Restoration of a 1978 Starcraft Mariner 22'

[gardug0213]

I am beginning a restoration/rebuild of a 21' Starcraft Mariner [1978]. This is my first boat project. I have gained a lot of information from this site already. I look forward to acquiring some knowledge from those who know a bit more about boats and aluminum boat restoration. The number of iboat restoration threads that stop dead kind of concern me!

It looks like the deck has been replaced before, and the transom is shot. The PO removed the bow decking and left me without a template. The motor seems quite undersized - Johnson 70 HP [1997].

**Edit: This is a Starcraft Mariner 210 hull not a 220

 

[gardug0213]

Re: Restoration of a 1978 Starcraft Mariner 22'

Outboard stand built

 

[Teamster]

Re: Restoration of a 1978 Starcraft Mariner 22'

At least the foam was already removed, That will save you a bunch of work,.....I hope you have plans for new flotation foam,..

A 70 seams way too small on that boat, What is it rated for??,..

 

[gardug0213]

Re: Restoration of a 1978 Starcraft Mariner 22'

The Mariner is rated for 150 HP - I am not sure what kind of performance a 70 HP would give me on this boat. I am sure that I will be in need of an upgrade. I got lucky on the below deck foam - the PO must have removed it when the deck was replaced. Yes, I do plan on installing foam...most likely rigid sheet foam cut to fit.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Restoration of a 1978 Starcraft Mariner 22'

That's going to be a sweet boat when you get finished!!!

I really don't understand what people are thinking when they remove the floatation from a boat and don't replace it, it's a foolhardy move IMO.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Restoration of a 1978 Starcraft Mariner 22'

Welcome to the Tin Drydock. She's gonna be a nice one, gardug. With a larger motor, a real good big water boat.

Hey Jig - Maybe the PO saw one of our foam debates, got confused and decided it's not needed.

 

[Teamster]

Re: Restoration of a 1978 Starcraft Mariner 22'

A late model 150 from the early 90's would be my choice,..

Then you'll have one that was rated at the prop and not the crank,...Thus making a newer 150 more hp than a older 150,.....

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Restoration of a 1978 Starcraft Mariner 22'

Welcome gardug! Hey, whereabouts you located neighbor?

She's a great rig and can be a million times better at the end of the build!

The number of iboat restoration threads that stop dead kind of concern me!

Well my friend, starting a project is the easy part. Finishing the the journey is waaaaaaayyyyyy more difficult! That sir, is the challenge

 

[gardug0213]

Re: Restoration of a 1978 Starcraft Mariner 22'

Hello jasoutside. I am in SE Michigan, but spend time on Lake Huron out of Port Austin. I do not foresee any problems in my ability to finish a project...my concern is coming across a structural problem that is more complicated, technical or expensive to fix. I want to avoid sending her to the recycling yard!

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Restoration of a 1978 Starcraft Mariner 22'

Hey Jig - Maybe the PO saw one of our foam debates, got confused and decided it's not needed.

I doubt that, even the pool noodle guys know better than that.

 

[gardug0213]

Restoration of a 1978 Starcraft Mariner 22'

The PO removed the foam when the deck was replaced (old deck plywood stamped 1990's). I am assuming that Starcraft did not use pour in foam in 1978, there is not a trace of old foam in the boat. The fact that I did not have to remove the foam is a big bonus for me, but seems like it was a pretty big gamble for anyone using the boat.

 

[gardug0213]

Restoration of a 1978 Starcraft Mariner 22'

Transom was completely shot - carpenter ants had made their way into the transom wood. It came out good enough to use as a template though. Three piece transom - plywood and nominal lumber construction.

 

[gardug0213]

Re: Restoration of a 1978 Starcraft Mariner 22'

What areas of the aluminum are prone to problems/failure in the Starcraft boats? I see no major cracks or failure points in the aluminum. I have inspected the ribs and do not observe any stress cracking at the ends. The transom support brace has some evidence of stress due to the failed transom. Are there any other important areas to inspect? Water testing the hull and rivets is on the to-do list.

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: Restoration of a 1978 Starcraft Mariner 22'

Check the blind rivets holding the longitudinal stringers to the ribs. They are often loose and need replacing.

 

[gardug0213]

Re: Restoration of a 1978 Starcraft Mariner 22'

You are right Georgesalmon...the stringers are in need of re-riveting. THX.

 

[gardug0213]

Re: Restoration of a 1978 Starcraft Mariner 22'

Does anyone know how to remove the cast aluminum nose/bow piece? Is it held on with the rubrail?

 

[ShowMeGuy]

Re: Restoration of a 1978 Starcraft Mariner 22'

Does anyone know how to remove the cast aluminum nose/bow piece? Is it held on with the rubrail?

I just took a wedge/screwdriver/hammer and was super gentle on my Cheiftain and it came off. I'd just be smart about it..

 

[gardug0213]

Re: Restoration of a 1978 Starcraft Mariner 22'

Thanks for the advice ShowMe...I thought about doing a bit of prying, but thought that I would ask around first. It is loose and seems like it could pop off with a little help. BTW nice work on the Chieftain.

 

[gardug0213]

Restoration of a 1978 Starcraft Mariner 22'

Picture of the old 3 piece transom - not sure if it is the original. I plan on a one piece replacement. Trashing the old and making a template for new transom construction. I also removed the splashwell.

I am thinking ahead - should the splashwell thru-hull drain fittings need to remain flared aluminum [I do not have the tool for flaring], or can I use a threaded plastic thru-hull fitting. Pros or cons strong for one way or another?

 

[gardug0213]

Restoration of a 1978 Starcraft Mariner 22'

Chemical stripping of the hull has been quite a PITA. Used a combination of products: Klean-Strip from Home Depot and Rust-Oleum Aircraft Remover [Methylene Chloride] that I ordered online...neither product worked miracles, but the Rust-Oleum Aircraft Remover had slightly better results. Still lots of manual labor - basically applied stripper and let sit, scraped what would come off, then used steel wool with stripper to remove residual paint and finished with a clean scouring pad.