1973 Starcraft Restoration 19'

[Huron Angler]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Restoration 19'

Yeah if I were building consoles I would cut some pieces of aluminum sheet and rivet it all together with aluminum rivets so there will be no rust or corrosion.

Bummer on the rain, hope things clear up for you guys

 

[geeco1]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Restoration 19'

In my opinion, consoles are not that difficult to build. The biggest issue is deciding how high and what you want to put on them. You can see my consoles in my restore thread below. Mine were pretty basic and easy to build. I think that I built both of them in about 1 hour. If you want taller consoles that is possible too. My original console design was much more complicated. Recessed areas for guages etc. But I quickly realized that it would be a pain to build. I am happy with what I ended up with as they have a large flat area to put stuff on top and the windshield prevents it from getting too wet. I can put my cell phone up there and it stays dry.

Just try to think about what guages you will want. Allow room for switches, etc. Draw it out on paper first and think about how it would be constructed.

 

[coalminerswife]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Restoration 19'

Wingedwheel, are these boats somewhat rare? I had never seen anything like it until my husband brought this one home. Then, a few nights ago, the local TV station was covering the recent floods in Pikeville, KY, and I saw one just like it on the news. It was even the same color. It still had its cabin on, though.

 

[coolbikeguy]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Restoration 19'

I see you have 2 threads going, so many places to try and keep up on progress!

So far the boat is looking great!

I know up here in washington state, a lot of people coat the inside of there hulls with the bedliner stuff and really like it a lot.

Keep up all the good work!

yea ... i JUST found this one so this is the first time i saw the pics. sorry to hear about the rain that really sucks

 

[Wingedwheel]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Restoration 19'

Coalminerswife, I've seen one since I started looking. The 22' are fairly easy to find, but I don't know if people hang on to the smaller ones because you don't have to have big water to use them. I had an aluminum before I got my current fiberglass and I want to go back to aluminum. Sometimes its a little rougher ride, but I like the difference in the weight and I don't have to worry about rot so much. My wife wonders about me sometimes because I'll buy a boat, fix it up the way I like it and end up selling it for a different project. I guess I'm hooked on the anticipation of getting them on the water and seeing what I can do to improve things. Don't get me wrong, I love being on the water, but I have a newer boat that satisfies the urge when I need it. Spent today tubing and lying around on the sundeck..

 

[6meter]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Restoration 19'

Enjoy your expierence rebuilding your boat. I think it's totally awesome that you're taking such an interest in the project. Lucky husband!

 

[coalminerswife]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Restoration 19'

Well, it's still raining here in southeastern Kentucky. Tonight, my husband and brother-in-law cut out the two pieces of wood for the transom, glued them together, and put screws in them to hold them. That was about it.

We're still waiting for the rain to stop, so we can get back to painting.

Then, when the paint's done, the floor will hopefully start.

How long does plywood need to dry before it can be glassed?

 

[Wingedwheel]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Restoration 19'

When you say dry do you mean from the rain? I wouldn't glass it until your absolutely sure its dry or you'll seal the moisture inside.

 

[coalminerswife]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Restoration 19'

No, it's not been in the rain. It's been under the porch of the warehouse the whole time.

It's treated plywood. Marine plywood is not something that is ready available around these parts. Someone told me last night that it has to "dry" for three months before it can be covered with anything. Since people routinely build porches with this stuff and then stain or paint it, that makes no sense to me.

In a nutshell, the general concensus of folks around here is that I'm crazy for wanting to use resin and fiberglass, and that we should just stick the wood in the boat, paint it or put watersealer it, glue on the carpet, and call it a day.
The boat will be kept covered at home (it's too big to fit in the garage that houses our current Thundercraft), and will only be going to the lake for day trips. It won't be sitting out in the weather. Therefore, no one can understand why I think it needs to be glassed.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Restoration 19'

PT eats aluminum. I would not install that wood in your aluminum boat.

