18' Starcraft SS Restoration

[jasoutside]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

Epoxy going on! Sweet!

I think these are best for aspredin...

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...toreNum=10104&subdeptNum=10296&classNum=11109

I used a whole variety of things just for kicks. It didn't seem like any one thing was superior to another for me. I think I liked the squeegee and a high quality Purdy Brush best.

Cheers buddy!

 

[GLG fishing]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

I was under the impression that a foam roller or foam brush would melt with the epoxy. I did a floor (deck, sole) on a fiberglass boat and when I got the supplies they gave me a roller that had no plastic or foam in it. Maybe others will chime in because I?m no expert when it comes to fiberglass.
Progress looks good...
GLG

 

[dozerII]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

Looking good FH, I have always found the plastic squeeges work the best. GLG you only have to worry about fiberglass resin, (polyester) melting plastic, epoxy is a lot more forgiving and does not have any where near the bad smell.
Glen

 

[djpeters]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

I've got the same jugs of epoxy from US composites. I've been using cheap paint brushes to spread it around. The best way to get it to thin out some is heat. If you can get the temperature up in your garage, or get the epoxy warmed up before you mix it, it will spread a lot easier.

 

[GLG fishing]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

Looking good FH, I have always found the plastic squeeges work the best. GLG you only have to worry about fiberglass resin, (polyester) melting plastic, epoxy is a lot more forgiving and does not have any where near the bad smell.
Glen

Thanks Glen, carry on.
GLG

 

[fshngho]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

Thanks for the advice guys. I am using a small squeege and a small brush for the edges., works great.
I needed to finish mounting my gas tank but I need to have it rest on something to cushion it. It was laying on the ribs and that aint cool. So, what do I have laying around that is gas/water proof that will cushion the tank....hmmmm. Neighbors not home...

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It'll never be missed anyway So I cut them in 10" strips, split them down the middle and doubled them up. Then I attached them to the ribs with rivets.

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Then I mounted the knee brace and the crossmember. Notice all of these units are tied into the stringers, ribs, and bottom transom channel.

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More...

 

[fshngho]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

Then I mounted the tank.

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Then I attached the other braces. Then I cut some 1/2" strips of foam and laid them in place.

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Then I cut some aluminum sheet metal for the bottom of my rod box.

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Then I used 1/8" rivets and attached the sheet metal.

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I also finished my final coat of epoxy on the transom.

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Not a bad day. I still have to run the plumbing for my future livewell. I will be cutting the foam in strips, roughly 1/2" x 3/4" and lay them down inline with the boat. Hopefully that will allow air to circulate, and I can pack them in.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

Man, that is some great progress! Bomber bracing, foam going in, tank is installed - AWESOME!

Dude you gave me such a great idea with that garden hose! I have been thinking for a while what I was going to put in between my tank and ribs, great idea man! I have some old hose laying around here too, no need to swipe any from the neighbor! Brilliant!

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

Looking great fsh/Dale, love the use of random material for the project. The deeper V on the 18 as compared to mine will give you good storage for the rods there I think.

Very nice work buddy, it's all starting to fit together now and looking good!

 

[djpeters]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

Holy Cow! That's some major progress, keep it up and you'll be done ahead of schedule.....

 

[fshngho]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

Man, that is some great progress! Bomber bracing, foam going in, tank is installed - AWESOME!

Dude you gave me such a great idea with that garden hose! I have been thinking for a while what I was going to put in between my tank and ribs, great idea man! I have some old hose laying around here too, no need to swipe any from the neighbor! Brilliant!

Thanks Jas, actually I had the idea for a while, just hadn't got to that point yet. Much more to be done before I can mount deck though.

Looking great fsh/Dale, love the use of random material for the project. The deeper V on the 18 as compared to mine will give you good storage for the rods there I think.

Very nice work buddy, it's all starting to fit together now and looking good!

Thanks Mike. I measured to be sure but I can hold 8 ft rods with no problem. I will glue carpet in the bottom to reduce noise & damage.

Holy Cow! That's some major progress, keep it up and you'll be done ahead of schedule.....

Never will be done DJ. LOL. But I want it right when I splash her.

Thanks for stopping by guys.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

All your under-deck work is looking awesome. Very nice indeed.

I used those cheap 3" chip brushes from HF for all my epoxy work. I started out used cheapy plastic handled brushes from Lowes and the epoxy kept pulling bristles out. What a nightmare that was! The chip brushes held up much better.

 

[fshngho]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

Thanks EZ. Kinda hard eating an elephant when you don't know where to bite from next. Oh well, sooner or later the meal will be done and it will be time to set back and enjoy the cruise.
Happy New Year my friend.

 

[MAXX40X]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

WOW! You Sir have made great progress; love that belly tank. You?re gonna have a vary nice SS. I really like what you?re doing;. at this point fshngho I?m kinda at a loss for words in regard to you?re refit. (Way past where I wanted to be in regard to my SS build) Nice job. Vary nice. Soon as the weather breaks here in Oh, I will be back to work on my SS. WOW!!!!!! Vary nice?. What are you going to power your SS with?? I have a 1994 100hp that I think will suite my needs; (fishing) maybe pull a tube. Never the less, RIGHT ON. Love it.

 

[jjacobs007]

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.

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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!

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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.

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I am rebuilding a 1971 starcraft and i finished my floor but those small circle cuts that are on the edges i dont understand why there needed.just wondering!

 

[fshngho]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

JJ, as the deck lies forward to the bow, the ribs actually are higher than the deck surface. In order to keep the floor in the same level plane I had to cut the scallops to allow the deck to sit lower. Otherwise I would have an 'uphill climb' towards the bow. Hope that answers you question Bro. Thanks for checking in.

 

[fshngho]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

Still plugging along gents/ladies. First I will tell you all that I have had a lull in my posting due to my wife has had minor heart surgery. Thank God she will be fine but please understand this of me...when it comes to work-boat-anything actually, my family comes first. Having said that, Linda (wife) has been bit%^ing at me to go work on the boat. It must be my charismatic personality (or my cooking) that has forced me to the garage. Now my question for those who know. I am at the point to install the splashwell, and as I have read no-one likes the room it takes up. Now I have read on many, many post that someone has the answer but I have not yet seen it. I believe structural is one concern. Functionality the second. I have read and agree with EZ when it comes to 'jump seats' and that is what I am looking for. If ya'll force me to take the lead I will do so, but please let me know what you're thought are before I screw up.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

Dale sorry to hear of the health issues, hope all is well for you folks. Family first, no question.

On the splashwell, one of its main functions is to transfer stress from the transom to the hull thru the lateral beam, riveted to the inside gunwales.

This is the structural side, so if you shorten it a bit, it should be ok as long as it still ties into the hull.

As long as you aren't in a huge following sea the well will still serve it's other purpose even though it's smaller in my opinion. I think the Starcraft general counsel advised them to overbuild the wells for liability reasons maybe.

I know of one SS where cutting the well was considered but not done in the end. PaulyV hasn't been on the site but he was going to chop the splashwell.

If you can do it that would be a great help to others I'm sure. Feeling brave?

 

[captainQ]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

Wow fshngho, hope all is fine with your wife.

Your restoration work is great, nice work

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

I am pumped Linda is aok buddy!!! Awesome!!!



On the splashwell...

The one on the Jet is really big! A mod will definitely be made on that so I am watching what you guys do here. I think I have a plan but I am a long way from making it happen.

Cheers buddy!