14' Starcraft Falcon restore project

[jasoutside]

Re: 14' Starcraft Falcon restore project

Nope, you can just lay foam board or pool noodles loose sub deck there. No need to secure them.

Those two boards you have there, chuck em. Not original to the boat and not necessary.

You can secure your fasteners through your deck into that alum stringer and your ribs at the ends. Be sure do put a good coating of 3M 5200 on your fasteners. I'm thinking you'll want to go 3/4" for your deck, or at least 5/8" all sealed up.

 

[sgebbie]

Re: 14' Starcraft Falcon restore project

Nope, you can just lay foam board or pool noodles loose sub deck there. No need to secure them.

Those two boards you have there, chuck em. Not original to the boat and not necessary.

You can secure your fasteners through your deck into that alum stringer and your ribs at the ends. Be sure do put a good coating of 3M 5200 on your fasteners. I'm thinking you'll want to go 3/4" for your deck, or at least 5/8" all sealed up.

I did some searching and the 3/4" marine ply is about $80.00 a sheet from what appears to be the only place here that is selling it aside from checking lumber yards. I may get lucky and be able to get it at Menards, Home Depot or Lowes since there are several pretty good size lakes in the area. Might find that out tonight.

Is there a difference in the 3M 5200 and Gluvit? I've read a lot about Gluvit but not much about the 5200 yet. I see it referenced a lot though. After cleaning and checking for leaks, I was planning to coat all the rivets and seams with Gluvit before getting going with the new deck.

One other quick question. When painting the interior, should I paint the area where the ribs and stringer are or only paint the above the deck area? Does it matter or is it just mainly for show? Would it add an extra barrier to prevent any small leaks trying to develop?

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 14' Starcraft Falcon restore project

Yah, I got my marine grade from Menards. Don't bother with Lowes/HD.

Gluvit is for your hull rivets and 3M 5200 is for your thru hull fittings and any fasteners. Bunch of other stuff too.

No need to paint the bottom of your hull. You'll never see it again after you install the deck.

 

[sgebbie]

Re: 14' Starcraft Falcon restore project

Yah, I got my marine grade from Menards. Don't bother with Lowes/HD.

Gluvit is for your hull rivets and 3M 5200 is for your thru hull fittings and any fasteners. Bunch of other stuff too.

No need to paint the bottom of your hull. You'll never see it again after you install the deck.

Awesome, thanks for all the info. Stopped by Menards tonight and they said they could order the 3/4" marine grade ply for $70.00 so I think that will be what I'm getting. Can get the pink foam there too. I'll look around online for a good place to order the Gluvit and 3M 5200.

One last thing I can think of at the moment, what are your thoughts about the metal brackets used for bench seats? I'm considering putting in sleepers. I was wondering if there is a good way to take those metal brackets out or if I should just leave them in? There's only two, the port side brackets are gone.

Maybe I could use them as part of a custom rod holder on that side if I leave them in. Otherwise it would be a lot easier to paint around. There's a picture of them above in the shots of the interior before I gutted the deck.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 14' Starcraft Falcon restore project

In my opinion, SS fasteners are fine. Pretty sure the original transom bolts in my Starcraft are SS. Unless you're leaving it in the water all the time, I don't see much in way of galvanic corrosion occurring.

 

[djpeters]

Re: 14' Starcraft Falcon restore project

Your on the right track for Marine Grade wood, I got all mine at Menards as well. The best price on 4200/5200 I could find was Iboats with the Labor Day sale. That was the big tubes of fast cure. My local HD has only 5200 slow in the small tube, BUT it's cheap at $6.50-ish. I believe I got my Gluvit here at Iboats as well. Shipping was quick. (I don't work for Iboats) LOL

 

[sgebbie]

Re: 14' Starcraft Falcon restore project

In my opinion, SS fasteners are fine. Pretty sure the original transom bolts in my Starcraft are SS. Unless you're leaving it in the water all the time, I don't see much in way of galvanic corrosion occurring.

Hmm well I'll have to see which one is cheaper then! I'll need a fair amount so if i can save a couple bucks then I will. Honestly though with what was already in the boat, I don't think it could get any worse than that! I'd say 70% of what I took out crumbled from rust to the point of the screws breaking completely off when I removed the old deck. Few pieces are still stuck in that dang metal stringer. Should get a bit more work in tomorrow. Will mostly be a cleaning day.

