'79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

[Huron Angler]

This is my new 16' 1979 Starcraft SuperSport with 1971 80hp Mercury outboard. I got it with the trailer for $1000 a few weeks ago

I was able to take her out a few times before winter started and she floats, the Merc starts and runs

I want to get this rig set up almost like the original layout from the factory, with a few variations.

I've been convinced(nobody will go out on the boat they say it's too cold) that now is the time to do a full restoration in time for spring(hopefully).

I was toying with the idea of not doing much to her but what else would I be doing all winter besides working on the boat?

I've been working on getting my kerosene heater set up to get it from 33 to 50+ degrees in the garage. That way I can get to work on the boat without having numb fingers.

So I plan on tearing out the deck carefully to use as a template and removing all the rails, hardware and windshield. This boat has been redone at least once already so who knows how difficult this will be, I will find out.

Getting rivets rebucked and gluvitted is the first priority(after cleaning).

After reading North Beach's restoration thread and countless others I have a pretty good idea how the project goes but I promise I will have questions.

I hope I can put this thing back together again

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS restoration

Re: '79 Starcraft SS restoration

Originally these would've been back-to-back seats that pull out into benches, but I may keep the pedestal seating for conveniece

This CMC trim and tilt bracket is a real nice bonus with the rig

The first test run a few weeks ago...

[URL=http://s731.photobucket.com/albums/ww312/Lac_Huron/1979%20Starcraft%20Supersport/?action=view&current=DSCF5019.mp4]

 

[wvmedic]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS restoration

Re: '79 Starcraft SS restoration

Good start on the resto thread HA, I am looking forward to you're progress.

Jeff

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS restoration

Re: '79 Starcraft SS restoration

Good start on the resto thread HA, I am looking forward to you're progress.

Jeff

Thanks Jeff...I am ready to get some work done

Is yours the 18? I like your blue/blue paint scheme, I already have 4 blue/grey/white seats so I'm tempted to go with that...but everybody loves the yellow.

That decision will be down the road. Good luck with your SS

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS restoration

Re: '79 Starcraft SS restoration

Last night I had cold Labatt's in a cold garage and was able to get the old kerosene heater going

I'm going to be spending quite a bit of time in this garage in tight quarters so it's taking me forever to get stuff organized so I can work.

Got it up to 55 degrees, plenty warm to work, maybe still too cold to apply gluvit?

These pieces of 4x4" wood were supporting a removable piece of carpeted ply that the gas tank sat on under the splashwell. They are pretty well rotted.

She fits in my one-car garage perfectly

starting the tear-down...

 

[jspano]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS restoration

Re: '79 Starcraft SS restoration

nice looking boat... man just fits
will be alittle better when you get that motor off.

i'm envious of you guy's on lakes usually your hulls are in good shape.
next starcraft i get will come from the center of the state
good luck and i look forward to following your restore.


joe

 

[PaulyV]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS restoration

Re: '79 Starcraft SS restoration

HA..Good Luck on the project...That yellow is unique..I hope you keep it .

 

[wvmedic]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS restoration

Re: '79 Starcraft SS restoration

HA yes mine is an 18', the blue is growing on me.

Thanks for the good luck wish, I was just out looking at plywood and foam sheeting. I found some BC plywood 19/32 (.59375") for $20.00 a sheet, looking at Extruded polystyrene foam (XPS) in 1/2" 4'X8' sheets cost is $11.15 ea.

I'm figuring one sheet @ 1.33 cubic foot, so I will need around 16 sheets which will give me 21.28 cubic ft. This should provide between 1490 to 1872 pound of lift for flotation.

I need to check with EZ to see how to get the windshield off, I haven't really looked at mine to see as of yet.

Jeff

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS restoration

Re: '79 Starcraft SS restoration

Thanks Joe and Pauly The yellow probably will stay, Starcraft made the 16' SS in 1979 in blue, grey and yellow so those are all possibilities.

I need to check with EZ to see how to get the windshield off, I haven't really looked at mine to see as of yet.

I just started removing mine and it had two screws holding the sides, two screws on the vertical support poles, and 5-6 bolts that hold the base of the windshield. They were a bit rusty but all came off easily.

I will post some pics to show ya.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS restoration

Re: '79 Starcraft SS restoration

This is the original vinyl from the factory on the sides under the gunwales

Started removing rotten dashboards, pretty easy to pull the nails out

I'm thinking about using composite wood for the new panels that won't rot since I don't really want to do this again

 

[wvmedic]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS restoration

Re: '79 Starcraft SS restoration

Thanks HA, pics would be great.

Jeff

 

[sprintst]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS restoration

Re: '79 Starcraft SS restoration

Nice boat dude.

Keep posting pics of your progress...

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS restoration

Re: '79 Starcraft SS restoration

Nice boat dude.

Keep posting pics of your progress...

Thanks sprintst if my paint job turns out half as nice as yours I'll be happy


These are the aluminum edges off the rotten dash panels

Original cleats, pretty small lock-nuts on those, I might opt for larger bolts too

The existing bow that had been remodeled, it's a nice platform but wastes all sorts of storage space. I will rebuild the original U-shapes benches with storage for life jackets underneath

This is the piece that fits under the splashwell...doesn't look like it's been sealed so I'd say it's safe to say the entire deck wasn't sealed either. That's why I opted for a complete restoration for the most part. Also I'm not sure that there is any foam besides under the gunwales.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS restoration

Re: '79 Starcraft SS restoration

Well here's three pictures of the windshield bolts sticking thru.
I'm still not sure how they are attached to the windshield itself, I will in a few minutes though.

 

[wvmedic]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS restoration

Re: '79 Starcraft SS restoration

Looking good, man you are moving right along.

Jeff

 

[ezmobee]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS restoration

Re: '79 Starcraft SS restoration

The existing bow that had been remodeled, it's a nice platform but wastes all sorts of storage space. I will rebuild the original U-shapes benches with storage for life jackets underneath

With your intended usage, I'd recommend you consider going with the type of set up I plan on trying to replicate from the new Starcrafts.

 

[sprintst]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS restoration

Re: '79 Starcraft SS restoration

The windshield is held down with flange bolts that side into a rail at the borrom of the windshield. Here's a pic... I added new washers and a rubber washer from Home depot.

I also posted the part numbers for replacement Perko cleats towards the end in my restore.

 

[wvmedic]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS restoration

Re: '79 Starcraft SS restoration

I agree with EZ, I hope to set mine up similar. Ours will be mostly used for fishing, but will also be used for pleasure ie. kids and grand kids..

Jeff

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS 16 restoration

This little heater is making all of this possible...

I took off the rails and cleats...getting ready for paint

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: '79 Starcraft SS restoration

Re: '79 Starcraft SS restoration

EZ I really like this layout. I plan on having hatches open just like those rather than have side access to the storage under the bow seating.

I do want to keep the deck as low as possible throughout the vessel so it will be a bit different than the pics, but very similar.

With your intended usage, I'd recommend you consider going with the type of set up I plan on trying to replicate from the new Starcrafts.