1965 Starcraft Starchief Transom Question--Porosity

[gloveral]

I am restoring a 1965 starcraft starchief, outboard model. The wood in the transom was badly rotted. I pulled it out and I have a few pin holes and quite a bit of corrosion cratering on the aluminum transom.

A couple of options here I guess but would like to hear from those who may have been here before.

1. Try to replace the entire transom and re-rivet in the boat (must find someone who can do it competently)
2. Try to cut out the top half of transom where porosity lives and weld in a new piece (again skill required)
3???????

The strongest fix is the new transom plate, I just do not know how bad it is to rivet back in once I find someone who can make it.


Needless to say I am bummed. The rest of the boat is great.

Thanks for any help.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: 1965 Starcraft Starchief Transom Question--Porosity

We gotta have pics! What you think is bad may not be to our eyes.

 

[Gibbles]

Re: 1965 Starcraft Starchief Transom Question--Porosity

I think you need to read through the restore threads... mine is like yours...

transom is pretty easy

 

[gloveral]

Re: 1965 Starcraft Starchief Transom Question--Porosity

Here are a few pictures. I cleaned the transom up some and have found that the porosity is the worst on the outer edges where the water ran down the transom board from the gunwales/cap area and severely rotted the wood. Holes are on the Port side, just deep cratering on the starboard. Of course there is some in the middle too--worse on the inside but a little on the outside from the outer board.

I would really hate to have to pull this transom aluminum but I do want the boat to be strong and last a long time as this is going to be my family boat. I am planning to power with a 90-115 OMC V4.

Thoughts are welcome--this is a great forum and I have spent hours today surfing around--I need another starcraft!

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1965 Starcraft Starchief Transom Question--Porosity

I'd swing by BlueFin's thread & look thru what he's been working w/ in terms of damaged, pitted & corroded aluminum:
My First StarCraft; 1975 18' SuperSport

He'll likely swing thru here and comment soon enough. In terms of going the distance rescuing a tinny that many would have abandoned, he's going to be a great resource as you decide how to best proceed.

From what I'm seeing in the pix you posted, it's pretty heavily damaged, but not so much as to be an impossible repair. And I doubt removing the entire transom skin will be necessary, extensively re-worked possibly, but not insurmountable.

The damage to the exterior transom skin is the reason many forgo the exterior plywood in favor of a Tin motor pad, dollar store cutting board, or other hdpe plastics.

 

[roscoe]

Re: 1965 Starcraft Starchief Transom Question--Porosity

Has anyone ever tried welding a new skin on, right over the old?
Then add a dozen through bolts or rivets after the wood is inserted?

 

[classiccat]

Re: 1965 Starcraft Starchief Transom Question--Porosity

Oh man, I hate to say it but your boat is trashed...I'll take it off of your hands...mkay :thumb:




In all seriousness, that's really not that bad...seems localized and all above the waterline correct?

Start by cleaning it really well. Start with a nyalox (orange) cupped brush...or even a SS wire brush. Then for the deep alumina, a dremel works great...just make sure it doesn't have cutting edges at the tip. I then acid-wash it (West Systems 860) but this may be borderline OCD.

for the holes that are completely through, once it's clean, apply tape to the outside of the transom skin corrosion hole. Then butter-up a piece of aluminum flashing with marine-tex or JB weld and tape-it on the inside of the transom skin & let it setup for a few days.

if it's not corroded completely through, I've been spackeling with Marine Tex after cleaning.

 

[Watermann]

Re: 1965 Starcraft Starchief Transom Question--Porosity

Don't stress out over the corrosion on your transom, BF is right it's not that bad and can be easily repaired. That transom aluminum is just a skin to keep water out, the wood transom is where it gets the strength.

 

[gloveral]

Re: 1965 Starcraft Starchief Transom Question--Porosity

I appreciate the replies and fell a little better. Just so you know I am committed, I was going to fix it either way,..just that the magnitude/cost of the repair would change the final maiden voyage date.

At this point I am trying to get it back in the water by the end of june--a pretty big task. If the transom has to go it will just delay my motor purchase. It pains me not to put some old 60's iron on the back and I would if I was still on lakes but in Savannah, GA we are on the tidal river, so I am opting or slightly less old 80's OMC power due to the brackish water. I may still retro fit a 62 Evinrude 75 hood on the "newer" motor.

I will keep the picutres coming. This is a great forum and I already want another one. I will just add it to the Aerocraft in the garage--I need to find a forum for that one too.

Thanks again and I will stay in touch.

Allen

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1965 Starcraft Starchief Transom Question--Porosity

I will keep the picutres coming. This is a great forum and I already want another one. I will just add it to the Aerocraft in the garage--I need to find a forum for that one too.

Thanks again and I will stay in touch.

Allen

This is that forum too, just not quite as active as the SC forum:
AeroCraft


There are a few in the resto forum as well, here's 1:
Aerocraft CC-16 (Chieftain also owns an SC )

But you will definitely find this site interesting

If you did any work to the Aerocraft, we'd love to see a thread for it too. Even if it's currently completely redone. Actually those pix & pix of it in use is the whole point....

 

[barato2]

Re: 1965 Starcraft Starchief Transom Question--Porosity

I may still retro fit a 62 Evinrude 75 hood on the "newer" motor.


man after my own heart---if no one builds what you want, create it! PS: we like Aerocraft pix too.

 

[1973Chieftain]

Re: 1965 Starcraft Starchief Transom Question--Porosity

Did someone mention Aerocraft?