Project new floor on 18-foot '78 Starcraft SS

[marineman16]

Re: Project new floor on 18-foot '78 Starcraft SS

So you decided to use aluminum rather than wood stringers? I am in the process of patching a rotted floor on an 89 Procraft - my first time doing anything like it. When I break down and do the whole floor I'm going to make it my mission to avoid wood anywhere possible. It just seems like there have to be better options!!

 

[iwombat]

Re: Project new floor on 18-foot '78 Starcraft SS

Those aren't exactly stringers, they're deck supports. There's a floor about 12" below all that.

My stringers _are_ aluminum, but that's pretty standard for an aluminum hull. I don't think you can really glass aluminum in and have any kind of structural integrity.

 

[shipoffools]

Re: Project new floor on 18-foot '78 Starcraft SS

I did the same project 4 seasons ago on a 76 ss. You have been alot more detail oriented than I was, looks like your going to have a great boat there.

 

[iwombat]

Re: Project new floor on 18-foot '78 Starcraft SS

It's certainly coming along. I'm going for useful space over comfort. It's a fishing boat first and foremost. Build a solid platform and you can toss cushions on top later. That strategy seems to be bearing itself out nicely on this one.

 

[iwombat]

Re: Project new floor on 18-foot '78 Starcraft SS

Finished up with all the painting tonight. It's all under cover now, and I swear I'm not going to even peek until Sunday. Supposed to hit 70 tomorrow, that should make for a nice cure temperature under the dark blue cover.

I mixed Interlux Intergrip in with rustoleum on the deck. I did that on the lid for the tank and it worked out nice. I also put another faux sponge finish on the deck. I really like how it turned out on the floor, this time it was grey and blue-grey sponging. A deep paint job that hides lines sure saves time on the finish sanding. It also doesn't feature the dirt quite so badly.

Pictures in the next couple of days.

 

[iwombat]

Re: Project new floor on 18-foot '78 Starcraft SS

Latest round of updates on shareaproject. Finished the front awhile ago, just never got around to taking any snaps.

http://www.shareaproject.com/pages/invitation,i,142,00.html

 

[Wishin I was Fishin]

Re: Project new floor on 18-foot '78 Starcraft SS

Did you make the seat boxes yourself? Is that aluminum or wood boxes?
What type of hinges?

 

[iwombat]

Re: Project new floor on 18-foot '78 Starcraft SS

The front seat boxes I made myself. They're fiberglassed plywood on aluminum frames. I don't have a top-hatch on them, just the side ovals. I still need to cut an access hatch in the middle front piece though. The only reason for that, is it holds the porta-pottie when the wife and kids go out. I'd rather lift a hatch then drag it out. I'll just use a standard stainless butterfly hinge on that.

The original seats were aluminum sheet verticals and ply tops. I didn't re-use the aluminum base because it was a full u-shaped support and limited access to the big space in the front through a small oval opening.

The jump seat boxes behind the consoles (are they in any pictures?) are welded aluminum.