Starchief 1965 restoration

[Jeffjessing]

Hello Starcraft enthusiasts. We just purchased our first boat, a 1965 Starchief. At least I think that is the correct year. Originally I think she had a topside windshield but otherwise appears complete. Trailer and motor are in excellent condition. The boat is in fair condition but needs some work..leaky hull, rotten decking, water logged foam. I have decided to gut her and rebuild her inside and out. I have fallen in love with the classic design of this model. Very cool. Originally, was there a bulkhead that completely sealed the cabin? I have read several of the restoration threads in this group and hence have found a wonderful resource to me. Thank you everyone for shared your expertise and experiences. If anyone is interested then I would post my progress on here?

 

[classiccat]

Re: Starchief 1965 restoration

Welcome to iboats!

I'm interested so Post-away!!! :lol: (you'll have quite a few others showing interest as well)

Good lookin' boat! The windshield and other hardware appear well preserved.

From the '65 brochure, you seem to be missing a top-windshield but I personally wouldn't sweat it!

I'd double-check the tongue-weight when you get her slapped back together...something seems a little-off with the way she's positioned :noidea:

 

[Jeffjessing]

Re: Starchief 1965 restoration

Welcome to iboats!

I'm interested so Post-away!!! :lol: (you'll have quite a few others showing interest as well)

Good lookin' boat! The windshield and other hardware appear well preserved.

From the '65 brochure, you seem to be missing a top-windshield but I personally wouldn't sweat it!

I'd double-check the tongue-weight when you get her slapped back together...something seems a little-off with the way she's positioned :noidea:

I am not sure what you mean about "a little off"? The brochure says the boat weight is 900 lbs, however, I cannot say for sure but the boat feels very heavy on the trailer. I have began to remove the decking in the bow and have found lots of water and heavy water soaked foam. This old girl is on a weight loss plan! Is this what you are referring to?

We took her out on the lake this past weekend and it was obivous that she is not water tight in the 2 hours in the lake. Once I get all of the decking and foam out, I will then fill her up with water and and hopefully find the leaky spots. Is this the recommended approach?

 

[classiccat]

Re: Starchief 1965 restoration

It seems like the boat is a little too-far forward on the trailer (maybe so it fits in a garage?).

I believe the rule-of-thumb is 7-10% weight of the boat/motor/trailer is carried at the tongue...if the boat is too far forward relative to the axles, tongue-weight will be excessive.

I've only ever had single-axle trailers so maybe i'm completely mad :lol: :madgrin:

 

[classiccat]

Re: Starchief 1965 restoration

this is what I'm blabbing about:

Three Ways to Figure Tongue Weight

 

[Jeffjessing]

Re: Starchief 1965 restoration

It seems like the boat is a little too-far forward on the trailer (maybe so it fits in a garage?).

I believe the rule-of-thumb is 7-10% weight of the boat/motor/trailer is carried at the tongue...if the boat is too far forward relative to the axles, tongue-weight will be excessive.

I've only ever had single-axle trailers so maybe i'm completely mad :lol: :madgrin:

Since this is my first boat, I haven't any experience with how much forward or back a boat should sit on a trailer. Is there an easy way for me to measure the tongue weight?

 

[Jeffjessing]

Re: Starchief 1965 restoration

this is what I'm blabbing about:

Three Ways to Figure Tongue Weight

Perfect, ignore my previous question about how to measure tongue weight. Thanks.

 

[classiccat]

Re: Starchief 1965 restoration

Since this is my first boat, I haven't any experience with how much forward or back a boat should sit on a trailer. Is there an easy way for me to measure the tongue weight?

Backyard method of measuring.

 

[Yeonik]

Re: Starchief 1965 restoration

Gosh I love those old starchiefs! I may just look into one for the next project. I'd definitely like to read some progress!

Bluefin, that's some good information on tongue weight - I was going to research all that semi-soon. You saved me some time buddy!

I can't tell - what do you have powering her?

Also, hope you don't get offended, but be careful using rocks as wheel chocks.

 

[Jeffjessing]

Re: Starchief 1965 restoration

Gosh I love those old starchiefs! I may just look into one for the next project. I'd definitely like to read some progress!

Bluefin, that's some good information on tongue weight - I was going to research all that semi-soon. You saved me some time buddy!

I can't tell - what do you have powering her?

