68 starcraft explorer restore

[umtnman]

I have started on a rebuild of a 14 ft starcraft explorer. Got the cap off. I have cut a small section of the deck out and there are no wood stringers. I did some research on these boats and found that they put. wood slats in a cross paternal then pu n a thick weave to create a rolling pattern. I am triing to decide to leave it and just pour foam in or should I gut it and bead in wooden stringers. I will need to cut out the transom. Also do I gut, rebuild then flip and paint outer or gut, flip and paint Hull then flip back and rebuild inner. I will get he pics some time this week on here. Thanks. I have enjoyed reading and laughing with a lot of the post on here.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 68 starcraft explorer restore

Glass Boat I Presume??? I'd flip, as is, do the hull then flip back, to do the rest. Pics needed to give advice on the build under the deck.

 

[umtnman]

Re: 68 starcraft explorer restore

Yes glass boat. Small trihull design. Will try to get pics tonight. My son in taking some pics now.

 

[umtnman]

Re: 68 starcraft explorer restore

They used what they call a air chamber design under the deck instead of the standard stringer/foam design.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: 68 starcraft explorer restore

They used what they call a air chamber design under the deck instead of the standard stringer/foam design.

That was one of the designs before level floatation became mandatory.

You may want to consider a modification that incorporates floatation foam into your boats structure.

 

[umtnman]

Re: 68 starcraft explorer restore

 

[umtnman]

Re: 68 starcraft explorer restore

 

[umtnman]

Re: 68 starcraft explorer restore

We have had this boat for a few years. It is not anything special but its been a great boat for me and my 2 kids to go fishing in. I thought about just upgrading but I like the little boat. It has a 25 h.p. Evenrude outboard with it. one thing I dont really care for is the tiller control. Would rather have a stering wheel. Dont have the money at this time to upgrade. I am hoping to have this completed and in the water the kids spring break end of march.
I started building a craddle tonight. Hope to finish it Tue night. Then plan on removing some more of the deck and the livewell to reduce some weight before I flip it to repair a couple holes in the hull then sand and prime/paint it. This boat has alot of holes where snaps and other thing have been. I am going to make some peanut butter, fill and sand smooth. Plan on using TSC paint with hardner. Can I spray this paint with an electric sprayer. I have one thats never been used.
The transom is rotted. I will cut the inner glass out and replace it. 2 layers 3/4 plywood with butter between. Then bead the edges in and tab the 3 sides(cloth or mat).
I think I would rather gut the entire boat and glass in wooden stringers. I know to leave a gap under the stringers. then put filler under them and to make a radius in the corners. Now my question is what fiber build up should I use?(cloth-mat- cloth)(what size). I am going to use polyester resin.

 

[rykersdad1]

Re: 68 starcraft explorer restore

Personally for a fishing boat i like a tiller steer. the steering column takes up a lot of fishing space. i am currently redoing a bowrider for the family to play on and i want it done by memorial day. i think you have got your work cut out for you to be done by the end of march. Good luck on the build. I found the pour-able foam on amazon for just under 100 bucks for a 2 gallon kit.

 

[a1964rn]

Re: 68 starcraft explorer restore

Personally for a fishing boat i like a tiller steer. the steering column takes up a lot of fishing space. i am currently redoing a bowrider for the family to play on and i want it done by memorial day. i think you have got your work cut out for you to be done by the end of march. Good luck on the build. I found the pour-able foam on amazon for just under 100 bucks for a 2 gallon kit.

Get your supplies at US Composites. The pour-in foam is $67.00 for the 2 gallon kit (8 cu. ft.)
Urethane Foam , Expanding Marine Polyurethane Foam

 

[umtnman]

Re: 68 starcraft explorer restore

I have another 14 ft boat for a back up if I cant get this one finished. I was wondering how many gal. the 8cu. ft foam was . thanks.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 68 starcraft explorer restore

I had a very similar Chrysler "Bass Hunter" back in the 70's. Stick Steer. Loved that boat. You should really core sample the stringers. From the looks of it I'm betting they're in bad shape That heavy woven roving thats on there usually was porous as all get out and allowed water to penetrate into the wood. If I were you I'd be preparing for a full gut job. If you like the boat and want to keep her for a long while, it would be the best thing to do. You could rig a small side steering console pretty easy and costs should be under $150 bucks.

 

[umtnman]

Re: 68 starcraft explorer restore

There is no wooden stringers in this boat if I understand how it was made. I will be gutting it and putting glasses stringers in.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: 68 starcraft explorer restore

There is no wooden stringers in this boat if I understand how it was made. I will be gutting it and putting glasses stringers in.

That'll make room for more floatation... as she sits right now she's a sinker if anything ever happened.

Here's the lamination schedule for your stringers, transom, and deck.
http://forums.iboats.com/boat-resto...lly-started-w-pics-384982-25.html#post3586813

 

[umtnman]

Re: 68 starcraft explorer restore

Here are a few more pics that my son took tonight while I was at work. one is of the cap tied up to the ceiling. I was able to cut the live well out along with the two shelves along the sides. spent most of the night removing the pin stripes and other stickers. I am going to try to get my son to finish that up when he gets home from school. I cut a section of the deck out close to the transom. It only has a void of around 3 in. it wont have much of a stringer or much foam in it?

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 68 starcraft explorer restore

Nice Cradle! I would use the sheet foam from Lowes under the deck and in the gunwales. R U planning on putting the seat boxes back in? If so, they could have some foam too!

 

[jigngrub]

Re: 68 starcraft explorer restore

I'd use the expanding urethane foam. Sheet foam leaves lots of voids whereas expanding foam will be a solid mass if installed properly, the solid mass of foam will also add support to your deck and hull. You'll be able to feel the difference in the deck when walking on it and probably the hull too when taking a wake. You'll also be able to hear the difference by not hearing the noise that used to be created on the deck by walking and dropping things on it.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 68 starcraft explorer restore

On a fiberglass boat, my vote would also be for pourable expanding foam.

 

[umtnman]

Re: 68 starcraft explorer restore

I will use the 2 part expandable foam. The seat box isa livewell also. I will be rebuilding it. I have more work on the craddle. Do I need to get the boat perfectly level while sitting on the craddle.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: 68 starcraft explorer restore

For your cradle/boat support I'd suggest additional support to the chines:

You can either level your boat or use a tape and measure instead, measuring down from the gunwales is usually the best method and the easiest.