18' Starcraft SS Restoration

[fshngho]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

Had to pop in guys. Sorry about the lack of posting lately but I gotta work for a living. I will try to post some recent pics soon, still working on her and need some more advice, go figure. Have a great Monday.

 

[yooperangler]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

I was just re reading your thread again Fsh and wondering what brand of stripper you used ? I see it was from walmart.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

You mean you weren't just out fishing? I thought we'd see some more bass pics when you got back

(insert questionable stripper joke here)

 

[sschefer]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

When I removed my rub rail trim and the inside trim, the rivets holding the gunwalls just snapped up like pretzels. Didn't have to drill any of them out. Now that I have replaced them, it has to be stronger.

I too am curious as to how to replace the rub rail rubber as it was not the easiest to remove.

If you didn't get an answer yet, Starting at the bow, insert the stern end of the rub rail into the extrusion. Spray WD-40 on them and slide them in. Mine were a bear to get out with all the dirt that accumulated under them but they went back in fairly easy. Don't forget to block the tires on the trailer or you'll end up in the neighbors yard.

 

[fshngho]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

Thanks for covering my back Sschefer. I had removed ALL the trim. I then made sure the grooves were clean and straight. Believe me, I did not want to do this installation. As it turned out, all I did is push the rub rail rubber into the back and with a little help of W-_40, it went in fairly easily. My problem was the rubber had shrunk, so after attaching it to the front I had to use some clamps and an little imagination to bring the back to the original position. Long story short, iI pushed all the rub rail into position. I did wait until the weather was warmer. After the vinyl was installed, I attached the rest of the trim, ( after I cleaned it all up) .

HA you were right, I tried to go fishing.....4 times. Still didn't get a good fish although a caught a few. Last trip out my motor quit on me, I think the power pack, and had to have my friend tow me in. Oh Well, time to get back on the SC as I see it.

Yooper, Just the standard Kleen Strip Premium Stripper. It worked great for me and believe me, I did a lot of that stuff.

 

[fshngho]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

Well honestly guys, if yall can forgive my lack of posting I will try to bring you up to date. Life has gotten in the way of my boat, but I am still stroking along. OK, give yourself a break, get some coffee or adult beverage and let me get at it. Oh, yes I have been keeping up with yall too.

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Here she was.
I had painted the gunnels. I had to start cleaning and polishing the aluminum trim and found a bunch of things to try. After all is said and done, a drill with a wire brush and Never Dull was the trick. I bought it at NAPA and it works great.

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Here she is after the Rusto paint.

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[fshngho]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

I was determined to clean and polish every piece of trim.

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somewhere in between my birthday came up. My niece made me a bass cake. The pic doesn't do it justice, it was awesome.

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so I finished the splashwell ( except for the overspray)

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[fshngho]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

I did a poll and asked my family about the boat flooring. Wrong thing to do.:facepalm: They decided they wanted a carpeted floor. I put my foot down and told them about the extra work it would cause me after a fishing trip to clean. Well, here is how it turned out.

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A bad pic of the boat, but hey it's a pic.

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Another pic of the floor..overspray on the rodlocker trim:facepalm:

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[fshngho]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

I was working on the consoles then noticed mine were different than the ones I had seen... WTH?

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Getting there. Like how she shines.

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Side by side comparison of the trim after I had cleaned and polished one.

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I bought some 1/4" thick rubber mat at Lowes for the stern under the splashwell. I think it will cushion the batteries, reduce noise, and be easy to keep clean.

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[fshngho]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

Did ya notice the motor hanging on the back???? I went to a boat "flea market" and found some cushions for the front. They are too big but my wife promised me she could re do them to fit. For $20 bucks I had to try.

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Bought some small items, stern light socket...

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Vent, gas inlet, stern brackets. Just gotta love that chrome.

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[fshngho]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

Time to work on the side panels. Cut them out of 1/2" Acuro and sealed them.

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this was a test fit.

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Started thinking about the boat weight. I remembered I had not finished the bunks on the trailer so now was the time. Thanks again to Jas for the brackets.

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[fshngho]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

Random pic. Hey it couldn't hurt.

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I stole this from a bass boat my buddy had. It will let me control the trim/tilt from the bow. It also give me the battery conditions, and is a 12/24 hookup for the trolling motor.

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This is a mock up of my dash. I want to be able to have room for the guages, and I am thinking of mounting the tach and speedo on the top section.

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[fshngho]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

somewhat pic of the stern and side panels.

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Front bow cut out. I am using the original metal as a base and attaching the braces as needed.
This angle was riveted so I can slide the bottom panels into them from the bottom. Its easier to understand from the next pic.

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[fshngho]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

Gotta do a mock up to get the controls, seats right. Ok fine, I was dreaming...OK?

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Another worthless pic.

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Dang, getting to the point where I need to worry about the motor.

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Ok I am up to date. Again I am sorry guys but....well, I have no good excuse except Photobucket was messing up, they got it straight,...and I got an extra year free subscription. God Bless Ya'll.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

Man that was a lot f work right there! I think I need a quick break. Excellent Dale!!!

 

[fshngho]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

I do have to apologize to my fellow Brothers. This was a "readers digest" version of what I have done, and that's not what we are about here in the Starcraft Forum. Any and all questions will be answered by me if you pm me and/or I will respond on my thread. I am sorry guys. I know I should have done better.....Like NB, EZ, Jas, & HA. I only mentioned their names because they inspired me.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

I really like that Starcraft helm seat you've got there, nice score

That splashwell modification turned out great from the looks of it, any issues there or did it turn out as good as it looks? Very nice work, and others will be copying you I'm sure.

Glad to see all the good progress, now I need to get caught up myself

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

By the way, that cake turned out totally awesome! Wow!

Is it cool if I swing by and grab a piece real quick?

Happy bday ya old fart.

 

[fshngho]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

Honestly Mike, The splashwell was easier than I had thought it would be. I always believe the worst part of any job is just getting started. Once I had removed and destroyed the original splashwell, I had no choice. Yes Sir, it come out well and I am very satisfied. The seats came from Jas, ( yes he charged me too much...LOL). As far as getting caught up...I do believe you have more in youre plate than I, my friend. I did get to go fishing on the Bay last weekend. Last time was 18 yrs ago. The good side is I learned what my boat needs/ should do with 4 ft waves.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

Nice work and excellent progress.

However I must chastise a bit....looks like you built a real nice bow deck with no supporting documentation. For shame! I'd be particularly interested in that (hatches, etc).

That dark carpet is going to have you hating life It sure looks nice when it's clean though! I like the idea of carpet but the reality wasn't so great.

Don't mean to be a tool. Your work is looking very good. You know you made motor sounds while you were testing out your seating position