Work on an old Starcraft

[SanAnBoater]

I am looking for advice on making general repairs to my 18 ft Center Console. I have begun the work by pulling the old floor out. It is in very bad shape. I have come across some poured in polyethelene (spelling?) It is very wet along with the old floor, how should i go about replacing the foam? Is it nessesary to keep it, should i pull it all out or just some. I can post pics if need be, but like i said just looking for some advise as of now. I also noted the transom is going to be replaced as well.

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: Work on an old Starcraft

Welcome Aboard SanAn!!
Nice to see yet ANOTHER Starcraft being worked on!!
Hate to hafta tell ya this..But that slop that used to be foam has gotta come out...Electric kitchen knife..sharpened shovel..AX...ya have to cut out that stuff..nasty business for sure!

You will get quite a few HUNDRED pounds of soggy mess outta her before you are done..

There is a forum for Starcraft owners, its at the main page under forums by brand/manufacturer..

Pop in..you'd be amazed at how many of us are openly TINNIES!
Theres a lot of closet tinnies on here too, we are slowly converting them..


also..Pics..gotta see some pics too!

 

[vegasphotoman]

Re: Work on an old Starcraft

Hey one of them closet Tinnies is ME!!!!!!!!!

Hi Kev and San An

yeah the starcrafts have a DEVOUT following so BEWARE!!!!!!!!

alot of guys put foam blocks in instead of spray in our expanded foam to replace the floatation (always a good idea in case of a sinkage!)

you're in good company so post alot of pics! and alot of progress reports!

 

[18Starcraft]

Re: Work on an old Starcraft

I may have the same hull, its a 1982 18ft Mariner. My floor & tramson are solid but I've replaced 85 bottom/side rivets so far. I've actually been using the boat for some fall striper fishing. If you have a Fastenal Supply house near. YOu can get bags of 50 aluminum closed end rivets for around $12.00. They have to special order them in but both times I've gotten them it only took 2 days. When I first got hull I was calling around the boat shops and was quoted as high as $1.00 rivet. PS use 3M 5200 to seal each rivet. Its actually a great riding hull and not as wet as I thought it would be. Naturally wind/tide can make a difference. I put my 115HP Evinrude on it.

 

[sprintst]

Re: Work on an old Starcraft

Welcome aboard.

The foam does pop out once you dig into it. I used a small piece of wood to pry against using either a flat pry bar or 6 in 1 tool once I got closer to the hull and stringers.

Wear a mask when you pull that stuff up as who knows what lives in there. The foam removal looks like a big job but it's not all that hard. Better to get it out to see what shape everything is under there.

There are some pics at the beginning of my thread. Brings back bad memories as it was pretty hot when I was doing as this dirty work.

 

[evildocrsx]

Re: Work on an old Starcraft

Pictures always help. I don't think there is an easy way to take out all the foam. Luckily for me, mine didn't have pour in foam. I just removed the deck and pulled it out. Good luck and welcome.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Work on an old Starcraft

Yep, it has to come out. Be careful removing it...ever see a roofing crew remove old shingles with a square-bladed shovel? That's the ticket...Bob's your uncle.

 

[Azonic]

Re: Work on an old Starcraft

did someone say my two favorite things?

Starcraft and Center Console?


Where are the pictures?!?

 

[jspano]

Re: Work on an old Starcraft

i have 21 ft cc starcraft and when i removed the foam near the bow it stopped.
i took a long handled square shovel and it come up in big pcs. was easy!!!!
i used a pressure washer to get all the little pcs stuck in the corners and the edges of the ribs.

these guys here are a wealth of knowledge and a great resource.

start a account to store photos like photo bucket then you can upload photos and click on the share this photo and you can attach the photo link into the body of your post... it makes it easier for all to see.

welcome and good luck

joe

 

[SanAnBoater]

Re: Work on an old Starcraft

Thank y'all so much for the insight! I will snap some shots of what i have done so far and post them to a share account. Things went rather quickly once I read through the threads. I have about half of the old floor out and plan on removing the back half today. As for the transom, that will be the next portion once all the floor is out. I read some interesting ideas about how to replace it, but as always, each one varies in its own way. Hopefully tonight i will have pics up. Thanks again for everything, and more to follow.

 

[5speedhemi]

Re: Work on an old Starcraft

Yes post some pics!

5 speed

 

[Captmills]

Re: Work on an old Starcraft

Save that old deck!!! you will want a pattern. Good Luck! Gotta have pics