Starcraft Jupiter project. [Update: 7/25, w/pics]

[kcatto]

Re: Starcraft Jupiter project. [Update: 7/25, w/pics]

I went back and looked at your original first pictures and I believe the twist was all ready in the hull just not very noticeable due to the closed front bow and just, the fact it was a free boat so not much looking is needed to decide it is a good deal.... but if you look at your first few pictures showing the interior of the boat you will notice the chrome of the dash is running downward to the right....

I would be curious as to inspect the ribs where the patch was made and you will probably find that the main rib there is actually bent pushing the left side up, or around if that makes sense....

since this is a fishing boat, and not a complete original restoration I think your idea of applying very minimal pressure to the affected side while placing your brackets is a good solution but be very careful with the amount of pressure you place on the opposite twist, as this to can cause the patched area to give way, or cause the affected rib to come loose.... aluminum especially old aluminum work hardens and cracks fast so do not adjust and then re adjust very many times....

 

[-DannyBoy-]

Re: Starcraft Jupiter project. [Update: 7/25, w/pics]

You're right, the twist was there. The ribs are bent just a little around the patch but the most pronounced area is the rib closest to the nose of the boat. It has a crack in it and when standing behind it you can clearly see that the left side or the rib is a lot more straight up and down than the right side. I'm really not all that worried about it to be honest. It was a free boat with two good motors and I've only spent about 50 bucks on it so far. I'll do my best to get the twist out one way or another and if I destroy the boat, I destroy it. Then it will be time to search for another hull and there are several GOOD candidates on CL right now that have been there for some time with reasonable pricing.

I like this boat though, so hopefully whatever I try works!

 

[-DannyBoy-]

Re: Starcraft Jupiter project. [Update: 7/25, w/pics]

Just a little update...

Stripping all that nasty paint has turned into quite the chore! Tonight was deemed "boat and bourbon night" and I managed to get quite a bit done as far as stripping paint goes.

I haven't yet dealt with the twist in the hull. I'm really half torn between just leaving it alone and "going for it"... My plan is to get all the paint off before I try anything. That way all rivets and the patch job will be exposed hopefully allowing me to get a better grasp as to how torquing the boat affected any of the areas.

Here's my predicament. It's entirely hypothetical really because I'm not sure of the fate of this hull if I'm not pleased with the outcome of the 'un'-twisting. I'm maybe too much of a perfectionist but anyways, here it is... I've got my master plan and blueprints done and finalized but I'm having trouble with the planning aspect. I will either have to run bolts or heavy duty rivets into the hull from the outside-in to secure my angle iron deck framing (unless somebody has a better idea!). The issue is I don't want to go through all this work getting the boat stripped and painted just to drill holes in it and have un-painted bolt/rivet heads showing on the outside... Nor do I want to do the framework before I get the boat painted, especially since my plan won't work until I have the entire sub-floor in. The boat is nice and light and "flippable" right now. Any ideas?

 

[macca123]

Re: Starcraft Jupiter project. [Update: 7/25, w/pics]

Re twist in the hull, I had a 14ft tinnie that had a twist like yours and this is what I did to fix it, put hull onthe ground sitting on it's keel.
you will need 2 very long pieces of 6x6 hardwood timber or some 3inch steel pipe about 20 ft long should do, then place one piece across the rear of the boat the long end to the right and the other piece up the front about 4ft from the tip of the front long end to the left then fasten to the opposite side of the gunwale with some sort of homemade clamp. Then you will need a couple of mates for each end, both pieces of timber are then used as levers to put opposite twist in the hull till straight. Simple yet very effective, careful not to go to far.

 

[-DannyBoy-]

Re: Starcraft Jupiter project. [Update: 7/25, w/pics]

Well, this project may be over before it even really began. I got the transom done, ready to install but am going to look at an 18' 78 Starcraft SS, I believe it is. It's an open bow. Listed locally for 1000 dollars. Says engine runs and from the pics it looks pretty darn good!!!

Wish me luck!!!! I hope to be coming home with it, in which case my boat will be scrapped.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Starcraft Jupiter project. [Update: 7/25, w/pics]

Wait! Box it up and ship it to me!!!

Have fun with your new rig!

 

[-DannyBoy-]

Re: Starcraft Jupiter project. [Update: 7/25, w/pics]

Wait! Box it up and ship it to me!!!

Have fun with your new rig!

What new rig? ... The SS sold before I got a chance to look at it. My stomach hurts. After seeing that boat for that price it kind of makes me wonder what in the world I'm doing with my little turd! I need some motivation, folks.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Starcraft Jupiter project. [Update: 7/25, w/pics]

http://desmoines.craigslist.org/boa/1888319467.html

http://desmoines.craigslist.org/boa/1888741070.html

Here's a couple more good deals. The Bluefin is a SC cousin, same hull basically. Are you looking for motivation to find another rig or to finish the one you've got?

 

[-DannyBoy-]

Re: Starcraft Jupiter project. [Update: 7/25, w/pics]

Huron, I have pondered that BlueFin many a time, just not made the call yet! There is another one that's been floating around cl for awhile now, for twice the price.

I was to the wall about finishing my rig. I'm sure I can make her a queen. But after seeing that SS for such a good price, it kind of has me thinking, which for me...is dangerous.

Really, the only issue I have with my boat is that it's not going to hit the water this year at the pace I'm going. I'd just really like to have a boat up and running so I can do some bowhunting via the river accesses. Even in Iowa there is a lot of unpressured ground where access is almost non existent. Thus, buying a hull in much better shape and in need of much less work would help and may even save me money if I could pick it up for the right price. That BlueFin is more than I want to spend but it's been there awhile, maybe the seller will come down! If I can't pick something up for under a grand then I'm going backwards...