 

[sgebbie]

Re: 14' Starcraft Falcon restore project

Your on the right track for Marine Grade wood, I got all mine at Menards as well. The best price on 4200/5200 I could find was Iboats with the Labor Day sale. That was the big tubes of fast cure. My local HD has only 5200 slow in the small tube, BUT it's cheap at $6.50-ish. I believe I got my Gluvit here at Iboats as well. Shipping was quick. (I don't work for Iboats) LOL

Hmm you know I almost forgot that iboats is also a store LOL. I'm not too concerned about the pricing for the 4200/5200 but I'm definitely in the market for cheaper Gluvit! Couldn't believe how much that stuff goes for. I'm pretty glad I got a decent deal on the boat since the "stuff" to put the boat back together again the right way is going to be pricey!

Got a bunch of buffing stuff from Harbor Freight today. Luckily made it out of the store with only $50 in purches haha. Might go to town on the aluminum stuff tomorrow if I get the boat cleaned out.

 

[sgebbie]

Re: 14' Starcraft Falcon restore project

Well I've made some progress in the last couple of weeks, but I'm kind of stuck on removing the dash wood piece. It seems like it's still being held in there by something but I've got all the screws and bolts out I can find.

Anyone know if there is any special trick or anything to get this out? The only thing I can think of is possibly something undneath the rub rails on each side? I haven't been able to get the bow cap off and was debating taking that off at all after reading what some others have said about just leaving it on as to not damage it.

Anyone have any ideas or suggestions? I'm kind of stuck aside from choping it in half and trying to rip each half out. Really didn't want to do that but might not really have any other choice. It is getting replaced, but wanted to try and keep it intact for a template.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 14' Starcraft Falcon restore project

Yah, that dash piece is a tough run for sure. I was glad I was on a slash and burn operation when I was getting mine out.

I think that Starcraft put that piece in first and then the bow cap. Which, of course, makes it way tough to get it out in a different order.

 

[sgebbie]

Re: 14' Starcraft Falcon restore project

Yah, that dash piece is a tough run for sure. I was glad I was on a slash and burn operation when I was getting mine out.

I think that Starcraft put that piece in first and then the bow cap. Which, of course, makes it way tough to get it out in a different order.

So worst case if I bust the bow cap (which already has a bit of a crack on the bottom) what do I do about replacement? Is it possible to order an aftermarket one or take one to a shop and have them fix the old one or mold a new one? I've read quite a few people had trouble getting theirs off.

Messing around with mine the other day, it seems like it's not going to be fun to get off. Wanting to get an idea of how careful I should be? It's pretty loose and moves around a bit, but still doesn't seem like it wants to come off completely. I can see the little notch on the top side of it where it sort of fits into a groove.

If I was betting on it, I'd bet there is something under the rub rails (screw or bolt) holding the dash in on both ends. Maybe I'll get to find out tomorrow!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 14' Starcraft Falcon restore project

I had a similar dash piece to remove on my Jupiter and yes it was a pain. I was able to remove it though. I replaced it with a PVC trim board from Lowes which will never rot. I believe you are correct that there are hidden fasteners all of the place on that.

 

[sgebbie]

Re: 14' Starcraft Falcon restore project

So it's been forever since I posted on this last. Not a lot of progress here lately with the holidays and the colder weather rolling in.

I did manage to finally get the bow cap off. Even without breaking it! lol So here were are still stuck with trying to figure out how the heck that dash is in there. One major obstacle down and another to go.

I was hoping that when the bow cap came off there would be an easy way to see how to remove the rub rails but that wasn't the case. I'm a little leary of even taking them out at this point since they seem to be in relativly good condition and also may be riveted into place.

Then again if I leave them as they are, I'll never know if the old dash is being held into place by something under the rub rails! Frustrating.

Anyone have any suggestions? I'm trying to avoid cutting the dash out, would like to take it out in one piece. Possibe though that may not be an option.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 14' Starcraft Falcon restore project

Send lakelover a PM. He recently did a boat almost exactly like yours and he removed his dash. He might have some insight for you.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=309879&highlight=lakelover

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 14' Starcraft Falcon restore project

How the heck did ya get the bow cap off with the rub rails in place

Ah well, either way, your rub rails are held in place with really long machine bolts. I'd venture to say that since you'll be putting that bow cap back on eventually those rails will need to come off. They should have no relevance to your dash though.

