May I join? Starcraft SS 16

[concept10]

Since joining and browsing this forum, the Starcraft SS has been the most appealing boat to me. Never actually seen one in person, but there's something about the look of that hull that always caught my attention. I've been working on and off restoring a 20' bass boat, but I need someone to help me complete that project.

So after browsing Craigslist, I found a 1974 16' SS listing for $1500 and went to take a look at it. The owner listed the boat and motor as the year model 1964, but after I handed him $1400 and took a look at the titles and serial numbers, the boat is indeed a '74 model. Pretty much had my mind set on it before I setup a meeting. (I missed another SS16 for $200 months ago). The outboard is a Mercury 650 (65 horse) and it runs pretty well. After the initial warm up, it starts right up.

I have already taken it out 5 times and everything has been great so far, except for the problems I created myself. (Ran into some mud)

The floor on the boat is solid, as is the carpet. It doesn't take on much water at all, maybe a cup full after six hours, so i'm not going the full restoration route yet... but I have taken a two week break to replace the transom.

The entire transom is not rotten, but the two upper side pieces are. I've been experiencing alot of vibration and want to get this taken care of before I cause some damage.

Pictures follow:

Interior is workable, for now:

Bow area (nice and clean, but missing the seating area):

On the water:

Outboard:

More on the next post....

 

[Prophammer]

Re: May I join? Starcraft SS 16

Awesome boat, Thanks for showing it!

 

[heyyou325]

Re: May I join? Starcraft SS 16

Not a bad lookin little boat. Welcome aboard. I wasn't going to do a restore yet either, but got talked into it, and now I'm glad I did. Sometimes. It's good to actually see one on the water for a change.

 

[CBGale2]

Re: May I join? Starcraft SS 16

Can you join? Well let me take a look at the membership rules checksheet. Starcraft.... check. Posted pictures of said Starcraft....... check. Sounds like youre in!!!! Welcome and great looking boat!

 

[jasoutside]

Re: May I join? Starcraft SS 16

Heck yah you can join! Welcome! She looks great!

 

[MichaelP]

Re: May I join? Starcraft SS 16

Hey Charlie did you get his dues?

Welcome concept!!!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: May I join? Starcraft SS 16

Very nice! That will fix up really nicely when you decide to do it. Welcome to the Starmada.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: May I join? Starcraft SS 16

Welcome aboard concept, another 16' SS nice!

 

[dozerII]

Re: May I join? Starcraft SS 16

Welcome to the starfleet, you must have done some reading on this site, no one had to tell you about the photo rules, Great looking project boat.
Glen

 

[bananaboater]

Re: May I join? Starcraft SS 16

Welcome.....dues? I gave at the office. ;-)

 

[GLG fishing]

Re: May I join? Starcraft SS 16

Great boat and welcome to the club. Dues will be covered by Charlie so no worries there.
A transom replacement is standard procedure around here and you will be happy you did it. It's just one less thing you don't have to worrier about when you are out there on the water.
GLG

 

[concept10]

Re: May I join? Starcraft SS 16

Thanks for all of the replies! You guys are great and the Starcraft community is on this forum is second to none! I'm starting to feel like i'm behind already with my project. I plan on completing my refurb while having a fully functional boat, if that's possible! Every 2 - 3 weeks, something different.

As I mentioned in the first post, the first thing I want to tackle is the transom (and replace some missing items).

After returning from the lake Sunday afternoon, I went ahead and pulled the motor:

The transom looks okay from the top, after removing the cap, but the sides are shot:

from the inside:

So i'm off and running, I have to get this done in two weeks, I want to go striper fishing in Oklahoma!

Hopefully research tonight will allow me to pick up the proper plywood. I have spotted Aruaco exterior ply at Home Depot and Lowe's. I would have bought two sheets the other day, but I wasn't completely sure of the code/grade of wood I am supposed to use (AC, AQX?)

From reading other posts, i've gathered that I need around 1 quart of epoxy for the job. I've been leaning towards getting supplies from US Composites, but I hope that I may find some locally. I don't want to wait too long on this, I have to get moving soon.

Back to reading!

