstalled.







One last thing varnished the other side of the transom wood. It is finished.



The first mate said the color of the splash well reminded him of an office file cabinet. I told him it was as close to the tan I could find, and that it was just until next fall when I plan on repainting the boat in some new cool colors.

I'm going to install the transom wood tonight so that hopefully by thursday I can take her to the lake and do a leak test on everything before I remount the outboard. As always thanks for your help, and thanks for stopping by.

Dave

 

[lakelover]

Re: Replacing my 16ft SS Starcrafts Transom

Transom and paint job looking good! Good luck with the leak test, it looks like you're seeing the end of the tunnel now!

 

[Tnstratofam]

Re: Replacing my 16ft SS Starcrafts Transom

Almost forgot I have one more quick question. I'm having trouble finding 3m 4200 anywhere local. One local boat repair place said to use silicone caulk for reinstalling the bolts and screws. Another boat repair shop said 5200 would be fine. What do you all suggest? I want to do this right. The only bolts that should ever need to be removed should be the motor bolts I guess. Will 5200 be okay for them?

 

[lakelover]

Re: Replacing my 16ft SS Starcrafts Transom

I can't find 4200 locally either, so I used 5200 for all my bolt & rivet sealing. You will be able to remove the bolts if you need to, it will just take more effort.

The general consensus is that silicone caulk doesn't belong in a boat....I agree with that. I became an instant believer as I tried to remove it from mine when I started my project! It doesn't last, and causes a lot of cursing! :laugh:

 

[duke33]

Re: Replacing my 16ft SS Starcrafts Transom

I'm glad I found this. Research always helps. Looking good!

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Replacing my 16ft SS Starcrafts Transom

I use 5200 for almost everything, TN, mainly because I can find it locally easier. So far no trouble trying to remove anything sealed with it. :joyous: That might be because I haven't tried, so far. :doh:

Looking good and you're doing a fast turn around!

 

[Tnstratofam]

Re: Replacing my 16ft SS Starcrafts Transom

From this.



To This.



This is what we got done tonight. Transom wood set in place.



Drilled all the bolt holes except the motor bolts, and the tie downs. Used my new drill guide.



If you don't have one get one. They work really well.

 

[Tnstratofam]

Re: Replacing my 16ft SS Starcrafts Transom

Installed all the through bolts into the side supports, and the knee brace.



I put 5200 in the holes, and on the bolts as well.

 

[Tnstratofam]

Re: Replacing my 16ft SS Starcrafts Transom

Got the splash well drain holes drilled as well. I have to make a tool to install them. I've got to find the thread or instructions here for the tool.





Everything wasn't a complete success tonight. I did manage to break one bolt.



I'll pick up a new one tomorrow. I also need to get two new tie downs the two I have are pretty bent up.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Replacing my 16ft SS Starcrafts Transom

If you have any aluminum plate, metal backers for the tow/ski eyes is a good add for the inside of the transom.

Here's the flaring tool you're looking for:

GO SLOW, and let the nylock nuts curl the edges of the drain tubes.........

 

[Tnstratofam]

Re: Replacing my 16ft SS Starcrafts Transom

One more item I need to get is something to reattach the transom cap. Originally they used nails.



What do most people use to do this? Nails, screws, or what? I think that I will get to take her to the lake on Thursday if the weather stays nice. It's supposed to rain on Friday. If all goes well, and there are no leaks I'm going to reinstall the motor, and try to launch her on Saturday. That's the plan anyway I'm sure Murhpy is on his way up the road from Sig's now that I've said that.

I'm hoping to find the bolt and tie downs I need at fastenall or somewhere like that so I don't have to put off getting her back in the water. The Admiral and I are celebrating our 3 year anniversary tomorrow, and I wanted to have her back in the water for the weekend.