'86 Aluminum Starcraft Restoration

[jigngrub]

Re: '86 Aluminum Starcraft Restoration

but if I do that it will allow water to get between the decking and side of the boat.

Instead of cringing at the thought of water entering your bilge, you should make your bilge water friendly with good drainage (any water that gets on the deck is supposed to go into the bilge).

Your bilge should say "Come on in here Water! Haven't seen you in a long time, make yourself at home in the back and ol' Pete will let you out when he pulls the plug or turns the pump on."

I've seen some tinny restorers on here so worried or even scared water is going to get into their bilge, and they're caulking and sealing gaps, cracks, and joints with all different types of goo and methods. I have no idea what these guys are going to do when they have ankle deep water trapped on the deck and no way to get it into the bilge so the bilge pump can do it's job and pump it out.

Don't be one of those guys Pete, be one of us that laughs when the water on ours deck goes into the bilge.

 

[sutor623]

Re: '86 Aluminum Starcraft Restoration

I hear ya. I just wonder about the foam on the sides. The main channel is in the middle so I wonder how the water will make it from the sides into the center, then down to the bilge pump..... Seems as if this boat is designed to only let water into the back and center of the hull. Unless I figure out a way to make drainage from the sides into the center of the hull. Do you think I should modify my foam a bit?

 

[jasoutside]

Re: '86 Aluminum Starcraft Restoration

I hear ya. I just wonder about the foam on the sides. The main channel is in the middle so I wonder how the water will make it from the sides into the center, then down to the bilge pump..... Seems as if this boat is designed to only let water into the back and center of the hull. Unless I figure out a way to make drainage from the sides into the center of the hull.

Yup, that's the challenge ^^^.

Expanding foam is awesome, getting it to drain is the trick.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: '86 Aluminum Starcraft Restoration

Do you think I should modify my foam a bit?

Now that you mention it, yes I do.

It wouldn't be that hard, and it would certainly improve your drainage and let your boat stay drier on the inside... which is always a good thing.

Filling in the voids in your foam will help. Those darn things catch and hold water, and that isn't good at all.

The next thing would be filling in in between those bottom ribs in your boat, it doesn't look like the provided and drainage under them... did they? It's hard to see with all of that "debris" in your boat.

Can we get some pics of your boat with that stuff cleaned out?

 

[sutor623]

Re: '86 Aluminum Starcraft Restoration

Yea Ill get those for ya tomorrow There is a little passageway under each rib right in the center. Water will from from the front all the way back right through the center. What happens if water gets around the side of the decking and just sets on the foam under the decking (even after I fill in the voids)?

Oh and do you think that a quart of the 2lb. density foam from u.s. composites will be enough to fill in those voids? I think it should be plenty.

 

[sutor623]

Re: '86 Aluminum Starcraft Restoration

Yup, that's the challenge ^^^.

Expanding foam is awesome, getting it to drain is the trick.

Jas what do you think. Just like to hear yet another tinny guys opinion. I am contemplating vinyl, but if I do that the sides will be open because as Jig said the vinyl needs to wrap all the way around the wood. If I used carpet I could bring the carpet up the side of the hull a bit (as it came from the factory) allowing water only to drain into the bilge from up front or into the back. I just dont want water to enter the sides because it will just set on the foam. Torn between.....

 

[64osby]

Re: '86 Aluminum Starcraft Restoration

Carpet is porous, lets water through. It may slow water a bit but it will still seep through.

A trim piece sealed to the deck or with a rubber gasket would do more to keep the water heading down the deck to the bilge.

Maybe something like vinyl cove molding glued to the side and resting on the deck.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: '86 Aluminum Starcraft Restoration

It's ok if you want to put your boat back like it was Pete, I was just trying to help you improve it a little.

To be honest with you, vinyl is a harder install than carpet because of the tighter tolerances and the trim that is needed to dress it up.

Your boat has lasted 27 yrs. like it is and looked good, and will last 27 more.

I do suggest you consider prefinishing everything and going with exposed fasteners, but even that isn't a big deal.

