1979 16' Starcraft SS - I did it again!

[ezmobee]

Re: 1979 16' Starcraft SS - I did it again!

I had a throttle cable break on my '73. It was basically on top of the shift cable inside the control box. I had little trouble with the throttle one but the shift one looked like it could be a pain. Neither are difficult at the motor end. You may have a newer style control box also which may be easier.

 

[chuckndiscs]

Re: 1979 16' Starcraft SS - I did it again!

Whoop! Iboats really has there parts together! Cable was waiting for me when I got home, overnight shipping for $8.00 -wow!

Got it installed in about an hour and I now again have a neutral and a reverse! Control box was a breeze. Take it apart (3 screws) and pop it out. I must have a newer one than you EZ...

Overall a fairly easy project and DON'T FORGET YOUR ROPE to pull the new cable back through!

Chuck

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1979 16' Starcraft SS - I did it again!

Good. I have the newer style control box now so it's good to know that it won't be a big deal if I have to replace any cables on this one.

 

[chuckndiscs]

Re: 1979 16' Starcraft SS - I did it again!

I was out on Lake Elmo MN this weekend (small 250 acre lake or so) and saw a beautiful 21ft Islander out there with me! Would of loved to chat with the owner but they were fishing it hard most of the day and I didnt catch up with them. Bummer.

Ive had the boat out 6 times in the past 15 days (pretty good for me) and its biggest trip is coming up! A couple buddies are I are hauling her up to Lake Winnibigoshish in 2.5 weeks for some serious eye's, perch and crappie fishing! Cant wait!

The Swell Jumper or screamin nan'er (havent figures out "the name" yet but the first is a fav of mine and the second is my 5 yr olds idea) will be tested on that trip!

Chuck

 

[chuckndiscs]

Re: 1979 16' Starcraft SS - I did it again!

Picked this up today for the boat based on review by EZ AND the fact it is so darn cheap for a depthfinder AND GPS!

Eagle Cuda 350

$169.99 at Cabelas.com WITH $20.00 off deal with orders over $150.00.




After tax and shipping (I live in same state as Cabelas so I have to pay taxes) it comes to just over $180.50. I think thats a good deal! Going to need it on Lake Winnibigoshish in a couple weeks!

Now to do research mounting a transducer and drilling holes in my transom....wait, drill what WHERE!?

Chuck

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1979 16' Starcraft SS - I did it again!

Now to do research mounting a transducer and drilling holes in my transom....wait, drill what WHERE!?

Mine's here: http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w200/ezmobee/New Boat/IMG_0461.jpg and I must have NAILED it because it's the only one I've ever had that accurately read depth even on plane. Don't worry, no wood behind that low a spot on the transom.

 

[chuckndiscs]

Re: 1979 16' Starcraft SS - I did it again!

Mine's here: http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w200/ezmobee/New Boat/IMG_0461.jpg and I must have NAILED it because it's the only one I've ever had that accurately read depth even on plane. Don't worry, no wood behind that low a spot on the transom.

So is the transducer puck itself below the actual bottom of your boat by the rib in the pic? Did you use stainless steel screws with 5200? Did you predrill?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1979 16' Starcraft SS - I did it again!

Yes. The transducer has a line through the middle of it that is supposed to be even with the bottom of the boat so it should be in the water on plane. I used the included stainless screws and maybe some 5200 although I can't remember. No leaks.

 

[strange82]

Re: 1979 16' Starcraft SS - I did it again!

I'm interested in the performance difference between the 17 & 19 props, Have dome any testing yet?
Nice looking rig man.

 

[chuckndiscs]

Re: 1979 16' Starcraft SS - I did it again!

I'm interested in the performance difference between the 17 & 19 props, Have dome any testing yet?
Nice looking rig man.

Thanks for the compliment! I don't really know what it is about the yellow on this age of starcrafts or why I like it so much but something has me drawn to this specific color and line contours. I have owned two 16' and an 18' in the last 1.5 years and I had to go back to the 16' The 18' had tons of room etc but its just something about the 16' that drew me back (and the motor on this one, ill admit).

In terms of your question - I have not done any testing with it yet but I will grab my GPS and do some number recording this weekend with the 17" prop on and then will change out to the 19" and try it out another time out that has similar conditions. Ill try and record two different videos from the same location, that is if the kids will sit long enough on the dock with my better half!

Chuck

 

[chuckndiscs]

Re: 1979 16' Starcraft SS - I did it again!

Mine's here: http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w200/ezmobee/New Boat/IMG_0461.jpg and I must have NAILED it because it's the only one I've ever had that accurately read depth even on plane. Don't worry, no wood behind that low a spot on the transom.

Thanks EZ! Two questions:

1. Do you have any pics of the transducer showing the underside of the boat? I'd like to see it lined up with your bottom so it helps me better position mine. I understand mine is a bit different being a 16'

2. Your Bimini - Is it made of decent quality products? I'm really wondering if aluminum tubes seem thin or easy to bend? Understand it was 119 or so so it's not perfect but would like to hear they seem durable enough under normal use..

Thanks!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1979 16' Starcraft SS - I did it again!

Thanks EZ! Two questions:

1. Do you have any pics of the transducer showing the underside of the boat? I'd like to see it lined up with your bottom so it helps me better position mine. I understand mine is a bit different being a 16'

2. Your Bimini - Is it made of decent quality products? I'm really wondering if aluminum tubes seem thin or easy to bend? Understand it was 119 or so so it's not perfect but would like to hear they seem durable enough under normal use..

Thanks!

1. Not at the moment. I can take one for you though.

2. It seems sturdy enough. Ran around with it up all weekend at 35+ MPH which you probably aren't supposed to do. Held up fine. I wasn't real interested in spending $300 on one.

