just picked up my first (and second) starcraft

[casual_daze]

Hello,

After searching around I picked up my first starcraft aluminum. My father had an I/O chieftain and his buddy had a starchief? (the O/B with the cuddy cabin). I grew up around the aluminum starcrafts but never owned one myself... until 3 weeks ago...lol. The transom is shot but the hull is sound. I wanted the 14' because my car will tow it. After I got the boat home I realized the floor was a little soft as well. I then saw another 14' advertised so I went to have a look.. it turned out to be a 15'3" boat. A little to big, but after the test drive went so well, I couldn't say no.

The 15' only needs a floor for now so I'm thinking of setting the 14' aside for awhile and running the 15'. I've been looking over the posts but can't seem to find a good one on restoring the floor (I'm not all that good at searching through forums I guess). I was wondering if anyone could direct me to a good post or maybe help me with a couple questions...

I'm not sure of how thick I should make it, I was also thinking of stopping the floor a couple feet before the bow and under the stern splashwell (I have some aluminum sheets I can put back there to set fuel cans and a battery) to save a little weight.

I also noticed that the floor is a little wider than 4' across, where do I join the 4'X8'?

what do I use for the floatation under the new floor?

in case you cannot tell by my questions... I'm a newbie at boat restoration and could use all the help I can get.

I'm also trying to go light and cheap..lol

I think I uploaded a couple pics, the orange 14' and the blue/white 15'3". The 15' had a window like the orange one (it has the holes on the deck) but someone has replaced it.

Thanks for taking the time to read over my post, any help would be appreciated.

 

[CBGale2]

Re: just picked up my first (and second) starcraft

Great looking projects you have there and welcome to the club X2.

All the answers you need and 20 days worth of reading material are here:
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=385090

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: just picked up my first (and second) starcraft

A pair of Starcraft Holidays, nice score!

That orange one looks to be a 60s model and the white one looks like mid 70s (based on the style of windshields).

Both look like great little runabouts and should be fun projects. I'd go with 1/2" plywood sealed with epoxy for the deck. Gluvit all seams and rivets prior to putting the deck back in to make sure she won't leak.

Welcome to the Starcraft armada

 

[casual_daze]

Re: just picked up my first (and second) starcraft

hey, thanks for the links andinfo on the boats, I think the blue one had a window like the orange one because there are holes and a mark where the bubble window would go.

I had a look at the restore link... there is way to much to take in..lol. I just wanted to get the floor in quick for the summer, I'm planning on restoring it properly when I have more time and cash in the fall but by the looks of the threads on the site, I'll probably just try to take care of the floor and gulvit (I still have to look up what that stuff actually is and where to buy it from) and install the foam.

I have read about a 2 part foam?... will the house foam stuff be okay? either the pink or blue stuff... and do I fill up the hull as much as I can with it or just a few inches on the underside of the floor?

I'll read over the posts a more a little later, there seem to be a lot of I/O restorations ... I'll also get a few more picks of the boats this afternoon if the rain holds off. the blue one had a little bit of a V at the back bottom of the boat and the orange one almost seems flat across.

I was thinking of getting 2 pieces of 1/4" ply and using a 2 part epoxy to put them together so theat the seam in the wood will be in different spots... any word on if this will work..

thanks again guys... its nice to see that I'm not the only one obsessed with starcrafts...lol

cheers

 

[DucatiDave]

Re: just picked up my first (and second) starcraft

Nice projects!

Regrading flotation foam, the consensus seems to be that the 2-part, pourable foam is a bad idea. Very hard to remove from the hull interior during future restorations. I'd also be concerned about maintaining a channel down the center of the bilge (under the stringers) to allow water to drain to the rear of the boat.

Most appear to be OK with using the blue or pink sheet foam. Some even use swimming noodles! Not sure how much you need to keep the boat from sinking, but I think it's tied to the weight of the water that the foam displaces when submerged. As long as the foam displaces more weight than the boat weighs, it won't go under. PLEASE don't take my word for this, though.

As far as laminating 1/4" plywood to eliminate seams, it sounds intriguing, but may be more diffucult than it's worth. I laminated two pieces of 3/4" marine ply with West Systems epoxy when I redid the transom on a 16' SS a few years ago. The biggest challenge was clamping it securely and evenly while the epoxy set up. Doing it with even bigger pieces sounds difficult to me, but I'm not the handiest of fellows.

IMHO. Remember, you mileage may vary.

Good luck! Post Pictures!

Dave

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: just picked up my first (and second) starcraft

its nice to see that I'm not the only one obsessed with starcrafts

Not by a long shot We have quite a collection of enthusiasts here at iboats.

Gluvit is basically epoxy resin that also has a self-etching primer so it adheres to bare aluminum very well. It is one thing you don't want to skimp on and a $50 quart kit will do a 16'-18' rig on the seams and rivets.

I ordered mine right here from iboats marine store. Great service and prices.

The orange one might be a Nassau or Jet if the stern is flat. The deeper V is probably a Holiday or Jupiter model. The number of knee braces on the transom and measurements will tell you for sure, or the data plate would have the model name also.

 

[Pugetsound]

Re: just picked up my first (and second) starcraft

On my 15 supersport how far will a quart of glovet go on the below water seams. I dont want to buy a gallon and have it go to waste. Thanks

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: just picked up my first (and second) starcraft

On my 15 supersport how far will a quart of glovet go on the below water seams. I dont want to buy a gallon and have it go to waste. Thanks

The one quart kit is enough to seal an 18' rig. Ezmobee proved that on his resto. I put it on real thick on my 16' and had plenty.

