my first project

[nukid68]

Well, I joined yesterday and made a 1st post in the general discussion board I guess, but now I think it should be in here, the starcraft forum since I have a starcraft boat. I hope I can upload the pics I took this morning of it. Hope someone can tell me someting about what year and model it is. I think it matches a '67 but not sure. It was a freebee on craigslist. The guy delivered it said it was a 15 footer. I don't expect to make money on it, just use it. I need a trailer and motor, but being unemployed and all, it will take some doing. I just want to have a little fun this summer and get ready for my retirement in 2 years. Who knows, eh?

Any help, comments, etc are more than welcome.
Jim

 

[bananaboater]

Re: my first project

Free? Saw your first post yesterday and was waiting for pics. Welcome. Others will tell you what you have. Could be a Jupiter but time will tell. As you work on it refer to this site and you will get good info of options to consider.

I am recently retired and my boat has kept me busy for almost a year.

 

[bananaboater]

Re: my first project

There are some other restorers in your area, look up wrfalpacas.

 

[North Beach]

Re: my first project

Jim, Based upon color combination and the splashwell configuration I'd say you got a 69 Jet Star. It is fiberglas right?

We need more pics!

Welcome to Iboats and the Starcraft Gang.

 

[nukid68]

Re: my first project

She is a fiberglass beauty, (what else would you call your first?). And, as far as I can tell, there are no bubbles, spider webs, cracks, etc in the hull. The chrome goodies are all pitted, but solid and not broken or missing. Even the front light is all there. The windshield only has a small 2 inch crack at the top. The seats are good fabric wise, but the plywood base in two is shot, and the other two need some work. So maybe I can do the seats relatively cheaply and quickly. Just looking for some pocket change to get going and see what happens.

And, since I have done a lot of automotive body and paint (for myself and friends) and engine building and automotive mechanics, again self taught. So I hope to find a motor that needs some repair but is usable with a rebuild. The stuff dreams are made of, right.

I plan to be here a lot, learning, gleening whatever I can. maybe will see some of you on the waterways in the near future.

Jim

 

[North Beach]

Re: my first project

Jim, Outboards that need a little work for cheap can be had all the time. Check craigslist and keep us posted on the journey!

 

[nukid68]

Re: my first project

posted new pics in another thread but thought maybe should post on this one as well. Here, hoping someone knows what I got. There doesnt seem to be a label/tag on the transom, but a corner piece caught under rivet. Do people tear them off for some unknown reason? Or is there somewhere else I can find id for boat?
Jim

 

[nukid68]

Re: my first project

Yesterday stopped at a "marine" shop near fort wayne, to ask about motors, rebuilding and such, and got info on dimensions I need to get. What dimensions and such are needed or normally used to define and work with boats, and how does one measure them, such as the transom depth or whatever it is referred to for the motor length.
Jim

 

[ezmobee]

Re: my first project

How to determine shaft length http://www.smalloutboards.com/shaft.htm

Hopefully you have a capacity plate to tell what what the max HP is you can put on it. On you 15' I'd think somewhere between 50 and 70.

 

[nukid68]

Re: my first project

The only sign of a plate is on the transom and there is just a tiny corner of a plate caught under the rivet or bolt there. bummer
Jiim

 

[nukid68]

Re: my first project

My delema. I see several motors on ebay that I think would be good. I can't buy till my income tax check arrives near end of month. So some advice I am seeking. One company has several motors of the same era as my boat I think, and I am wondering if I should try to get one of the ones now (an awesome 55hp looks so inviting, and the price is right) or should I take my chances and hope others good show up later. I'd like to post the urls and get comments if the motors are good buys (I rebuild car motors so I could handle these if parts are available), or if they are a pass up project. is it ok to post several urls from ebay for feedback?
Jim

 

[nukid68]

Re: my first project

SUCCESS AT LAST, VICTORY IS MINE....oh wrong forum...was in another mind set, but I have found out what my boat is....according to the thread by Century(forgot the #) his boat he was asking about is the same as mine, a caravele it looks like. Any confirmations? Exception, his front running light is squared off it looks like, but mine is rounded. What think ye?
Jim
Oh, it was posted in Sept 09...if that helps in review for anyone. How about century's help, if he is out there>

 

[86 century]

Re: my first project

Mine was as close as we could tell '69 caravel V with a '69 Johnson 85hp and it was quick. I sold it to buy my ss but it is neat little ride. I can still get to it if you need any specific pics or details.

 

[nukid68]

Re: my first project

Mine has a few gauges between the panels on the dash, but that's minor. I took out the carpet, the seats were already loose so they came out, and found the liner under the carper was in bad shape as well. Then found the bolt holes for the seats were wore out, and the floor around the holes was soft. Is there a sub floor, or stringers (?) side to side to support the floor, or a foam floor? Wondering if I have to redo the fiberglass or just put a plywood floor over it and reattach the seats? That is what I was thinking of doing, using 5/8 or 1/2 plywood. Also someone mentioned some stuff for getting the shine back in the gelcoat, that would be nice, but the top of the bow has 3 raised sections, the two outer ones are ribbed, how do we "shine" that area up? Oh well, those are the fun parts of getting ready for the water, huh.
Jim
Oh, do you live near fort wayne, century?

 

[86 century]

Re: my first project

I am 45min south of the you. If it has soft spots most likely the deck needs to be replaced along with the stringers and possible the transom. It is a bit of work but not all that bad. You can drill some test holes(just don't go to deep) to how deep the rot goes. Check out the slickcraft restore by vagasphotoman he found some stuff that worked great on his gel coat.

 

[nukid68]

Re: my first project

Ok, now, the floor, deck, whatever it is called, has holes from the mounting of the seats. It is soft around that area. But the other areas are solid. So is the whole area filled with some kind of foam that I have to pull/cut up the floor and replace? The hull is solid at least. I will take a pic once the weather stops raining on my nikon....just hate that. Has anyone else had to redo the floor of a glass boat like this? any help, ideas, etc is eagerly awaited.
Jim

 

[86 century]

Re: my first project

Oh yes there are many glass rebuilds on here. I am in the middle of one myself.

You can cut out what you know is bad and get access to the foam and stringers to see where you stand.

 

[nukid68]

Re: my first project

can one just plywood over the top of the floor, or do I need to make sure the underneath is not rotted? (think I just answered my own question)

 

[nukid68]

Re: my first project

Oh, forgot to ask, is it possible to come visit to see the work required and how you do it? (please, please, please)

 

[86 century]

Re: my first project

Would not do you much good. I have the deck back in it is ready for the carpet to be put in. I will see what pics I can come up with.

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad7/thehippy77/Picture395.jpg