Shoestring Starcraft SS160 Resto-mod - let the long slow road begin

[ShoestringMariner]

Hey guys, this is a little bit of a cross post. I asked a question about these braces in my rebuild thread but that’s a pretty sleepy long time thread that I’m afraid doesn’t get a whole lot of visits. So sorry about the cross post but I need to know;

is there a tutorial on adding chine braces or 16/18 foot starcraft mariner super sports etc.

I need to order solid rivets and sheet material. I’m thinking about using .080 inch aluminum to rebuild my front V bench. Wondering if that will suffice for chine braces.

Also should I use 5052 x 5/32” rivets?

if anybody could give me some approximate dimensions, Number of rivets that would be great.

Also wondering if I can attach these braces to the ribs instead of the bottom of the boat? I would like to avoid as many potential leak points as possible.

Thanks in advance

 

[GA_Boater]

This thread is sleepy and seldom posted to because you don't post in it very often.

There is no tutorial, only what some of us have done. @classiccat is one off the top of my head.

 

[ShoestringMariner]

This thread is sleepy and seldom posted to because you don't post in it very often.

There is no tutorial, only what some of us have done. @classiccat is one off the top of my head.

Agreed, I don’t. I used it hard until it snowed last year and then had to finish a home Reno over the winter. This boat has to stay in
So I’m back at it until this season hits. I hope I can get a big chunk of it done.
Thanks for the link

 

[ShoestringMariner]

This thread is sleepy and seldom posted to because you don't post in it very often.

There is no tutorial, only what some of us have done. @classiccat is one off the top of my head.

this subject would make a great sticky. Maybe when I retire.

 

[classiccat]

Agreed, I don’t. I used it hard until it snowed last year and then had to finish a home Reno over the winter. This boat has to stay in
So I’m back at it until this season hits. I hope I can get a big chunk of it done.
Thanks for the link

at around the 1:49 mark is my outer-chine tin-work:

 

[ShoestringMariner]

at around the 1:49 mark is my outer-chine tin-work:

Beautiful resto. Can I ask why the spray rail brace AND the outer chine brace?

what size rivets did you use?

5/32” or 3/16” rivets? What alloy?

.080” think 5052 sheet?

 

[classiccat]

Beautiful resto. Can I ask why the spray rail brace AND the outer chine brace?

what size rivets did you use?

5/32” or 3/16” rivets? What alloy?

.080” think 5052 sheet?

The outer chine on my 18SS was already compromised so the redundancy was justified in my mind. The spray rail brace also adds rigidity to the outer chine since I added the bottom tab (like the factory fixes in late '78). That said, the vertical riser + plate scheme that I added should be enough for most rigs and it doesn't require any disruption of the double-seam or extra holes in the bottom hull skin.

If you are going into the double row of rivets at the seam, they were 5/32 on my rig. that said, I don't think you can go wrong with 3/16 for everything; so I used a mix of 5/32 and 3/16 rivets.

The DIY vertical risers (channel) can be 5052 since its more malleable but I like those brace plates to be 6061 since it's more rigid. That thickness sounds about right; I used a mix of 0.063" to 0.090" depending on application.

 

[ShoestringMariner]

The outer chine on my 18SS was already compromised so the redundancy was justified in my mind. The spray rail brace also adds rigidity to the outer chine since I added the bottom tab (like the factory fixes in late '78). That said, the vertical riser + plate scheme that I added should be enough for most rigs and it doesn't require any disruption of the double-seam or extra holes in the bottom hull skin.

If you are going into the double row of rivets at the seam, they were 5/32 on my rig. that said, I don't think you can go wrong with 3/16 for everything; so I used a mix of 5/32 and 3/16 rivets.

The DIY vertical risers (channel) can be 5052 since its more malleable but I like those brace plates to be 6061 since it's more rigid. That thickness sounds about right; I used a mix of 0.063" to 0.090" depending on application.

thanks. Did you use the 2xxx alloy rivets or 1xxx?

clecos and rivet removal tool ordered...I need to order solid rivets now

 

[Watermann]

I've thought about making a spray rail brace 'how to' but very few people who don't have them are interested in adding them to their builds. In other words when I suggest it I get ignored or someone suggests "weld er up" or "smear goop inside" when the side splits out of their boat.

I used .080 5250 AL to fabricate my braces but there was no finding the same rivets at my rivet website so I used 2117T4 alloy rivets,. 1100 is pure soft AL and is not something I would use in a structural component.

Solid rivet length and size recommendations are in my Rivets sticky.

 

[ShoestringMariner]

I've thought about making a spray rail brace 'how to' but very few people who don't have them are interested in adding them to their builds. In other words when I suggest it I get ignored or someone suggests "weld er up" or "smear goop inside" when the side splits out of their boat.

