Old Starcraft that needs Help

[CJTaylor]

I just purchased an old Starcraft and would like to restore it, but I am going to need some information to make it work. I got the boat for fishing in small lakes around central Fl. When I got it home I could see that at one time this was a nice little run about. I am guessing that it is about a 1958 14-foot aluminum Starcraft ski boat? The information plate on the boat is in poor condition and all I can get the name of the company and for model st or et and this are the last letters.

I have pictures but I need to get them to a size so I can download they will be coming. I do have question since I have removed all the wood and will be getting the boat ready for painting and wood replacement. The first is what type of wood would be best I think it would be Oak but not sure. The next is the type of fasteners for aluminum and is there a good place to look for hardware of that time period? Also any other help from someone?s experiences. Thank you CJ Taylor

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Old Starcraft that needs Help

Use photobucket.com for your pictures and link to them from here. Size them to 640x480 which you can do right on that site. Welcome to iboats!

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Old Starcraft that needs Help

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=352569&highlight=ski+champ+starcraft

Check out this restoration...it's the same boat as yours most likely

iboats member wrfalpacas has been doing a top-notch job on his and I'm sure you will find it helpful while working on your rig

Welcome to iboats CJ, you have found the best place to get info on Starcraft boats on the web, period

 

[wrfalpacas]

Re: Old Starcraft that needs Help

Awesome! Can't wait to see pics My 56 had white oak rubrails, quartersawn red oak transom, and mahogany seats and dash.

 

[CJTaylor]

Re: Old Starcraft that needs Help

I finally got some pictures. Also would you use SS fasteners with the aluminum? Also any other information that you may see from the pictures that may help would be great. CJTaylor

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Old Starcraft that needs Help

Welcome to iboats!

Nice boat. Yes, you can use stainless steel bolts and I would NOT use any regular steel bolts anywhere. Stainless bolts and aluminum rivets will be your friends.

Do you have a motor? I see it does not have a splashwell but that does not matter (you can add one if you like). Looks like you have a blank slate.

I would flip it over and inspect the bottom of the hull. You will be able to spot and replace any missing rivets.

Starcrafts are great boats and for a fishing/lake boat I am sure you will be pleased.

 

[CJTaylor]

Re: Old Starcraft that needs Help

I am on the track to find a motor Craigslist and ebay. Also looking for a windshield in the same places. When I got the boat home I put about foot of water in and had no leaks. I plan on stripping the wood out of it and them flipping over to check for problems. I will also strip the paint plus work on the trailer. You said something about a splash rail, I am not sure what that would be. CJTaylor

 

[CJTaylor]

Re: Old Starcraft that needs Help

Just got a link for photobucket. Hope to keep it updated. cjtaylor

http://s789.photobucket.com/albums/yy176/epetiprin/Starcraft/

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Old Starcraft that needs Help

I am really against fining leaks like that...... I think it places unusual stress on the hull and is a waste of water!

Splash Well not Rail It is the piece in front of the transom. If water splashes over the transom .....it drains right out and does not enter the hull.

DO NOT re-build your transom until you locate a motor. This will allow you to make the transom the proper height for whatever motor you track down.

 

[proshadetree]

Re: Old Starcraft that needs Help

Man that tub bring back memories,Grandpa used to have one like that.I think he had a 40 Johnson on it.As I remember it would fly.Dont remember what became of it.I was young.Nice find and great boat.

 

[wrfalpacas]

Re: Old Starcraft that needs Help

I took some pics of a boat very similar (1960 starcraft) to look at the windshield mounting, here are a couple that show some of the boat.

 

[CJTaylor]

Re: Old Starcraft that needs Help

That looks just like this one from what I can see. Good to know that I have a 1960 so I can put a date to it. If you have more pictures I would like to see them. I remove all the wood today and what a task had to cut out most of the bolts nuts were rusted down to nothing. See pictures. Will be looking at a older Johnson 30 tonight maybe a fit for the boat? I did find something that I am not sure of in the stern, attached picture. Let me know if someone recognize it. cjtaylor
http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/yy176/epetiprin/Starcraft/Starcraft B/000_0328.jpg

 

[CJTaylor]

Re: Old Starcraft that needs Help

Since the wood is out of the boat I am getting ready to replace it. I have a couple of questions before I get started. What is the best way to stripe the old paint and in the attached pictures what is this for. It was embeded in the wood and looks like it is made of steel?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Old Starcraft that needs Help

That steel thing is most likely not factory and should probably be removed. No need to have it sitting there continuing to rust.

The BEST way to strip paint is soda blasting. You could also use a chemical stripper like aircract stripper.

 

[wrfalpacas]

Re: Old Starcraft that needs Help

I agree with EZ, That steel part is not stock I would get rid of it. I would wholehertedly reccomend soda blasting to get rid of old paint on aluminum, Failing that bix stripper at home depot worked well on my previous restoration.

 

[Willyclay]

Re: Old Starcraft that needs Help

Before you invest any more money into fixing that old boat up, are you certain that it can be registered and titled in your name? Other forum members have commented that FL is tough on the paperwork. FYI, I was able to strip the paint off my old aluminum LoneStar using a pressure washer. It was slow and wet but much cheaper with no cleanup. Good luck!

 

[CJTaylor]

Re: Old Starcraft that needs Help

You are right about the title. I am working on it but it is not going great. The titled owner is 90+ and the person who purchased it from him used it on a private lake so never changed the title. They cannot find the ogrinal. cjtaylor

 

[bananaboater]

Re: Old Starcraft that needs Help

I did find something that I am not sure of in the stern, attached picture. Let me know if someone recognize it. cjtaylor
http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/yy176/epetiprin/Starcraft/Starcraft B/000_0328.jpg

Welcome to the SC club. You have a boat destined to get a new life and a group of helpful folks here that are full of info.

A few months ago a fellow SCer showed pics of a very similar piece of steel sticking off the stern bracket just like yours. I don't think any of us could determine what it was but we suggested to take it off. Now I wonder if it indeed it had a "normal" function or is just a coincidence.

And I think I saw a piece of "green" pressure treated wood on it. Do not use any of that wood anywhere, it interacts with the aluminum.

Looking forward to seeing your progress.

 

[CJTaylor]

Re: Old Starcraft that needs Help

You have wonder about the item it is steel and the hole it goes in looks like it was done at the factory. I did remove it and I am using red oak on all the replacement wood. cjtaylor