How to ID Starcraft Starcheif--just starting restoration

[gloveral]

I am new to the starcraft club but have been in old outboards and boats for a while. I recently acquired a new boat that I am going to restore and turn into our family cruiser. I have a couple of beginner questions:

1. What year? The hull ID data plate on the inside of the transom is labeled 18ft. Starchief O/B and the serial is 65 18541. I would guess that it is a 1965, 18 foot, number 541 for the year but have read that not all numbers are easy to read.

The orignial color is a light blue top deck and white hull. It had a 1962 Evinrude 75 hp that is locked up on top and bottom but looks original to the dash set up with the ampere gauge, temp light, and key switch. The junction box also looked factory or dealer mounted. It is leading me back to being a 1962.

After looking at brochures I see the top wrap around windshields in the 62-63 pictures and it went square in 64-65. Just cannot find a picture with this color scheme early on.

2. Did they all have walls/cabin doors? This one does not and does not appear to have ever had it.

3. Flotation is a big topic on here. Has anyone found a good source for the extruded polystyrene billet? I am considering the inuslation sheets but just not sure yet.

4. Last question for now, anyone have a good soure for vintage vinyl beaded upholstery I can redo the side panels with?

I am a bit of a purist so I want the baot to be as close to orignial as possible. I really want to find twin big twins or another old v-4 (I am a big time AOMCI memeber) but may opt for a ready running 1988 Johnson 60.

Anyway, here is my attempt at pictures. It needs the usual, floor, flotation, paint, and polish but is remarkably unmolested and very straight. Not too many crazy accessories or holes added over the years. Last registered 1998. Thanks for any help or information the group can provide, cannot wait to get it on the water again and learn a new brand.

 

[North Beach]

Re: How to ID Starcraft Starcheif--just starting restoration

gloveral.
This boat is an exact match for the 65 Starchief-V in the brochure. No cabin wall was standard. Buchaneer Blue cabin and deck with Corsair White hull. Weight-900 pounds, rated up to 120 HP with the concave V hull. Page 6 and 7 of the 65 brochure. I'll post pics tonight when I return from the sweat shop.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: How to ID Starcraft Starcheif--just starting restoration

Great rig and nice score! It'll be cool to watch a restoration rather than a rebuild

 

[gloveral]

Re: How to ID Starcraft Starcheif--just starting restoration

Thank you for the repiles. North Beach I will do a search for your catalog pics. I was going through the boat today and trying to inventory the wood to replace.

Am I correct in my measurements that all of the interior plywood is 1/2" (floor, side panels, consoles, and front seats) and the transom is 2 sheets of 3/4"?

Some is very easy to measure and I am quite sure, the rest is long gone or dirt and it and am speculating.

I am going to go back with marine grade plywood, CPES, west system and paint/vinyl on the transom and side panels and will probably fiberglass wrap the floor the top it with a coat of durabak to simulate the old vinyl wrap.

I found a lumber house that sells marine grade ply wood and dock supplies, including floatation items. I hope to take a trip later this week to see what they have.

I will keep the posts coming as I make progress, have questions.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: How to ID Starcraft Starcheif--just starting restoration

Cool rig! I love the spotlight on the bow and the emu

 

[Weep'n Willy]

Re: How to ID Starcraft Starcheif--just starting restoration

Looks like a great project. Not too far up the road from me there was a similar boat. Passed it for the past 2 years on the way and back from fishing. It sat near the road and at a quick glance it appeared to be an old wood boat, then I got to looking at it better and realized it was a Starcraft. I told the wife the next trip by I was going to stop and look it over and see what they wanted for it. Wouldn't you know it.......no longer was it out there. Hopefully it didn't end up in the scrap yard.

 

[North Beach]

Re: How to ID Starcraft Starcheif--just starting restoration

Gloveral, you are correct in your wood thicknesses. And personally, I like your planned approach.

 

[CGAuxBoat]

Re: How to ID Starcraft Starcheif--just starting restoration

4. Last question for now, anyone have a good soure for vintage vinyl beaded upholstery I can redo the side panels with?

We redid my 71 Starchief over the summer and this time the vinyl was replaced. I had asked several times over the years about replacing the vinyl and was often told just to remove and use paint. I searched the internet looking for some kind of vinyl to use on the outside and the gunwale walls. I found a site called allvinylfabricsdotcom and decided to use the animal print Wildcrocflame and it looks great and is noticed quickly by other boaters. It has a raised rough feel for the sides yet soft and durable enough to round corners and also use as seat accents. My wife did all the work on the home sewing machine and we used a 3m glue that is holding very well. Although we have rebuilt our Olboat before I was always leary of trying to tackle the vinyl on the outside of the cabin wall. I'm glad we did it and it was not that hard to do. I removed the trim pieces and was able to tuck the new vinyl in and the results are great. I'll try to post pictures
Good Luck
Curt

 

[kfa4303]

Re: How to ID Starcraft Starcheif--just starting restoration

Check online for "marine vinyl" lots of guys here in the forums use instead of carpeting in their boats. It can be used on gunnels, decks, or just about anywhere else you'd like. It comes in all kinds of colors and patterns and is apparently pretty easy to install. Do a search here in the forums for how-to threads.