Another STARCRAFT resto; '72 Starcraft SS 16ft

[bananaboater]

Re: Another STARCRAFT resto; '72 Starcraft SS 16ft

Don't forget to allow for the carpet!

 

[sprintst]

Re: Another STARCRAFT resto; '72 Starcraft SS 16ft

Damn man. Nice work. You can't buy that kind of attention to detail.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Another STARCRAFT resto; '72 Starcraft SS 16ft

You are doing a great job with that trailer...and I'm starting to get convinced to convert mine to bunks too

 

[halas]

Re: Another STARCRAFT resto; '72 Starcraft SS 16ft

You are doing a great job with that trailer...and I'm starting to get convinced to convert mine to bunks too

Mee too, That is going to be an amazing boat/motor/trailer package when finished.

 

[motorpsykler]

Re: Another STARCRAFT resto; '72 Starcraft SS 16ft

Thanks for the kind words, guys. I did the research, bunk and keel roller trailers seem to be the most gentle on the boats hull. I wouldn't necessarily recommend setting up the bunks the way I am doing it. It's ridiculously labor intensive and if I didn't have another boat for fishing, there would be no way that I would spend this much time on a trailer.

 

[motorpsykler]

Re: Another STARCRAFT resto; '72 Starcraft SS 16ft

Good news, I sold my motorcycle today so I have some $$$ to buy some stuff. I'm going to buy seats and pedestals. I've been shopping around and right now Iboats has the BEST price on the seat that I want.

Tempress Navistyle Lowbacks, I checked them out today at a local retailer, nice quality and made in USA! I like the lowbacks better, because when folded, they are more compact, and the added comfort from the highbacks doesn't seem significant. The great thing is Iboats is $25 a piece cheaper than the local retailer. It's win/win, I get to save money and support the forum at the same time!

 

[motorpsykler]

Re: Another STARCRAFT resto; '72 Starcraft SS 16ft

Got some work done today. Messed with the bunks for what seemed like hours, but I got the height correct now. A bonus I noticed, the Stoltz keel rollers have really deep grooves in the center. When the boat is slightly off center, it "falls" into these grooves, holding it centered. I hope this is how it will work on the boat ramp.
Awhile ago I picked up these plastic fenders...

I kind of laughed at the "step" tread on the top of them, they didn't seem sturdy enough for that. So today, using some of the scrap 2x3 c-channel from the old trailer, I welded the mounts to the frame rails of the trailer after moving the axle back about 1 ft like EZ suggested.

When I mounted the fender I was suprised how sturdy the whole thing got, I might be able to step on the top of the fender after all.

 

[motorpsykler]

Re: Another STARCRAFT resto; '72 Starcraft SS 16ft

Now I'm working on the rear steps, which will also house flush-mount LED tail lights. I've crunched way too many surface mount lights in the past, I just couldn't hang on another set. I needed 2x4 c-channel for the lights, couldn't find any, so I broke out my Harbor Freight brake and bent up some 18 gauge.

I had some diamond tread steel plate that I snagged from my brother when he moved. I welded it on the one step and ran out of time. This is a nice step, should support my size twelves without a problem.

I'll finish the other side this coming weekend. Meanwhile, I have been getting to know the UPS guy...

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Another STARCRAFT resto; '72 Starcraft SS 16ft

That step/light look awesome! Nice work!

 

[motorpsykler]

Re: Another STARCRAFT resto; '72 Starcraft SS 16ft

The next thing to tackle on my trailer is the tongue/winch setup up front. I've got a plan. I purchased a swing-away tongue assy that I will install, keeping the trailer tongue as short as possible to maximize my garage space. But around here we have a lot of shallow boat ramps. I found this product on the internet at www.xtend-a-hitchnorthwest.com.

It stows like this.

I think it a real simple solution to a common problem. I will fabricate my own version of course. I already have most of the components I need from the old trailer that I scrapped.

 

[DJ]

Re: Another STARCRAFT resto; '72 Starcraft SS 16ft

A thought,

I just had my trailer tongue made removeable. Pull one pin and out it slides and I stand it in the corner.