 

[Pugetsound]

Re: just picked up my first (and second) starcraft

Grrrrreat. West Marine has none in stock but has there owm product that they say does the same. ????????????? buy it or have them order Glovet. Really want to get the floor in but that must wait till the hull is sound Thanks

 

[casual_daze]

Re: just picked up my first (and second) starcraft

I checked out the gluvit stuff, looks good. there are a few places I found that sells it, I have not checked the shipping costs yet from iboats but I can get it for about $60 shipped (to canada) discount marine place on-line, I think I may pay a little more from i-boats but may be worth it... I've heard nothing but good stuff from other posts... I am going to try and find a local dealer first though.

I was also wondering abot the roll on epoxy stuff... what do you guys think I should use for that? If I'm going to order stuff from iboats I should do it all at once to save shipping. I should be able to complete the floor quickly if I can get the materials here.

thanks again

 

[casual_daze]

Re: just picked up my first (and second) starcraft

Nice projects!
As far as laminating 1/4" plywood to eliminate seams, it sounds intriguing, but may be more diffucult than it's worth. I laminated two pieces of 3/4" marine ply with West Systems epoxy when I redid the transom on a 16' SS a few years ago. The biggest challenge was clamping it securely and evenly while the epoxy set up.
Dave

sorry for the quick reply, my battery is about to die on the laptop..lol. I saw my uncle glue two pieces of wood together for a transom once before... not sure if this is a good idea or not but he drilled a few small holes before putting the 2 sheets together and hammered in some wood dowels... hat way the wood was still able to slide on the dowels enough for it to clamp tight but the dowels kept the pieces lined up... he then fiberglassed the complete transom so you couldn't really tell there were any dowels there in the first place

 

[casual_daze]

Re: just picked up my first (and second) starcraft

iboats will not ship gluvit into canada

 

[dozerII]

Re: just picked up my first (and second) starcraft

casual_daze, What part of Canada are you from. There is a marine supply place in Kingston On. called Pride Marine and they are great to deal with I bought my Gluvit, and 3M 4200 from them, good prices and service is great.
Glen

 

[bananaboater]

Re: just picked up my first (and second) starcraft

My Jet has curved decking riveted to the ribs. The seam along the keel line takes care of needing a wider sheet of ply but I needed one longer than 8' so I scarfed some together. If yours is flat things get easier. Pink/blue sheets of insulation or foam noodles seem to be flotation of choice. Do not use pressure treated wood, it eats aluminum as well as liquid foam.

The trend now seems to be that you can't own just one SC. Either you have very understanding wives or you are bachelors.

Hello,

After searching around I picked up my first starcraft aluminum. My father had an I/O chieftain and his buddy had a starchief? (the O/B with the cuddy cabin). I grew up around the aluminum starcrafts but never owned one myself... until 3 weeks ago...lol. The transom is shot but the hull is sound. I wanted the 14' because my car will tow it. After I got the boat home I realized the floor was a little soft as well. I then saw another 14' advertised so I went to have a look.. it turned out to be a 15'3" boat. A little to big, but after the test drive went so well, I couldn't say no.

The 15' only needs a floor for now so I'm thinking of setting the 14' aside for awhile and running the 15'. I've been looking over the posts but can't seem to find a good one on restoring the floor (I'm not all that good at searching through forums I guess). I was wondering if anyone could direct me to a good post or maybe help me with a couple questions...

I'm not sure of how thick I should make it, I was also thinking of stopping the floor a couple feet before the bow and under the stern splashwell (I have some aluminum sheets I can put back there to set fuel cans and a battery) to save a little weight.

I also noticed that the floor is a little wider than 4' across, where do I join the 4'X8'?

what do I use for the floatation under the new floor?

in case you cannot tell by my questions... I'm a newbie at boat restoration and could use all the help I can get.

I'm also trying to go light and cheap..lol

I think I uploaded a couple pics, the orange 14' and the blue/white 15'3". The 15' had a window like the orange one (it has the holes on the deck) but someone has replaced it.

Thanks for taking the time to read over my post, any help would be appreciated.

 

[Pugetsound]

Re: just picked up my first (and second) starcraft

Went to West Marime last evening and looked at there sealing epoxy. Grabed a can and turned to leave and BEHOLD on the other sie of the aisle was a Quart of Glovet. , so it was a good trip. They did not show it in stock. So all is good.

 

[Daltonxj]

Re: just picked up my first (and second) starcraft

I had to have mine ordered.. but i'm in texas they didn't even know what it was....

 

[Pugetsound]

Re: just picked up my first (and second) starcraft

Sometime you have to tell them its a ( Marine-Tex Product ) Then they seen to find it.

 

[casual_daze]

Re: just picked up my first (and second) starcraft

well, it seems most places don't even get it up here in canada. west marine and another place can't get it shipped in due to a label problem?!? and pride marine in kingston only has the big container left and will not be getting the small one in until mid July at the earliest. Looks like I'm going to have to put the floor on hold for now, I'm just glad I don't have everything ripped up, I can still use the boat the way it is.

I've ordered two seals for the bottom end of the motor though after I noticed that gear oil was leaking from the prop...lol...

On the restore page there are a lot of pics of the larger boats getting carpet and I have seen how they have a piece that comes down from the side panels and curves onto the floor (Like a L channel piece of aluminum) what are you guys doing for the smaller boats that don't have that piece? will the glue hold the carpet to the aluminum on the sides or are you wrapping the carpet around the floor? I don't want it to start curling up.

I'll get around to uncovering the boat tomorrow to get some pics....

thanks again for all the help... now I just have to wait for my gluvit..lol