Just picked up my first Starcraft, and my first restoration project

[amhorach]

As the title says, I've just bought my first boat and my first restoration project. I'll be the first to admit that I don't know a whole lot about boats, but I figure one of the best ways to learn is to try to fix something that is broken and needs a lot of help. I've been doing it with cars for a while, so much so in fact that my wife says I run an automotive Hooptie Halfway House. I'm going to be scouring the forums here for tips, tricks and information, as this is my first restoration. My final goal is to wind up with a boat that is fun for the family, inexpensive to run and solid, not necessarily a 100% historically accurate and period correct Starcraft.

The boat is a 1968 Sprint V 15, I suspect it is a model year 1968 based on the serial number (68-6649). I bought it from somebody who bought it from somebody in Virginia. It is wearing a VA hull number, VA 5380 L.

The boat is currently pretty much just the bare aluminum hull. Everything is going to have to be done. There is no windshield, the transom needs to be refurbished, a new floor has to be put in, the dashboard has to be replaced, all new wiring has to be done- you get the idea.

It is currently a faded and deteriorating powdery yellow with a green keel. I'm not sure what color it will wind up when I'm done.

I'll post some pictures when I am able, it's already getting dark out here.

 

[1973Chieftain]

Re: Just picked up my first Starcraft, and my first restoration project

Hey welcome aboard man! Congrats on the boat too! All of us here will help ya out as much as can... some of these guys are practically master boat builders!

 

[Rockmere1]

Re: Just picked up my first Starcraft, and my first restoration project

Welcome To Iboats!!! Its good to have you aboard, sound like you have yourself a project so I might as well welcome you to the Dry Dock also! LOL

I'll post some pictures when I am able, it's already getting dark out here

This is a necessity when you have time A Picture speaks a thousand words

 

[InMotion]

Re: Just picked up my first Starcraft, and my first restoration project

Welcome aboard AH!!! You'll find a wealth of info, support and otherwise good ole goofin' around!! Sounds like you have got a great project on your hands. Really looking forward to seeing so pics and following along with your journey.

This is one of the few places where people are of a similar mindset where it isn't about how much the boat cost or how much the upgrades cost but rather how little it cost and how close to free or better you can do. Recently 2 friends of mine bought new boats. It was really comical watching them try to see who could spend more!! The ummmmm winner spent.... get ready for it, over $77 grand!!! I felt pretty darn good knowing I will spend less than $2 grand fully restored (and maybe less!!). Enjoy the journey, it can be lots of fun.

IM

 

[dozerII]

Re: Just picked up my first Starcraft, and my first restoration project

Welcome AH, the Starmada continues to grow at an amazing rate. These are great boats, and not to difficult to redo on a modest budget. Looking forward to seeing some photos.
Glen

 

[bananaboater]

Re: Just picked up my first Starcraft, and my first restoration project

I'll post some pictures when I am able, it's already getting dark out here.

Almost 24 hours and stil no pics! Welcome aboard. You will find it rewarding to fix up one of the SCs. Great boat and great help here.

 

[GLG fishing]

Re: Just picked up my first Starcraft, and my first restoration project

Welcome aboard, you got a nice boat there and good to see you bring it back to life.
Big difference between cars and boats is the fasteners among other things.
Don't use your auto ones on the boat.
Pictures are required to hang with the in crowd.
GLG

 

[amhorach]

Re: Just picked up my first Starcraft, and my first restoration project

Pictures coming today; I got stuck at work for 15 hours yesterday.

 

[Rockmere1]

Re: Just picked up my first Starcraft, and my first restoration project

15 hours at work UGHH......:facepalm:

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Just picked up my first Starcraft, and my first restoration project

Welcome & good luck w/ your project. If you tend to be a magnet for cars in need of repair, be prepared for a severe case of MBS (Multiple Boat Syndrom) to strike you at anytime. It's extremely contagious, time spent on the iBoats forum weakens your immunity......

Depending on your locale, you may want to steer clear of the thread 'CL/Ebay Starcrafts for sale'. It is a breeding ground for the MBS microbes. Those in need of a windshield are particularly susceptible, followed fairly closely by those in need of motors.

That said: Welcome to iBoats dry dock. There will be a great deal to learn on the forum pages, and there will be a great deal of helpful suggestions along the way to restoring your Starcraft. Be aware, battery placement discussions often take on a life of their own...

