18' Starcraft SS Restoration

[fshngho]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

Don't really have any exciting pics to show, but I made a little progress this week. I removed the transom wood and discovered the top corners were not even attached to the rest of the wood. It wasn't too bad coming out, just a little pressure and I pulled it out by hand. I got out the pressure washer again and cleaned the interior hull but I need to get a brush and scrub some areas. I picked out my wood for the boat so let me know if you see a problem. The transom will be 2 pcs 3/4" 5 ply oak plywood and the floor is 5/8" oak plywood. Both are cabinet grade with very few voids, super smooth, and good for exterior use " if prepared correctly". I am also going to look at a 18 gal belly tank this week ( $60.00 ). I saw one in DC area for $100.00, it was 45 gal, but I think thats too much for me. I have a lead on cheap closed cell foam via CL ad that I'm going to take advantage of. The last thing I am looking for is a large insulated cooler and then I will have everything I need to start & complete my floor and transom. I am getting things together now 'cause I am going to Texas this week and I want to be ready to attack the boat when I return. Happy & Safe Halloween.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

It's all forward progress buddy. You are still moving lightning fast compared to me man! Keep on it

 

[Bwana Don]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

Good job buddy. I'm feeling a little like a slacker here. Just call me Bart Simpson underachiever. You young guys and all the energy.

 

[macca123]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

If you shorten the drawbar by 18 inches it will be more difficult when reversing. the shorter the drawbar the harder it is to reverse.

 

[dozerII]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

Wow, Great looking paint job FS. Looks like your project is coming along fine. Taking out those old bolts is real hard on the knuckles, I don't know why they can't use Stainless when they put them together and charge $20.00 more for the trailer.
Glen

 

[fshngho]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

It's all forward progress buddy. You are still moving lightning fast compared to me man! Keep on it

Thanks Jas but its obvious you are the man. You are doing more in a day than I do in a week.

Good job buddy. I'm feeling a little like a slacker here. Just call me Bart Simpson underachiever. You young guys and all the energy.

Young? LOL. Thanks for the compliment (lie). I am just not rushing. Actually, I find better deals on stuff for the boat if I am patient. Besides, honeydo's come first..Nes Pas?

If you shorten the drawbar by 18 inches it will be more difficult when reversing. the shorter the drawbar the harder it is to reverse.

Thanks Macca, but I know. I've been backing up for over 36yrs. That didn't sound right..did it? I actually took 21" off of it.

Wow, Great looking paint job FS. Looks like your project is coming along fine. Taking out those old bolts is real hard on the knuckles, I don't know why they can't use Stainless when they put them together and charge $20.00 more for the trailer.
Glen

I agree on the knuckles. I had to use a breaker bar to snap them. Thanks for the compliment on the paint.

 

[fshngho]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

Almost forgot, I bought a belly tank yesterday for $60.00. Its aluminum and very clean but I don't know the capacity. I think its between 18 and 25 gal. and it fits perfectly Anyone know how I can calculate this or how I can find out? I am getting ready to fly out to San Antonio in the morning. The wife has me busy with chores and getting ready:redface:. I know I will be excited to jump back on the boat next week. I have to get through todays work, get home and finish packing. SWMBO sure likes to bring everything for a few day trip

Now, let me see how hard it is to remove the kitchen sink.......

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

Looking forward to seeing your plans for the cooler. Sounds like a livewell project maybe?

Being a belly tank with curves and mulitple dimensions(and me being no good at math), I'd just take a 5-gallon bucket and see how many bucketfulls of water fit in the tank.

 

[fshngho]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

Looking forward to seeing your plans for the cooler. Sounds like a livewell project maybe?

Being a belly tank with curves and mulitple dimensions(and me being no good at math), I'd just take a 5-gallon bucket and see how many bucketfulls of water fit in the tank.

Yup Mike, a livewell is the goal. Just enough for the freshwater fish anyway. I usually catch & release but every now and then I have one I want to bring back to the marina for weight and pics.
Unless someone can tell me how to figure the capacity, that will be my solution.

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

Length X's Width X's Height =

divided by 231 = gallons

 

[fshngho]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

Thanks Kev. You & Kimlee gave me the same formula.
By my scifering I got me a 25 gal tank. That makes me feel good, I am not sure if I will need additional fuel or not but I will decide soon.

 

[SC's Forever!]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

fshngho........Before you go tearing up those bunks you just made...Try moving them to the other side(outside) of the outer "keels" where the are located now..Shouldn't be too difficult as the brackets are "U" bolted to the frame....This will lower the hull, give it more stability on the trailer while you work inside......Strongly "suggest" you keep the 2"x4" bunks as you have them now....much stiffer, better shock absorbtion, and support than anything you can build out of aluminum.........I know "we" all tend to "over-engineer" our projects, but
this type of set-up has worked very well(especially for aluminum hulls) for years.....
Just remember..."Just because we can....doesn't mean we have too!!~!"

 

[SC's Forever!]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

P.S.
Glad you got rid of those rollers.....they don't work very well for aluminum hulls!!!!
Jim

 

[fshngho]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

Alright. If I keep acquiring materials and don't start putting work in the boat I am going to run out of room. Lets see, from my buddy Jason I now have the correct brackets for keel rollers and bunks. Thanks Jason, you da man! I also have a pair of those cool seats coming, just like Jason had bought for his boat. Again..Thanks Jason for the help I have my gluvit (2 cans), my epoxy (2 gallons) and my belly tank. I better get to work.
I also found these today. They are perfect match

Close up for information purposes

Pics to come tomorrow after I actually do something.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

Perfect match on those end caps, sweet!!

 

[jjacobs007]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

Jost got through viewing your thread,too many pages! wow,you have been busy.I think your boat is my boats little brother.Looks the same except bow sitting area.and transom splash well area.You gonna put a splashwell in there?And as for the bow rail i would keep it,just make forward piece removeable like mine.Your work looks good,have you checked for leaks or put it in the water yet?talk to you later gotta go and finish some more of mine to catch up a little.

 

[fshngho]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

I am disappointed in myself. I have great plans to work on the boat then life gets in the way. Well I got a few things done anyway. I fired up the kerosene heater at 5 this morning and after an hour I put the Gluvit down. I used the whole can but I have another can I will use to recover spots I missed. I had to re-attach the metal stringers. Wouldn't you know my rivet gun had to poop out after 3 rivets. Off to HF and bought an air gun. This thing is sweet.

Then I needed a stop for the drill bit. I didn't want to go through the hull. I used a 3/16" rivet and put it on the bit as a stop.

Sorry about the pics. Photobucket did a change and I have to learn it still.

 

[fshngho]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

I got a couple pieces of plywood cut and then I had to deal with the front seating area and the complicated cuts.
I had to cut the front seating area out to allow for the new floor. It was easier that way.

I am sorry but I am having trouble with posting pics. I will try again tomorrow.

 

[fshngho]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

I cut the front seating area close to the hull. I can splice it back together easily with rivets after the floor is done.

[/IMG]
I had to measure and mark for the front piece as all my old deck was wasted. I thought I got it on the first try!

[/IMG]

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If you look close you will see the deck is above the stringers by a couple inches. I guess I need to trim it some more.

[/IMG]

 

[fshngho]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

Last pic of yesterdays work.

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I am just getting the deck fitted now so I can seal it all up. I still need to make the transom board. I am hoping to do that today.
I still need floatation and mount the gas tank. I haven't found what I want for a livewell yet either. I figured I would get the deck ready now so I can mount it when I'm ready.