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

[ShoestringMariner]

Update, I located the brackets under “steering wheel bezel kit” but they are all standard depths. I found a universal looking one with more hole mounting combos, but who knows if it fits the gearbox from Italy. Might be worth a try. Come to think of it, I guess I’ll just make one that works with its bolt pattern.

I don’t think a shim block will work because the steering wheel shaft won’t protrude as far through the dash, so that’s a problem.

Interested to see how you guys handled this if you ran into it

 

[MNhunter1]

That rotary housing mechanism still leaves a little clearance on the back side of the dash. I have my switch panel sucked up pretty tight next to the bezel (which you'll also need to mindful of on the front side). It's a tight fit with the wiring, but doable. I wouldn't comprise you're steering/safety for dash layout. Get the steering mocked up and mounted, and work from there on the rest of it. I'll try to snap some pictures of the backside of my dash later today.

 

[ShoestringMariner]

That rotary housing mechanism still leaves a little clearance on the back side of the dash. I have my switch panel sucked up pretty tight next to the bezel (which you'll also need to mindful of on the front side). It's a tight fit with the wiring, but doable. I wouldn't comprise you're steering/safety for dash layout. Get the steering mocked up and mounted, and work from there on the rest of it. I'll try to snap some pictures of the backside of my dash later today.

I can see making the switch cluster work, but don’t feel on the tach unless I cut studs down. I guess I could do that. Modifying brand new things is always my last choice in case I have to return it. If you have time to snap a quick pic, that would be great.

 

[MNhunter1]

Here you go. The dash is 3/4" and I haven't ran my steering cable yet as I want to get all my wiring done without the interference, but you can see there is still a good allowance of space. With the switch panel, the bezel wouldn't have allowed me much more room to bring it in tighter, and with the gauges, I wanted to be able to see them without looking through the steering wheel, but I would have had plenty of room to work with had I wanted them in tighter as well. I mindfully positioned my switches so I could wire everything up before installing, then just connect the positive wires going out to each accessory on the more accessible outside tabs. I have all my negatives ran to a bus bar that will mount just below the helm.

 

[ShoestringMariner]

Thanks for this. Your photos make me wonder if I may have another issue to contend with; a cup holder. Hopefully the cup that drops in will clear or I may have to patch the hole. The good thing is I haven’t cut the hole in the nautolex that’s covering the dash top yet. I think. It’s been a while since I’ve looked at it. It’s all bundled up in storage, I better go measure

PS, that toggle switch assembly that you made looks really cool! Were you able to buy the switch medallion somewhere or did you have them laser cut & etched?

 

[MNhunter1]

Thanks for this. Your photos make me wonder if I may have another issue to contend with; a cup holder. Hopefully the cup that drops in will clear or I may have to patch the hole. The good thing is I haven’t cut the hole in the nautolex that’s covering the dash top yet. I think. It’s been a while since I’ve looked at it. It’s all bundled up in storage, I better go measure

PS, that toggle switch assembly that you made looks really cool! Were you able to buy the switch medallion somewhere or did you have them laser cut & etched?

Thanks! I purchased the toggle switch labels. They didn't turn out as great as I had expected, but still look good and serve their purpose.

 

[ShoestringMariner]

Struggling to get this thing off of the mothballs. my health is remained pretty decent with the exception of some side effects and recently Covid.
I’ve actually managed to make a few panels. Working on the dash and sorting through some of the stuff that I have. Before I throw out the rack and pinion steering, I better ask if rotary is better. I have four rotary boxes to choose from. The rack and pinion is the original to the boat as far as I know. 1975.

Edit:, photo upload being held for approval.
I think I might be incorrect. One of these rotary gearboxes is very different. The shaft is in the centre of the housing. The other three has the shaft to one edge. Wondering if there’s an advantage to the one with the shaft dead centre?

 

[MNhunter1]

Can't speak much on the pros/cons of the rotary v. rack and pinion, but I've replaced the steering on my last two builds with the 4.2 NFB rotary system from Seastar.

 

[ShoestringMariner]

Can't speak much on the pros/cons of the rotary v. rack and pinion, but I've replaced the steering on my last two builds with the 4.2 NFB rotary system from Seastar.

Thank you. Looking again, three of them are labelled Telex safe T system. None of them say NFB or no feedback.

Not sure if that matters. I’m probably only running up to 70 hp on this boat, although maybe up to 90 if I re-power to a modern four stroke.

So saying that, I wonder if I should invest in buying new instead of reusing some of this unknown old junk.

 

[MNhunter1]

I feel like those are pretty reputable rotary systems. I'd just find a new cable if needed and call it good unless the cost of the cable negates the investment in a complete system.

 

[ShoestringMariner]

I feel like those are pretty reputable rotary systems. I'd just find a new cable if needed and call it good unless the cost of the cable negates the investment in a complete system.

I think I’m just gonna forward ahead with one of them.

Dash is coming to life. Photo attached, but it says Site administrator needs to do something. Can’t read the rest. It’s cut off anyone having issues uploading photos.? Wondering if this site does not like my VPN…

 

[ShoestringMariner]

Photo attempt again

 

[ShoestringMariner]

Not the VPN

@mods can you please tell me why the photos are not uploading?

 

[Rasdiir]

Not the VPN

@mods can you please tell me why the photos are not uploading?

Photos are down across the site for the last 2 weeks

 

[ShoestringMariner]

Photos are down across the site for the last 2 weeks

Ok, thank you

 

[SHSU]

I echo @MNhunter1 , find a replacement cable cheap and go with it. I have the seastar NFB system as well and don't see an advantage if you already have the rotary system. Now if we're talking hydralic that is a different story.

SHSU

 

[Watermann]

Ok, thank you

Photos are down across the site for the last 2 weeks

I use onedrive to host my pics and you can embed them here.

 

[ShoestringMariner]

I use onedrive to host my pics and you can embed them here.

Oh you caught me in my other boat!!

Is this photo thing looking permanent? I’m getting older but still working 44 a week, and also trying to wrap up many projects. If I don’t have to go to another site and learn that one that would be better however, if this is a permanent deal, I guess I’ll have to.

 

[ShoestringMariner]

Dropbox

www.dropbox.com

 

[ShoestringMariner]

Not sure if that link works… getting ready to clad the dash section with nautolex. I chose the classic blue because it was pretty close to the original. I like the retro. Not sure I like the pleated white I picked up for the side panels, but we’ll see what it looks like. I didn’t want to be all blue inside I was hoping to keep it somewhat like the original. If I ever replace the white pleated fabric I’ll do the light gray sharks tooth nautolex Instead to break up the colour and keep it lighter. (same colour I used in the broad locker because it’s all they had. I actually don’t mind it against the blue.)