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: May I join? Starcraft SS 16

I recommend Arauco ply, it's the closest to marine grade you can get without spending more than $20/sheet.

I've seen MG up to $60/sheet and can't justify the extra cash. Epoxy resin makes it almost impermeable anyways is my thinking.

That transom looks about due, good time you got the rig when you did. I go thru clarkcraft.com for epoxy, uscomposites.com is a good source as well.

 

[concept10]

Re: May I join? Starcraft SS 16

I recommend Arauco ply, it's the closest to marine grade you can get without spending more than $20/sheet.

I've seen MG up to $60/sheet and can't justify the extra cash. Epoxy resin makes it almost impermeable anyways is my thinking.

That transom looks about due, good time you got the rig when you did. I go thru clarkcraft.com for epoxy, uscomposites.com is a good source as well.

Thanks for the advice, and your own thread as well. I read that thing over and over just about everyday since I've owned the boat. Your yellow SS is stamped firmly in my memory!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: May I join? Starcraft SS 16

I think I may have read somewhere that the Arauco is a little bit softer of a wood but in my opinion its flatness and lack of voids more than makes up for it. The regular exterior grade I used for my deck from Home Depot had tons of voids. The Arauco I used for my transom had none. In my area only Lowes has the Arauco.

Other may disagree with me on this but I decided to omit that outer piece of plywood from both my projects. In my opinion it serves no purpose and is just another source of corrosion and leaks. The motor forces eventually compress the wood under the mounts which in turn fans it out a bit on the edges which allows water to get behind it. Glass boats don't have this piece and neither do newer aluminum boats. If you absolutely must have something there, consider using something non-wood.

 

[King James]

Re: May I join? Starcraft SS 16

welcome aboard nice 74 makin me feel guilty for not tearing into mine yet but with the wet weather and no pole barn not much choice

 

[fshngho]

Re: May I join? Starcraft SS 16

Welcome aboard Concept. The only thing I would suggest that others have not is make darn sure you coat the plywood with a good epoxy. After the installation, seal real good around the top corner caps. The gunnel acts like a gutter and the water flow right into the area you (and most of us) have rot. Nice looking boat my friend. You are already up one on a lot of us. You had the chance to get your's wet. We have been doing all the work on our with the hope and prayer that we will like it once its splashed.:facepalm: Nahh, not really the case, it is a Starcraft so it must be good. Keep the pics coming and good luck.

 

[concept10]

Re: May I join? Starcraft SS 16

Welcome aboard Concept. The only thing I would suggest that others have not is make darn sure you coat the plywood with a good epoxy. After the installation, seal real good around the top corner caps. The gunnel acts like a gutter and the water flow right into the area you (and most of us) have rot.

Thanks for the advice. I very much plan on coating with epoxy, but I just don't know which brand to buy. So many choices. The epoxy that is carried by local marine shops seems to expensive compared to online dealers. I've also been thinking about covering the transom in fiberglass. One sheet in the middle, and one on each side. One of the first things I thought when I looked at the boat is, why is the transom exposed (the motorwell side).

Just returned from Home Depot with two sheets of ply:

I hope this is the right stuff. I _have_ to get this done this week. Since i'm off today, I've been thinking about putting the motor back on and going to the lake, the old Merc looks lonely hanging from the hoist:

Nah, I better get started removing the old transom... Rain is in the forecast and I need my template

 

[ezmobee]

Re: May I join? Starcraft SS 16

Huron Angler and I got our epoxy from http://www.clarkcraft.com/cgi-suppl...esin&*******=9dc4fdd1e5a2e3ba99a65448a569d333 Others have gotten theirs from http://www.uscomposites.com/epoxy.html The Clark Craft was very nice to work with and the 1:1 mixing ratio made it simple but I did go through a lot of it. Close to 3 gallons for my deck. My wood was really thirsty though. Usage can really vary from person to person.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: May I join? Starcraft SS 16

I've been happy with Clarkcraft, it's cheaper than West Systems, which is probably the expensive stuff you are seeing at local marine stores. The less voids in the ply, the less cash you will spend on epoxy.