1964 Starcraft Jet Star Aluminum Runabout Project

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Not much to report at the moment, but I wanted to mention that the Easypoxy seems to be holding up very well as I work around it with my tools. I've bumped it a number of times and cringed, only to discover that it hadn't scratched.

The only weak point, and too bad because it will probably take more abuse, is the splashwell, where I used gray auto etching primer, and put it on too thick. I already have a number of small scratches there. Must be all in the primer.

I should have the seats in later today.

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

OK, the seats are in!

I fastened the seats directly to the seat boards, no swivel. I removed the screws provided and replaced them with full-thread SS hex bolts of the same thread, 2-1/4" long, from boltdepot.com. I had trouble with one of the T-nuts inside a seat, when I inserted the bolt, the nut just kept turning and eventually came out inside the seat. Luckily I was able to keep it located and put it back in place. To remedy that, I just put the provided screw back in and really cranked it with my cordless drill w/ Phillips head to draw the points into the plastic. Problem solved. I then did that with all the remaining ones before trying to mount them and after that things went smoothly. Quality control on these seats is not fantastic.

I made a template on the bottom of the seats that I could just place on the seat boards after measuring the location and mark & drill the slightly oversized holes. I didn't want to put 5200 on the bolts as I'm sure eventually the seats will need to be replaced. Instead, I coated the inside of each hole quick & dirty with polyurethane. That's a pretty well protected location anyway.

And one more shot of the helm completed:

Next is motor mounting when I get enough muscle here at one time. So close yet so far.

 

[yooperangler]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Seats and dash look great !!!

 

[jtrom]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Looks awesome! Are those low or high-back seats????? I'm deciding which style I should get for my jet.

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Looks awesome! Are those low or high-back seats????? I'm deciding which style I should get for my jet.

I found that they came in all sorts of dimensions when I was looking. These are fairly standard and are 19-1/2" high at the seat back.

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Seats and dash look great !!!

Thanks, yooper, it felt like I'd never get to this point. I've been moving the boxes around in my house here and there for over a year as space was needed and finally got to throw them in the recycling yesterday!

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Thanks, yooper, it felt like I'd never get to this point. I've been moving the boxes around in my house here and there for over a year as space was needed and finally got to throw them in the recycling yesterday!

Always a good sign when you start to empty cardboard boxes, isn't it. And the room created makes room for new boxes filled with new goodies. LOL LL - you are setting a high standard for Jet Star re-do's. Simply stunning!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Thanks.....but I think the "goodies fund" will be depleted for a while!!

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Can someone recommend a compact (short) come-along that I can use to lift the motor (200lb.) and may never use again (cheap)? My frame doesn't leave much room for vertical adjustment! Thanks.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

http://www.harborfreight.com/1200-lb-capacity-cable-puller-30131.html

They are worth exactly what you pay for em too:facepalm:

I consider pretty much everything I buy at HF a one use piece of equipment

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

http://www.harborfreight.com/1200-lb-capacity-cable-puller-30131.html

They are worth exactly what you pay for em too:facepalm:

I consider pretty much everything I buy at HF a one use piece of equipment

HA! I was just a few minutes ago looking at that one. I downloaded the "owners manual" and it said "not for lifting or overhead pulling"!

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Well lake, it's rated for 1200# so it should lift your 200# OB. Barely

Man, you are getting close buddy! Few more days of tinkering and she'll be ready for action!

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Yep, seems so close and so far. Have a feeling the motor is gonna stall me while I figure things out, never rigged one before.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Well lake, the OB guys are always trying to convince me of how totally awesome, and superior, and wonderful, and angelic, and smart, and reliable their drivelines are. With the way they talk you should just be able toss the controls, fuel lines, batt cables in the boat and it should hook itself up.

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Well lake, the OB guys are always trying to convince me of how totally awesome, and superior, and wonderful, and angelic, and smart, and reliable their drivelines are. With the way they talk you should just be able toss the controls, fuel lines, batt cables in the boat and it should hook itself up.

Yup but I consider myself a rank amateur in that dept. Maybe when I get all the stuff I'll just throw it al lin the boat and come out in the morning and see if the outboard fairies have it all rigged & adjusted!

BTW, I hope you weren't put off by my reaction to the HF come-along above, I was seriously considering it, but still in stitches over the warning in the manual! I'll probably get something local in the interest of saving time. There seem to be a number of cheap-o's around $20. I had images in my mind of the HF one bending or breaking and dropping the motor, so as insurance, I'll get something I can hold in my hands and look at first!!

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

BTW, I hope you weren't put off by my reaction to the HF come-along above, I was seriously considering it, but still in stitches over the warning in the manual!

Heck no. Shoot, I have two HF come alongs hanging on the wall here in the shop totally busted up from being under worked!

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Found another picture of the seats:

OK, I'm done now.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

LL the boat looks great with the seats bolted in, excellent choice

I'll bet you are chomping at the bit to play with your new toy!

Good luck with the OB rigging, looking forward to seeing what she looks like on the water.

 

[bananaboater]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

You're making my eyes hurt again. Lookin real sharp.

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Thanks guys. A neighbor at the lake who knows about the project called it my "Corvette". Too bad, I never was into Corvettes though.