The $160 Starcraft Jet Star Restoration!

[jbing81]

Re: The $160 Starcraft Jet Star Restoration!

I'm still making progress on this tub, though its slow at best... I decided to move it into the garage as a right side up boat tends to collect a bit more water... So far in the past two days I've sprayed one coat of primer and the first of 3 top coats. This boat originally had a maroon and white scheme, so I've decided to continue with the two tone but with a 21st century touch. In reality, what that really means is I'm cheap and I had extra read and white left from the SS . Here are a couple updated photos of where I'm at.

 

[jbing81]

Re: The $160 Starcraft Jet Star Restoration!

 

[barato2]

Re: The $160 Starcraft Jet Star Restoration!

itsa lookin purty....

 

[jbing81]

Re: The $160 Starcraft Jet Star Restoration!

Well I cut the floor this afternoon and I cant believe it fits as well as it does! I left the last rib to the transom open so I can have a removable bilge and easy access to the drain plug and pump. Here are some progress photos. I also was lucky enough to have my little helper with me today! I have a feeling that's why my measurements were so spot on

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: The $160 Starcraft Jet Star Restoration!

JB - the last pic shows why the floor worked well. The little one is a future quality control guru.

 

[DirtyHarry83]

Re: The $160 Starcraft Jet Star Restoration!

JB - the last pic shows why the floor worked well. The little one is a future quality control guru.

Hah I was thinking the same thing. Someone's being supervised.

 

[jbing81]

Re: The $160 Starcraft Jet Star Restoration!

The last few days if found some time to measure, cut, and stain the transom. Instead of 2 sheets of 3/4 I used some left over 1/2 and laminated three sheets together. I got to say, this thing is a tank! I set the transom on some saw horses and loaded over 250 lbs right in the center of it and there was zero deflection! If I ever have to replace the transom in my SS again i will use this method. It did use more epoxy, but it was worth the added strength. With the completion of the transom I really feel things are finally starting to move along at a regular pace, and I can finall start to see a finished product! Here are a couple pics of the transom.

 

[jbing81]

Re: The $160 Starcraft Jet Star Restoration!

Once it was all cut and sanded I applied a coat of red chestnut stain. I think it turned out well. After letting it dry for a few hours I hit it with some 220 sand paper to lighten it up a bit. Next are a few coats of epoxy and in the boat she goes!

 

[jbing81]

Re: The $160 Starcraft Jet Star Restoration!

The transom also made up for all the good fortune i had with the floor... It took nearly 4 hours to fit the damn thing without having it all gouged up! But by the end I had it sliding in like butter.

 

[jbing81]

Re: The $160 Starcraft Jet Star Restoration!

So today I pull the old dash board out of storage, took some measurements, and then headed over to Lowes for some 1x8" red oak. I remembered when I took it out I had to cut it in half to get it out, as it was wedged in there pretty good. ( they must have installed the dash before the deck) I'm wondering if anyone else had to do this when they removed their's? I'm assuming if I measure the width of the old dash the curth sp? of the cut will allow enough room to squeeze the new dash back in? For the life of me I cant remember if the original dash gave me any trouble after I cut it.

 

[jbing81]

Re: The $160 Starcraft Jet Star Restoration!

JB - the last pic shows why the floor worked well. The little one is a future quality control guru.

You know it, I had to go out and buy her her own tape measure! All she kept saying days later was, "Daddy measure, Daddy measure". So now she has her own!

 

[jasoutside]

Re: The $160 Starcraft Jet Star Restoration!

(kerf)

I recall as I was cutting mine out I was thinking "The only way to get that back in would be to completely remove the bow cap to install. I'm glad I don't have to do that!"

Maybe one of the other fellas have "the trick."

 

[jbing81]

Re: The $160 Starcraft Jet Star Restoration!

Jas,

It seems to be supported fairly well underneath the deck. I was thinking of installing it in two pieces, then try to tie it together with another piece of oak from behind. Then finish it off with a piece of molding or something in front to cover the gap. What do you think?

 

[jasoutside]

Re: The $160 Starcraft Jet Star Restoration!

Yah, that should work just fine so long as you get a good solid join. To get that full board in there I just can't figure any other way besides taking the cap off.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: The $160 Starcraft Jet Star Restoration!

I don't remember having any major issues with my Jupiter dash. Perhaps the Jet's had a tighter fit. On my SS's bow piece (similar) I had to cut out the original. When I replaced it, I just made the new one a little shorter and only utilized one set of the brackets underneath (one set was on the gunnel and the other on the hull).

 

[jbing81]

Re: The $160 Starcraft Jet Star Restoration!

I'll see what happens. I have to cut a new dash regardless, so if the whole thing doesn't fit, I'll just cut it in half.

Nevertheless, progress continues... I opted to forgo the epoxy on the floor in favor of 4 heavy coats of a oil based barn paint. I also ditched the metal tie strips that connect the floor boards from underneath. Instead I cut four 5x18" strips using left over 5/8" ply and then screwed them all down connecting all 3 floor boards, then installed the floor as one piece. Now there's absolutely no flex where the floor boards come together, and the floor is as solid as a rock! Once I paint the inside of the boat I'll the add another four coats of the oil based barn paint to the goodies of the floor. BTW, I decided to use deck screws instead of rivets this time around, and not only was the install much quicker but I think it attributed a great deal to the rigidity of the floor.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: The $160 Starcraft Jet Star Restoration!

It looks good. I used SS screws on my decking along with good 'ol Rustoleum Oil Based enamel and they've held up very well. While the high gloss rustoleum can get a little slick, it cleans up like a dream.