 

[coalminerswife]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Restoration 19'

Should we take the treated plywood back and get untreated exterior?

 

[geeco1]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Restoration 19'

Yes. Yes. and Yes. Take the PT back and get exterior. Two advantages. 1) exterior won't eat your aluminum. 2.) exterior should already be dry.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Restoration 19'

Should we take the treated plywood back and get untreated exterior?

Absolutely, many of us have used exterior grade plywood.

I found that the stuff from Lowe's had less voids and knots than the cheaper HD stuff, but with epoxy resin sealing it up it makes little difference in the end which type you use.

 

[6meter]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Restoration 19'

I'd let the exterior b/c grade plywood dry, less humidity as possible, preferbly inside, for at least a week. NO PT plywood!

 

[geeco1]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Restoration 19'

BTW, I am definately no expert on here, but my analogy for using a watersealer vs. epoxy is as such.....if you put on sunscreen, that will repel the harmful rays...until it wears off, but a long sleeve jacket keeps the sun off completely. To me, the watersealer will help repel water, but eventually, some will soak in. Epoxy is like a complete second layer. It totally encapsulates the wood. On porches, decks etc. the watersealer still allows the wood to breath. The Epoxy does not allow it to breath. It's kinda like a giant ziploc baggie that doesn't leak

 

[coalminerswife]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Restoration 19'

I talked to my husband a little while ago, and I think our plan now is to return the treated plywood and get untreated exterior. I already have the resin and fiberglass cloth ordered, and it hopefully will not take days and days to get here.

The exterior plywood will be purchased at Lowe's, where all the plywood is kept inside. So, unless the plywood is part of a brand new shipment that just arrived at Lowes today, shouldn't it already be dry? Since the building industry is not exactly booming around these parts, I suspect they have plenty of plywood that's been lying around for a while.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Restoration 19'

The exterior plywood will be purchased at Lowe's, where all the plywood is kept inside. So, unless the plywood is part of a brand new shipment that just arrived at Lowes today, shouldn't it already be dry? Since the building industry is not exactly booming around these parts, I suspect they have plenty of plywood that's been lying around for a while.

I would agree with this assessment of the situation.

 

[Wingedwheel]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Restoration 19'

The BC ply from Lowes is just fine. The resin and sealer will make it last for years. You'll be much happier. Also, I'm sure you know but you can use 1/2" for all your parts except your transom. That should have been two layers of 3/4". Did you use PT for the transom? Like mentioned before, the chemicals in the PT will cause problems with the aluminum. Just a quick lesson on the ply. Threr is a stamp on the sheet that will say Exterior,ExteriorI, Exterior II. Plain exterior with no number behind it is what you want. It is the best grade(AB,AC,BC) Its made to withstand getting wet because it has more ply's and better adhesive. Marine ply is basically AA grade. Same adhesive as the afore mentioned, just no filled voids or knots in the surface. BC is fine for what you're doing. If you store it until your resin shows up just make sure you lay it flat to reduce warping. I know its hard waiting on things to happen, but you'll be on the water before you know it. Its great your so involved.

 

[coalminerswife]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Restoration 19'

I know its hard waiting on things to happen, but you'll be on the water before you know it. Its great your so involved.

I hope to be on the water this weekend on my already put-together pontoon. It's over at the lake calling for me to come to it. If only we could get it to stop raining. I know you all will be shocked to hear this, but it's raining here again. I believe I do see some blue sky trying to push its way though the clouds, though.

 

[Wingedwheel]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Restoration 19'

Believe it or not, We've gotten our fair share over the last few days also(SE-MI) But it always stops after a short while. I remember going through the Panama canal years ago when I was a Navy-boy and it started raining so hard I had trouble time keeping my pants up they were getting so wet. It rained for hours like that. The only other time I saw rain that hard was when I was a kid on the TX gulf coast and the Hurricanes would come in. Sorry, but I do regress..This is supposed to be about boats.