1972 Starcraft Nova - New purchase

[picklebunker]

Hey there,

I was google image searching Starcraft boats as I just bought one last summer. I found the dopple-ganger to my boat and found this forum. The other boat that I saw on another thread looks to be in a little bit better shape than mine but very similar none the less. I'm currently in the process of evaluating what I'm going to do and the only thing I've started so far is recovering the seats in a pearl toned vinyl. (Trying to keep it classic looking) Things I need to do:

- a good coat of paint on the hull and transome. Do I need an aluminum primer to paint the hull on this?
- redo the floor in marine carpet. Is this a good choice, or should I go to something less absorbant?
- remount the controls. They feel a bit high
- Stereo (of course)

I only have a couple of pics because I tore my hamstring waterskiing a week after I put it in the water. Apparently 40 year old muscles aren't as flexible as 19 year old muscles. It's winterized right now but Spring is fast approaching so I'm ichin' to get started!



Any suggestions or cautions are certainly appreciated. THanks and this is a great forum.

 

[InMotion]

Re: 1972 Starcraft Nova - New purchase

Hey PB, welcome to the tin vortex!!! You may never get out now... Looks like you have yourself a nice looking boat there. Couple things to check on these older boats, transom, floors, under floor floatation. Many threads here that walk through step by step how to check and or replace. Prolly best to rough up the paint first before throwing a coat of etching primer on --- depending on the condition of your paint. A lot of folks here go with vinyl as alternative .... but really it's a personal choice. 40 year old.... ya we don't bounce like 19 year old's!!! That's why we have kids --- so we can watch them wipe out!

Looking forward to so rebuild photo's.

IM

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: 1972 Starcraft Nova - New purchase

Welcome to the madness we call the Starmada. You guys are finding Novas all over and they are somewhat rare. InMotion has good advice for you. Looking for progress pics when you can hobble out to the boat. Have fun!

 

[Pugetsound]

Re: 1972 Starcraft Nova - New purchase

Nice boat same looking seats as i have in my 22 holiday I have carpet in it that was there when I bought it . Rarly ever gets even close to wet and then rinsed and rais the bow to drain my smaller 16 restro I put in blue Nautlex Vinyl. Vinyl would be my choice as it cleans easly and wont stain.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1972 Starcraft Nova - New purchase

Wow, another Nova, awesome

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1972 Starcraft Nova - New purchase

Nice boat! I'm sure you'll have a ton of fun with that one. For a simple, low cost, but nice DIY paint job, I recommend thoroughly scuffing up the existing paint, hitting any bare aluminum with a light dusting of etching primer, then primer, then Valspar Tractor & Implement Paint with the available hardener additive. http://tsc.tractorsupply.com/search?w=valspar&searchButton.x=0&searchButton.y=0 Check out the resto forum, member woodonglass has a thread somewhere detailing this painting method. Comes out pretty darn nice and is low cost. For your flooring, I can say I'm really pleased with my marine vinyl floor. Very non-slip and much easier to clean then carpet. http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w200/ezmobee/New Boat/DSCF2504.jpg

This was the final iteration of the dash on my previous boat (SC Jupiter) http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w200/ezmobee/Boat Project/DSCF1927.jpg not sure if you can gather any ideas from that. Good luck with your project.

 

[picklebunker]

Re: 1972 Starcraft Nova - New purchase

Thanks, guys. I have a little bit of a project ahead for sure and cost is surely a factor. Looks like I'll the the advice and explore the options for vinyl. Ezmobee - great looking dash you have there. Simple clean lines and tastefully done. Once the sun come s out, and it's not minus 20, I take some pics and start up my wreckin' saw.

Looks like a great forum - looking forward to being a part of it.

Al

 

[picklebunker]

Re: 1972 Starcraft Nova - New purchase

Well, I put some time into it but not much money. Happy to say that the wife and I redid the seats ourselves (took the kid's bunkbeds apart for parts) and used some pretty original techniques and supplies to make it all come together. I gutted the whole inside and started over. Picked up a stereo from the auto wreckers, used vinyl flooring (yup, waterproof and cheap) to finish the dash, polished the windscreen with toothpaste. Converted the seat bottom at the rear to a built in cooler.

 

[picklebunker]

Re: 1972 Starcraft Nova - New purchase

And some pics of the interior. I tried to keep it's age and feel in mind when putting the work into it so I didn't take it too modern and kept it classic looking. After inspecting transome, floor , wiring etc. I found that there wasn't really that much "meat" to fix so I was pretty happy. After factoring in cost, I had to go with a $25 roll end of marine carpet for the floor and hope I don't actually catch any fish. I'm sure scales, slime, blood etc. don't work well with carpet lol.

 

[dozerII]

Re: 1972 Starcraft Nova - New purchase

Real nice Job PB, it sure didn't take you long to get R done.
Glen

 

[FishNmemories]

Re: 1972 Starcraft Nova - New purchase

Looks good, sounds like you already had some fun with it.

 

[barato2]

Re: 1972 Starcraft Nova - New purchase

really pretty. and sounds like you are a bottom feeder extraordinaire with the low buck resto approach. love it!

maybe consider grabbing a cheap clear-vinyl runner strip from bldg supp to put over carpet if you're going fishing?