Aluminum Starcraft Falcon project

[xGH0ZTx]

I have spent a great deal of time searching for the proper way to do things on this site; however, there is just an overwhelming amount of information to weed through so I will post here and hope some good people on these forums can help me out! I am mainly planning on replacing the floor and transom in the aluminum runabout that I purchased. I am currently in the demo process and will post a few pictures soon.

If anyone has any tips in the meantime I am all ears!
THANK YOU

 

[xGH0ZTx]

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[GA_Boater]

One recurring piece of advice - Don't use pressure treated plywood. After you get all the wood and foam out of her, check for loose and/or missing rivets. That will keep you busy for a day or two. LOL

Get those pics up!

 

[lckstckn2smknbrls]

Based on the color, windshield design and 3 knee braces it's a 1968. What are all the extra rivets below the knee braces for?

 

[Tnstratofam]

Lots of great advice and lots of knowledgeable people on here to steer you in the right direction. I'll be tagging along if that's okay. Like Ga said the number one thing is no pressure treated wood, and once you get her gutted start looking for suspect rivets. Maybe even do a leak test in the driveway just to pinpoint all the leaking ones.

 

[xGH0ZTx]

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I have removed all the bolts in the transom. Will still have to get the splashwell screws out before I can remove the rotten wood. Do I have to remove the rubrail piece and bend up the aluminum gunwale to actually access the wood?

here are some pics:

 

[xGH0ZTx]

lckstckn2smknbrls, I will know what those rivets are for when I remove the flooring. I assume they attach some supports for the flooring to be secured to?

 

[Watermann]

:welcome: to the drydock,

A few ways to get that gunnel out of the way. Remove enough of the rubrail bolts and rivets so you can lift the gunnel up and get the transom out. RAemove enough rubrail bolts so you can bend the gunnel upward. Me I took a couple bolts out on each rubrail and then you can use a jig saw or cutting wheel to cut the end of the gunnel blocking the transom removal. When you put the end caps back on you can't see that it's missing the piece.

She's a sweet little tinny and should fix up real nice. Deck and transom is all? Looks like she could use some fresh paint. What motor do you have for the ole gal?

Interesting place to mount a spotlight. Sometimes you have to wonder about people.

 

[bonz_d]

Very nice looking boat. Even the paint doesn't look bad, think it could be rubbed out and brought back?

 

[xGH0ZTx]

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I am sure I will eventually redo the paint but for now I am just focused on rotting wood and overall structure.

as for the power, I was hoping to steal the 50HP Merc from my fiberglass Newport. The original owner cut through the splashwell and rigged some metal plates to elevate the unit. It is functional but I hate the way it looks. Not sure if it was a necessary alteration for the shaft length of the motor? How do you tell? Will I have to alter the transom in the new aluminum boat?

This is my organ donor:

 

[xGH0ZTx]

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[xGH0ZTx]

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[bonz_d]

Measure the transom on the StarCraft. If it's 20" then you're good to go.

 

[jbcurt00]

It looks like a 15" transom on the Falcon, so Id be looking for a short shaft OB, or run the long as is w out the cobbled together raised transom like the Newports...

 

[xGH0ZTx]

It measures 16 inches at the center, will I have any issues running it deeper in the water or will I just be sacrificing power?

 

[xGH0ZTx]

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I was going to remove the rubrail but ran into a hitch at the bow. this nosepiece is covering the rivets holding on the rubber. Do i need to bend this to remove? there is the slightest lip on top making removal tricky though.

also today I removed the rivets in the splashwell. Do they use adhesive as well? I was hoping it would just pop out all neat and tidy. ...it didn't
took all of my willpower to not resort to brute force

 

[jbcurt00]

Don't bend the bow nose piece, it's tricky to get off, easily cracked, and hard to replace......... Yes it has to come off to get the rubrail off.

Age, swollen wood, adhesives or caulking may be holding the splashwell in place....

 

[xGH0ZTx]

No Title

I may be able to replace the transom without removing the splashwell or the rubrail totally. I managed to pull out the rotten transom just a little while ago so thats one step closer anyway... Next I will probably remove the floor then give her a good cleaning and a leak test.

I have never used rivets before. Do I want an air tool like the attached picture and do I also add some type of sealant as I install the ones in the hull?

 

[MTboatguy]

If that is an air driven pop rivet tool, then no it is not the correct tool, you need to use solid rivets in your boat.

 

[xGH0ZTx]

I do not believe I am removing any of the big solid rivets in the hull. the splashwell and it looks like the floor are secured with what I assume are blind or pop rivets? These things are completely new to me... I have already drilled out some of them. I just wasn't sure what type of tool was best to replace them.

Thanks for the great help and info everybody!