 

[laurentide]

Re: '86 Aluminum Starcraft Restoration

g

Instead of cringing at the thought of water entering your bilge, you should make your bilge water friendly with good drainage (any water that gets on the deck is supposed to go into the bilge).

Your bilge should say "Come on in here Water! Haven't seen you in a long time, make yourself at home in the back and ol' Pete will let you out when he pulls the plug or turns the pump on."

I've seen some tinny restorers on here so worried or even scared water is going to get into their bilge, and they're caulking and sealing gaps, cracks, and joints with all different types of goo and methods. I have no idea what these guys are going to do when they have ankle deep water trapped on the deck and no way to get it into the bilge so the bilge pump can do it's job and pump it out.

Don't be one of those guys Pete, be one of us that laughs when the water on ours deck goes into the bilge.

Sorry to jump in here without anything to add, but this is a very eye-opening post for me, another soon-to-be Starcraft restorer. Now the idea of wrapping each decking piece in vinyl before securing them seems like the only way to do it. Thanks jig.

BTW, Pete, your project looks great so far. Good luck, though it looks like you might not need it.

 

[sutor623]

Re: '86 Aluminum Starcraft Restoration

It's ok if you want to put your boat back like it was Pete, I was just trying to help you improve it a little.

To be honest with you, vinyl is a harder install than carpet because of the tighter tolerances and the trim that is needed to dress it up.

Your boat has lasted 27 yrs. like it is and looked good, and will last 27 more.

I do suggest you consider prefinishing everything and going with exposed fasteners, but even that isn't a big deal.

Hey man, you have helped me in more ways then you know. Everything from what type of wood to use, the spar urethane, closed ended rivets, and other things. I'm just really trying to wrap my head around this whole project because I don't want to buy a new boat, and want this boat to last me 10 years. I am leaning more towards vinyl and want to fasten the deck AFTER it has been finished, just trying to figure out a way to get and water intrusion from the sides of the boat to make its way to the bilge. I may be considering pulling up the foam and creating drainage channels from the sides down into the keel. I do however want to be back on the water by early march. ��

 

[stew2u]

Re: '86 Aluminum Starcraft Restoration

​

Hey man, you have helped me in more ways then you know. Everything from what type of wood to use, the spar urethane, closed ended rivets, and other things. I'm just really trying to wrap my head around this whole project because I don't want to buy a new boat, and want this boat to last me 10 years. I am leaning more towards vinyl and want to fasten the deck AFTER it has been finished, just trying to figure out a way to get and water intrusion from the sides of the boat to make its way to the bilge. I may be considering pulling up the foam and creating drainage channels from the sides down into the keel. I do however want to be back on the water by early march. ��

wow,so howd that turn out for ya ? evry thing in this topic pertinant to my new undertakin. im new to this forum . the names stew2u. ive recently found a 74 lund vfr- 17 with all the above needed. she's gutted now down to the main deck , which will probably be comin out tomorrow. im plannin vinyl flooring, permanent fuel tank,complete repaint for upper half strip & polish underside bright and all the bells & whisles inside for fishing and my wifes luxury. you all covered a lot. thanks for doin most of the worry'n for me. for now that is. i made a few vidios already of my progress but i havnt figured out how to get them off my cell phone yet. there to big to e mail to myself, so ? well maybe ill figure it out. this is my 4th boat . 3 redone before, learned via many mistakes. i believe ive learned " to ask for help when im in need of it " so i hope your all keepin late hours when i do. thanks

 

[jigngrub]

Re: '86 Aluminum Starcraft Restoration

​

wow,so howd that turn out for ya ? evry thing in this topic pertinant to my new undertakin. im new to this forum . the names stew2u. ive recently found a 74 lund vfr- 17 with all the above needed. she's gutted now down to the main deck , which will probably be comin out tomorrow. im plannin vinyl flooring, permanent fuel tank,complete repaint for upper half strip & polish underside bright and all the bells & whisles inside for fishing and my wifes luxury. you all covered a lot. thanks for doin most of the worry'n for me. for now that is. i made a few vidios already of my progress but i havnt figured out how to get them off my cell phone yet. there to big to e mail to myself, so ? well maybe ill figure it out. this is my 4th boat . 3 redone before, learned via many mistakes. i believe ive learned " to ask for help when im in need of it " so i hope your all keepin late hours when i do. thanks

Start your own thread Stew, I'd be more than happy to tag along and help out if I can.

