Here I go again, this time a 1954 Feathercraft

[69starcraft]

Re: Here I go again, this time a 1954 Feathercraft

Thanks for all the comments. I sure have been having a good time restoring this one.

Updates will be on Hold for a few days to a week. Wife had to rush me to the ER about 3:30 this morning. Have yet another Kidney stone giving me problems. I'm on "bed rest" for at least a few days, but at least this time they didn't keep me in the hospital for 5 days like last October, and so far no surgeries this time.

Wish me luck! (this is stone #4 in the last 4 years) I wouldn't wish this kind of pain on my worst enemy.

I'll have to settle for reading threads for awhile as I am not allowed to go out to the shop and putter until Dr. gives the ok (well, actually the admiral has final say)

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: Here I go again, this time a 1954 Feathercraft

Dave take care of yourself and do as the Doc and SWMBO of course say so you can get back out there . You ned to get this one done so you can find a nice little Starcraft to do up before next summer .


Rick

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Here I go again, this time a 1954 Feathercraft

Take it easy...the project will wait...hope they can ultra-sound that sucker out of your way.

 

[69starcraft]

Re: Here I go again, this time a 1954 Feathercraft

Hey thanks for the well wishes

Turns out it was a small one I guess this time.. No surgeries this time. I was out for about a week but all's well in the end.

I am now taking the admirals advice about drinking more lemonade/water during the day and less beer.

So a quick update:

We've been out on the boat a few times since I last posted

However the newest update is the cushions were finished today

I also started installing a swim ladder pirated off a friends boat he is about to scrap out I think.
It's a folding ladder and seems like it will work...in spite of the photos it does not interfere with motor or turning.

And another

I hope to get a bit more done this week...hopefully I can get the Helm installed...

Still NO LUCK with remote controls for a West Bend 16

if ANYONE can find or has a set let me know...reward offered lol
(seriously I need them)


Also, would love suggestions on how to tackle the old school windshield and rebuild one like the photo earlier in this thread of the kids smoking back in the 60's. Most especially making a frame of some sort easily??





Dave

 

[wrfalpacas]

Re: Here I go again, this time a 1954 Feathercraft

Nice cushions, the colors look really good, I hear ya on the stones (#5 this spring for me) Doc keeps telling me plenty of water and less coffee

 

[69starcraft]

Re: Here I go again, this time a 1954 Feathercraft

So you're getting 15 mph from a 16 hp outboard pushing 350 to 400 pounds in the boat...that sounds pretty good to me. Used to get about 22-24 mph out of a late 50's Johnson 18 hp pusing my 16-foot tinny, two guys and fishing gear...plenty fast enough for me. You might get it to plane and scoot a little faster by adjusting the motor's trim bar...adjust the angle of the motor in or out from the transon with the moveable bar/pin at the outside bottom of the transom clamp. Ideal is when it rides up over its own bow wave, then flattens out and scoots. Trick is to balance the load till you find that magic, sweet spot...planes quickly and really goes.

Well we went out this morning about 8:30 and stayed till noon

First mate (Max) caught 2 small catfish and I caught one. All three were released (we release everything)

I took the above advice and fooled with the settings on the motor. There is a small bar and 4 "settings". When I tossed the motor on it was on #2 so last night I raised it to #3 (trimmed up some)

Before we could just make 15 barely

Today we made almost 20 (maybe 17- 18 ) with just me and my son


not bad

The West Bend fired right up at the dock after not running for a week or two
Gave no issues whatsoever

Would still trade my soul for some remote cables for it

 

[matt calametti]

Re: Here I go again, this time a 1954 Feathercraft

I now own a 1954 feather craft and am starting to restore but need info on parts such as windshield and front light. if you would, please contact me email: EDIT this is all new for me but very interested! THANKS matt

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: Here I go again, this time a 1954 Feathercraft

Welcome aboard Matt..
PLEASE PM your PRIVATE contact info, its a big NO NO and against the posting rules...

 

[Bluesmobile]

Re: Here I go again, this time a 1954 Feathercraft

Have you tried googling for the controls? found a guy thats parting out a West Bend motor. He might have some controls for you.

Also, do you know if it needs to be west bend? I'm not familar with that brand. Is it possible that evinrude controls will work? If so, ebay.

Hope this helps. Let me know.

 

[69starcraft]

Re: Here I go again, this time a 1954 Feathercraft

Hi All,

haven't been on for awhile. Boat has been stripped and stored for the winter.

So I pulled the west Bend out a few weeks ago, and of course she fired right up. But, she still sits in the barrel, been to busy to finish "unpacking" the rest of the boat.

The Seats are being re-stitched by my friend who made them. The staples didn't hold because I take the cushions in and out, and she is more used to seats that don't move. Otherwise no issues, and they look great and held up an entire season.

No luck finding controls, including that AMOIC (or whatever its called, antique motor club) I thought I had a hit, but I need a twin stick control, the feller offered a single stick...wouldn't work.

i came into a few $$, and am hunting for ANY short shaft (with controls) 25 - 40hp motor, but am finding nothing. (hint, PM me if you got something)

more pics and whatnot will follow.

To the feller that tried to get in touch about his feathercraft please pm me...would love to hear about yours.

lastly, Mark42....how has the hardtop been??