 

[chuckndiscs]

Re: 1979 16' Starcraft SS - I did it again!

1. Not at the moment. I can take one for you though.

Would be appreciated! I sat and looked at the back of my boat, drill in hand for quite some time last night (kind of like I did with my motor) but couldn't do it... I couldn't find any reason to be mad enough at the boat to let loose AND I dont think I have the details on where exactly to put it figured out yet

2. It seems sturdy enough. Ran around with it up all weekend at 35+ MPH which you probably aren't supposed to do. Held up fine. I wasn't real interested in spending $300 on one.

Sounds like good enough to me! I am not interested in spending $300 myself but do want something that will work. I bought my boat cover at Wally World for $85.00 instead of the $250.00 ones and glad I did. I know Ill be buying another in 2 years but then it still will be less than the expensive ones!

Thanks sir!

Chuck

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1979 16' Starcraft SS - I did it again!

I got my cover from them as well. Seems really nice to me. Held up all winter despite my support collapsing and 7000 pounds of ICE and water laying in it for a while. Appears to be none the worse for wear. I expect to get more than 2 years out of it. http://www.safeguardcovers.com/ and check their ebay store.

 

[chuckndiscs]

Re: 1979 16' Starcraft SS - I did it again!

OK - Prepping for the big Lake Winnibigoshish Trip this weekend and I have a couple questions:

1. Still have not mounted my transducer. I dont have stakes and therefore dont know where to put it to get the "calm water" Here is the best pic of my rear end (there are no stakes under there but there is a rib about 6 - 8 inches from the outside edge of the back plate



Im kind of thinking Id mount it on the inside of the rib about 1ft 2 inches from the lower unit (mounting instructions say no les than 1 foot). Is there a better spot?


2. I found six 16oz mercury premium 2 cycle motor oil jugs under one of the front seats, It is unopened. SHould I use it or purchase new? Its likely been sitting in there through the MN winter and through some 100 degree days under tarp. My thought is for $30.00 Id be an idiot to use it but maybe it holds up through that and is yet good??

3. Anyone have any experience with cavitation plate mounted minnkota's? Im REALLY looking at one because I dont have room in the front with my two young captains running around out there for a bow mount and I'd like to steer with the steering wheel. ANy issue to the OB mounting it there?

Thanks everybody!

Chuck

 

[chuckndiscs]

Re: 1979 16' Starcraft SS - I did it again!

Well....transducer is mounted. Probably the worst job of anything I have ever done, sigh. Stripped the screws out putting them in. They are snug REAL tight (cant move the transducer) but going to be hell if I ever have to get them back out - 5200 sealed everything so they are not moving anytime soon but dang it! Pretty sure nothing will leak as I put 5200 on it all (QUOTE: " I put that SH*T on everything! ").

THOUGHT: Anyone know what will soften or remove 5200 in case I need to remove it for whatever reason?

Also may have mounted transducer 1/4 inch below bottom of boat. I had lined it up with the line in the middle of it with the bottom of the boat but it must have moved during installation. Everything I read online states that thats probably GOOD for getting good readings trolling, sitting, and moving at high speed and the only problem I might see is spray / rooster tailing from it.

Sigh:facepalm:, Ugh , Grrrrr , DOH! I never want to do that again. Ill drill a prop seal anyday but mounting a transducer is not for me.

Chuck

 

[chuckndiscs]

Re: 1979 16' Starcraft SS - I did it again!

UPDATES:

1. NEW TOW VEHICLE:

2002 Chevrolet Avalanche - LOVING IT!!

2. Transducer / Fish Finder works like a champ! I went with the Eagle Cuda 350 (recommended by EZ and others here) and it is sweet! The GPS give you better speed readings that the wheel model AND gets you back to the launch without getting lost. Doesnt give you any lake bottom contours, etc but that is what the lakemaster is for, right?

3. The boats record is 9 - 2! 11 total fishing trips, 9 trips where at least one fish was caught, 1 where nothing was caught and one where it never left the dock (does that count against it or the motor really?).

4. This boat is AWESOME!

5. Thinking about replacing the floor and seats this winter. PO put in the pressed green wood near the back (moron) so that needs to come out. Floor is strong, no soft spots BUT the green pressure is there and bugging me. I have new seats as well and although my back to backs are in good shape, Id really like to have the ability to remove seats for fishing, more storage underneath and to have old folk (grandparents, etc) ride looking forward so they dont get sick on me.

6. I had a BLAST With Losd and Papa at the Starmada get together

7. ONE LAST TRIP OUT THIS WEEKEND I think .... so sad, ah Minnesota!

Chuck

 

[losdinspace]

Re: 1979 16' Starcraft SS - I did it again!

Nice rig! That is the best color too, it never looks dirty. Good upgrade from the Sportrac.

 

[chuckndiscs]

Re: 1979 16' Starcraft SS - I did it again!

Just placed an order for a bimini top for the boat! With the newest addition to the family JUST making the requirements to wear a life jacket and be in a boat (18 pounds, 6 months, and can sit unassisted) I figure I had better provide some shade for Mom and babe to escape too otherwise the boating trips would end up being REAL short!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&vxp=mtr&item=290702886219

Same one as Ez, thanks for the link sir! Likely get it next week and then will work to mount it up. I suppose I had better ensure the boat will start after sitting all winter, wouldn't that just make the admiral happy if I bought a bimini top and the boat wont run?? I guess we could always sit a the launch dock in some beautiful shaded weather....

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1979 16' Starcraft SS - I did it again!

Smart move getting mom and baby under shade, cookin em makes for a long day on the water.