New Starcraft Owner

[JF660R]

Hello,
recently got rid of my old '69 Speedliner glass boat and picked up a '77 (or '76) StarCraft 16' Super Sport. Decided on a StarCraft right away as we were wanting an aluminum runabout style boat with an outboard, on a budget. Looked at a few and really liked the open bow and 85hp this boat offered. Got the asking price down from $2k to $1300 and trailered her home.

Had what looked like 3 new tires tread wise, but lost a big strip of tread on one today so too many years of sitting. Spent the day cleaning. Got the Merc to start and run. Ordered a water pump kit, fuel pump kit, bilge pump & switch, Merc manual, and some other stuff. Still have some wiring to redo, but looking forward to getting it in the water soon.

 

[cpdchap]

Re: New Starcraft Owner

Great find JF you won't be disappointed with that boat, looks great. Furthermore there is a great bunch of guys on here that know there stuff if you get stuck on something....Welcome.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: New Starcraft Owner

Nice find, JF. Good negotiating skills, too. Shouldn't be long before your virginal tin splash. Welcome to the Tin Club.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: New Starcraft Owner

Traded out a nasty glasser for a awesome metal boat you say? Sweet!!

That means yur Starcraft club dues are covered for the first year

:welcome:

 

[rheagler]

Re: New Starcraft Owner

Nice find!

 

[barato2]

Re: New Starcraft Owner

nice boat, welcome, don't hesitate to ask Qs. that one pic of person sitting on gunwale really brings home how much smaller the 16' hull is than the 18....should be really manageable

 

[JF660R]

Re: New Starcraft Owner

Quick update. Had her out a few times and worked through some motor trouble with the Thunderbolt 85. New switch box lined it out. Has a nice holeshot but tops out around 25mph. Prop says 13 1/2 X 17 so we're thinking of stepping it up, suggestions?

Also started on a new floor. A solid floor is gonna be awesome.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: New Starcraft Owner

Hey JF - Welcome back. I wouldn't do any prop changes until you get her back together and tested. An 85 should push her better than 25. You still might have some motor issues. A 50 gets my 16 footer to 32 (GPS) with a flat stern and a 10 3/8 X 10 prop. You have a better hull and a should do better. Is the motor getting to the WOT RPM range listed in your manual?

 

[dozerII]

Re: New Starcraft Owner

Welcome back, good to see you redoing her. I agree with GA, there must be WOT problem, as the Naked Lady with an 85 Yamaha will do about 45mph.

 

[JF660R]

Re: New Starcraft Owner

I stand corrected, my friend and Co - owner of the boat says we topped at 34mph and cruised at 25 ...but it all felt pretty slow to me. We do have a tach issue to resolve, as it will climb to 6k until you thump it and it'll drop to 4k. So, not very acurrate. The motor is sounding good now though, and it gets up and out really well. Just seems to red line before getting any impressive speed.

Speed was measured with a Gps app on his phone, which was actually pretty accurate when we tested in the truck.

 

[JF660R]

Re: New Starcraft Owner

Decided to add some cross bracing between the stringers since we're putting 1/2" wood back down. The ply and 2x4s were free / leftovers so, fit the budget well.

Cut foam to size and sandwiched 3 layers with expanding in between and around the edges. Makes for some pretty solid blocks that you can actually walk on, so more support for the ply. Spaced so that the ply seems will land on center of a cross brace.

 

[64osby]

Re: New Starcraft Owner

Looks good I like the way you locked it all together.

Did you seal the wood?

Doesn't look like it's treated.

 

[dozerII]

Re: New Starcraft Owner

That will make for a very solid structure under the deck.

 

[JF660R]

Re: New Starcraft Owner

More foam cut to staggered width and glued together lays flat. Nothing sits lower than the ribs so water is free to exit. Although we've never had any come out the drain after use, pretty well leak free.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: New Starcraft Owner

I agree it doesn't look like any of the wood work has been sealed.

Sheet foam work looks well done, just don't over use the spray foam.

 

[JF660R]

Re: New Starcraft Owner

Yeah this is more of a one season fix than long term. Ultimately we want 3/4" flooring with a blue covering. This will be 1/2" and gray carpet just to get us back on the lake. It's 20deg in the barn so we're working quickly, and the boat has a lot more proving it's self to do before we up the investment much further.

I do have some Flood left over that I may apply before I lay the carpet down, has kept my trailer deck in good shape.

CWF-UV | CWF Deck Stain | Flood

Not sure how I'm going to lay the carpet, I don't think the glue will like 20deg temps. But, pushing to get it together so if we catch an above freezing day we can use it rather than work on it.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: New Starcraft Owner

the boat has a lot more proving it's self to do before we up the investment much further.

Prove itself doing what?

Your boat, your choice

Best of luck w/ your project

 

[JF660R]

Re: New Starcraft Owner

Prove itself doing what?

Your boat, your choice

Best of luck w/ your project

Being something other than a money pit I suppose. My previous boat (glasser with an inboard) has left me pretty gun shy on getting spendy on an old boat. Decided to 180 and go aluminum with an outboard in hopes of fewer issues. While the 85 thunder bolt has tested our patience a bit, we've already had more "good times" than the glasser delivered. One season of mostly good experiences and I might be ready to invest some more time and $ into improvements.

 

[barato2]

Re: New Starcraft Owner

sounds rational. really, most of the issues you'll likely have will be with the old motor, more than with the boat. then when you decide it's adequately "proven", you can upgrade motor if you want