The well traveled 1979 Starcraft 18' V5 SS

[Watermann]

Not too much going on in my hangar this weekend, put on the rubrail and inside trim that I had painted black back during painting weather. I do have a RR attachment alternative to share with those guys who tear everything down to it's bare essentials. Pics oh yeah not too much to be excited about but I like looking at the boat and spend more time doing that than working on it. :lol:

I don't know but every little thing that goes on makes her look more like a boat.

So the RR re-attachment. I have a huge inventory of blind rivets and some of the long (1" grip) large flange for the upper deck I'll be putting on that's 3/4" ply. The flange is too large to fit into the channel so I modify them with my angle grinder, takes a few seconds is all and you have this.

With the air rivet gun, it sucks the rail in tight and you can add more if you feel the need. The end result looks like this.

 

[Tnstratofam]

She's really looking good. That's a nice fix for the RR chanel.

 

[jbcurt00]

Looking great Rob. IMO, it'll be a real contender to make you a repeat SOTY winner....


Excellent work.

 

[Patfromny]

You did something similar with attaching the windshield right? Modified bolts. Good thinking. Do you need that long of a rivet to attach the RR or were they just extras? I'm asking because I thought you should use the right size shank for the best grip. I don't know that for sure, I'm just trying to learn something here.

Looking so nice BTW. Keep on going, this is going to be the nicest looking fishing boat.

 

[budski]

Looking good Rob, the rub rail in my last few starcrafts were screwed on, can't remember what the V5's we redid had.

 

[Watermann]

Hey thanks for taking a look guys.

I don't know about another SOTY run, I'm thinking once is good and then pass the torch on. I do appreciate the supreme compliment though!

Yeah Pat the rivets are the perfect length, they have a good stretch to go of open air, probably a half inch and then all the material it's at least 3/4" total. The riveter snaps loudly on the first trigger pull making a solid ring throughout the boat. You can see the distance in the pic with the rivet shaft back there. The inner channel piece the RR goes over is riveted on the hull with solids, I replaced a number of them too and that piece is what adds strength to the boats gunnels.

Originally the RR used what ever length of size 8 screws that SC had on hand, some of them were 2.5 - 3" long and the V5 had steel tooth lock washers galore that were rusted out. It would cost a small fortune to buy all new SS machine screws and nylocs. I don't see the need for screws when the whole boat is held together by rivets. The gunnels are 2 pieces and are held together by 100's of 5/32nds blinds into that inner piece that's riveted on with solids. I added a bunch of extra rivets too just to be sure. :lol:

 

[GA_Boater]

Originally the RR used what ever length of size 8 screws that SC had on hand, some of them were 2.5 - 3" long

When I first starting working on mine, I asked if all SCs used overly-long machine screws. Even surmised that SC bought a warehouse full of Army/Navy WWII surplus. Guess the warehouse wasn't completely out of stock when your V5 came along 23 years later.

I have SS screws and nuts with captive star washers holding the RR channels on. She still has the original Longest Day screws and nuts. LOL They come in handy for hanging grommets for wiring and cables under the gunnels. :smile:

 

[Watermann]

I have SS screws and nuts with captive star washers holding the RR channels on. She still has the original Longest Day screws and nuts. LOL They come in handy for hanging grommets for wiring and cables under the gunnels. :smile:

Yeah SC added a nice feature in this model, notice the vinyl coated hooks on both sides up under the gunnels. I cleaned them up and put them back on before putting the gunnels together again.

 

[GA_Boater]

Those are nice hooks.

Aren't you glad you're a long way from that look?

 

[Patfromny]

I see the chief in the drive way, the v5 in the hanger, where is the wife parking the Buick these days? Has she just given up the hanger and conceeded MBS Or are you a few days away from walking into a room full of your closest friends and relatives all holding sheets of paper and asking you to please take a seat? Enjoy the hanger for all its worth. I'm guessing that is a very limited window if yours is anything like my lovely bride.

 

[BMerr509]

Looking great Rob- dumb question, what are you using the hooks for?

Man you guys make being single look a tiny bit better!!!!

