Starcraft American!! New Pics 5/29/06!

[studlymandingo]

Re: Starcraft American!! New Pics 5/29/06!

Ohhhh Nice Transom! You coulda just put some paint on that and run it!!! Keep the pics coming!

 

[CalicoKid]

Re: Starcraft American!! New Pics 5/29/06!

Yyyyuck! I can't remember from your past Starcrafts, do you install new foam or go without? Seems foam is always soaking wet coming out of hulls. I like your work, the pics and explanations are very beneficial to would be restorers and those who've been through a boat or two alike.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Starcraft American!! New Pics 5/29/06!

Hi CK,<br /> I do refoam, but I make it a point to use the newer 2-part foams, which seem to be a better closed cell than what was used originally. Plus, I do a pretty good job of sealing things up with epoxy, which is more waterproof than the original poly, and it's done far better than it ever was originally as far as attention to detail. I also have an automatic pump to help keep it dry inside, and I store it under cover all winter. Lots of these older boats seem to have spent some time exposed to the elements, which I'm sure accelerates the deterioration...<br />- Scott

 

[rottenray6402]

Re: Starcraft American!! New Pics 5/29/06!

Great pictures and great projects Scott. We'll watch for you on the St Lawrence in the fall.

 

[bkeith66]

Re: Starcraft American!! New Pics 5/29/06!

Hello Scott,<br />Good to see your digging in to the 18 footer. Those pic's are a quick reminder of where i was on mine not too long ago. Getting close to being ready to tab in the floor here. Good luck. Looking forward to seeing the progress.<br /> http://xs.to/xs.php?f=DSCN0277.JPG&h=xs101&d=06233 <br /> http://xs.to/xs.php?f=DSCN0276.JPG&h=xs101&d=06233

 

[michael-lagrange]

Re: Starcraft American!! New Pics 5/29/06!

That boat will look great when you finish.

 

[dtherrien]

Re: Starcraft American!! New Pics 5/29/06!

chinewalker,<br />go to freshwater fishing, I have a couple of questions on fishing your area.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Starcraft American!! New Pics 5/29/06!

Hey Brian! The 16 is looking good! You're going to love that boat when you're done! I splashed my 15 a couple weeks ago for the first time this season and it felt great! I'm hoping to get the transom skin cleaned up this weekend and ready to accept the new core. The transom was laid in in three pieces and the upper right and left corners didn't come out easily - left a lot of wood behind. I bought a couple of 40-grit belts for the sander to really dig it out. <br /><br />There's a 16 Open Bow model on eBay right now - if I was looking for another project, I might consider it, but I think my wife would kill me at this point... She wants the 18 done and then wants me to look for a small cuddy...<br /><br />- Scott

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Starcraft American!! New Pics 5/29/06!

Progress has been slow - too many other projects! My outboard repair business has been keeping me busy this summer, but has slowed a bit of late - sooooo, I got back into the Starcraft 18 over the weekend! As it sits now, the inside skin of the transom is clean and ready for new core wood. I spent a couple days scraping semi-loose roted wood off the inside of the transom, and used up a few belt sander belts cleaning up the surface. My wife hacked out the rest of the waterlogged foam yesterday as she is getting anxious now - fearing that we won't get to use the boat this summer! I'll tell you, having the missus onboard with the project has been great!

I was at an auction about a month ago and bought a late 1980s Evinrude V4 parts motor, along with a couple extra powerheads. One of the powerheads has the bubbleback exhaust, making it a 140. I have the 90hp Johnson ready to go, so that will likely go on it for this year, and I'll build up a 140 for next year. That ought to make 'er dance!

Pics when I get some...
- Scott

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Starcraft American!! New Pics 5/29/06!

Worked a bit more last night. Got the new transom wood cut out and shaped with the belt sander. Using two layers of 3/4" exterior plywood. The layer closest to the outer skin of the hull needed a fair bit of shaping along the edges as I want the wood to extend as far out as possible, but the curve of the hull where the transom meeds the sides made it a several step process. Shape, test-fit, shape, test-fit, and so on. Got it pretty close! There were a few trips to the dock to jump in the River and cool off in there, too. Temps were in the high 80s, even at 7:30pm! Oooog.... Not ideal weather for boat work...
- Scott

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Starcraft American!! New Pics 5/29/06!

Got the new transom in and the replacement stringers laminated over the last week. The new stringers are two layers of 1/2 inch plywood sandwiched with a layer of glass between them. Hope to have the old stringers out and the hulled cleaned up by the end of the week so I can install the new stringers. Still have to laminate a new keel, too...
- Scott

 

[Todd Gerber]

Re: Starcraft American!! New Pics 5/29/06!