Good luck man!

 

[Numlaar]

Re: 14' Starcraft Falcon restore project

Hey just saw this thread today...

wanted to chime in, and say nice rig! I LOVE the air raid siren horn thingy you got going on hehe...

Also wanted to say, that rear seat looks like it came out of an early model bronco... I would almost bet my next paycheck on it....

You may want to put it up for sale as someone doing an early model bronco restore would pay nicely for it!

 

[sgebbie]

Re: 14' Starcraft Falcon restore project

Send lakelover a PM. He recently did a boat almost exactly like yours and he removed his dash. He might have some insight for you.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=309879&highlight=lakelover

I sent him a PM so will see what all he found on his. I combed through that thread of his and at that part of the replacement / restore he said that removing / replacing the dash was deeper than he wanted to go.. Looking at what he had already done prior to that.. LOL not encouraging!

 

[sgebbie]

Re: 14' Starcraft Falcon restore project

How the heck did ya get the bow cap off with the rub rails in place

Ah well, either way, your rub rails are held in place with really long machine bolts. I'd venture to say that since you'll be putting that bow cap back on eventually those rails will need to come off. They should have no relevance to your dash though.

Good luck man!

Well I used a pathetic little short flat head screwdriver with a wide blade and some prying LOL. At first I was wayyy to gentle with it and got nowhere. I was paranoid about breaking it. I finally got frustrated and used a bit more force and it was fine.

Hard to explain how I was able to get it off without having the rub rails off first. Honestly the way this is set up on mine, the rub rails looked like they can't come completely off before the bow cap. They start at the back of the boat on each side under the corner caps and look glued or riveted. I think the rubber is glued to the aluminum and the aluminum strips are riveted. I looked around pretty good and didn't see any machine screws anywhere that I could remove.

Underneath the bow cap was just a curved piece of rubber with no break in it. I was kind of expecting it to be split underneath the bow cap, to where one piece went down each side of the boat. But it's just one big giant piece of rubber going from back to front, wrapping the front of the boat and back down the other side.

I've never messed with rivets much so I was trying to avoid messing with that if possible. Can always learn though, not a big deal. I'll try to get more pictures of what the bow cap looks like and how it looked underneath the cap as well as some pictures of the rub rails.

 

[sgebbie]

Re: 14' Starcraft Falcon restore project

Hey just saw this thread today...

wanted to chime in, and say nice rig! I LOVE the air raid siren horn thingy you got going on hehe...

Also wanted to say, that rear seat looks like it came out of an early model bronco... I would almost bet my next paycheck on it....

You may want to put it up for sale as someone doing an early model bronco restore would pay nicely for it!

I just looked that up on ebay and I believe you are right on that! Thanks a ton for letting me know! Only one i found on there looked worse than mine and was going for $99-$199. That will pay for a good portion of my replacement deck if it sells. That or would pay for the repairs needed after demolishing the dash board

 

[sgebbie]

Re: 14' Starcraft Falcon restore project

Finally some good progress! I figured out how to get the rub rail off. It's extremely stiff probably due to the age, so it was tough to get started. After getting it started I was able to get a screwdriver behind the rubber and pry a bit while pulling on it. I took it to the bow on one side and then took off the bracket piece that holds the rubber in. It was held in by 7 or 8 flathead screws.

Now to the interesting part. Once I actually removed the rub rail and the bracket that holds it, there were no screws or anything holding in the dash. So I get to prying on it and looking more and find that when i jerked up on it, it was loose like it wanted to rip the top of the boat off. There are two rivets holding the top piece on (sorry if there is a technical term for this part) One rivet is exposed and the other you actually have to take the rub rail and bracket off to see. I popped both rivets and was able to pry a little on the top piece. Kind of like opening a can with a pull back lid.

Once I actually get the rub rail completely off, get the bracket off on the other side, pop 2 more rivets on the other side, and remove 1 more stubborn screw holding the dash to a metal bracket on the right side, this thing should slide right out the top if I pull up on it. I'm hoping to get this done either tonight or tomorrow and will post more pics if it works.

Here are more pics of the current progress. A few pics of the existing rub rail and two of removing the rub rail.