 

[Watermann]

Those are nice hooks.

Aren't you glad you're a long way from that look?

Oh man seeing what a wreck the SS was and remembering spending an entire day underneath on a creeper driving solid rivets.

I see the chief in the drive way, the v5 in the hanger, where is the wife parking the Buick these days? Has she just given up the hanger and conceeded MBS Or are you a few days away from walking into a room full of your closest friends and relatives all holding sheets of paper and asking you to please take a seat? Enjoy the hanger for all its worth. I'm guessing that is a very limited window if yours is anything like my lovely bride.

It was a on and off again battle with intermittent skirmishes that went on for about 3 months. I won the hangar until the boat work's finished.

Looking great Rob- dumb question, what are you using the hooks for?

Man you guys make being single look a tiny bit better!!!!

The hooks are for holding wiring, cables, rigging etc.

 

[Ratherbboatin]

My rail was factory bolted on.

 

[MNhunter1]

I glued on a 12" x 14" piece of 3/4" on the under side where the helm and nav seats will bolt down. The plan is to use machine screws and T bolts. The foam board will be notched out well so it will add support too as I don't have any fishing buddies under 250.

A: Did some catch up on your progress...as always, outstanding work WM!

B: How did the T-bolts and machine screws work out for the bases? Would you do it again? Was the 12x14 3/4" backer board sufficient with the 1/2" deck?

 

[Watermann]

Thanks MN, I put some Titebond III on the T nuts and hammered them into the holes. After the deck was set and vinyl laid I screwed the pedestals on with some blue locktite.on the threads and I think that 1-1/4" of ply thickness should spread out the stress way better than a single ply layer of any thickness.

I think the backer ply is the only way to go for pedestal seating.

 

[MNhunter1]

Thanks guys. I used a 5/8" spade bit to countersink for the rivet heads and used my drill guide set for the right depth.

Any ideas what would work to fill in level over the rivet heads? More 5200 or maybe some epoxy type stuff is what I've been thinking.

Couple more questions for you WM...my ocd is kicking in as contemplate my floor install...

A) did you countersink as you were installing each rivet, one by one (drill, countersink, 5200, pop in rivet, move onto next one), or just drill everything, countersink all holes, then go back and install all the rivets? My concern is hole alignment if the rivet isn't sunk in right away before drilling the subsequent holes, but I'm probably just overthinking it.


B) you've made a few references to your drill guide. Care to share what you are using? I've tried one of those cheap plastic ones and it seemed like more trouble than it was worth.

Thanks WM!

 

[Watermann]

Couple more questions for you WM...my ocd is kicking in as contemplate my floor install...

A) did you countersink as you were installing each rivet, one by one (drill, countersink, 5200, pop in rivet, move onto next one)


B) you've made a few references to your drill guide. Care to share what you are using? I've tried one of those cheap plastic ones and it seemed like more trouble than it was worth.

Thanks WM!

The deck rivets, that's exactly what I did.

This is the drill guide I have and I use it for everything. Wolfcraft 4525404 Drill Guide

 

[No-AH]

The deck rivets, that's exactly what I did.

This is the drill guide I have and I use it for everything. Wolfcraft 4525404 Drill Guide

Thanks WM.......Just ordered it from Amazon.ca!
Been wanting that particular model for some time now but was only avlbl in the US. till recently.
Ordered it express shipping.... hoping it makes it on Santas' sleigh lol

 

[MNhunter1]

Thanks WM.......Just ordered it from Amazon.ca!
Been wanting that particular model for some time now but was only avlbl in the US. till recently.
Ordered it express shipping.... hoping it makes it on Santas' sleigh lol

I picked one up myself as well

 

[Watermann]

It's about time to start stringing some wire in the SS. Got some new gauges, switch panel and a fuse block for the job. I wanted to use my SC gauges but the tach is for an IO and I couldn't find an OB model that would match so I opted for a new set of Faria spun silver. http://www.iboats.com/Faria-Spun-Si...803279--session_id.752146115--view_id.1163145

http://www.iboats.com/Screw-Termina...2803279--session_id.752146115--view_id.163740