Starcraft SS Restore

[ddrieck]

Hello all,
I purchased a 1978 Starcraft Super Sport Deep-V early last year and with a ton of expert help and guidance from so many here on iboats I got her up and running. I ran her all summer and into the fall with few troubles. Now the time has come to completely gut the interior and sand and repaint the hull. I have been researching and studying as many of the restoration posts as I can to get myself up to speed on all that may be necessary to do the job.
I thought mother nature was giving way from winter here in Wyoming so I uncovered the boat a few days ago so I could begin removing the carpet and flooring. However, mother nature changed my mind as she still has a few tricks up her sleeve. This is what you call April showers in Wyoming.
So....I guess I will have to wait a few more weeks to get started with this project. I will be adding details and updates as I progress with my Starcraft project.....Thank you again for everyone whom helped with the engine and electrical troubles last year and I look forward talking with many more of you as I move forward on this restore..

 

[oops!]

Re: Starcraft SS Restore

scrape off that ugly white stuff put on yer winter wollies and lets get atter !


i hate it when winter gets in the way of a good project

 

[jcsercsa]

Re: Starcraft SS Restore

OHH man got to hate it when that happens !!!

hay ddrieck why do you have to swear at us all in the pictures ??? dont like that four letter word !!!!!! lol

also the say that were getting some here sat night in to sunday !!!! $&#^$($&^&#)($(&$&^# lol

Just be glad your not up in the up mich, tonight 10 to 12 inchs !!!

Well good luck with the white stuff , and keep the pics comming !!!! John

 

[TheWoodCrafter]

Re: Starcraft SS Restore

Don't any of you guys that live where the snow flies cover your boats?
I have seen many, many pictures of boat covered with snow.
I cover my boat to keep the sun off. I would think snow is way more damaging.

 

[ddrieck]

Re: Starcraft SS Restore

I'm actually down in a valley and got around 5'' total last night and today. Mountain got upwards of 15''. So...I really can't complain

 

[firehog6305]

Re: Starcraft SS Restore

Heck, I've been getting a sun tan the last few weeks anyways great choice in restore project, I have had several starcraft boats, they in my mind, they are the best alum. boats on the market, starcraft has had their problems when the family sold the company, but when I think its the grandson re-purchased the company back, I think the craftmanship returned also, they have been making boats longer, then harley davidson has been making motorcycles, when I restored my starcraft (painting) I striped off all the old paint, wiped it down with white vinager, applied a alum prep, and then just shot it like a car, useing a imeron paint, it lasted 10yrs, and looked great right up to the day I sold it (10yrs), good luck, and dont shot all the elk up there just yet, I'm headed that way this year

 

[ddrieck]

Re: Starcraft SS Restore

I wanted my first restore to be fairly straight forward so that is why I chose an aluminum boat..that and I paid $300.00 for the boat, trailer, running Merc, and a ton of extra gear.

The only thing I have done with glass was an old Capperell snowmobile hood repair and it was ugly but held.

Once I do get around to stripping and painting the hull I am planning on a high end Epoxy finish. My dad has sprayed that stuff back in the day on giant oil storage tanks her in Casper and as far as I know its 15 years old -n- looks good today. So I figure if it will stick to a tank that long it will stick to my hull as well.

Anyone have any thoughts or preferances on paint type being applied on aluminum hulls?

 

[Chaz1]

Re: Starcraft SS Restore

I'll be watching with great interest as I also have a '79 Starcraft SS. I'm probably close to needing a transom replacement pretty soon. Best of luck with your project. Looking forward to following your progress.

 

[ddrieck]

Re: Starcraft SS Restore

Well got to looking at the transum and it seamed solid at first but after closer inspection it is rotted on the lower portside from an inproperly installed pitot tube and fishfinder transducer. Pulled both attaching brackets off and found screw hole behind them that were never sealed off allowing water to enter (note to self: so thats were all that water in the bildge can from last season). So will be replaceing the trans along with the deck after all. After reading a few posts it sounds like a somewhat easy repair on this boat. Remove the engine, all thru bolts/screws, pull the top aluminum trip piece, and lift the wood out the top. Sounds easy enough but expecting it to be a wee bit more difficult than that.

I just hope Murhpy stays up to opp's place....and leaves me alone

 

[oops!]

Re: Starcraft SS Restore

awwww are ya sure you dont want him to visit?

 

[Joe_the_boatman]

Re: Starcraft SS Restore

Remove the engine, all thru bolts/screws, pull the top aluminum trip piece, and lift the wood out the top. Sounds easy enough but expecting it to be a wee bit more difficult than that.

It's always good to expect the worst, but it's about that simple. I used a crowbar and some 2X4's (as the fulcrum) from the inside to pry up on the transom. A few inches on each side at a time, while a helper pulled up on it from outside the boat.

if you're interested, I posted my experience replacing the transom in my '79 Starcraft SS at http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=243773. So far, so good. Still coating w/ epoxy daily - will hopefully have it in by the weekend.

 

[ddrieck]

Re: Starcraft SS Restore

I have been researching the best method to paint the hull of this project and have heard the term "rolled and tipped" several times. Could someone explain to me exactly what this means? I have pretty much made up my mind to spray a high end epoxy with and HPLV gun but don't want to rule out any application methods that may take less time.

 

[fuzzeywiggler]

Re: Starcraft SS Restore

To roll and tip you basiclly "roll and tip" Its common in house painting as well as boat repair. You roll on the paint and follow it with a high quality brush to pop the bubbles and get a better finish you could call a local painting store or company and get set up.

Fuzzey

 

[ddrieck]

Re: Starcraft SS Restore

I would think this method would leave brush marks in the final finish... or are they mostly un-noticable? Seems like an easier way to go (less equipment and mess)

 

[Joe_the_boatman]

Re: Starcraft SS Restore

the brush marks disappear as the paint levels out. The secret I learned last night is to work quickly in very small sections (2' X 2' or smaller).

Otherwise the paint (at least the stuff I used) starts to set up and doesn't level out as well. So, brush immediately after rolling on. Be prepared for sore arms after 2-3 coats.