Starcraft Holiday Rebirth

[Grandad]

Since your wife doesn't care about lying the seats down, you might consider making the seat box such that the center backrest is solidly built and fixed to the new seatbacks. Then you could use the hinge pins to allow lifting the bottoms of the seats to access the top of the boxes for under seat storage. And look on the bright side; maybe your wife will come around and it might be worth re-building them once more. - Grandad :eyebrows:

 

[badbowtie]

Yea I thought about doing the seats that way and know I am even thinking of making some sort of storage under bow for fishing stuff and just using pedestals again. I even thought about these adjustable ones I know they want swivel which would be great with kids but I hate I cant just remove them if in way. But I figured they will face forward or backwards. Which are only 31 each

 

[jbcurt00]

Bowtie, check your PMs

 

[badbowtie]

Sorry about that I just don't ever think of stuff like that but here is the mounts I am thinking of buying anybody have these and have complaints about just forward or backwards.

 

[Watermann]

I've not used those pedestals but they're ABYC class B helm rated and should work.

 

[badbowtie]

So all seats are mounted and in and I went thru motor and replaced fuel lines and new impeller and replaced gear oil. The only thing I have not figured out how to do is check the tilt trim fluid looking around online I seen were guys showed checking fluid with a single tilt ram checking at ram. On all the other boats I have always had been I/O so had tank on side of pump. I have two tilt rams one on each side of motor and I dont see a tank on side of the pump but is a bare to get to being up under back jump seat. I will post some interior pictures in couple hours just trying to figure out how to check tilt trim fluid.

 

[badbowtie]

Here is the pictures

 

[Watermann]

She's looking ready for some wave action! :thumb:

How'd you mount the seat pedestals to the deck?

 

[badbowtie]

I used these toggle bolts they were called Strap toggle the 1/4" ones. They hold really tight and are super strong.

Once I figure out the whole tilt trim fluid level deal I am ready for water. I also am really close to fishing just need to save some more money to order the terrova trolling motor.

 

[badbowtie]

Well for a update I ordered a motorguide XI5 80lb 60" shaft 24v with gps from iboats last night should have friday. I just need to get 2 batteries and I guess I should probably mount both batteries in the bow right in front of the step to climb on bow. Hopefully one day tomorrow after I get trolling motor all wired and mounted I will try to take to lake for a shake down run. I also need to figure out what to buy for a 24v battery charger I guess best option is going be the pro sport gen 3 onboard charger.

 

[badbowtie]

Well finally warmed up enough to take the boat out for a test run ran great. Cruised around the lake for about 3 hours today played with my new XI5 trolling motor and am really happy with that. Only had a problem when it came time to load had really bad cross wind and no side bunks on trailer did not make it easy to load. I also broke one of these chunks of the bow stop so had to shove a towel in there to get home. I haven't found these chunks for this bow stop setup yet any where.

 

[Watermann]

Oh yeah looking good out there on the water! :thumb:

If the one in my link aren't the right size bow stop blocks then I'm sure etrailer has what you need. If they don't nobody does.

https://www.etrailer.com/Boat-Trailer-Parts/Yates-Rubber/YRJONBLOCK.html

 

[badbowtie]

That is close but it is only like 1-3/4 wide for the bolt and decided to just stop at local boat store and buy a normal style and got some flat stock out and started cutting to length and bent them up and should work great know just need to make a set of side bunks to help with loading next.

 

[badbowtie]

I also noticed while cruising and at wide open it wanted to turn hard right you really had to hold the steering wheel tight. It is also really hard to steer at anything above no wake speed turning just real stiff. Any ideas on both parts. I also did check and the rear trim tab is nice and straight so I am not sure if I need to play with that and if so which way since boat wants to turn hard right.

 

[dozerII]

I also noticed while cruising and at wide open it wanted to turn hard right you really had to hold the steering wheel tight. It is also really hard to steer at anything above no wake speed turning just real stiff. Any ideas on both parts. I also did check and the rear trim tab is nice and straight so I am not sure if I need to play with that and if so which way since boat wants to turn hard right.

Turn the tab the same direction of the pull, hard steering can be any number of things. I am assuming it turn easy on the trailer or sitting still? if so that rules out steering cable, rack or swivel bracket. Trim setting on the motor can cause severe steering issues. Is the motor set with the anti ventilation plate even with to 1" above the bottom center of the hull? Check it with a straight edge with the motor all the way down. I don't remember seeing if you motor has power trim, if so does trimming in or out change the steering feel?

 

[badbowtie]

Yes it has power trim and didnt real notice any difference when playing with trim on steering and yes turns real easy while at idle speed or sitting still. I am thinking I should try to lube the steering shaft some. Also moving it the same way it pulls is what I wasn't sure of so I will move it some and see what happens on the next outing. Can being as hard as it pulls to the right going straight up on plane can that be part of the hard steering. Just has the factory anti ventilation plate nothing extra has been added and I am not sure were it is compared to the bottom of the boat. Has no whale tale or anything like that has ever been added. I also am not sure how you would adjust the height of the motor but I will check it tomorrow.

 

[Watermann]

As you get up on a plane and trim the motor up the steering torque problem should go away. Maybe you haven't trimmed out enough. I run the trim out after getting on a plane until the bow wants to start to porpoise and then bump it in until it settles.

 

[dozerII]

Here is a drawing of the set up, I have always found the sweet spot to be just above the bottom of the hull. I can't remember but I don't think Mercs have adjustment holes like other brand of O/B's. You may have to use a jack plate.

 

[badbowtie]

I did play with trim I trimmed it all the way up as far as it would go with out going into trailer mode and steering never got easier. I also have adjustment holes but if I am not mistaking them are only for how far down it will go.