New project 1967 starcraft 18'

[dpotter]

Ok I just acquired a project boat. The motor is a 79 merchandise 115. I also have a 1977 Johnson 115. Not sure which I'll use. First to get titles done. One owner boat but owner has passed and I was given a bill of sale from before he passed.

 

[TruckDrivingFool]

:welcome: To iboats D!

Since you said "first to get titles done" I assume you've done some reading and know that your best bet is to stick to planning until you have secured legal ownership.

Never heard of a Merchandise outboard and being a JohnnyRude guy I think you could guess which motor I'd lean towards. However if the Merch has a unique look to it might be worth using if parts are accessible.

Above all post up some pics as we love the pic show to follow along.

 

[GA_Boater]

Ok I just acquired a project boat. The motor is a 79 merchandise 115. I also have a 1977 Johnson 115. Not sure which I'll use. First to get titles done. One owner boat but owner has passed and I was given a bill of sale from before he passed.

Darned autocorrect. LOL

Welcome aboard, dpotter.

Good plan to get the paperwork in order. Like TDF said, don't spend any cash on her until she is securely in your name.

What 1967 model do you have? At 18' and if she's a tinny, either a Starchief or Holiday.

Do you know we need photos so we can gloat or laugh? :blue: LOL

 

[jbcurt00]

Pretty sure auto correct made Mercury Merchandise in error.

Mercury or Johnson, a 115 will push an 18ft tinny well no matter which18ftr.

But all the same, which 18ftr? Holiday, Chieftain, Starchief, SS?

Look forward to pix.

 

[TruckDrivingFool]

Darned autocorrect. LOL

Pretty sure auto correct made Mercury Merchandise in error.

K then I stick by this

...... being a JohnnyRude guy I think you could guess which motor I'd lean towards

 

[dpotter]

Thanks Guys, glad to be here. I got her in my name. Easier thaan I thought. I just got her home today. It's a Holiday. The state had all the info since it was a one owner boat. Oh, it's a holiday. It has a cuddy hatch. Hmmmm I assume for ventilation at speed. ha. I need to get on the restoration page and find out about a couple dents to be removed. Leaning toward the Mercury. Yep auto-correct got me again on the Mercury.

 

[jbcurt00]

Congrats on getting it in your name AND home safely

 

[MTboatguy]

Good looking older boat, you definitely have a good beginning on a boat that is going to last you a very long time.

 

[dpotter]

This boat is missing the cast aluminum piece on the very point of the bow. Any idea if i can get one of these? If not, any ideas what to replace it with?

 

[jbcurt00]

Might get lucky and find one on craigs or ebay, but your best bet is to take the boat to a local metal shop and show a welder the 2 transom corner caps on the stern and have them make something similar for the bow. It does wrap under the edge of the aluminum rubrail channel, and is a fairly snug fit.

Profile:

A few have gotten replacements welded up for the transom corner caps from a local welder. I think the last 1 posted turned out great, looked very similar to original and was about $30.

 

[GA_Boater]

She is a fully accessorized Holiday. A Merchandise and Dish TV. LOL

A good looking Starcraft, Welcome to the Starmada.

 

[dpotter]

Thanks jbcurt00. I may make one from either Teak or some other type of wood. I plan to run teak strips down the center of the bow and along the sides where people would step in the boat. I'll keep checking. I intend to put a transom bracket on to extend the outboard out behind the boat and incorporate both a swim platform and kicker mount. With that said, i will raise the level of the transom to the level of the rest of the hull. I will then put a sunning platform across the stearn. The boat will have single seats in front for me and my admiral behind those will be stationary consoles for built in cooler... Then a bench in front of the sunbathing platform. Attached is a pic of the motor mount bracket.

 

[TruckDrivingFool]

Good looking SC and interesting plan for it gonna have to watch.

 

[dpotter]

I wish I could guess when I can get this started. Working on getting my carport/shop built. getting the metal on the roof today and walls framed for the shop. The shop is 15x26. Entire building is 26x40. I have an engine stand so I'll add some 2x12 to hang the Mercury 115 on. gonna try to use that one on this project. i've chosen the color scheme too. Creamy white for the bottom and dark almond for the top. Excited about the project.

 

[jbcurt00]

Looks like a great spot. Good luck w the metal and wall framing.

 

[dpotter]

Out looking the boat over and rethinking the transom bracket. I may have enough room to do what I want anyway. Any one put a 1/2 side swim platform on an outboard Holiday? oh, they got the tin on my roof while I was traveling for work. Should have the shop walls framed tomorrow.

 

[dpotter]

No Title

Ok Guys, been reading through some of the rebuilds. I got curious as to the original color scheme so I took a paint removal wheel and took a little off the stern. It seems this was originally a light(lime) green with red and grey stripes. Must have looked nice. I think I saw this green on one of the project boats. The shop is coming along slow so still no progress on the boat. I added a second photo. The PO did me a favor by brush painting the boat, trim and all. It comes off super easy and evidently protected the trim, rubber and all. Whew.

 

[dpotter]

No Title

Ok, I'm not supposed to be working on the boat, but can't help it. I took out the luxury passenger seat someone had installed with 16 penny nails and dry wall screws. ha The floor is soft. no worries, I intended to take it out anyway. This looks more and more like the $300 purchase price was right. ha

 

[dozerII]

dpotter, do you have a couple pictures of the dents your referring too? Really nice place you have there by the way:thumb:

 

[dpotter]

No Title

Here are some dents and things I need to fix on the hull. The one I asked you about Glen is not very good because it's still dark here. I'll get a better one once it gets light. Hmmm, even after I shrunk 3 pics they are still to big. I'll try again. Ok, got them. The bolts through the hull are from the PO bolting the TnT pump by drilling through the hull. I'll find a better place and use Glen's technique to fill the holes. Ok, Glen, got some daylight. You can see the entire rib is pushed in slightly and there is a tear in it. I think I could fix the tear with JB weld, but not sure if i can get the bow out of the rib.