Dave

 

[69starcraft]

Re: Here I go again, this time a 1954 Feathercraft

Thread Update and a Question

A lot has happened since I wrote this

1. I never found forward controls for the West Bend
2. I purchased a 1957 Johnson RD-19 30 hp and used it a few times before season ended
3. I am Selling the Johnson now because I was given a "newer" 25 HP Johnson that my forward controls fit and HAS electric start. The 30 didn't have electric start and going back to yank it was a PITA
4. The Dalmatian in the photo, Ella, Finally succumbed to the Degenerative Myopothy and we had to put her down in December 2011...She was 15 years old and I had her at 8 weeks.
5. I bought another boat (89 Sunbird) and so I stripped the Feather-craft down and flipped her upside down for storage back in 2010 -2011 ?? While we use the sunbird...
6. I just acquired another trailer so I have set the Feathercraft on it and am about to do a "re-restoration" this time with all forward controls and steering hooked up (the 16 and the 30 I had setup for tiller steer only)


So, should I start a "new thread or just start the new progress and pics on this one?


6.

 

[TruckDrivingFool]

Re: Here I go again, this time a 1954 Feathercraft

Read through whole thread thinking someone had dredged up an old one.

Glad to see its you that brought it back up with an update. Gotta say sucks about Ella (always does) and jumping in to watch what you do with that sweet little tinny.

As the OP I think you're good to go to keep updating this thread even though its old. I don't know much though.

 

[69starcraft]

Re: Here I go again, this time a 1954 Feathercraft

Yup its me!

Yes, sad about Ella....She is missed every time we go boating...

So onward with the Pics

Here she is after We Flipped it back up onto her new trailer.... Going to need to Re-Work the Bunks just a wee bit ya think?

Here is the Motor I am going to put on her....I'm not sure the year/model yet, but it is a 25 and HAS electric start. And the controls are the same hookups as the control box that is original to the boat. (I still have it)

Bad Idea to use an "Automotive" Volt Gauge....Its what I had at the time

My original attempt at a dash....Question for the Group, Any Ideas on what I can "Skin" the dash with to cover all the extra holes (from various things over the years before I acquired her)

I also need to replace this Transom piece I had my neighbor make...its still solid, but this restoration I am going to replace all the wood and the wood floor pieces with something better...I am not sure what the transom wood is...the inner transom piece is untreated wood (I made it quick) and will also need to be replaced.....

There are also a lot of "screw" holes in the boat that I'd like to fill....any suggestions....

First going to try and re-bunk the trailer in the next couple days

Cheers!

 

[TruckDrivingFool]

Re: Here I go again, this time a 1954 Feathercraft

Ya I'd move the bunks in a bit. Bet you'll like the extra width, I know I'm happy with my little Jetstar on its wider trailer so much easier to climb in and out.

For the dash a wood overlay would be a good way to cover it all and make a nice accent. Otherwise you could use jb weld to fill them but I like the wood idea way better

 

[69starcraft]

Re: Here I go again, this time a 1954 Feathercraft

For the dash a wood overlay would be a good way to cover it all and make a nice accent. Otherwise you could use jb weld to fill them but I like the wood idea way better

No way on the JB weld...that would look horrible....I'd like to skin it with something thin, like a verneer almost...but am unsure what would be suitable and would bend easily

 

[TruckDrivingFool]

Re: Here I go again, this time a 1954 Feathercraft

No way on the JB weld...that would look horrible....

That's exactly what I was thinking as I typed it but it is an option.

I doubt you'd get a good bond using an actual wood veneer, so that would leave a wood grain vinyl type product or a mask/wrap type thing. Even if I was a fan of the 2nd option it looks like your dash is kind of wavy and all that would show through.

Perhaps the pictures are hiding it but I'm not understand where it would need to bend.

Now if you wanted to avoid solid wood you could always veneer to a thin plywood backer which would be somewhat more flexible than solid wood.

 

[69starcraft]

Re: Here I go again, this time a 1954 Feathercraft

That's exactly what I was thinking as I typed it but it is an option.

I doubt you'd get a good bond using an actual wood veneer, so that would leave a wood grain vinyl type product or a mask/wrap type thing. Even if I was a fan of the 2nd option it looks like your dash is kind of wavy and all that would show through.

Perhaps the pictures are hiding it but I'm not understand where it would need to bend.

Now if you wanted to avoid solid wood you could always veneer to a thin plywood backer which would be somewhat more flexible than solid wood.

I thought about vinyl wrap, but not sure it would stick well and LAST...Veneer to a very thin plywood backing might be the best option

Yes the dash is Wavy....its survived my moms generation of use, then I used the boat as a kid, then it was moved around a lot over the years, went through quite a few Syracuse NY winters sometimes upside down, sometimes filling with snow....until I finally got her to give it to me and I toted it down to NC....

The dash has kind of a "curve" to it...its not exactly "flat" Hard to explain...

My woodworking skills are downright atrocious and scary....I measure three times, cut four, still don't cut straight lines....wife says I'm cockeyed or something cause I never cut straight....also other than a circular saw and a sawzall I have no "wood" tools...I am a mechanic..I hate wood work

However my neighbor down the street does fine woodwork (cabinets, projects) and has a sweet setup out back....time to start calling in favors from fixing his yard equipment all those years ;-)

Right now she is still sitting on the trailer while I contemplate...

Unfortunatly I have been distracted by this new pirate ship I bought for $1200 a couple days ago....I have no idea how to sail, but love the idea of "camping" on the water.... It;s in excellent shape too

cheers

 

[69starcraft]

Wow how time Flies...

I never got around to restoring the Feathercraft (again) as we sailed that sailboat for 2 years, and then bought a 1996 Macgregor 26x powersailer.... I've been moving steadily up since I joined way back when...

However, true to form, this thread is still about the Feathercraft... I still have it of course... and just dragged it into the shop for yet another attempt at getting time to restore it

Stay tuned... I'll get some pics

yeah, its me... not "reviving an old thread" by accident lol

cheers mates