1973 Starcraft Islander Restoration

[CountMonteCristo]

Hi Everyone,
You guys are definitely a wealth of knowledge and a great resource. With that being said I appreciate any help anyone is willing to offer up. I have a 1973 Starcraft Islander with a Mercruise I/O with 165 HP for a few years now. It needs a complete overhaul and I'm just starting to dig into the beast. The floor boards have been replaced with marine grade plywood a few years ago, progress has been very slow to say the least. I have two tempo tanks to replace the original tanks that rotted. Currently I'm struggling with the Marmac M-1093-D2 controls, does anyone know of replacement parts or what would possible be able to replace the throttle controls. The control lever was removed and I'm needing to replace it. I have changed out spark plugs and eventually I'm planning on performing a complete tune up once I have the boat all back together. I'm a little curious about the hole in the cuddy cabin wall though not exactly sure what once resided in that location, any ideas? Also the mounting motor board is looking pretty sad any info on thickness required or best way to replace this would also be great, I doubt it will be able to go through another season without dissolving. Also where can I find a cuddy cabin door, I've noticed some very nice doors that appear to be either aluminum or fiberglass. Thanks

 

[magnumdeke]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Islander Restoration

Hi, welcome to another Islander builder, here is an option on your controls, there are many more if you do a little google search,
http://www.iboats.com/Single-Lever-...0608422--session_id.700568427--view_id.256246
I did not have that style of mount in my 76, and I think my 69 had a solid chunk in it. You will have to pick up the motor a little with a hoist or board across side to side with a ratchet strap and remove the lag bolts and try to pull the wood out and replace it.
Good luck

 

[North Beach]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Islander Restoration

CMC Welcome to iBoats and the Starmada. I think that motor mount is supposed to be plywood to prevent vibration transfer to the aluminum hull. I don't remember the thickness but someone with a 165 hp will chime in soon with that info for you. I'm thinkin maybe some sort of speaker was in the hole on the wall?

Actually you should be able to just measure what's there and replace it.

 

[CountMonteCristo]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Islander Restoration

Thanks, I've been stumped with that stupid hole. Half the fun is trying to figure out what previous owners did with this boat. Thanks for the guidance on the motor mounts. Good idea on the board and lifting, I might endup using a chain hoist and just lifting it up and removing the board. I'm guessing just use marine grade plywood and then should I coat or seal the new wood with anything? Also have any of you guys used the rubberized floor coatings from ******** or even bass pro has same product? I'll send pics of the controls to better help display my contorls and the model. Pics help a heck of a lot. Thanks guys.

 

[CountMonteCristo]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Islander Restoration

Yeah, I looked at the existing motor mount board and I'm a little leary of measuring a board that appears to be seperating and very spongy. The board itself is being held up by another board that appears to have seen better days as well. I wasn't sure if I needed to achieve a desired angle for optimum performance or if it just needed to be another piece of marine grade plywood. I'm not sure but would it be possible to utilize a piece of aluminum or even steel so I don't have to worry about the board rotting again?

 

[CountMonteCristo]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Islander Restoration

Has any used the rubberized floor coating offered by ********* or bass pro shops? I'm looking at floor covering options, I'm not overly impressed with carpeting as it gets wet and I prefer to have something washable and easy to clean. Any thoughts or ideas?

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Islander Restoration

Nautolex has been discussed here on an iboats thread.

Your text has been redacted by the iboats server so I'm not sure what rubber floor coating you're asking about.

 

[dozerII]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Islander Restoration

Welcome to the tin maddness CMC. Looking at your photos the plywood seems to have a real green color to it, it wouldn't happen to be treated ply? That stuff is real bad for aluminum boats.

 

[CountMonteCristo]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Islander Restoration

Not sure, previous owner installed it. Does marine grade plywood have that color? Its been sitting out for 2-3 years, typically I would attempt to work on it in the summer and then tarp it up in the winter. Good eye, I definitly don't want to do a great restoration and then have the floor be an issue. Below I've posted a picture of the rubberized floor covering that I found.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Islander Restoration

many members here have had great results using Durabak google it

 

[Bwana Don]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Islander Restoration

many members here have had great results using Durabak google it

Barato loves it. Check out his Holiday thread.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=508758&page=13&p=3958332#post3958332

Back a few pages is where he rolled it on. PM him Bruce will give you the skinny on it.

That 165 is a good engine btw. Good luck.

 

[CountMonteCristo]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Islander Restoration

I'll check into the Durabak, there is so much out there its hard to choose. Does anyone have leads on a great cuddy cabin door or know where I can pick one up? I'll keep you guys posted on the progress, it might be slow as were headed into deer season and surf fishing season, can't miss those!!! Thanks again for the help everyone appreciate all the info and advice on restoring this old girl.

 

[Sunsetrider]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Islander Restoration

I am giving serious consideration to using KiwiGrip. It seems to produce a fairly unique rubbery result, simpler than most to apply, and not too costly.
http://www.kiwigrip.com/

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Islander Restoration

Does anyone have leads on a great cuddy cabin door or know where I can pick one up?

You'll pretty much need to custom build one eh.

 

[CountMonteCristo]

Re: 1973 Starcraft Islander Restoration

I was kind of fearing the idea of having to make a cabin door. Its amazing how many car junk yards we have but not a lot of boat junk yards. You would think there would be a market for boat junk yards. I sure would buy from one. Well its getting to be that time of year and well the winter blanket will need to be put back on. I hate to do it but I don't prefer covering it when it starts snowing. Just not my cup of tea.