1986 Skeeter Starfire 90 Resto.

[JAFO1]

Howdy!
I found this forum while researching what was then an impending fishing boat purchase. Lots of good information here.
What I bought is a 1986 Skeeter Starfire 90 16 foot with 75 Mariner and a Mariner trolling motor. There is a hole in the deck where plywood used to be and glassed stringers sandwiching spray foam. From what I have learned here, is the foam is probably shot or water logged and probably the stringer are too. Although, the stringers feel pretty solid for what they are (wishful thinking, I'm sure).
So, my main goal is to get on some fish, safely. To do so, I feel like I need to pop the deck cap, R&R the stringers, deck, and foam. Pipe dreaming would have me expand the front casting deck aft a bit for more room.
Now for the questions.
How hard is it to, or how do I pop the deck cap?
What foam do I use to replace the existing foam?
(I'll add Pictures when I can figure out how to downsize them.)

 

[chargerboy]

Re: 1986 Skeeter Starfire 90 Deck Resto?

Re: 1986 Skeeter Starfire 90 Deck Resto?

Things are easy enough to do, but it's going to take you some time. Before you start anything, make sure you build a cradle to hold the boat solid! Taking off the top cap will allow the boat to flex when you're working on it, and it might not go back together properly. To remove the top cap, start by removing all the rubrail around the boat. Underneath the rubrail you'll find either screws or rivets. Once these are removed and all wires are disconnected, it should lift right off with the help of a couple friends.

The cheapest way to replace the foam is to buy the pink 2 inch sheets from home depot. This color, according to everybody, is made different and will not hold any water.

 

[JAFO1]

Re: 1986 Skeeter Starfire 90 Deck Resto?

Re: 1986 Skeeter Starfire 90 Deck Resto?

Thanks for the tips! I wish I could figure out how to downsize pictures. The trailer this thing sits in is pretty tight at the stern, but not much/no support in the middle. I'm still evaluating the situation. I just about have the aft compartment stripped of all mechanicals, gas tank, batteries, pumps and such. hopefully I can get a better idea of condition when I get everything out.

 

[chargerboy]

Re: 1986 Skeeter Starfire 90 Deck Resto?

Re: 1986 Skeeter Starfire 90 Deck Resto?

Pictures will definitely give us a better idea of what we're helping you out with. If you use Windows on your computer, the Microsoft Paint program is useful at resizing photos.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1986 Skeeter Starfire 90 Deck Resto?

Re: 1986 Skeeter Starfire 90 Deck Resto?

Upload your pictures to a photobucket.com. You can resize them to the forum-acceptable size of 640x480 right on the site. It's what most of us use.

 

[JAFO1]

Re: 1986 Skeeter Starfire 90 Deck Resto?

Re: 1986 Skeeter Starfire 90 Deck Resto?

Thanks ezombee! I'll work on the resizing.
I know what I have to do though. Gotta' de-cap it. The deck under the fuel tank in is shot. So, since I want this boat to last, and I will have my family on it, I'm not going to half-a__ it. So, I guess next, I will pull the motor. I have a car engine hoist, will it be useful/helpful? And, how should I store the motor while off the boat?
I think I may get semi-lucky with the stringers. I think I will be able to cut the top part of the stringers off and then sandwich new wood around the existing stringers. If this is not an acceptable method, please let me know.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1986 Skeeter Starfire 90 Deck Resto?

Re: 1986 Skeeter Starfire 90 Deck Resto?

I have some 2x4 shelving in the back of my garage and all I did (twice now) was hook a cheapo harbor freight block and tackle up and pull the motor up and off and let it hang there.

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w200/ezmobee/New Boat/DSCF2257.jpg

 

[JAFO1]

Re: 1986 Skeeter Starfire 90 Deck Resto?

Re: 1986 Skeeter Starfire 90 Deck Resto?

 

[JAFO1]

Re: 1986 Skeeter Starfire 90 Deck Resto?

Re: 1986 Skeeter Starfire 90 Deck Resto?

Don't think I linked that up right, and can't delete the post.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1986 Skeeter Starfire 90 Deck Resto?

Re: 1986 Skeeter Starfire 90 Deck Resto?

I fixed it. Edit that post, see what I did, and do that from now on.

