'84-26' Starcraft Islander tear down and restoration

[PKomrowski]

Re: '84-26' Starcraft Islander tear down and restoration

Hi welcome, and great boat! I also have a 26' and have been there done that!
What a job,but I have to admit I got a son in law at just the right time. I bought some roofing foam insulation board that was salvaged. Was in great shape two inches thick and covered with heavy tar paper on both sides. I then cit it so it stands up on edge, the bottom edge rests on the top of the ribs,so water can flow under them without absorbing the water. The top edge is right up to the bottom of the deck. I then painted the top edge of the foam so even if it did get wet it wouldn't soake right in. I also used some cans of spray foame to "tack, fill, fit, and touch up" after putting as many as I could fit in. And affter a year I'm still very happy. I don't like the way pored in foam traps the water ans holds it.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: '84-26' Starcraft Islander tear down and restoration

Sometimes my progress is staring and thinking. Does that count even though I haven't stated to rip into her yet?

 

[jasoutside]

Re: '84-26' Starcraft Islander tear down and restoration

Sometimes my progress is staring and thinking. Does that count

Oh man, I sure hope so!

 

[Rockmere1]

Re: '84-26' Starcraft Islander tear down and restoration

Looks Like A Heck Of A Project! Nice Work Though!! The Thing I Always Try To Remember Is That, It Is Not A Sprint, But Rather A Cross Country Race!

 

[lakeranger]

Re: '84-26' Starcraft Islander tear down and restoration

That's great, so you know the uphill climb here. Did you have to replace the transom reinforcing wood? If you did I am interested in how you managed it. The stern sheetmetal basically encapsulates the whole unit, making it very difficult for removal. It looks like the manufacturer installed it and then built the boat around it.

I know welcome to the world of boats.lol

 

[lakeranger]

Re: '84-26' Starcraft Islander tear down and restoration

Interested to hear how you managed a few things. I'm going to be replacing the transom wood and seems that it was installed early in the build process, so a few pieces have to be removed to facilitate that happening, the gunwhale in particular.
Whatever I end up using as foam, I believe I will have a new found paranoia for the boat getting wet, after seeing the distruction that takes place.

Sorry for the repeat!

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: '84-26' Starcraft Islander tear down and restoration

LR - if you click on Jasons Islander rebuild he does a transom R & R. He even changes from OMC to Mercruiser. I wish I could pinpoint a page to start reading, but it's only 153 pages.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: '84-26' Starcraft Islander tear down and restoration

Yah, it's a honkin big read!

Start at post #186, that should help ya with that transom.

Cheers

 

[lakeranger]

Re: '84-26' Starcraft Islander tear down and restoration

Thanks guys, I glad you gave me the # . I have been reading bits of your thread Jas, it's more like a novel.lol . I'll dig into that to shed some light on the job.
Truly I was trying to figure out what engine you were putting it your boat. I just haven't had the time to pin point that.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: '84-26' Starcraft Islander tear down and restoration

Yah man, your 470 and my (original) OMC Stringer are often times put in the same category of drivelines...

Built for guys who are mechanics and love to wrench on their own engines or guys who have very thick bankrolls

Me? I'm neither of those

 

[jetstreakdave]

Re: '84-26' Starcraft Islander tear down and restoration

I did the transom in my 24 ftr. you have to take the top of the , the rub rail at the back. Drill lots of rivets out. 2 sheets of 3/4 inch plywood. I am from near Kitchener

 

[lakeranger]

Re: '84-26' Starcraft Islander tear down and restoration

Yes, you must have made, maybe 2 cuts? That the way it looks on mine. The factory did 2 welds in either corner where the gunwales meet the transom. You can see from the underside where it was welded then the top that is visible, ground smooth.

 

[jetstreakdave]

Re: '84-26' Starcraft Islander tear down and restoration

Yess that is where you have to cut. Be careful not to cut too deep as it is double thick and you don't want to cut through both pieces

 

[timfives]

Re: '84-26' Starcraft Islander tear down and restoration

Feel free to look and my restoration, i too did the transom. good luck!!

T

 

[lakeranger]

Re: '84-26' Starcraft Islander tear down and restoration

The reveal trim piece I have removed at the transom and you can see where the double metal is situated. I'll post a pic when I get a chance.

 

[lakeranger]

Re: '84-26' Starcraft Islander tear down and restoration

Thanks for that, your thread is one that I have not seen. I will definitely be looking at that one!

 

[lakeranger]

Re: '84-26' Starcraft Islander tear down and restoration

Got busy in the last few days, 37 imp. gallons came out of the tank. The extra fuel went into the vehicles which came in handy. So with a little help from a pry bar and a block of wood, I was able to pry the tank loose.

 

[talltx]

Re: '84-26' Starcraft Islander tear down and restoration

Howdy Mr. Ranger sir. Nice ship ya got there. I'll be watching with interest as you restore that old gal. As you my know, you're in good hands here. These guys know how to be helpful and have fun at the same time. Steady as she goes. We're pulling for ya.

 

[lakeranger]

Re: '84-26' Starcraft Islander tear down and restoration

Ya, I need all the encourgement I can get! Was that a little Red Green by the way? As I have said before it's a bit overwhelming, but I'll keep plugin' along.

 

[lakeranger]

Re: '84-26' Starcraft Islander tear down and restoration

Now the tank is out I was able to do a test for leakage. There I was cleaning the tank all up, and the light bulb went on!:facepalm: I new that there was a chance this tank was leaking because there was evidence of that on the foam upon tearout.

So the wire wheeling stopped and proceeded to do the leakage test. The pick-up tube was removed and replaced with a valve stem. The filler and vent spout were then plugged using 2 pieces of the old hose, 1 1/2" and 5/8". The large one was filled with a chunk of cast iron that was in my odds and ends drawer, then turned to suit on the lathe. The 5/8" one I plugged with an old piece of shafting that came off my lawn tractor. Once those tasks were complete the tank was filled with 4 psi then sprayed with a soapy detergent on the suspect areas and then you see bubbles

Word of caution: if anyone proceeds to do this on their own craft, be aware of the fumes that are expelled when you release the air pressure. Any spark or ignition source could cause a serious problem.