Scott -

Really enjoying the resto pics. For some reason, your 18' sure reminds me of something...

Oh yeah, my 15'.

Keep the pics coming.

 

[zuke1]

Re: Starcraft American!! New Pics 5/29/06!

well,
i posted with my problems before, and you guys helped me quite a bit, and your obvious progress gave me hope... but it also gave me the false pretense that what you were doing was easy...

so after taking the boat all apart, and takin the lid off the boat, and it came apart just like you said... so getting it apart was easy, i started replacing the stringer that needed replaced i started to put the floor in.. after several weeks of putting off the bigger parts of the project due to the 120 degree heat, and the resin being very unfriendly... i finally gave up and just sold it all... luckily i was able to get the motor running and made a couple extra bucks on it, but the boat went for cheap...

so, chinewalker, you are a better person than i...

great job, i know it was hard to do ( maybe not technically hard, but its hard to get out there and do it )

cant wait to see more pics...

zuke out

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Starcraft American!! New Pics 5/29/06!

Hi Todd,
Gee, your boat looks familiar - same color and all as mine! Your 15 looks very clean! How's the interior and inner structure?
- Scott

 

[Todd Gerber]

Re: Starcraft American!! New Pics 5/29/06!

Scott -

Interior seems pretty good - though the carpet is toast. The vinyl is in great shape - except for being a bit faded.

Pic below is before I cleaned it up and vacuumed it out.

As for the structure, have not found soft spots anywere - and I've been poking around a bunch. I picked this one up from my dad who, up until the last few years, kept it inside. Last few years were under a tarp.

I'm looking forward to more pics of your 18' rebuild. I love these American series!

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Starcraft American!! New Pics 5/29/06!

Well, after letting the boat sit for awhile, I have begun working on it again - in earnest! Trying to get it in the water by Memorial Day weekend!

To date, transom went in last summer, stringers went in last winter, and floor went in earlier this spring. New wiring for the bilge, lights and horn went in a couple weeks ago with the deck still removed for easy access. Deck went back on last weekend. Lots of little projects to do, but at least now I can work outside as the floor is all sealed and the drain plug hole has been installed. Which is good, because it is raining now...

Hoping to get the windshield back on this weekend and finish filling screw holes and paint the transom. Will also cut and cover new side panels. I made the side panel shelves last Sunday and will install them as well - with drain holes so they don't collect water like the originals!

- Scott

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Starcraft American!! New Pics 5/29/06!

More pics...

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Starcraft American!! New Pics 5/29/06!

all that hard work is showing, great project. such a shame to cover it up. ever thought about a plexiglass deck so you can show off the workmanship?

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Starcraft American!! New Pics 5/31/07!

Re: Starcraft American!! New Pics 5/31/07!

Another busy weekend working on the boat. No funds for the carpet or seats at the moment (dang car needed tires :-() but there was no shortage of things to get done.

Last week I installed new side panel bases - the shelves that always seem to accumulate empty cans, loose change and gas receipts. The old ones didn't have a means to drain and were rotted out. These will have a drain hole in the back.

The windshield went on last Saturday with new T-bolts and weatherstripping. Then installed the rub rail, which didn't go quite as planned, but oh well. The original had been badly chewed up in a couple spots, including the aluminum channeling. I straightened it out as best I could, but ended up putting the rubber part in in sections, cutting out about a foot of it. I do most of my docking on the driver's side, so it won't be a big deal. Eventually I'll invest in new rub rail material, but this will do for now.

I scraped off the old Starcraft decals, as well as the reg numbers. Followed that with some wet sanding on the sides to bring back the gel coat a bit. I am very happy with how the red sections turned out! I am in the midst now of using rubbing compound to polish it a bit, then waxing to protect it. I have new Starcraft decals to stick on and will have a vinyl shop cut me new reg numbers. And, finally, I painted the transom, covering all my transom installation holes and a few dings and scrapes that I had filled.

I will be rigging the engine and making the side panels this weekend. Hoping the budget will allow for carpet, too, as I may just stick the old seats in for now. The water is calling!
- Scott

 

[TriadSteeler]

Re: Starcraft American!! New Pics 5/29/06!

Great job chine. I'm catching up to you, but I didn't have to do the floor/stringers (just everything else).

I did a resto on a '73 SC American about 12 years ago. Then turned around and sold it to put in a driveway. I have been away from boats ever since. Now I'm restoring an old Ebbtide my FIL gave me.

Keep the pics coming. Love to watch your progress.