1962 18' Starcraft Questions

[bckress]

Re: 1962 18' Starcraft Questions

So I was a little premature by saying I was going to start removing the flooring tonight. I was all about it when I first started tonight. I started unscrewing the seat bases from the floor and then realized I was in for a much larger project. My first question, how do you cut/remove rivets? The top of the seat bases are riveted into the upper deck. I don't want to just rip the rivets out. What's the best method for removing them?

Thanks again for all of your suggestions! I'm so happy I found this forum!!!

 

[boatnut74]

Re: 1962 18' Starcraft Questions

Great project right there! To remove the rivets from the floor just take a drill bit (3/16 should work just fine) and drill them out. They come out pretty easy.

 

[bckress]

Re: 1962 18' Starcraft Questions

Great project right there! To remove the rivets from the floor just take a drill bit (3/16 should work just fine) and drill them out. They come out pretty easy.

Thank you! That worked for the ones inside the boat very easily. I was hesitant to drill out the rivets that are connected to the outside (skin) of the boat. So I assume that I will have to drill those out and there will be holes that I will have to fill later...correct? Just wanted to double check before I did it.

 

[boatnut74]

Re: 1962 18' Starcraft Questions

I was hesitant to drill out the rivets that are connected to the outside (skin) of the boat. So I assume that I will have to drill those out and there will be holes that I will have to fill later...correct? Just wanted to double check before I did it.

What rivets are you trying to drill that go through the hull? What I found works best is to drill them from the outside. Take a centerpunch and punch the middle of the rivet so your drill bit doesn't "walk" on you and hit the hull. Start with a small bit and work your way up until it comes out. Hope this helps.

 

[MichaelP]

Re: 1962 18' Starcraft Questions

Thank you! That worked for the ones inside the boat very easily. I was hesitant to drill out the rivets that are connected to the outside (skin) of the boat. So I assume that I will have to drill those out and there will be holes that I will have to fill later...correct? Just wanted to double check before I did it.

Filling those pesky outboard rivits is optional. All depends on how big your bilge pumps are. Gulp

Sorry man, couldn't resist.

 

[bckress]

Re: 1962 18' Starcraft Questions

Ants, Ants and more Ants...oh and Mice too! Man, there was a lot of crap under the floor boards. I discovered a huge ant colony living in the Styrofoam in the very front of the boat and a family of mice towards the middle. I saw three mice scurry up to the front and they had a huge nest. So I was able to get the seat bases removed tonight and most of the floor boards removed. I am going to try and reuse the Styrofoam...or what's left of it. I left the boat uncovered tonight and removed the Styrofoam in the front so the remainder of the ants and the mice can get out tonight. I worked on it tonight for 4.5 hours. Here are some pictures.

https://picasaweb.google.com/brad.kressin/May172011Day3?authkey=Gv1sRgCMm1-9O3ibyRIQ&feat=directlink

 

[boatnut74]

Re: 1962 18' Starcraft Questions

Looking good so far. Teardown is always the worst part. Once you get it all cleaned out you can start building it how you want it. It's a good learning experience and you will gain alot of knowledge along the way.

 

[CBGale2]

Re: 1962 18' Starcraft Questions

Looking good. Its amazing how all them little critters find there way in. My holiday Im working on now is a spider farm, my Falcon had mice highways dug through the foam, and the aluminum SeaKing I redid had wood benches and transom that were totally loaded with carpenter ants. Keep up the progress, cant wait to see the old girl all purty.

 

[MichaelP]

Re: 1962 18' Starcraft Questions

Keep up the progress. I actually like this part just hope you don't find surprises with the condition of the hull. Good plan on letting the cridders leave on their own. Hope it works out. If not you could put a couple of bug bombs in and throw a tarp over it for the night.

 

[bckress]

Re: 1962 18' Starcraft Questions

Here are some updated pictures since I've removed the flooring and power washed it.

https://picasaweb.google.com/brad.kressin/May272011?authkey=Gv1sRgCM6Dor3i6ovMbQ&feat=directlink

So I made a rookie mistake, when I was removing the flooring I cut right through the two of the floor joists. I am wondering if I can buy replacements or can I weld them back together? Remember, I am a rookie at this. This is my very first boat restoration.
I also have questions regarding wiring. I have searched and searched this forum for straight forward directions. Can't find them. I am going to have two batteries (starter & accessories) I have been reading about bus blocks and timed delay fuses and control panels. I just need to know what is the best practice for wiring. Here is the list of my accessories: Bow/Stearn lights, horn, bilge pump, bilge switch, starter for motor, what else am I missing. I just need to have this all explained to me so I buy the correct items. Like what gauge wiring, do I need a battery switch, etc. Any advice is much appreciated! Thanks, Brad

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1962 18' Starcraft Questions

Those "joists" you cut through aren't particularly structural. They're basically seam support for the plywood. You can replace them with any old thing you got laying around or Lowes has a pretty good selection of aluminum stock (angle, channel, flat stock, etc).

