1971 16' starcraft supersport restore

[BIGcarpy50]

I am a young guy and picked up this 1971 16' starcraft for $400 with a huge trailer. looking back i could have got a better deal maybe, but this size boat is very hard to come by for this price. here are some pics of the boat in the shape i got it in and some after i pulled the layer of 3/4 marine ply and original layer out of the boat. i work full time so it is a slow process in terms of $ and time to work on it. just thought i would start this post so people can see a 23 year old has gotten himself into.

 

[Joe_the_boatman]

Re: 1971 16' starcraft supersport restore

Looks a lot like what I just got done doing. Do you have a motor?

 

[BIGcarpy50]

Re: 1971 16' starcraft supersport restore

picked up a 1973 50hp evinrude for 400. changed water pump and it fired right up.

 

[BIGcarpy50]

Re: 1971 16' starcraft supersport restore

pulled the boat off the trailer and found this thing. it's soild iron prob could hold 4000lbs...gonna paint it after i sand it down and throw some rusty metal primer on in

 

[Joe_the_boatman]

Re: 1971 16' starcraft supersport restore

pulled the boat off the trailer and found this thing. it's soild iron prob could hold 4000lbs...gonna paint it after i sand it down and throw some rusty metal primer on in

Good idea. I'd recommend investing in a compressor and paint gun, vs. the paint can method. You could even use an "airless" type gun.

I shot my trailer with one, used about 1/2 gal of paint - that's a lot of spray cans, if you were to go that route.

To get the scale off my trailer, I used a twisted wire wheel on an angle grinder. Worked great.

 

[sneekdog6]

Re: 1971 16' starcraft supersport restore

I've got the exact same boat in the exact same colors. It hasn't seen water in a couple of years due to kids and familiy obligations. I'm actually thinking about a restoration as well...or trying to find an 18 footer for more family room.

What are your plans for the boat? Gas tank? Seats? Dash? Paint? Etc?

I have an 85hp 'rude on the back of mine...and she goes pretty good. Never did get a GPS on it, but when trimmed up just right it sure was fun.

 

[BIGcarpy50]

Re: 1971 16' starcraft supersport restore

gonna go back with basically the same plan in terms of consoles but i might shave them about 6 inches to give a bigger walk way. Also gonna put the original aluminum in the bow but add some wood in the middle to put a post seat in it to fish out of. Gona throw a battery box in the very front of the bow for a trolling motor, and use the other sides for storage. In the back behind the consoles im gonna build some boxes to put swivel seat on and use for storage and behind the pass on the floor gonna put a livewell. im also gonna use the built in areas the run along the length of the boat for rod lockers and storage. then in the back right in the middle a post seat. as for gas tanks just gonna use a portable one and put it under the motor well.

 

[sneekdog6]

Re: 1971 16' starcraft supersport restore

I built a "platform" for the bow of my boat. Took some 3/4" ply and cut it to the shape of the bow. I carpeted that platform and put a seat base in the middle of it. When I wanted to go fishing I would removed the cushions in the bow and then set the "platform" in. when I wanted to ski or cruise, I took the platform out and snapped the cushions in. It worked pretty slick.

Storage was always a big issue for me...never enough of it on the 16 footer. Putting a gas tank in the floor would have freed some area in the stern...or maybe a ski locker in the floor. But then again, i don't think there was enough room in the floor to accomplish either...

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1971 16' starcraft supersport restore

Good luck with your project. I bought my (similar) boat gutted and did the bulk of the restoration 4 years ago with smaller projects each year since then. We've had a blast with it for 4 seasons. Have fun. Pics of mine in my signature below.

 

[Tacklewasher]

Re: 1971 16' starcraft supersport restore

I built a "platform" for the bow of my boat. Took some 3/4" ply and cut it to the shape of the bow. I carpeted that platform and put a seat base in the middle of it. When I wanted to go fishing I would removed the cushions in the bow and then set the "platform" in. when I wanted to ski or cruise, I took the platform out and snapped the cushions in. It worked pretty slick.

Had the exact same idea for my 18'. Any suggestions on building it?

 

[Joe_the_boatman]

Re: 1971 16' starcraft supersport restore

Had the exact same idea for my 18'. Any suggestions on building it?

Mine's going to be made from left over plywood from the floor, with 2X4's as joists underneath. The swivel chair will be attached to the platform permanently.

I'll have pictures when I make mine.

 

[Tacklewasher]

Re: 1971 16' starcraft supersport restore

Mine's going to be made from left over plywood from the floor, with 2X4's as joists underneath. The swivel chair will be attached to the platform permanently.

I'll have pictures when I make mine.

Hmmm.

My initial though was to put a chair base in the floor, that could double as a table base for when I'm relaxing. but I guess I could have a base in the floor and the platform and have two different posts.

Are you leaving the top of the platform as wood? My thought is to cover it with aluminum, but then I do have this extra boat supplying the material.

 

[sneekdog6]

Re: 1971 16' starcraft supersport restore

The way I did mine (right, wrong or otherwise...

Got a piece of ply and cut it to the shape of the entire bow. I then had to cut that sheet into about 2/3 - 1/3 in order to get the platform in and out of the boat (it tucks up underneith the very front of the bow). The 1/3 piece was the very front, the 2/3 piece was back toward the console.

I mounted the seat base in the 2/3 piece right in the middle, essentially in right over the bow "walk-way". I knew I would need extra reinforcement for the seat base, so underneith the platform by the base I screwed some 2x2 lumber where the platform "spanned" the walk way. i could still seat the platform flush on the seats as the "supports" hung low in the open walkway.

I also carpeted each piece of the platform with outdoor stuff.

The whole thing worked pretty slick. I had a bow mount trolling motor...the battery sat below the platform in the "walkway".

The only negative...if i wanted to ski or cruise with the ladies i had to pull the whole nine yards out (battery included) as there was no place to store on board.

Don't know if this makes sense or not...

I do like the idea of the pole base in the floor and doubling for a table mount.

 

[Joe_the_boatman]

Re: 1971 16' starcraft supersport restore

The plan for mine is similar to the above. I'll take pictures when I make it.

The double-duty seat/table post is a good idea. I'd have to make something for the chair though to make it work. I have the chair and base, just need something to mount it to.

 

[BIGcarpy50]

Re: 1971 16' starcraft supersport restore

i think that i will put a battery under the very bow under the seat if there is room, and leave it there. it will hinge the front seat so i can pull it out.

 

[BIGcarpy50]

Re: 1971 16' starcraft supersport restore

haven't done alot to it i have been coaching since football started i coach J.V. football for a local school. thought i would show you the motor and what a mess i found when i opened it up. Notice the cool stand i built,,,Mom wasn't happy.. Man my uncle was right a boat is a hole in the water you dump money into

 

[STARCRAFT16SS]

Re: 1971 16' starcraft supersport restore

heres a 1971 starcraft 16ft ss I have been working on...I used sainless steel
washers to identify the switches,,,stamped out the words

 

[Greendiver]

Re: 1971 16' starcraft supersport restore

Yea, a boat is a hole in my driveway that I throw money into!

 

[BIGcarpy50]

Re: 1971 16' starcraft supersport restore

GOT IT IN TO THE WATER>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Not gonna lie i took some shortcuts to get it seaworhty. Here are some pics.

I had an issue with the motor tho. Not alot of power. I had a GPS and only got 17mph with me and my dad in it. This dosn't seem right? but it fired right up. anyone think coils. I need to do some investigation.


first pic- it fired right up,,,,2nd pic--top speed?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1971 16' starcraft supersport restore

Even for a 50 that sounds slow.