'86 Aluminum Starcraft Restoration

[sutor623]

Re: '86 Aluminum Starcraft Restoration

With a baitwell you have constant water circulating so insulation prolly not totally necessary ya know.

Welllllll when the water temp becomes 85 degrees I will start to use the recirculating pump in the bait well rather than the ones from the transom. Then when we add ice the water will stay cooler. What ya think?

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: '86 Aluminum Starcraft Restoration

2 liter pop (if you don't what that is - go away. ) bottles filled about 3/4 full and stuck in the freezer. A big chunk of ice that keeps the water cool/cold for awhile in warmer weather. I used to do that for live shrimp on the Texas Gulf coast. Live shrimp are a lot better bait than fresh dead.

 

[sutor623]

Re: '86 Aluminum Starcraft Restoration

2 liter pop

Dude, that is awesome!! What a great idea.

 

[sutor623]

Re: '86 Aluminum Starcraft Restoration

With that bit of info I think I will go ahead and order the baitwell. Next up, my how to run plumbing in a brand new bait well tank segment.

 

[sutor623]

Re: '86 Aluminum Starcraft Restoration

Hey fellers long time no see. Been a superb boating/fishing season so far. Got some new toys, check it out.http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy317/rotus623/43A514B8-A739-476A-9BDF-942A3D3110EA-17226-00001094A1122D07_zpsc6fe170c.jpg
http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy317/rotus623/E626E62D-7611-4BA3-AC10-9CED14AF6D80-17226-00001094B037B901_zpsf20a6e69.jpghttp://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy317/rotus623/8F00CD25-8F0C-47DF-9C57-380D16F601C3-17226-00001094D69959CC_zps6a50fb72.jpg

 

[sutor623]

Re: '86 Aluminum Starcraft Restoration

Lets try that again.

you can see the small school of stripers under the water column and a few to the left.

 

[sutor623]

Re: '86 Aluminum Starcraft Restoration

And here she is all seated up!!!

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: '86 Aluminum Starcraft Restoration

Look at all the new toys. Wait a minute - Where are the fish pics? :grumpy:

Is that an insulated bait tank? If it isn't, you can insulate with an exercise mat. Closed cell foam, nice and flexible to fit and easily cut to fit.The frozen pop bottles will work real good in it. Take a 2-4 with you depending on how hot it is and put one at a time in until it thaws. The others keep drinks cold until you use them.

BTW - the tinny looks great!

 

[sutor623]

Re: '86 Aluminum Starcraft Restoration

Thanks man!! Yea unfortunately I haven't had much time to fish, been doing a lot of cruising though. I can roll at 18mph and get 6MPG which for me is incredible. I am thoroughly happy with my setup. A mighty thanks to all that have helped me along the way. Worth every minute of time and eery penny. Only downside is when it gets really rough out the water can beat the heck out of you in these little tinnies! I am still learning the ropes of the water as far as comfort vs. speed. The good thing is that these boats really can handle some rough water if you take your time goin from point a to b.

 

[sutor623]

Re: '86 Aluminum Starcraft Restoration

Tank is not insulated but it is a proflow. It keeps a constant circulation of water in and out. Water temp was 80 and I kept shad alive from 4am til 11 when I released what was left back into the water. If I eventually need to add a recirc pum, filter and insulation I will, but for now I'm happy. This tank is 17 gal an was on sale for $150 shipped. Insulated 14-20 gallon tanks were in the $4-450 region. Yikes!

 

[sutor623]

Re: '86 Aluminum Starcraft Restoration

She needs a name....

 

[sutor623]

Re: '86 Aluminum Starcraft Restoration

Ended up putting a swivel mount on board so I can see from the casting deck.
[URL=http://s803.photobucket.com/user/rotus623/media/3F15752D-BD43-4935-97BA-58CA1267AD67-958-000000F724E2BDFC_zps42dd6c9f.jpg.html] [/URL]
[URL=http://s803.photobucket.com/user/rotus623/media/50EAA25A-D967-4112-8AD4-842CDFF34628-958-000000F7335B780F_zps3329af5b.jpg.html] [/URL]

 

[classiccat]

Re: '86 Aluminum Starcraft Restoration

nice! those suspended schools of cutters won't know what hit them!

I'm surprised at how clean your boat still is...i would expect to at least see some "catman glitter" on your gunwales (aka blood-caked shad scales) :lol:

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: '86 Aluminum Starcraft Restoration

Those Humminbirds are really good? It's showing fish and you're on dry land. :joyous:

Is the swivel mount working out OK? Just watch the wires so they don't chafe and they don't get twisted.

Got a name yet?

 

[ben2go]

Re: '86 Aluminum Starcraft Restoration

Those Humminbirds are really good? It's showing fish and you're on dry land. :joyous:

Is the swivel mount working out OK? Just watch the wires so they don't chafe and they don't get twisted.

Got a name yet?

There's a hidden aquifer underground and the sonar is picking up the blind fish that live in it.

 

[sutor623]

Got my insulated bait well in a few months back. I felt like it took up a lot of space in the rear of the boat and it also made it a lot harder to cruise and plane out. Moved the tank up front for some test runs and the boat felt really good. Made a nice platform out of treated 2x2 and found the perfect place for the bait well. Casting deck is normally used to castnet live bait, and works wonderfully!! After netting bait I just turn around and open the net right over the well.

 

[jigngrub]

Shame on you Pete, you know better than to use treated lumber in an aluminum boat... or you should. Epoxy coated regular lumber is a much better build for aluminum.

How's the Cat catchin' been lately?

 

[sutor623]

Shame on you Pete, you know better than to use treated lumber in an aluminum boat... or you should. Epoxy coated regular lumber is a much better build for aluminum.

How's the Cat catchin' been lately?

Yea, I know, I know. Honestly, I think I am going to make it out of aluminum when I get the time/resources to do so. The good thing is that none of the lumber comes close to touching any aluminum. Trust me there is no way I would bolt aluminum to treated, or even let them touch!!! This rack only weigh around 40lbs. too so weight isnt a huge concern. These boats like a little weight up front.

Haven't been on the catfish yet this year, but soon I will. I have been really on these guys for the past two months.