Vids are cool, but we like the still pics too!

 

[jasoutside]

Re: '86 Aluminum Starcraft Restoration

Jas what do you think. Just like to hear yet another tinny guys opinion. ........

I just dont want water to enter the sides because it will just set on the foam.

I worked very hard at trying to figure out how to use expanding foam and still provide for positive drainage (the challenge you are suggesting there ^^^).

I think I had it just about figured but the complexity and build that would have gone into task simply wasn't worth the effort. So, noodles and foam board below deck for me (and a whole bunch of "foam core" type construction). Positive drainage all day long.

If you haven't yet seen PMC's flotation work (foam board) you gotta check it out, best on iboats!

I kinda think I could pull off the expanding foam in a big boat (I really hope for a 26' Islander someday) but for a smaller boat, well, it just doesn't seem to work out.

Cheers man!:thumb:

 

[jigngrub]

Re: '86 Aluminum Starcraft Restoration

. I just dont want water to enter the sides because it will just set on the foam.

It's not hard to provide drainage for your foam and you can protect your foam too.

1. The first thing you have to do is fill in those craters/voids like I've been saying and get your foam flat.

2. Use a router with a 1/2" bit set for 1/2" deep and cut drainage channels in you foam like this:

3. After the foam is made flat and the channels are cut, paint your foam with a 2 or 3 coats of paint or the leftover spar urethane you have.

4. You should also add foam to your bow area.

So what do you think? There's one more step after this, but I don't want to go into it if you don't think the above is do-able.

 

[sutor623]

Re: '86 Aluminum Starcraft Restoration

It's not hard to provide drainage for your foam and you can protect your foam too.

1. The first thing you have to do is fill in those craters/voids like I've been saying and get your foam flat.

2. Use a router with a 1/2" bit set for 1/2" deep and cut drainage channels in you foam like this:

3. After the foam is made flat and the channels are cut, paint your foam with a 2 or 3 coats of paint or the leftover spar urethane you have.

4. You should also add foam to your bow area.

So what do you think? There's one more step after this, but I don't want to go into it if you don't think the above is do-able.

Dude, totally doable. I guess at this point I should order a gallon of pourable foam. I have oilbased 1 part epoxy paint that would cover that foam up perfectly

 

[sutor623]

Re: '86 Aluminum Starcraft Restoration

And jas thanks for the input. If this rig didn't have 1/2" ply I'd consider the fun noodle floatations idea. This foam really beefs up the floors.

 

[64osby]

Re: '86 Aluminum Starcraft Restoration

Dude, totally doable. I guess at this point I should order a gallon of pourable foam. I have oilbased 1 part epoxy paint that would cover that foam up perfectly

Do a test with the paint on the foam. Some paints will cause the foam to melt or breakdown.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: '86 Aluminum Starcraft Restoration

Sutor - Have you done a core test on the existing foam? Is it wet already?

The routing idea is fine for water coming from the top, But how about water from the bottom if, say a rivet pops?

EDIT - Don't use acetone to clean prior to paint either with out testing a small spot. The foam might dissolve.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: '86 Aluminum Starcraft Restoration

Do a test with the paint on the foam. Some paints will cause the foam to melt or breakdown.

Expanding urethane foam is petroleum product resistant, that's why it's used to support and bed in below deck fuel tanks.

The doors on my house are expanding urethane foam filled aluminum with windows in them. I took them apart and painted them this past summer including the foam at the window cutouts. The cut foam painted well and 2 coats sealed it up real nice.

 

[sutor623]

Re: '86 Aluminum Starcraft Restoration

GA the foam is in great shape. I kinda wished it wasn't so I could yank it out, gluvit the bottom, and pour I new foam. But no sense in spending senseless $$$.