'64 Dart?????

[ZachofAllTrades]

After an exhausting and confusing search amidst tiny thumbnails and random forum posts, I came across the '64 Dart brochure, which led me here.I left a deposit on the pictured boat, and didn't take time to get model numbers off the plate. Looks like I'm close to identifying my future Winnipesaukee island hopper!

 

[ZachofAllTrades]

'64 Dart?????

An exhaustive search with very little info in hand led me to the point of posting my own thread for maximum exposure. I have a deposit down on this pictured gem, but didn't write down any numbers. (which are intact, of course). Are there archives somewhere that identify models with their numbers? I also have no previous experience with Starcraft boats, or forums for that matter, and I'm intrigued by the so-called 'Starmada'(nice one btw!).

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Zach

 

[Bwana Don]

Re: '64 Dart?????

14 footer? 60's windshield. What year does the registration say? I that the original color? Cool little boat too.

Welcome to the Starmada.

 

[ZachofAllTrades]

Re: '64 Dart?????

Thanks for the welcome Don. Great to be here! Yes it's a 14'. I have to wait for the owner to bring up titles,registrations, and keys from CT, hopefully next week. I looked a couple times, and didn't see a year or a model printed anywhere. I'm really psyched about it though. I'll be using it mainly for island work transport on Lake Winnipesaukee in NH, and little family excursions throughout our Lakes Region. I believe the original bimini frame is in it, as is most of the seat framework. Windshield,dash,wiring,and steering all seem to be in fair condition. The seller says it leaks a little around the rivets in the floor trusses, gonna have to learn a good way to repair this issue, I'd hate to just slather some stuff on it and hope it works. I'm also quite curious about the trailer's make, and what engines she likely would have been outfitted with. Also, the bowlight lens is missing, and I'm hoping I can make one somehow or find one.

 

[ZachofAllTrades]

Re: '64 Dart?????

Also, doesn't seem to be the original color, it looks like the surf green hull and sea green deck combo bleeding through the red.

 

[Bwana Don]

Re: '64 Dart?????

Also, doesn't seem to be the original color, it looks like the surf green and seafoam green combo bleeding through the red.

That's what I'm thinking. Is it green underneath? Color is fairly important to identify the year. Registration is best though. lol

Buck the rivets and then Gluvit all seams and rivets. Should be dry after that. Is the floor solid? I like the little 14' 60's Runabouts. You got a nice little boat there.

Take two hammers and one friend. Hammer and friend on outside of rivet, you hit the rivet inside to tighten it up. When I did the Gluvit on the little 12' I tipped it up on its side so the epoxy could pool along the seams. Check out my thread for mixing it up. That's one thing I did right. Oh yea, I brazed some holes up that's two things that turned out ok.

Good luck. Looks like you need paint too. Stripping and paint, it gets no better than that.

 

[ZachofAllTrades]

Re: '64 Dart?????

Yes, she's green underneath the red. I'll hafta look up your thread for leak repair advice, thanks. Never heard of Gluvit, but I'm sure I can find it or an equivalent locally. I see you're from Roseville, I was born in Port Huron, lived in the area from '71-'76, and still have family there.

 

[North Beach]

Re: '64 Dart?????

Sorry Zach. Didn't know you were looking or I would have helped you out. Here's a non-thumbnail for you....

 

[ZachofAllTrades]

Re: '64 Dart?????

Thanks North Beach,ahhhh, a much bigger photo! The smaller version of this photo is what made me sit up straight and say "hey! that's my boat,or very nearly the one!" Can't wait to bring her home so I can get working on it, and I will be posting many pics!

 

[North Beach]

Re: '64 Dart?????

BTW for all you Michigan folks, the archery equipment for this ad was courtesy Bear Archery from Grayling, Michigan.

 

[Bwana Don]

Re: '64 Dart?????

Fred Bear was a heck-a-va man, Iconic Legend here in Michigan. I like Ted Nugent's tribute to Fred.

Gluvit, use it, love it, sniff it's putrid aroma. The stuff works! Weigh it in grams for best results, I used 40% of a quart for the 12' rowboat.

 

[ZachofAllTrades]

Re: '64 Dart?????

Well,that's an awesome piece of Michigan history, the Fred Bear/Starcraft Dart relationship that is. Man, I'm gettin antsy,been thinkin about this boat for weeks, long before I found this forum(last nite). Just gettin the debris out of it would be a pleasurable chore!

 

[ZachofAllTrades]

Re: '64 Dart?????

Anyone have an idea as to what the engine model is in the brochure picture?

 

[North Beach]

Re: '64 Dart?????

Anyone have an idea as to what the engine model is in the brochure picture?

That's called a West Bend Golden Shark. 40 HP I beleive. Here's a thread from someone who evidently knows....

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=480071

 

[Bwana Don]

Re: '64 Dart?????

That's called a West Bend Golden Shark. 40 HP I beleive. Here's a thread from someone who evidently knows....

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=480071

I was going to guess Scott Attwater. It does look very Chryslerish though. Didn't Chryco buy up West Bend?

Just read the link. It goes into the whole blood line. Oooh, keep the motor which could be a project unto itself or sell it and re-power. If you re-power consider an old Johnson, parts galore and as reliable a Fred Bear arrow shot.

 

[Gryph]

Re: '64 Dart?????

Hey great to see another Dart on here. I'm fairly certain that is the same as the '64 Dart I just picked up a couple weeks ago, handled great with the 40 Johnson on mine, 28mph top speed, nothing in it to rot, and it towed a 200 lbs skier fine. Great little runabout that does everything well on the cheap.

Can't wait to see more pics!

PS Let me know if you need any pictures/measurements from my boat, I noticed the back bench seat is missing in your picture, but you can see the bracket that attaches to the backrest.

 

[ZachofAllTrades]

Re: '64 Dart?????

Thanks North Beach. I'll keep an eye out for one, it'd be neat to have a period engine, even if I don't use it. Oh dear, I'm talking like a hoarder. No!!!!!lol

 

[ZachofAllTrades]

Re: '64 Dart?????

Don,according to the seller, the Evinrude has just been 'gone over', or did he say 'rebuilt' to the tune of $500? Can't remember,but if I get the work slip I'll know, or I'll just talk to the folks at the marina where it was worked on. He did say it runs great. However, not having any experience working on an outboard, I'm a bit nervous about the lower end, water pump,etc. I like the idea of an old Johnson engine though, for asthetics if nothing else.

 

[ZachofAllTrades]

Re: '64 Dart?????

I was psyched to see your Dart on here Gryph, because I finally was able to identify what my rig is, if not the year yet. It seems like most of the seat and bimini top framework is still in the boat, it's just not all attached. It's a shame this boat was stored for 20 yrs or so, and then left outside uncovered for the past year. Won't happen under my watch! I would be interested in more pics of your boat, as I'm sure many in the Starmada would. If the registration/title doesn't list the year of manufacture when I get it, I would like to compare serial/model numbers with you so I may get a sense of what year it actually is. Oh, and by the way, your Dart is beautiful. Nice find!

 

[ZachofAllTrades]

Re: '64 Dart?????

Does anyone know of a source for an original bow light lens for the Dart, or know of a method/material to make one? I'd hate to replace the unit with a cheesy modern looking one. I'm thinkin maybe I can butcher one or two pairs of 3D glasses and glue 'em into the unit...