Restoring 16 ft starcraft american

[sinker6]

I'm in London, Ontario and am starting to restore the boat from the gunnel's up including the transom and some cracks left by the motor mount on the rotten transom.
On re-assembly i'll be filling minor chips and scraches, paint touch-ups, buff and gel coat.
I've been reserching materials and the cost is looking higher and higher.
If any one knows of a supplier in ontario of quality epoxy and fibreglass products at an economical price, please let me know

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Restoring 16 ft starcraft american

Hi Sinker,
Glad to see another Starcraft American being returned to the living! Is the transom rotted? How is the floor? All three of the American's I've had needed stringers and floor, and two needed transoms, too.
I bought my West System epoxy at a local discount marine store. Ran me about $80 a gallon, but money well spent in my opinion. I used between 4 and 5 gallons on my 15-footer. You can probably shop around or use a different brand for cheaper. Lots of boat restoration shops up in the Muskokas, so you might want to ask one of them if you can get a discount or something by ordering through them in bulk.
As for the glass, I bought that off of eBay from one of the scrap sellers. The scraps were perfect for what I was doing and they were a LOT cheaper than buying them from a local store. I got like 25 lbs. of material for what it would have cost for about 12 oz. at WalMart.
Also, stock up on short bristle paint rollers and disposable bristle brushes. You'll need quite a few of both for applying epoxy.
Check my sig links for pics and such of my Starcrafts...
- Scott

 

[sinker6]

Re: Restoring 16 ft starcraft american

Hi Chinewalker,
I've been checking out your restorations, Quite impressive work.
I've removed the floor, the stringers are completely covered in rag type fiberglass, there are several small holes on the top of the stringers from screws and I expect the wood on the interior has varying degrees of rot. I will be investigating that situation soon.
The transom is pretty much toast, I'm removing everything but the outer skin, and starting fresh as you did with your 15'. My 16' is almost identical. mine has built in seat areas flanking the motor.
The thousand islands are awesome, we go down to ivy lea every year for opening day, best trip of the year!
John

Got all the foam out on the week end, and the stringers are toast, just covered over with cheap glass by the last guy. everything is coming out and going to be done right! I will definitly be looking for pointers along the way.