starcraft supersport 1971 restoration

[GT2010]

I am new to boats. Always wanted one. My dad and I went in on this 16ft Starcraft Supersport 1971 with a 1972 Johnson 65hp motor. We purchased it and the trailer for 900.00. The motor runs great. After reading several posts on here, sounds like we bought a boat that is a lot of fun to restore. We plan on pulling up the floor in the next two days and start from there. Hope to have her finished in a month or two.

Looking forward to continue reading all the posts of current Starcraft restorations and receiving help along the way.

 

[veilside180sx]

Re: starcraft supersport 1971 restoration

Same colors as my '71 SS.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: starcraft supersport 1971 restoration

Great rig, welcome!

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: starcraft supersport 1971 restoration

Welcome to the starcraft fleet, you have done well for the price. I am a big fan of the little SS model myself, great way to get on the water without breaking the bank.

If you are willing to put a little work into them these old tin cans can be made new again, and you are in the right place to get some help along the way.

She should scoot right along with that Johnson, glad to hear it's running well.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: starcraft supersport 1971 restoration

Welcome to iboats.

Read this post and you will be happy http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=385090

BTW boats have decks not floors

 

[GT2010]

Re: starcraft supersport 1971 restoration

After a little bit of looking over and some research. I was wrong, this is a 1972 Starcraft Supersport 16 ft with a 1973 65 hp Johnson.

Before we take her apart, we're going to take her for a ride on the lake. Then we will begin work on the deck!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: starcraft supersport 1971 restoration

Awesome news! a '72 would have been electric shift which you don't want. A '73 is not. I also had a '73. Dodged a bullet there. Nice boat and welcome.

 

[GT2010]

Re: starcraft supersport 1971 restoration

Took the boat out on the lake for the first time and had a lot of fun. A first for us on Thanksgiving day! The motor ran fantastic. My 14 year old daughter was not thrilled when we bought the bought, but now that she has driven her and seen a lot of the photos off this site, now sees the potential. My father, and son, and I began taking her apart on Saturday. Here is a picture of us on the lake.

 

[GT2010]

Re: starcraft supersport 1971 restoration

Took out the seats along with the middle and lower deck sections. The back deck section was water logged and the center of it was rotted. However we were able to pull out both sections of the deck in one piece for the template. Underneath, we found no water and the white flotation foam is dry. The side panels and rear sliding doors were rotted in the corners, but were able to salvage them in one piece for templates.

Below are our pictures of progress today.

Remember, we are first time boat owners, so I hope these questions come out correctly. I plan to order the gluvit tomorrow and after reading I know a quart will be sufficient.

Question 1- 1/2 inch or 3/4 plywood and what do I ask for at Lowes or Home Depot? I will go back and read the posts on what to cover the plywood with.
Question 2- Do I use plywood for for the paneling and doors as well?
Question 3- Do I keep the foam or do I replace it?
Question 4- To put the floor back in; deck screws or stay with rivets?
Question 5- THe transom looks and feels good, but should I replace it just to do it since we are replacing the floor? How can I make sure it is definetly in good condition.

My son has to go back to college, but will return in two weeks for a month. I want to have all supplies ordered and continue to work on things, so when he returns, we can paint her and put her back together.

Thanks for anyone that replies. This site is very addicting and fun.

 

[fshngho]

Re: starcraft supersport 1971 restoration

Question 1- 1/2 inch or 3/4 plywood and what do I ask for at Lowes or Home
Depot I will go back and read the posts on what to cover the plywood with.
Arauco Plywood at Lowes. Most go back with the same thickness as was removed. Cover it with Epoxy
Question 2- Do I use plywood for for the paneling and doors as well?
Your choice
Question 3- Do I keep the foam or do I replace it?
Replace with noodles or closed cell foam, pink or blue, from HD or Lowes
Question 4- To put the floor back in; deck screws or stay with rivets?
Again your choice. Both have advantages/disadvantages. Screws can be removed, but rivets won't work loose
Question 5- The transom looks and feels good, but should I replace it just to do it since we are replacing the floor? How can I make sure it is definatly in good condition.
Do it right once. Since you have to cut plywood & epoxy anyway, do the transom too. You wouldn't have to worry then or wish you had later.

My son has to go back to college, but will return in two weeks for a month. I want to have all supplies ordered and continue to work on things, so when he returns, we can paint her and put her back together.

