TJ's 1973 SS 18'

[bulosehi]

There's been some great posts here on the i-forum and I never would have bought this boat without the great advice. I picked this Super Sport up in Maine. The previous owner (P.O.) tried to restore, but unfortunately didn't see the posts on this site. The price was right at $700 and included a decent Shorelander trailer with some new parts, other new items like a 22 gal. fuel tank, on-board charger, Cabela's tie down cover, roll carpet, ship-shore radio and other stuff like a center console, compass etc. The hull is in good condition.

I started this project in January, but due to the cold weather and minimal insulation I haven't done a lot of paint stripping etc.

This Starcraft is a little different from what I've seen. The transom doesn't have the same shape as most of the early 70's models. Also the rub-rails on the exterior are the same as the interior. It has some brackets in the bow that I've never seen. Instead of a piece of Plywood on the transom exterior there is an aluminum sheet 1/16" thick that folds around to the interior. The hull I.D. # is WST-000-374-2-73...any clues?

I'm starting this thread with a few early pics and will try to get current in a couple weeks. I'm not a quick responder, but will do my best (have a lot of other projects).




off the trailer


not your usual Starcraft transom..it is original though


Notice how the transom bulges from the moisture


the interior rub-rails are missing the rubber (vinyl)



The poured in foam was awful, the stringers were in backwards, it had bottom paint all over...but it strips off Ok.

 

[1973Chieftain]

Re: TJ's 1973 SS 18'

Welcome to the Starmada!! That still looks like a nice boat at a nice price... all the info on here will help you get her back in the water!!

 

[Pugetsound]

Re: TJ's 1973 SS 18'

Did you get the front counsels with the boat?? what else was included?? Boat looks fairly clean but lots of missing parts if you intend to restore it. I just finished a 16 SS this last winter.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: TJ's 1973 SS 18'

I think the answer to some of your anomaly questions is........it's not a Starcraft. I'm thinking Blue Fin actually or maybe Grumman. Also perhaps Sylvan or Smokercraft (the sister companies). The lapstrake spacing just isn't Starcraft at all.

Nice hull and a great project for sure!

 

[bulosehi]

Re: TJ's 1973 SS 18'

I think the answer to some of your anomaly questions is........it's not a Starcraft. I'm thinking Blue Fin actually or maybe Grumman. Also perhaps Sylvan or Smokercraft (the sister companies). The lapstrake spacing just isn't Starcraft at all.

Nice hull and a great project for sure!

Ok, now I'm really curious. The P.O. sold it as a Starcraft....I"ll take some dimensions of some of the main features. Maybe you could check your 18' when I post those dim's...thanks

 

[bulosehi]

Re: TJ's 1973 SS 18'

Did you get the front counsels with the boat?? what else was included?? Boat looks fairly clean but lots of missing parts if you intend to restore it. I just finished a 16 SS this last winter.

It didn't come with the front consoles, but that's Ok...planning on a center console.

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: TJ's 1973 SS 18'

It didn't come with the front consoles, but that's Ok...planning on a center console.

That was my first thought, go CC rather than fab the dual consoles. I am also with EZ, Bluefin is what I'd bet the farm on.
Either way, Welcome to the Tin Can Club!

 

[bulosehi]

Re: TJ's 1973 SS 18'

I didn't want to believe it at first, but I looked at some Blue Fin pics and I saw enough to identify the transom, the inner rub rails and the cleats up front. I also found some stamped numbers under the corner trim pieces..."BF-18" R and "BF-18 L". Good call! You were right on the money with the Blue Fin....guess I should move over to that forum, or possibly general renovation. Anyways..here's the most current pics with the new transom etc.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: TJ's 1973 SS 18'

I'd be happy to move this to general resto. The Blue Fin section is probably pretty dead. Feel free to leave it here if you'd like. We won't mind

 

[STARCRAFT16SS]

Re: TJ's 1973 SS 18'

Won't mind at all...very similar to what we have been seeing here...just got to keep those pictures coming
many of us are ravenous picture junkies ...

 

[bulosehi]

Re: TJ's 1973 SS 18'

I"ll start posting some pics in the order they were taken.



The foam and the stringers are out.



The splash pan is out. I have to remove the inner alum skin on the transom and replace. It's corroded right thru.



The added alum. (.062 thick) for engine is removed and 1/2 of transom cap. This is confusing because the cap was under the "U" shaped reinforcement, with a space between the caps, which I assume allowed moisture to enter the wood section.



other 1/2 of cap is removed. Lots of moisture.

A lot of the hardware was really corroded. Not much holding it together. A method I used removing the stubborn screws etc. was I drilled the screw head about 1/8" deep with a drill a little larger than the screw size, then used a sharp flat chisel (offset type) and struck the head off. Then took a punch (drill rod etc.) and drove the screw thru the transom. Worked pretty good.



Once the hardware was removed the pieces were still stubborn, but a little persuasion from the pry bars and out it came.

Is it possible to change the name of a thread once it's started?

 

[bulosehi]

Re: TJ's 1973 SS 18'

Some more pics....


Here's the other 1/2 of the plywood still in the boat.


This piece came out OK..


This transom might have taken a 40 hp.....maybe


Ready to clean up..


It's not in bad shape for almost 40 years old..ready to clean up..flatten out all the deformed holes in the outer skin and the interior supports. ie; when the wood swells, the holes around the fasteners deform. I use 2 pieces of 1/4" x 3/4" x 2" aluminum with thru holes to accept machine screws, that you can tighten to flatten the deformation etc. Works good.