1960's Falcon Rebuild (New Title)

[InMotion]

Re: 1960's Falcon Rebuild (New Title)

Are you sure, Jim? :joyous:

On the SW, can you basically move it back by cutting and re-riveting for a 8-10" SW? SWAGing here.

Ya... pretty sure now...!

I looked at it and it seems like I need to leave the existing part of the splash well that screws to the transom and cut off the part towards the bow (if you can visualize that)! In otherwords, the piece I cut off is not the piece attached to the transom???? Is that correct fellas???

PS --- Looking at a 25 Etec Tiller.... Admiral Approved!

J.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: 1960's Falcon Rebuild (New Title)

Something like this?

 

[InMotion]

Re: 1960's Falcon Rebuild (New Title)

Something like this?

mines got angles in the splashwell... like the Jupiter.....

 

[InMotion]

Re: 1960's Falcon Rebuild (New Title)

Post #20 in this thread has some pics.... I would need to fabricate a face plate so the water doesn't come into the boat!

J.

 

[dozerII]

Re: 1960's Falcon Rebuild (New Title)

I'm thinking if Jim changes his mind on this build one more time we're going to have to pull his Starmada card temporarily and send him for some counseling.:facepalm: I don't think asking him if he is Sure is relevant!!! Okay I'm watching.

 

[InMotion]

Re: 1960's Falcon Rebuild (New Title)

I'm thinking if Jim changes his mind on this build one more time we're going to have to pull his Starmada card temporarily and send him for some counseling.:facepalm: I don't think asking him if he is Sure is relevant!!! Okay I'm watching.

I almost pulled the card on myself!

Ya... I'm pretty sure that I am sure that this is the final major design change!

Jas --- despite there only being two active members (that I am aware of....) in the "Starmada I change my boat design daily club"... there may be more members in the future now that the waters have been parted so to speak!

J.

 

[Weep'n Willy]

Re: 1960's Falcon Rebuild (New Title)

I like your thoughts on going back to a tiller. Some people think they are a PIA but truthfully back many many moons ago my 1st SC was a 14' tiller and it served me well and was fun to drive and do some donuts out on the water. Don't see a lot of resto's with tiller so am looking forward to your new concept.

 

[Jeepcollector91]

Re: 1960's Falcon Rebuild (New Title)

You don't need no stinking splashwell...

The Starcraft Mariner that I had many years ago didn't have a splashwell. I don't know if it ever came with one but it wasn't there when I got it. That was a side console boat that my father and I turned into a dual console. We used to take that boat a couple miles off the NC coast. Never had any water come in the back since the boat was so light and sat high on the water. Even when I purchased the boat from my father and swapped in a 12 gallon tank in the rear it still had no water find its way over the transom. When I had that boat I was limited on time that I could use it so even if it was too rough out I would still go. Even on days when I had to look up at the swells. Still, the only time I ever had water in the boat was when I would get in after swimming and the water dripped off me or most commonly when it was too rough I would end up sticking the bow into a wave. Had a really good bilge pump...

 

[InMotion]

Re: 1960's Falcon Rebuild (New Title)

You don't need no stinking splashwell...

The Starcraft Mariner that I had many years ago didn't have a splashwell. I don't know if it ever came with one but it wasn't there when I got it. That was a side console boat that my father and I turned into a dual console. We used to take that boat a couple miles off the NC coast. Never had any water come in the back since the boat was so light and sat high on the water. Even when I purchased the boat from my father and swapped in a 12 gallon tank in the rear it still had no water find its way over the transom. When I had that boat I was limited on time that I could use it so even if it was too rough out I would still go. Even on days when I had to look up at the swells. Still, the only time I ever had water in the boat was when I would get in after swimming and the water dripped off me or most commonly when it was too rough I would end up sticking the bow into a wave. Had a really good bilge pump...

Hey JC... Nice to see you kickin' around! Thanks for dropping in....!

Interesting idea... I tend to agree... but if I recall on the falcon anyway (and many Starcrafts with a splashwell) there is a structural element to the splashwell. It also helps when backing up into larger waves that may splash over the transom. Keep in mind to that this is a shorter transom than your SC Mariner... 16" vs 21" and that can make a difference.

The plan is to chop it back far enough that I can use a tiller without any issues and to conceal the battery. The gas tank is going to the front as planned.

Ok... so here is what I have...

Did a bunch of cleaning and organizing and this is what I have...