 

[imobilizer]

Re: 1962 18' Starcraft Questions

Looking good Brad. You figure out what kind of foam you gonna put back in there? Looks like you still need to get your motor mount built. How does the transom look? I hope you don't have to replace that. Keep up the good work.

Scott S.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1962 18' Starcraft Questions

Here are some updated pictures since I've removed the flooring and power washed it.

https://picasaweb.google.com/brad.kressin/May272011?authkey=Gv1sRgCM6Dor3i6ovMbQ&feat=directlink

So I made a rookie mistake, when I was removing the flooring I cut right through the two of the floor joists. I am wondering if I can buy replacements or can I weld them back together? Remember, I am a rookie at this. This is my very first boat restoration.
I also have questions regarding wiring. I have searched and searched this forum for straight forward directions. Can't find them. I am going to have two batteries (starter & accessories) I have been reading about bus blocks and timed delay fuses and control panels. I just need to know what is the best practice for wiring. Here is the list of my accessories: Bow/Stearn lights, horn, bilge pump, bilge switch, starter for motor, what else am I missing. I just need to have this all explained to me so I buy the correct items. Like what gauge wiring, do I need a battery switch, etc. Any advice is much appreciated! Thanks, Brad

Here's a basic wiring diagram. Hope it helps. I recommend using Marine Grade Wire 10 Guage AWG from the Battery to the Terminals and 14 Guage to the Guages and Switches.

 

[bckress]

Re: 1962 18' Starcraft Questions

Thank you for this wiring diagram, it's exactly what I was looking for.

 

[bckress]

Re: 1962 18' Starcraft Questions

So after a week vacation I was finally able to get back working on the boat. Yesterday I had the boat and trailer sand blasted. It looks so much better now. Next step is filling the rivet holes with J&B Marine Weld and get the transom replaced. Any tips or tricks on either of these next steps??? Thank you! Here are some pictures since it's been sand blasted.

https://picasaweb.google.com/brad.kressin/Jun82011?authkey=Gv1sRgCPrj27agrYHu9gE&feat=directlink

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1962 18' Starcraft Questions

Nice job with the blasting. Your transom should be pretty easy. You already have all the capping removed. Just remove all the thru-bolts and/or rivets and slide the old one out. Hopefully it's in good enough shape to serve as a template for a new one. They are typically replaced with 2 sheets of 3/4" plywood. Most of us have been using regular exterior ply sealed with epoxy resin (then painted as epoxy isn't UV protected). I have omitted that outer piece of ply from both of my Starcraft projects. In my opinion it serves no purpose (new ones don't have it) and is just an additional possible source for future rot and leakage.

 

[bckress]

Re: 1962 18' Starcraft Questions

So I've been working on building the new transom. Here are a few photos. I also buffed the metal end caps for the back corners and the front metal piece. I used Gorilla Glue on the two transom boards. I didn't realize it would expand THAT much. I have a mess to clean up.

https://picasaweb.google.com/brad.kressin/Jun192011?authkey=Gv1sRgCM2AwIi2nPOUOQ&feat=directlink

 

[dozerII]

Re: 1962 18' Starcraft Questions

Good job bckress, that Gorilla glue is great stuff. You don't need much though, and any that puffs out you can trim with a utility knife real easy. The stuff is totally water proof and strong as h!@#.
Glen

 

[imobilizer]

Re: 1962 18' Starcraft Questions

Nice job with the blasting. Your transom should be pretty easy. You already have all the capping removed. Just remove all the thru-bolts and/or rivets and slide the old one out. Hopefully it's in good enough shape to serve as a template for a new one. They are typically replaced with 2 sheets of 3/4" plywood. Most of us have been using regular exterior ply sealed with epoxy resin (then painted as epoxy isn't UV protected). I have omitted that outer piece of ply from both of my Starcraft projects. In my opinion it serves no purpose (new ones don't have it) and is just an additional possible source for future rot and leakage.

Brad,

I'll bring in the Epoxy Resin I bought earlier this year to work. I have more than enough for my Lund and your Starcraft.

As said above, use the epoxy resin to seal up the boards and then paint them to protect the epoxy resin from UV.

Give my cell phone a call and remind me to put the epoxy in my truck.

Scott S.

 

[imobilizer]

Re: 1962 18' Starcraft Questions

Hey, Brad if you need it I can bring in a spare plug