The well traveled 1979 Starcraft 18' V5 SS

[Watermann]

you just had to go & get that fancy schmancy V5 now didn't ya!

I know right? Nothing is ever easy in my world and I had to drive through 2 states to get it even!

 

[dozerII]

I know right? Nothing is ever easy in my world and I had to drive through 2 states to get it even!

Don't forget the other half of the trek over two provinces She's looking really good Rob.

 

[Ratherbboatin]

Getting very quick on the re-builds. when you finish before me you can come up here and I will put you to work....ha ha ha
What are you going to do with 2 boats now?

 

[Watermann]

Well I will have 3 boats and the admiral tells me I'll need to sell off one of them. I think the good little SN will find a new home once the SS is finished up. I need my cruiser and of course a fishing boat.

 

[g0nef1sshn]

Sell the 3rd to get another 3rd. I see where you are goin with this.

 

[Ratherbboatin]

The smaller 16' is so nice and light easy to take out by yourself. Going to be hard letting it go for what someone is willing to pay. Most pay so much for a newer boat, but are not willing to cough up the cash for a really nice re-build. They would rather buy the junky boats and try to use them. I have seen some real beauties at the boat launch. Surprised they don't sink. Junk add a second bilge pump its fine..ha ha ha

 

[Ratherbboatin]

I normally just nod my head and do what I want when the wife says something to me. Or I tell her to go sell off her stuff.

 

[Watermann]

I normally just nod my head and do what I want when the wife says something to me. Or I tell her to go sell off her stuff.

Yeah I can see that going over real well :lol:

 

[Watermann]

Starting to slowly look like a boat again here.

I have a question for you SS savants, what's the best way to go about the console install. I have them roughed in with clecos right now, the deck is still 1/2" ply. I was planning on solid riviting them down to the gunnels first as this V5 was originally solids and then anchor down the supports to the deck.

 

[GA_Boater]

She is looking good, WM.

No SS experience, but I would use some stainless screws or short lags for the console to deck attachment. I don't know if there much of a choice.

 

[Watermann]

Thanks GA, I think that screws would work and thought about doing the screws although there are AL supports right under where the console legs go so I should be able to use some long LF rivets to anchor them down. I would have to mark the holes, move the consoles, drill, seal and then put the consoles back to go the rivet route of anchoring them. I think 3 or 4 rivets per side would be pretty stout. BUT then if the windshield doesn't line up correctly I can't move the supports any because of the rivets. That's why I'm being cautious about putting them in, I don't want an issue down the road when I go to put the glass in.

I just wonder about windshield alignment but putting solids back in the gunnels and console original holes I wouldn't think there'd be an issue. I just don't know about the console support legs, they're sort of wonky looking when I get the foot flat on the deck, for some reason they look off to my eye but I think it's because they're angled. Should the console supports be squared up to the deck? Later will the windshield align with the holes in the consoles if I secure it all down tight?

 

[GA_Boater]

Can you put the W/S on and use it for an alignment guide? Are the console legs over the stringers? Rivets would work then. I was thinking only air under the deck in that area.

 

[BWR1953]

What about using just a pair of short screws to do the temporary alignment, then when everything is perfect, drill a couple rivet holes to maintain alignment and then pull the console leg aside and seal the screw holes?

Then you can put the console leg back in place (covering the sealed screw holes) and use the rivets for your permanent mount.

 

[Watermann]

Can you put the W/S on and use it for an alignment guide? Are the console legs over the stringers? Rivets would work then. I was thinking only air under the deck in that area.

I may have to put the WS in and make sure of where to position the console supports. You can see what the fore end looks like under the deck in the leak test pic below, I believe the supports will line up but if no AL is hit then I will go with screws.

What about using just a pair of short screws to do the temporary alignment, then when everything is perfect, drill a couple rivet holes to maintain alignment and then pull the console leg aside and seal the screw holes?

Then you can put the console leg back in place (covering the sealed screw holes) and use the rivets for your permanent mount.

With the WS in to make sure of placement this could indeed work well.

Thanks for the replies fellas.

 

[GA_Boater]

I wonder if a stud finder works on AL? I'm grasping now. LOL

 

[budski]

Looking really good there Rob

 

[Watermann]

Looking really good there Rob

Oh hey John not so fast :lol:

So how did you line up all those SS consoles/WS that are lurking in your dark past?

 

[budski]

We fastened them down in the original holes on the gunnels, like you did then fastened the legs down with 1 screw in each as close to where they were as possible, that made them sturdy enough to place the windshield on and align it, hardest part is getting the center window to fit properly, then if we had to realign the legs we only had to remove the one screw in each leg and reposition them. also we found that there was always some leeway in adjusting the windshield, we didn't always use the same screw holes to fasten the windshield down. I hope this makes sense to you not that great at explaining things. hope this helps.

 

[ezmobee]

I had to raise my consoles using a wider piece of angle aluminum from Lowes to compensate for the thicker deck. Definitely make sure you have you windshield all lined up before you make your console panels and what not. That was a mistake I made.

 

[Watermann]

Thanks guys, sounds like I have the info I needs for a good plan now. :happy: