My first boat... so I bought a Starcraft

[nfamousplayer]

Hi Guys,
After searching and doing some research to find a fun project boat I came across this 66 Starcraft Starcheif cuddy and I fell in love with it. Although this is my first boat, after my research I know I'm in for a long road ahead of me and have the Advil ready! The hull on the boat looks to be in great condition for it age. I plan on gutting her this weekend to ensure I haven't missed anything major. The only part of this project that makes me nervous is the motor which is the 66 110 HP mericruiser. The carbs were overhauled and the previous owner insures me that it ran well and the drive and tilt functioned properly. I'm not very mechanically inclined but have a brother and brother in-law that both have careers in mechanics that will be helping me with this part of the project. Any advice on that subject would be greatly appreciated!!! I'm looking forward to getting my little project onto the water and documenting it along the way. Thanks for the advice/ help

-Josh

 

[v8mgbal]

Re: My first boat... so I bought a Starcraft

Hello and welcome to the Starcraft club. you have come to the right place to get info and help with your boat. I am also a newbie and have gotten lots of help and encouragement here you just have to ask, and take lots of pictures as it will help when you go to put it back together and don't forget to share them of course.

 

[redfury]

Re: My first boat... so I bought a Starcraft

another starcraft?! Sheesh! where do all you guys come from?!

Looks like a good boat that should serve you well with a little TLC.

You'll want to do a search for "waking up an old motor" if the motor hasn't been run for a few years. The one important item on the drive train that you will want to address ( read:replace ) is going to be the impeller. Don't assume that it is good. It's a new boat to you, you need to establish a maintenance routine and starting fresh is the best way to do it.

Don't worry though, most impellers are relatively simple to replace, and cheap. It doesn't take much damage to cause an impeller to not pump water effectively, and the last thing you want is to be stranded on the lake with an overheated/ing motor.

 

[sprintst]

Re: My first boat... so I bought a Starcraft

Do her up right and she'll be around for another 44 years

Keep the pics coming.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: My first boat... so I bought a Starcraft

Great project! Welcome to the SC club. If you haven't made it down to the SC section of this site yet, definitely check it out.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: My first boat... so I bought a Starcraft

Hello Player and welcome to Iboats..

I would change Every fluid in the thing first ( before even starting your boat ! ). Not the trim fluid.. but Oil and drive.

Impellar change. Check your Boots while drive up.

Nice looking boat though ..

YD.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: My first boat... so I bought a Starcraft

Welcome to the fleet, nice big tin can you've got there

Glad to see it stored bow-up, I'm assuming the plug is pulled so water doesn't collect in the bilge.

Looks like a great project boat(as are all vintage Starcraft aluminum hulls) and this site is a great source for info and cool ideas.

Good luck with the new rig

 

[fshngho]

Re: My first boat... so I bought a Starcraft

Welcome Nfamous. That will be a great project boat and I'm sure you will enjoy it. Nice dble axle trailer too. Looks like you have the AFLAC Duck guarding it for ya Don't forget to check out the SC Forum.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: My first boat... so I bought a Starcraft

Welcome! Love your new rig there!

 

[jimdd810]

Re: My first boat... so I bought a Starcraft

Welcome and good luck, youve come to the right place!

 

[lakelover]

Re: My first boat... so I bought a Starcraft

Nice boat, bigger than I have any experience with. I'll be interested to follow your progress.

 

[nfamousplayer]

Re: My first boat... so I bought a Starcraft

Got her gutted! Here is a couple pictures, if anybody can help me out with a wiring diagram or a manual or where to find onel it would be greatly appreciated. Thoughts, comments, suggestions? anybody know the measurements of the transom?

-Josh

http://i865.photobucket.com/albums/ab215/nfamousplayer/pw22.jpg

http://i865.photobucket.com/albums/ab215/nfamousplayer/clean.jpg

http://i865.photobucket.com/albums/ab215/nfamousplayer/wtf.jpg

 

[LangDog]

Re: My first boat... so I bought a Starcraft

What the heck!?!? Was it half gutted when u bought it? If not, you sir are one fast mo-fo!!

Cheers and full steam ahead!

 

[jasoutside]

Re: My first boat... so I bought a Starcraft

Oh man, look at that clean hull! Super nice work! If you head over to the IO or electrical section they may be able to help ya out in a jif.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: My first boat... so I bought a Starcraft

Wow she looks clean as can be on the inside of the hull. Either she was taken care of very well or you just did lots of work

That looks like some minor corrosion from non-stainless bolts. Be sure to get that all detailed with a wire wheel and it looks perfect.

I can't believe how many wires and hoses are back there on the I/O's I thought mine was scary when I bought it

CheapBoatKev posted recently about I/O manuals in the Starcraft forum here on iboats, also lots of info in the I/O forum as mentioned.

Nice work!

 

[nfamousplayer]

Re: My first boat... so I bought a Starcraft

alright so I got the out-drive removed, can anybody tell me what model it is? is from seeing it? I've been looking for the bellows and don't want to buy the new ones (noob). My brother inlaw and I go the motor detached and pulled forward. I plan on attempting to start the thing tomorrow if i can figure out the wiring. plus no key!!!! so any advice on how to hot-wire the beast for the time being?? Also going to get the transom out tomorrow as well. Let me know what you guys think.

-Josh
http://i865.photobucket.com/albums/ab215/nfamousplayer/283.jpg
http://i865.photobucket.com/albums/ab215/nfamousplayer/281.jpg
http://i865.photobucket.com/albums/ab215/nfamousplayer/278.jpg
http://i865.photobucket.com/albums/ab215/nfamousplayer/274.jpg

 

[sprintst]

Re: My first boat... so I bought a Starcraft

Awesome work. The brews help lose track of time. Was that a week with no sleep

 

[Triton II]

Re: My first boat... so I bought a Starcraft

Great going so far. Looks like a merc Alpha (but I've been wrong before). That hull is in AMAZINGLY good condition inside for its years. Nice find and good luck with the transom - try and get it out in one piece to use as a template.

TII

 

[nfamousplayer]

Re: My first boat... so I bought a Starcraft

I got the transom out today and the gimbal. as far as the outdrive is there a way to take the serial number and find out exactly what model it is? Also if its a pre alpha is it possible to bolt and go with an entire alpha 1 outdrive?? or are there gear differences? I'm thinking of going with 3/4" for the transom which I think i saw on another restoration on the forum. Ill post some detailed picks of the drive tomorrow and maybe somebody can help me out with a little info on being able to tell if it good or not.

-Josh

http://i865.photobucket.com/albums/ab215/nfamousplayer/006.jpg
http://i865.photobucket.com/albums/ab215/nfamousplayer/008.jpg

 

[Isaacm1986]

Re: My first boat... so I bought a Starcraft

I'm thinking of going with 3/4" for the transom which I think i saw on another restoration on the forum.

use 2 sheets of 3/4" exterior grade plywood. Bond them together with some PL Premium so the transom equals a total width of 1.5". Seal the wood however you want to. A lot of people use the epoxy resin, but everything from epoxy to porch paint has been used.