Where do i start? '68 Starcraft Jet Star 15

[Jambla]

I have recently purchased a 1968 16' Starcraft aluminum boat. The previous owner built storage compartments front and rear and installed a windshield that doesn't look factory to me. I would like to tear everything out and start from scratch. I don't want to make the same mistakes this guy made. What are the proper materials to use when building storage compartments? (stud grade 2 x 4's and 3/8" plywood can't be the best option) What about flooring (vinyl vs. carpet). I would like to end up with an open bow but the steering cables run under the dash. can i move these to be just on one side? I would also like to install a live well. I would really like this to look and operate like new when I'm done. right now it looks like it was dropped from an airplane into a Lowes store. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Where do i start?

Re: Where do i start?

Welcome to iboats....... you are in the best place for Starcraft too..... many of us are aluminum junkies.

If I had to build storage (which is on my starcraft list) I would visit the scrap yard and use scrap aluminum.

Anything is possible for design.

Take a look at our Completed Projects http://forums.iboats.com/forumdisplay.php?f=407 for some aluminum rebuild ideas.

Post some pictures....get comfortable you will like it here!

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: Where do i start?

Re: Where do i start?

Jambla welcome to iboats ( and as soon as we se pictures of said Starcraft ) The Starcraft club . You will notice as Bob said theres quite a few of us Starcrafters around here . The steering issue could be as simple as switching over to a teleflex system which actually came stock on alot of our Starcrafts . I have a 16' Jupiter V and it has one on it and most of the others I have seen also have it . The thing to converting to open Bow is to do it right . I know it can be done but doing it right is something totally differant . Get us some pics of her so we can help figure out what madel you have and we can go from there . I agree with Bob aluminum would be best for building the frames for your storage compartments.


Rick

 

[Jambla]

Re: Where do i start?

Re: Where do i start?

Thanks for the reply guys. I took some time and looked at the great projects that are posted and now my head is really swimming. Lots of good ideas. I backed the boat in the garage last night. I think I'll have to go spend a couple hours sitting in it with a cooler of cold beverages ( Commodore Perry IPA, I'll stick with a boating theme) and think about the layout that would work best. My wife and kids will think I've lost my mind but that won't be the first time they've thought that. I'll try to get some photos this weekend and learn how to get them on the computer so you can see what I've got. Thanks again.

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: Where do i start?

Re: Where do i start?

Jambla if you need help posting pics or anything just ask One of us Starcrafters has most likely been there already . Most of us use Photo bucket to host our pictures on ( to get the big pictures in our threads ) . The maximum size for pictures on here is 640 X 480 you can resize them on photo bucket and keep Bob Happy . One other thing us Starcrafters like to know where each other is from so if you go to the top of the page you will see User CP on the upper left click on it and it will open a page where you can change your profile to include your location.


P.S. Most of our Wives ( SWMBO ) think were nuts LOL.


Rick

 

[Jambla]

Re: Where do i start?

Re: Where do i start?

Thanks Rick. I think im muddling my way through the picture thing and as soon as the battery in my camera charges i have some photos to get on the computer. It turns out the boat is a Jet Star 15 according to the tag on the side of the boat.

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: Where do i start?

Re: Where do i start?

Jet Stars are pretty sharp boats theres quite a few members here recently with Jet Stars so you will be in good company . Tincans are alot easier to resto that Glass boats so you are already ahead of the game.



Rick

 

[Jambla]

Re: Where do i start?

Re: Where do i start?

I think I've got the picture thing worked out let me know if you can see these.

http://www.kodakgallery.com/gallery...alleryUpload-_873025933703&_requestid=321317#

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: Where do i start?

Re: Where do i start?

Nope not yet it wants to let me upload pics from your link . Get yourself a photobucket account much easier to deal with putting up pics.



Rick

 

[Jambla]

Re: Where do i start?

Re: Where do i start?

Rick
Let me know if this works

http://photobucket.com/jetstar15

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: Where do i start?

Re: Where do i start?

Hey Jambla yep the photobucket works now we will teach you a new trick . with your photo bucket account when you have the page up with all the pictures on it if you scroll over a picture with your mouse a drop down menu will open if you left click and then right click on the last option in the drop down menu . That is the IMG code which you can copy from there ( with the right click ) and then paste it here in your posts . Like this .

