18' Starcraft SS Restoration

[jasoutside]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

Wow, I wonder what it's like to actually go fishing. Seems like you have it figured buddy nice job man! Looks like fun!

 

[Bwana Don]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

Well, I guess I can kiss Splash of the year goodbye. I'm not even going to try to compete with that paint job. Your paint rocks, I can't wait to see the rest.

Fish pics should be mandatory. I went out on Lake St. Clair today, water temp 52 degrees, air temp 48 degrees. Awesome fall day, my face still burns from the windburn I got. Casted for Pike and Muskie, my partner was looking for Smallmouth. We both caught the skunk. Oh well still good to get out.

Keep up the good work.

Stop referring to this as an SS, it's an Offshore which is a different model. Bigger, stronger, faster than a locomotive and able to leap tall waves in a single bound. The "Mighty Offshore". We are a rare breed indeed.

 

[fshngho]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

Thanks Don & Jason. I had fun & it was a good day. Somehow I just can't see myself up there with NB & others. I mean I try but those boats are something to strive for and I don't think I can get the awesomeness they have. but you know I gotta try.
Thanks for the compliment.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

Wow nice day fishing, basking in the glow of knowing the boat is painted

Was that last one a crappie? How did it taste?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

Man that ugly-***** bass boat of yours sure catches some fish.

 

[fshngho]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

Wow nice day fishing, basking in the glow of knowing the boat is painted

Was that last one a crappie? How did it taste?

I always catch & release Mike. That crappie was awfully close to being supper though.

Man that ugly-***** bass boat of yours sure catches some fish.

Yeah EZ, it could use some fixing up but I have a project right now. Besides, it scares the fish so much they jump in the boat to get away. Hey it works for me, I have no pride.

 

[North Beach]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

WOW! I take a few days off to go hunting and miss all the fun. Dale, what's up with you guys and all these awesome paint schemes. Now I'm gonna have to re-think the CC

Boat's lookin good dude!

 

[fshngho]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

Thanks NB, it means a lot coming from you.
As far as your boat and considering the hunting you do, how about a Viking theme? You could name it " Always Huntin"

 

[sprintst]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

Sweet paint job. It looks like a big lure...no wonder the fish jump right in

 

[fshngho]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

I finally got rid of the fiberglass boat (gave it away) and got my trailer home this morning. I have a few pics and I want to ask ya'll some questions about the trailer and get some opinions. First a couple pics of the boat upright. Notice the light set up. The OP has made a SS bracket that allows the lights to be behind the boat, but swings away to the sides when you're ready to launch. The trailer also has SOLID SS fenders. I like both of these add ons.

Here is a rear view with the lights behind the boat.

Next page

 

[fshngho]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

Here are the lights at the sides.

I want to shorten the tongue. It seems to me I can cut 18" off of it. Do you see any reason not to?

Oh, almost forgot, here is a pic of the light swivel thingy he made.

Still more...

 

[fshngho]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

I want to get rid of the rollers and use bunks. You can see I could lower the boat 10-12 inches if I do.

The only problem I see right now are the fenders. I would have to move them out and down a bit. Luckily he had used SS bolts on those too, so I removed them for now.

I am going to get 2ea- 2 x 8 x 10' s and wrap them with carpet for the bunks. I will have to adjust the boat/bunks as I go along. The reason for this is lower center of gravity, easier to launch, better distribution of weight I think, and I may be able to get the boat in the garage once the windshields are attached. I only have a 7' door.

 

[fshngho]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

Last pic. Ok so I like it upright.

I am off to Lowes to get some SS bolts, 2 x 8's and drill bits. I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

As a pro.. I would like to say Nice Tape job . Nice Even curves.. thats how its done m8. ( took some time eh : ). aye fineline is best.

Thumbs up here.

Now what would be cool is if you start a thread on the pros and cons of your resto ( from prep to reprep to finish ) . the doos and donts kinda condensed version.

YD.

 

[fshngho]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

Thank you YD. I have no problem taking a compliment from a Pro. Yes sir it did take a lot of time but I attribute that to my lack of knowledge. I would not pretend to know what a lot of you do. I just take ya'lls advice and run with it. Maybe one day when I finish the boat (?) and this thread I will condense my experiences, good & bad. That is the main purpose of this forum, to keep others from making the same mistakes. Well, that and making great friends.

I cut the tongue and shortened it 20". Now I can get the boat/trailer in the garage and close the door. I'm feeling lazy now so I'll start putting the bunks together in the am (3) and put them on. I want the boat setting right so I can start the interior. I can work on the trailer in between boat stuff.
Next steps : Transom brace- Transom board- floor

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

Dude, great find on that trailer! The rig looks awesome sitting upright, sweet!

Man, can you really get that sitting a whole foot lower?? Doesn't look like you have quite that much room. Six inches looks pretty easy though. Course, I am looking at it from better than 700 miles away

You have to feel pretty darn good moving on to transom and deck man!

 

[fshngho]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

Jas its pretty close but I think I can get 10-12 inches lower. I will find out Sunday. I am just excited about working on anything other than paint right now. I know I have more to do though. I can't believe they use regular bolts & nuts on a galvanized trailer. . I told SWMBO that I would be changing those out to stainless a little at a time.

 

[v8mgbal]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

Hey FS the boat looks great sitting up and on the trailer. maybe you should take a little ride to the lake and see if it leaks and to see how it looks when wet

 

[fshngho]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

I removed all the roller assemblies and left the brackets.

I bought 2- 2x8x10 and 2x4x10 salt treated. I drilled the 2x8's and screwed them to the 2x4 with deck screws. I am making a "T" to fit in the brackets. I then wrapped them with the marine/outdoor carpet from Lowes.

I lined them up and attached them to the trailer. It lowered a little over 8" and I think I can go more. You can compare the lights position from previous pics.

More...

 

[fshngho]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

Here are a couple more pics

Here is a good reason to check all your bolts. These are the ones I removed from the rollers.

I am going to re do these bunks because I have aluminum I am going to put where the 2x4 are and go with 5/4 board for the bunks. The wood I installed today probably weighs around 125lbs and I don't need the extra weight on the trailer. Overall not too bad. Good enough to support the boat while I do my thang.