The Starmada mob is an impatient bunch, work & family obligations do not make for a safe harbor when there are no initial as 'found'~bought pix or no progress pix. Hope the hours were overtime to help pad the boat fund.

Again best of luck with your project & welcome to the best home for those afflicted w/ MBS on the internet.

 

[amhorach]

Pictures of the Starcraft

Pictures of the Starcraft

Alright, I took some pictures yesterday.

Yep, its a Starcraft alright.




Everything was already removed when I picked it up. Seeing the bare metal in good shape is what tipped my hand.



It looks like they had a VHF radio, a stereo for tunes and something else in the dash. Not that it matters, the dash is well on its way to being ruined. I am thinking I am going to use a hardwood dash, and I'm going to see if I can find a Nardi wood steering wheel for cheap.



The Transom isn't terrible, but it isn't perfect, either. I'm going to take this one out, and re-cut it to fit my jonboat. I'm also going to have to fabricate a fiberglass splash guard for the top. I'm going with fiberglass because I probably have just enough left over from one of the previously mentioned automotive projects.



It was probably a bright, happy boat at one point in time. As for MBS, you can see the stern of my red utility boat in this picture.




The front of the boat is in good shape, it doesn't show any signs of having crashed into anything along the way. All of the paint on the bottom looks about like this- it is just faded on top but where it was in the water it's bubbling off.

 

[amhorach]

Re: Pictures of the Starcraft

Re: Pictures of the Starcraft

A closer look at the state of the paint on the bottom. I'm actually happy about this. Since I wanted to strip the whole thing in any event, having the paint coming off by itself will make it a bit easier.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Pictures of the Starcraft

Re: Pictures of the Starcraft

Nice boat and great project. I did a similar 16' Jupiter. http://s176.photobucket.com/albums/w200/ezmobee/Boat Project/ might get some ideas from those. I replaced my dash with a piece of PVC trim board from Lowes. Easy to work with and will never rot. http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w200/ezmobee/Boat Project/DSCF1927.jpg

 

[barato2]

Re: Pictures of the Starcraft

Re: Pictures of the Starcraft

hey A....welcome to the tinsanity. your third hole (no sexual jokes, eh?) was likely a CB....my Starchief still has one.

you do realize that threatening to put scratchyglass on a tinboat may get you a midnight visit from da Mob?

on the Nardi wheel, just be sure to cover it well when not in use and clearcoat spokes and varnish the wood.. one of our crew (deadwood) used a NArdi wheel from a FIAT 124 and he said it went to carp from the UV very rapidly

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Pictures of the Starcraft

Re: Pictures of the Starcraft

The yellow certainly was bright based on what's left. Black accented yellow SC's are nice looking boats. W/ or w/out some bare aluminum.

Check out Jasoutside's Jet thread. Read through both of ez's threads too. Lakelover's was the last thread posted in the completed projects thread.

Good stuff can be found all over the forum. Check both the forum restoration section & the Starcraft forum.

Nice to have a mostly blank slate, and have the demo already well underway. Maybe just about finished.

 

[dozerII]

Re: Pictures of the Starcraft

Re: Pictures of the Starcraft

Great looking project you have, the hull loks in real nice shape.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Pictures of the Starcraft

Re: Pictures of the Starcraft

You know what I see? Great bones!

 

[InMotion]

Re: Just picked up my first Starcraft, and my first restoration project

Gosh, it really does look good! Nice little project you have there... looking forward to see the rebuild! Nothing that a little sweat can't fix... paint, wood, some 5200 and it'll be as good as new.

Enjoy!

 

[amhorach]

Re: Just picked up my first Starcraft, and my first restoration project

I was out looking at the boat today and I might not even repaint it. It's got character.

I'm going to try and source some marine grade plywood for the deck this weekend so I have it on hand. Since I don't have a deck in the boat at the moment, I'm also going to get some posterboard and make templates.

The goal is to have this boat ready to roll by August, as I'll be vacationing at the beach then.

Fun, fun.

 

[erwinner]

Re: Just picked up my first Starcraft, and my first restoration project

Fun, fun, indeed! I just picked up my Starcraft Wednesday and I hope to replace the transom and get the Tower of Power 115 Merc running by May. But even if I don't get the motor running, I'll put my little 15hp Merc on her so I can use her for fun over the summer.
I'm thinking about using aluminum for the deck. Never have to worry about rot again...