I used .080 5250 AL to fabricate my braces but there was no finding the same rivets at my rivet website so I used 2117T4 alloy rivets,. 1100 is pure soft AL and is not something I would use in a structural component.

Solid rivet length and size recommendations are in my Rivets sticky.

Excellent thank you. I’ve had this boat on the Great Lakes in the past. And while I don’t plan on taking it out in big waves and swells, I certainly don’t want to be caught in or stranded running from a sudden violent storm and have a spray rail split happen at the worst time.

 

[ShoestringMariner]

I've thought about making a spray rail brace 'how to' but very few people who don't have them are interested in adding them to their builds. In other words when I suggest it I get ignored or someone suggests "weld er up" or "smear goop inside" when the side splits out of their boat.

I used .080 5250 AL to fabricate my braces but there was no finding the same rivets at my rivet website so I used 2117T4 alloy rivets,. 1100 is pure soft AL and is not something I would use in a structural component.

Solid rivet length and size recommendations are in my Rivets sticky.

Your sticky is excellent!! Thanks for that well written and thorough walk through

 

[SHSU]

I've thought about making a spray rail brace 'how to' but very few people who don't have them are interested in adding them to their builds. In other words when I suggest it I get ignored or someone suggests "weld er up" or "smear goop inside" when the side splits out of their boat.

Always amazes me, people ask for advice from those who have done it and then decide to ignore it. I will admit I had my fare share of doing my own thing, but structural support isn't something to mess with.

SHSU

 

[ShoestringMariner]

Always amazes me, people ask for advice from those who have done it and then decide to ignore it. I will admit I had my fare share of doing my own thing, but structural support isn't something to mess with.

SHSU

Honestly, I’m not looking forward to doing it but it’s apart now and I plan on fishing remote or larger waters.

 

[SHSU]

Only by accident, I have been in some rough water (4ft seas) in Galveston bay. It was not a fun return, just really glad with all the extra work we did and didn't have any issues. Something to say when you are in the bottom of a wave and the next one is over your head in a boat.... Lets just say I learned a lesson that day, no matter the swell report, winds dictate the waves.

SHSU

 

[ShoestringMariner]

Only by accident, I have been in some rough water (4ft seas) in Galveston bay. It was not a fun return, just really glad with all the extra work we did and didn't have any issues. Something to say when you are in the bottom of a wave and the next one is over your head in a boat.... Lets just say I learned a lesson that day, no matter the swell report, winds dictate the waves.

SHSU

With the changing weather patterns, I want to be prepared for anything. Global warming IS a thing.

do you recall how many rivets you used above the spray rail, and below the waterline? (Aside from re-riveting the staggered rivet pattern at the chine)

I’m thinking a 4 (quad pattern) on the hull bottom and 3 in-line across the top or perhaps another quad pattern. Does that sound like what you guys did?

 

[SHSU]

I just realized this is a SS16, for some reason I thought it was a SS18 which is why I had comments for adding the support. I didn't add any extra side supports. Think that is mostly for the V5s and such. Would need @Watermann to confirm on his recommendation.

SHSU

 

[ShoestringMariner]

I just realized this is a SS16, for some reason I thought it was a SS18 which is why I had comments for adding the support. I didn't add any extra side supports. Think that is mostly for the V5s and such. Would need @Watermann to confirm on his recommendation.

SHSU

I wish it was an 18OB! Although I couldn’t put in my garage though
Thanks for your help.

 

[ShoestringMariner]

Yay, so my clecos, cleco pliers and rivet removal tool showed up this week. Waiting for rivets and my 5052 aluminum sheet to arrive.

I’ve never used clecos before. any recommendations on how many I need to use per area? I only ordered 20. I never thought to order a replacement bit for the removal tool so I might place another order and get more clecos too if I should have more.

Would it be advisable to remove each bracket and de-burr the rivet holes before riveting? I was thinking a light smear of 3m 5200 in between would be a good idea?
Or is it best not to interrupt the “smear” of aluminum between one sheet and the other.

 

[SHSU]

I didn't have Clecos, but I used some bolts every ~5-10 depending on the area.

As for 5200, I used a glob on every rivet we replaced.

SHSU

 

[MNhunter1]

I think I have about 25 each in both 3/16 and 5/32 and never really felt I needed more. Granted, I haven’t needed to do any major repairs, but i think about 20-25 each makes for a adequate supply. They are well worth the investment in my opinion, especially when working alone. I’d put the air riveter, clecos, and my ratcheting wire crimps as my top three best tool investments for working on these boats.