It also makes the rig very hard to steal.

 

[HopeSheFloats]

Re: Another STARCRAFT resto; '72 Starcraft SS 16ft

Wow, both great idea's...me likes

Awesome work on that trailer dude! three thumbs up

 

[motorpsykler]

Re: Another STARCRAFT resto; '72 Starcraft SS 16ft

I finished up the steps this weekend. I set the boat back down on the trailer and when I stand on the step, I can easily reach halfway across the beam. This will make loading and unloading gear easier.

I found some time to get my trusty Lund out of storage. Since it is my standard that I compare this boat to, I thought I'd measure the height of the boat's transom as it sits on the trailer and compare it to the Starcraft.

The Lund:

And the Starcraft:

The Starcraft is 5 inches lower! This made my day! All the work I've done to this trailer will be worth it. The Lund is by no means a difficult boat to launch, so launching the Starcraft should really be easy. I started working on the front of the trailer....more on that next week.

 

[douglas1978]

Re: Another STARCRAFT resto; '72 Starcraft SS 16ft

Awsome job on the trailer so far when are you going to get to the boat i would update my resto but the computer the my sd card goes into took a dump and if i update with no pics I might, no will get yelled at lol

 

[motorpsykler]

Re: Another STARCRAFT resto; '72 Starcraft SS 16ft

Just got paint left to do on trailer, no more pictures until it's DONE. Then I can hit the boat, can't wait. I only get one day a week to work on the boat. I'm lucky to get that since the kitchen has been torn up for almost a year. I just scored this on Ebay for less than half the price of a new one.

Just have to figure out where it's gonna go. It will be loaded up with basic tackle, hooks, weights, leaders, etc.

 

[motorpsykler]

Re: Another STARCRAFT resto; '72 Starcraft SS 16ft

Haven't posted in awhile because some crazy stuff has happened in my boating world and I wanted to see how it was going to shake out before posting. I guess I need to talk to a mod about changing the name of this thread. Yes, that's right the Starcraft has been sold. I ran across a 76 Lund VFR on Craigslist, boat and trailer only. I've been partial to Lund's for many years now, I always loved the old Tyee's the best. The VFR was a somewhat rarer model. It's 17.5 ft and aluminum, but it was designed as a fish and ski model. It's much roomier than my 16ft Starcraft and it needs much less work. Anyway, long story short, the boat turned out to be in amazing condition and with assurances to SWMBO that I would sell the Starcraft and my Lund Pike asap, I bought the Lund. Here's a picture from Craigslist:

The canvas is original and only came out of the box two years ago, it is in great condition. Now I have two boats to sell and there is no way I am going to give up the trailer I have worked on for months so I have to adapt it to the Lund. And I want to do all this quickly because it is boating season in Wisconsin and it is very short. Also, SWMBO's patience for having 3 boats on the property will not last long.

 

[motorpsykler]

Starcraft to 1976 Lund VFR resto

Starcraft to 1976 Lund VFR resto

Got the Lund home. The seating is going to need attention. I want to drop the "ski" part out of the original fish n' ski design of this boat. The seats and posts I bought for the Starcraft will work great in this boat too. I plan on staying with vinyl on the main deck. The P.O.'s "captains chair" looks pretty bad.

The back to back seat will go, as will the bow benches and cushions. I feel a little guilty about this because they really are in perfect condition, it does help my conscience that the starboard side back to back was already removed by the P.O. .

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Another STARCRAFT resto; '72 Starcraft SS 16ft

Nice-looking rig Motor, should be a great fishing boat for you.

If you'd like to you can change the title of this thread by editing your first post. Just so other Lund owners know your project is out there.

Does she need anything to fish or all cosmetic work?

 

[motorpsykler]

Re: Another STARCRAFT resto; '72 Starcraft SS 16ft

I couldn't find a way to rename this thread so I started a new one with a more appropriate name. You can find it here: http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?p=2678444&posted=1#post2678444

I will no longer post in this thread and continue to post in the new one.