Got the front metal piece cut out from the original bow piece and placed it for fit... just need to do the bit of structure underneath:


Looking to cut it roughly in between the two side holes you can see on the starboard side of the boat....


Ok... so next up is to extend the doublers under the floor to accommodate the new positions of the pedestals. Since this boat will be wide open inside, just 4 seats on pedestals and the bow pad, I have some additional flexibility as to where to place the middle seats. The rear most ones are at the back.

Have a great days fellas!

Jim

 

[InMotion]

Re: 1960's Falcon Rebuild (New Title)

One other thing is that since this is basically uncharted waters here for me with regards to removing the dash piece, would it be a better idea to have bench seat across in the middle to tie the sides together --- sorta like two transom pieces 12" apart from each other with a plank on top --- just as a visual.

Does this boat need this?

Either way is fine with me... just asking some "expert" or "non-expert" opinions here fellas!!!

Thanks,

J.

 

[Jeepcollector91]

Re: 1960's Falcon Rebuild (New Title)

Keep in mind to that this is a shorter transom than your SC Mariner... 16" vs 21" and that can make a difference.

Yeah, I forgot about the Falcon having the shorter transom. Might be too much extra work to build a taller transom and then you would have to find a different (longer) outboard. So looks like the modified splashwell is a great idea. Why not just fabricate a splashwell from a flat sheet of aluminum and lose the side angles. Since you aren't going with remote steering you don't really need those angles for anything and maybe could find someone in need of a complete Falcon splashwell?

(I still haven't finished my '66 Jupiter...)

 

[InMotion]

Re: 1960's Falcon Rebuild (New Title)

Yeah, I forgot about the Falcon having the shorter transom. Might be too much extra work to build a taller transom and then you would have to find a different (longer) outboard. So looks like the modified splashwell is a great idea. Why not just fabricate a splashwell from a flat sheet of aluminum and lose the side angles. Since you aren't going with remote steering you don't really need those angles for anything and maybe could find someone in need of a complete Falcon splashwell?

(I still haven't finished my '66 Jupiter...)

Interesting thoughts there JC --- but I am going to cut the existing splashwell down as it will fit in place well and all the existing rivet holes can be used to attach it to the gunwales.

J.

 

[InMotion]

Re: 1960's Falcon Rebuild (New Title)

Still debating on the seat boxes for the front passengers vs just pedestals... thoughts there fellas? Advantages/disadvantages?

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1960's Falcon Rebuild (New Title)

Looking at this pix

I think you need to decide which seating you WANT more, the bow U-shape & pedestals, OR a bench seat. The other decision might be to use multiple seat bases in a total of 4+/- locations. But only have 2 seats & posts. Swapping the post & seat around to where you want them for whatever you're doing at the time.

Using these bases & pin posts:

Primary fishing, perhaps a drop in filler panel the makes the bow U seating a platform w/ a center mounted post. And a post at the stern, possibly on a rear bench, near the tiller handle for quick & easy fire up if you need the OB rather then only a trolling motor. The other 2 post bases about where your pedestals are now.

The rear setup similar to this:

But with a centrally located post/seat.

For running around, remove the fill in panel in the bow seating, drop the seats & posts into the location similar to where you have pedestals in the 1st pix I reposted. Seating in the bow, 2 center seats & a rear bench to run the tiller.

In a 14ft'r I think you'll quickly find you're running out of room for stuff if you leave the big bow seat U in place, add a forward bench and add a rear bench. But leaving it & making sure the hull sides are well secured to the U, and the U is well fastened together to tie the 2 sides of the hull together, you'd be fine not adding a bench up front, IMO. But you'll likely want a bench at the stern for using the tiller. So that while underway you feel like your sitting IN the boat rather then ON the boat.

On the splashwell, I'd suggest you cut it apart at all the folded corners, right along that corner. That will give you fairly large, flat stock to work w/, then cut them down to the shape & size you want, then bend a backside brace for behind each angle out of flat stock and rivet/5200 them together. Many of the SW angles are 90's so typical aluminum L will work. If you are making the SW smaller, the existing tin should get you most of what you'll need to make it smaller. The 2 large holes in each wing may be problematic to avoid.

Cutting at the corners may also allow you to fold down a tab on 1 side of a new corner and use the SW panels themselves for the back bracing. Esp along corners that aren't 90's.......

Change is good. Too much change is, eh, more gooder?

