18' Starcraft SS Restoration

[fshngho]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

Welllll.....EZ, I wouldn't quite say I have no documentation. That was a quick view of what I have done. I gots mo pics and mo info my friend!!! The thing that may be my problem or blessing ( depends on your'e view) is have never installed anything permanantly unless I am happy. The bow structure, consoles, side panels are not yet secured. Heck, the splashwell was installed 9 times before it was secured.:facepalm: EZ, for you and only you, I will take pics of the bow structure and post them my friend.

 

[GLG fishing]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

Nice work fshngho your metal working skills are showing up bright. Happy birthday bud you?re an inspiration to us all. Thanks for taking the time to post up the pictures and the notes of your project. I appreciate that. Not sure if I remember the details of the splashwell but did you move it aft 6 inches? Been thinking of converting my tub to an outboard and adding a splaswell. Since you rebuilt or replaced yours how did you find doing the work? Any details you want to share?
GLG

 

[fshngho]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

Glg, I had moved my splashwell 8 1/2" aft. I know it doesn't seem like much, or worth the work, but it was. Like I had said it really is not that hard and you only need to buy a little sheetmetal. I had replaced the one section because I did not want the access hole in the middle of the splashwell.
EZ the carpet I am using is from Lowes. It is a decking carpet that will work great on the boat. I have used it on my bass boat as well as about 12 other boats. It holds up well. The other nice feature is the glue is waterproof. Once you apply the glue you are putting down an extra layer of wood protectant. I forget to mention, when I was carpeting my bow area I made a boo boo. I managed to place my middle finger on the left hand on the tip of my electric staple gun.:facepalm: Guess what I did? Yep, one Stainless Steel staple straight through the finger and came out through the finger nail. The hard part was finding those%$*^@# needle nose pliers to pull it out. That was the morning I went to the bay fishing. Hey, live & learn. I caught fish that day, but dang that finger was sore.

 

[fshngho]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

Wow, well what can I say . I have been busy at work and home, so I am sorry for not posting. To be honest, the family will come first, then work, then you nuts. I have some pics for you, and as promised, some for EZ and the rest of you that are working on the front bow. I may have some variations of my own too to show ya. This is a tease as I have to leave to make mommy happy today, and a step mommy, and a wife mommy, and two daughter mommies,..............CARP will it ever end? OK, ok, I am cool. So it is it written, so it is done. GOD BLESS all the mommies out there,... and guys...treat them well!

 

[dozerII]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

Wow FSH, great progress and everything is looking great. And Amen to the great women in our lives.
Glen

 

[lakelover]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

Great to see all your progress. I just skimmed thru it but will have to go back and look at the details. I just got back from a weekend at the lake and now have to catch up on all the stuff life leaves you while you are hiding from it. Keep up the good work and keep the pictures coming!

 

[yooperangler]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

Great work and nice cake

 

[fshngho]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

I am a sorry excuse for a member:facepalm: I just don't post pics like I should and then they catch up on me. If only Jas were here...
Ok first. EZ my deck was fabricated similar to yours. I had installed some aluminum braces to support a front seat.

[/IMG]
I had also used some aluminum 'L' angles around the underside of the platform and riveted them in place. This did not work due to the grip range so I will have to screw them in place. I don't have the pic now but I will post it. I did have to cut my existing front platform since it was riveted to the hull, I had to splice it back into place but I gave myself an additional inch on each side.

[/IMG]

I had cut the deck and laid it in place.
more.........

 

[fshngho]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

[/IMG]
I used 'L' angle to go around the perimeter to allow an overhang.

//[/IMG]
I then carpeted it up. I cut the hatches out but don't have the hinges yet.

[/IMG]
I had a pedistal base I had remove from a dead glasser. I installed it on the front and with my offset pedistal tube, it will work well.

[/IMG]

[/IMG]
more..........

 

[fshngho]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

I had the front control I had shown earlier. I cut out the front opening and realized that if someone was sitting in the front bow the could accidentally hit the switches. I decided to cut and install a second piece of wood on the inside of the original wood. Then I could recess the controll panel and not worry about the switches.