However, the pic is too big. Resize it in photobucket to 640x480.

Photobucket also has a nice feature where when you upload photos, you can click for more options. One of the options is to automatically resize the pics to a certain size as you're uploading them. Very convenient.

 

[JAFO1]

Re: 1986 Skeeter Starfire 90 Deck Resto?

Re: 1986 Skeeter Starfire 90 Deck Resto?

Thanks! I thought I resized them. I just put some more on photobucket.

OK, now back to the resto.

If the stringers are okay, or I have to cut down by about half, is it appropriate to sandwich new stringers on them?
And, the foam is for rigidity, correct? So, should I stuff the pink stuff down in there, tight? I understand that I should leave relief channels between the foam and hull, correct?

 

[chargerboy]

Re: 1986 Skeeter Starfire 90 Deck Resto?

Re: 1986 Skeeter Starfire 90 Deck Resto?

If the old strigers are shot, replace them. Keeping extra rotten wood in the boat that you don't need just isn't a good idea. You'll find how to do that by searching around on the internet. If your foam supports the floor itself, then it is structural, if it is just packed in odd places here and there, then it is not structural and you don't have to worry about where you put the new stuff. Guessing by what I can see in the photos, it's not structural.

You are right about leaving channels between the hull and foam, drainage means alot in a boat. Whatever you can do to prevent water from sitting in places other than the bilge, you'll be doing the boat a favor.

 

[JAFO1]

Re: 1986 Skeeter Starfire 90 Deck Resto?

Re: 1986 Skeeter Starfire 90 Deck Resto?

Thanks chargerboy.

I peeled back a little of the rub strip and saw rivets, so I guess I have a bit of drilling to do.

I was looking at all the wires and hoses. There aren't that many, but some go into blind cavities, so I have to make sure I disconnect everything.

 

[JAFO1]

Re: 1986 Skeeter Starfire 90 Deck Resto?

Re: 1986 Skeeter Starfire 90 Deck Resto?

Demo is mostly done. I cut the stringers down to about an inch or two from the hull, and then dug out the soaked and mostly rotted PT plywood.

How do I fix the milky looking glass on the hull? It was mostly under where the soaked foam was. My guess is to sand it down, and then glass over it.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1986 Skeeter Starfire 90 Deck Resto?

Re: 1986 Skeeter Starfire 90 Deck Resto?

How do I fix the milky looking glass on the hull? It was mostly under where the soaked foam was. My guess is to sand it down, and then glass over it.

That's what I'd do.

 

[JAFO1]

Re: 1986 Skeeter Starfire 90 Deck Resto?

Re: 1986 Skeeter Starfire 90 Deck Resto?

Thanks!

 

[JAFO1]

Re: 1986 Skeeter Starfire 90 Deck Resto?

Re: 1986 Skeeter Starfire 90 Deck Resto?

Got a little too far ahead of myself. I popped off one of the livewell intake covers off and the wood down there was wet. So, I cut an inspection panel and the plywood is wet. I think it wicked in from under the ribs. I'm really bummed, the transom feels solid. But, I've gone too far to not fix it right. I know about Sea Cast, and of course plywood. Can I get some opinions on Sea Cast vs plywood, or any other options.
Thanks,
Kenny

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1986 Skeeter Starfire 90 Deck Resto?

Re: 1986 Skeeter Starfire 90 Deck Resto?

My opinion (and that's all it is) is that SeaCast is IDEAL for someone who's boat is in otherwise great condition but has a rotten transom. Chainsaw/chisel/shop-vac out the old wood, pour in the new transom. Done. But for someone who already has the whole thing torn apart, I think it's not the the best use of money. A properly sealed plywood transom will surely outlast your interest in this particular boat.

 

[JAFO1]

Re: 1986 Skeeter Starfire 90 Deck Resto?

Re: 1986 Skeeter Starfire 90 Deck Resto?

Kind of what I was thinking, on the plywood.
My interest hasn't in this boat hasn't waned, yet. But it is being tested!

 

[JAFO1]

Re: 1986 Skeeter Starfire 90 Deck Resto?

Re: 1986 Skeeter Starfire 90 Deck Resto?

Okay, since I will tear the old transom out, should I make the new transom taller to eliminate this gap under the transom cap? It's almost an inch.