Thanks for anyone that replies. This site is very addicting and fun.[/QUOTE]
AGREED

 

[ezmobee]

Re: starcraft supersport 1971 restoration

I prefer a 3/4" deck. Yes, some things (like the consoles) may have to be adjusted to accommodate the extra thickness. 1/2" ply for everything else. I used deck screws to attach it and they've worked fine. I could see how rivets would be great if you went that route. I went with noodles for flotation. I agree, replace the transom. It isn't a big job and then it's done. The transom is two pieces of 3/4" ply laminated together.

Congrats on splashing her!

 

[GT2010]

Re: starcraft supersport 1971 restoration

Made more progress today. Pictures below. Took out front seats, consoles, and front portion of decking. I guess my next step is to remove flotation, clean out the boat, build a stand for the motor, then remove the transom. If there is anything I should look out for when removing a motor, please let me know.

Thanks for the responses.

 

[GT2010]

Re: starcraft supersport 1971 restoration

I am also missing the a left end cap. I have posted a picture of the one on the right and another picture of the one missing on the left. Any luck that I might be able to find one somewhere?

 

[STARCRAFT16SS]

Re: starcraft supersport 1971 restoration

I am no light weight,...260+ lbs....also using pedestal seats for the stern...
I did over-kill and used 3/4 inch and doubled up where the stern seats where going...the extra squares were put under the deck between the aluminum
runners...so the floor was only 1/4 inch higher than original...maybe the boat is far heavier than it needs to be but the deck is rock solid..no give at all...the pedestal bases were bolted down with t-nuts on the underside of the deck..
I did have to change the doors at the stern with the raised deck height...
I am still on my first boat....I have never tried using screws to hold the deck down....I used extra long 3/16 inch diameter pop rivets I got from Fastenal to hold the deck down....most hardware stores do not have the longer rivets needed for a 3/4 inch deck....When I got the boat about 4 years ago...it still had the original 1/2 inch floor with the after-market pedestal seats ...I sat on
one and could rock/lean and watch the floor move...not for me!!

Looking at your pics...I see the mount for a trolling motor...did the seller
include the rest of the trolling motor????

 

[GT2010]

Re: starcraft supersport 1971 restoration

Your boat looks really nice. My father is very interested in me installing pedestal seats like yours instead of the lounge seats. Can you adjust the height on those seats and can they be removed? Are they expensive compared to lounge seats? We are trying to budget this restoration.

Yes the seller did give me the trolling motor that goes with the mount. He provided us with a lot of items when we bought the boat; 3 gas tanks (one new in the box), several boxes of electrical items, a marine battery, the original railing that he removed for the troller, the canopy, the original motor manual, plus all receipts of when he had it serviced.

Can I get the epoxy at Lowes or is that something I need to order?

Thanks for all responses and help.

 

[STARCRAFT16SS]

Re: starcraft supersport 1971 restoration

Nice seller you have there....makes the deal that much more fantastic...
only the stern seats are height adjustable...I installed 3 bases near the
stern and the seats and air charged posts can be removed or put back in without problem....the spacing does not allow for 3 seats at the same time in the stern....
the two middle seats are mounted on locking swivels on vinyl covered wood
boxes....the seats are so high that my head is above the windshield when
sitting down on them...I prefer to have the seats that high...The windshield
helps protect the fish-finder and other stuff from spray...
The boxes the seats are mounted to...I would like to redesign...
I would like to have doors on them for more storage space...

I don't know where you'll find a replacement corner piece...That will take some hunting...some people get lucky on E-Bay...Don't seem to have any
boat yards/parts yards up here in MN like I see in pictures down South...
They don't have alot of old used boat parts at Twin City Outboards...
In Shakopee, MN but you might give them a try.

 

[v8mgbal]

Re: starcraft supersport 1971 restoration

Hey GT and welcome to the Starcraft club. your boat looks good and keep the post and pic coming. also how did your boat do with that size motor as I am still trying to decide what size motor to use on mine.

 

[Alpheus]

Re: starcraft supersport 1971 restoration

This is where I buy my epoxy from...

http://www.jgreer.com/

 

[GT2010]

Re: starcraft supersport 1971 restoration

Pulled out the old flotation foam and shop vac'd it out. Now I need to clean it real good. Gluvit and Epoxy Resin are on their way to me via UPS.

Question- Do I use 3\4 arauco plywood for the transom and epoxy it like the deck?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: starcraft supersport 1971 restoration

Question- Do I use 3\4 arauco plywood for the transom and epoxy it like the deck?

Yep. That's exactly what I did. 2 pieces of 3/4" laminated together with epoxy, then overall coated with it.