Also, hope you don't get offended, but be careful using rocks as wheel chocks.

Yes, I agree. I do love the classic design of this model. I was in the market for a boat (really was only considering newer glass boats) then a local gentleman posted an ad for this starcraft on CL and when I went to look at it....instant love! I think a got a great deal. Basically just paid for the strong motor and the boat and trailer were thrown in. I restore many things but never a boat. Looking forward to adding new skills during this process. And I am very excited to get her back on the water.

Pushing is a 1995 Johnson 112 HP Special. Compression on all four are good and tight. Runs very strong. Also thanks for the warning about the rocks....I will get real tire chocks.

Yes, very helpful and thanks to Bluefin. Cheers!

 

[rheagler]

Re: Starchief 1965 restoration

Nice project! Looking forward to seeing what you do to it. Have fun!

 

[barato2]

Re: Starchief 1965 restoration

If anyone is interested then I would post my progress on here?

if anyone is interested? :laugh: you got a pack of tinpic junkies here......welcome to the madness.

yes, it probably did have a top windshield at one point, and probably a bulkhead between the helm area and the cabin.

i agree that the trailer looks weird, but it looks like it might just be for a far bigger boat. no need for tandem wheels to haul a 900 lb hull.

 

[Jeffjessing]

Re: Starchief 1965 restoration

Nice project! Looking forward to seeing what you do to it. Have fun!

Thank you, it's in the garbage for the winter solely for me to get it done by spring. I love working on projects like this. It's easy for me to get carried away, hence I got to really establish a budget or else my commander (goes by the name Christina) will have me in shackles.

 

[Jeffjessing]

Re: Starchief 1965 restoration

If anyone is interested then I would post my progress on here?

if anyone is interested? :laugh: you got a pack of tinpic junkies here......welcome to the madness.

yes, it probably did have a top windshield at one point, and probably a bulkhead between the helm area and the cabin.

i agree that the trailer looks weird, but it looks like it might just be for a far bigger boat. no need for tandem wheels to haul a 900 lb hull.

It didn't take long for me to catch the tin boat disease. As for the trailer it definitely looks like it could haul a much bigger boat, however, pulling it with my SUV was pure pleasure. I forgot I was even pulling it. Perhaps this is due to the tandem?

 

[Yeonik]

Re: Starchief 1965 restoration

looks like it could haul a much bigger boat

Well we all know what THAT means...

Mind if I ask what you had to give for it? I'm sure Colorado's local pricing is different from Michigan's, but just curious =)

 

[InMotion]

Re: Starchief 1965 restoration

Looks great Jeff! Looks like a great fall/winter/spring project!! Nice find! Enjoy...

J.

 

[barato2]

Re: Starchief 1965 restoration

he couldn't have given much for it, if he's already put it in the garbage.....

he must be really scared of that keelhauling by the Admiral

 

[Jeffjessing]

Re: Starchief 1965 restoration

Well we all know what THAT means...

Mind if I ask what you had to give for it? I'm sure Colorado's local pricing is different from Michigan's, but just curious =)

I shelled out $1400 for boat, motor, and trailer. Seems like a fair price considering the shape of the motor and trailer?

 

[barato2]

Re: Starchief 1965 restoration

about right for Rocky Mt.s and points-west pricing, altho it would be high for a similar boat in Michigan. i paid 1600 in Albuquerque for my '64 Starchief with seized I/O but great trailer, good transom and mostly good floors.

 

[Jeffjessing]

Re: Starchief 1965 restoration

After several hours of gutting all wood, painfully cutting foam out, and power washing inside if the hull, I am now considering my options to replace one missing rivet and checking for loose rivers. While power washing ( I had a fair amount of standing water in the hull, although not all the way up the the waterline) I only saw water leaking from the missing rivet. Should I fill her up to the waterline or just proceed with checking for loose rivets followed by sealing with epoxy? The test for loose rivets, is it as simple as trying to single the rivet with your fingers?

Also, I am strongly considering using Coat-It instead of Gluvit. Anyone have a strong opinion on this? Do I just apply the epoxy to the rivets and seams only or is it beneficial to coat the Entire inside of the hull? As for surface prep, I have already power washed the inside, next I was going to scuff up each rivet and seamlines with a power drill attached wire brush, then I was going to use alum wash (has an etching effect) then I was going to brush on the coat-it. Confirmation that I am proceeding right would be appreciated?