Rick

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: Where do i start?

Re: Where do i start?

Looks like somebody has done quite a bit of cutting to her as she was originally a closed bow boat and somebody in her past cut out the bow area .She looks pretty good all things considered . I would take a good look at some of the Supersport Starcrafts and try to redo the dash area to match then so you had a full walk through since somebody already did half the work to get there . Since you did post Pics Welcome to the Starcraft Club . There are quite a few of us on here doing up Starcrafts so we should be able to help you through the resto on her.


Rick

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: Where do i start?

Re: Where do i start?

While I have you here us Starcrafters like to know where each other is if you go to the top of the page you will see on the Left topside of the page ( User CP ) if you click on that it will let you go in and update your profile to include your location which will show up in your posts in the upper right corner like it does on mine . Looks like you are from West By god Virginia at least by the hull numbers on the boat . We have a get together planned for next June at Lake Anna in Virginia and your welcome to come . Also there are a pile of us Starcrafters that get together to Chat on Live/MSN messenger alot so you may want to set up a Live.com account so you can join us.


Rick

 

[Jambla]

Re: Where do i start?

Re: Where do i start?

Rick
I would have never guessed it was a closed bow until i found a copy of a brochure on this site. I'm not interested in restoring to original condition just making it functional for fishing. an open bow and a windshield are important and so is the possibility of having a cover made and also a top that can be used while fishing in foul weather. I'm thinking about a small storage area in the front and at the rear, a single jump seat or swivel seat for the driver, a back to back jump seat on the passenger side, a live well along the side behind the drivers seat, and the possibility to put a swivel seat at the rear and in the open bow. maybe i should have bought a bigger boat. I hope my terminology isn't confusing. I'm sure I'll pick up on all the correct names for the parts of a boat soon.

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: Where do i start?

Re: Where do i start?

Jambla your doing fine on terminology Most of us Starcrafters are not Old salts LOL and wont jump you for using the wrong terms but since I have ya here the front of the boat is the Bow the rear is the stern , if your facing the front of the boat the Left side is Port and the right is Starboard . The floor is ( the deck ) That should get ya going for now LOL. We have another member in WV that has a nice Super Sport as well I think your plans for her sound fine and she should make for a decent fishing boat. One thing you will find around here is ( this isnt your last Starcraft its your first Starcraft ) .


Rick

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Where do i start?

Re: Where do i start?

Jambla..... go to your photobucket account and resize the photos using the EDIT to 640 x 480 which reduces them to the proper forum size. Take a few minutes and read the top 3 threads here http://forums.iboats.com/forumdisplay.php?f=32

Rick...... let him re-size and please don't post oversize in the forums.

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: Where do i start?

Re: Where do i start?

Sorry Bob I didnt even realise it was to big since it fit the page ok and didnt make the screen go all goofy . I will fix the one I posted for him .


Rick

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: Where do i start?

Re: Where do i start?

Ok Jambla I coppied the picture I linked to from your album into my photo bucket album and edited the size in my photobucket album you will have to resize the rest in order to put them on here . There is an option though to edit the pics and one of the options to edit is size which will allow you to resize them to 640X480 which will automatically resize the picture I posted . Heres a picture of the Jet/Jetstar brochure page in the right size .

Rick

 

[Jambla]

Re: Where do i start?

Re: Where do i start?

Sorry Bob. I edited the photo size. I also was able to get my location on the posts. How about the outfits those people in that brochure are wearing. It's hard to believe they actually sold any boats using that brochure.

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: Where do i start? Starcraft Jetstar

Re: Where do i start? Starcraft Jetstar

LOL Jambla it was deffinately a differant time then thats for sure . Ok so your actually up in Ohio just got a boat from WV . I think you have a good winter project there . be sure to check out the Starcraft forums as well theres a list of boat manufacturers down towards the bottom of the main site page click on Starcraft and it will take you there we have some memebers we havent managed to get over here into the Resto section over in the Starcraft forum . Also Edit your first posts title on here like I did the title of this one and it will get more of the Starcrafters in here looking at your boat . We have a bad tendancy to only look at other Starcrafts LOL.


Rick