 

[dozerII]

Re: 1960's Falcon Rebuild (New Title)

Hey Jim, like you I'm thinking taking out the dash has taken some strength way from the bow section on the gunwales. Could you some how design a couple of seats that face each other maybe just come back a little further in the U, then make a sloped back that will tie the gunwales to the seats, to the floor.

 

[Jeepcollector91]

Re: 1960's Falcon Rebuild (New Title)

I don't think there will be any noticeable flex in the hull with the dash removed.
Think about the other size hulls Starcraft made in dual console or closed bow that were also available with a center console. The center console versions don't appear to have any additional bracing added after losing the support of the dual consoles or dash/closed bow.
You could always use a big bar clamp to see if the hull will flex much but I think it will be just fine.

 

[InMotion]

Re: 1960's Falcon Rebuild (New Title)

Hey fellas,

Thanks for the thoughts here.... fightin' off the flu here.... prolly from to many late hours workin' and not enough boat time!

Anyway, having lots of time to think about this.... I'm thinking about this:

1. Solid platform at the front with tied into the spot where the old dash was bolted. Creates the same effect of side to side strength that was there originally. The kiddo's say that the front stays --- so it will.

2. Thinking of a mid ship bench seat with 3 seats across. 16" wide flip seats will just fit. This solves the "where is the family going to sit if the kiddo's are not hanging out up front" issue.

3. At the stern, going to go with one or two side boxes instead of a bench. It will give me a place for the battery and the extra bits.

Motor wise... been researching a lot.... so big debate here.... first off this boat is not intended for speed. I have the Jupiter with the 90 on it for that purpose. So... couple of motors that interest me...

1. Honda 4 stroke 20hp --- light, economical and I can take it home at the end of the season and securely store it. Quite a bit cheaper as well which isn't a bad thing. Concerns: Not sure it has enough push to move us at around 20-23mph --- keep in mind the kiddo's are light right now and so is the Admiral (she'll appreciate that for sure!!) Thoughts?

2. E-tec 25hp --- really like this one. Looks like it will push the boat well, easy to maintain and less mechanical bits to go wrong. Concerns: Heavier. Pretty much gotta leave it on the boat as lugging a 160+ motor around may work today... but not something I really want to do 10 years down the road for sure!

Anyone have experience or thoughts on these two choices?

Jim

 

[Jeepcollector91]

Re: 1960's Falcon Rebuild (New Title)

.... fightin' off the flu here....

Hope you get to feeling better there Jim.

 

[dozerII]

Re: 1960's Falcon Rebuild (New Title)

Hey fellas,

Thanks for the thoughts here.... fightin' off the flu here.... prolly from to many late hours workin' and not enough boat time!

Anyway, having lots of time to think about this.... I'm thinking about this:

1. Solid platform at the front with tied into the spot where the old dash was bolted. Creates the same effect of side to side strength that was there originally. The kiddo's say that the front stays --- so it will.

2. Thinking of a mid ship bench seat with 3 seats across. 16" wide flip seats will just fit. This solves the "where is the family going to sit if the kiddo's are not hanging out up front" issue.

3. At the stern, going to go with one or two side boxes instead of a bench. It will give me a place for the battery and the extra bits.

Motor wise... been researching a lot.... so big debate here.... first off this boat is not intended for speed. I have the Jupiter with the 90 on it for that purpose. So... couple of motors that interest me...

1. Honda 4 stroke 20hp --- light, economical and I can take it home at the end of the season and securely store it. Quite a bit cheaper as well which isn't a bad thing. Concerns: Not sure it has enough push to move us at around 20-23mph --- keep in mind the kiddo's are light right now and so is the Admiral (she'll appreciate that for sure!!) Thoughts?

2. E-tec 25hp --- really like this one. Looks like it will push the boat well, easy to maintain and less mechanical bits to go wrong. Concerns: Heavier. Pretty much gotta leave it on the boat as lugging a 160+ motor around may work today... but not something I really want to do 10 years down the road for sure!

Anyone have experience or thoughts on these two choices?

Jim

Hurry up and get better Jim, soft waters coming.
Interesting stuff there on the 25 Etec compared to the Honda 20, the Honda is 60 lbs lighter. I'm real partial to the Etecs, just because of less parts, and simpler design. And the two people I know that have them love them.

 

[InMotion]

Re: 1960's Falcon Rebuild (New Title)

I am definitely leaning towards an etec for those very reason. The lighter weight is appealing as it means I can easily remove it and transport it. Not sure about the power of the Honda though. Read a lot that the 4 strokes are light on power....