[/IMG]
All the toggle switches are flush and won't be hit by accident.

[/IMG]
I finished carpeting the inside of my side panels.

[/IMG]
I started on my dash area again.

[/IMG]
more

 

[fshngho]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

Now here is where it gets exciting and challenging for me. The dash does not allow a lot of room for gauges and switches so I had to improvise. I cut the top of my dash panel to an arch. It will allow two gauges..spedo and tach, to be installed here. I used ply for this mock up. Then I had to make a pattern of the console cover. This took many, many tries.

[/IMG]
I stained the ply and cut out for the gauges.

[/IMG]
I traced the pattern onto a piece of sheet aluminum. I made sure I cut out areas for tabs to secure the top to the existing console.

[/IMG]

I bent the tabs that are to be riveted to the console

[/IMG]
I fit the metal over the dash, riveted it into place, caulked it with urethane and painted it.

[/IMG]

[/IMG]
more

 

[fshngho]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

I had bought some door weatherstrip and am going to use it under the windshields. I took the frames apart and cleaned them. then I primed and painted them,

[/IMG]
This is the gaskets I will use.

[/IMG]
I have more pics but for some reason they did not come out. I will go get them now.

 

[fshngho]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

Ok, I'm back..miss me? I stripped the weatherstrip into two pieces and attached them to the outside edge of the windshield. It is self adhearing so make sure it is where you want it. I placed mine just a bit to the inside edge to allow for 'smishing' effect.

[/IMG]
My dash was made from 3/4" ply and I had given in to the fact I don't have the money to make a good dash.

[/IMG]
My wife came in the garage and said she loved what I have done so far...but.."That dash wood looks like carp" OK FINE!! So I went looking and realized I had a bunch of tique wood, although in pieces, I can make work. So...I did.
more

 

[fshngho]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

With a little patience, a lot of cussing, and a bit of thinking I came up with this.

[/IMG]
Both sides are tique wood, solid as heck, and I am quite pleased.
Here is the view from the bow.

[/IMG]
Many more things to do but I am getting closer to splash. Maybe in a couple weeks???
God Bless Ya'll.
Note: even though I am not posting as I was, I am watching your progress.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

Holy smokes! That is a lot of progress! That dash piece looks way tricky, yikes! No way I could have pulled off something like that.

Hey, if you have 1/2" ply for your hatches...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...50756173906&ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:MOTORS:1123

Great deal right there. He has 14" versions too.

 

[MichaelP]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

That dash is wicked cool. Love how the guages look in that raised portion. Your tin work looks factory or better!

 

[yooperangler]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

Great job on the dash Fsh really like the rounded top on the console.

 

[KellyC]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

I agree that is a sweet looking dash my friend. You have really made some progress there, keep it up and you will done before you know it bud.

 

[lakelover]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

That dash design & fabrication deserves the Boat Restoration, Building and Hull Repair Innovation of the Year Award! Great thinking and execution, I'm impressed! Looks real good and one of a kind. What's the thickness of that aluminum sheet you bent?

 

[fshngho]

Re: 18' Starcraft SS Restoration

Thanks my friends. sheet metal is .040 aluminum. Easy to work with and bend with simple tools. The tique wood was a bi%^CH for cutting. I understand why it is
for marine environments. It is HARD and a little challenge in cutting. I still have a foew gauges to fit and/or install, along with switches. I love the look of a busy dash. Besides, I want to know what my motor is doing. along with the dash and the splashwell, my boat is a little different. I like that fact. But there is more to come. I let my bass boat tags expire so I can force/devote myself to Papa's Pride. Oooooops, did I say that? Ok thats the name of her. In honor of my grandchildren, alive and dead.
I put the boat in my name today along with legal numbers. I also ordered the decals for the number (stock stuff will not do) $51.00 bucks. He is checking on giving us a deal on some stuff, we will see.
the special decal will read:
Papas Pride
Amiya
Abbigale
Aiden
Travis R.I.P. my little fisherman