1973 Starcraft American project *now with pics*

[dp1one]

Hello all,
First off, this is an excellent forum! I've been researching boat restoration for quite some time and here is where I've found myself doing the most reading.

Long story short, I finally picked up a project boat this weekend. It's a 16' 1973 Starcraft American powered by a 1987 70 hp Evinrude. The motor and trailer are in great shape and alone are well worth the $300 I invested but the boat...

The floor is raw plywood screwed onto the existing floor. There is no telling what I'm going to find under there. The PO installed it last year. The transom will get me through the summer but there are noticeable soft spots. I plan on using the boat sparingly until the fall, then it's going indoors to be gutted. I'll be documenting my progress.

Pictures and many, many questions to come. Thanks in advance for any suggestions, comments, and answers!

-Dave

 

[dspcoy]

Re: 1973 Starcraft American

Re: 1973 Starcraft American

Welcome to the Starcraft Club. look forward to following your project. good luck

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1973 Starcraft American

Re: 1973 Starcraft American

There is no telling what I'm going to find under there.

Oh there's telling! I'm hear to tell you that you will find pain, agony, despair, and distress under there...and mulch, and termites. Ah but it will be worth it. Those are nice looking hulls and that's a great motor. It will all be well worth the effort to fix up. This member has done 2 of them. http://forums.iboats.com/member.php?u=3888 good luck with your project.

 

[wrfalpacas]

Re: 1973 Starcraft American

Re: 1973 Starcraft American

Hot Dog! Another Starcraft! Pics, Pics, Pics. Welcome to the club!!!

 

[dp1one]

Re: 1973 Starcraft American

Re: 1973 Starcraft American

Update:
Started working on the boat today. The motor appears to be in good shape, all three cylinders pass the compression test. I discovered the the VRO pump is still installed and there is no oil line or tank hooked up. Boy I'm glad I checked that out first! A quick bypass job and I was ready to fire her up. However, upon trying to crank her up I've discovered there is no spark. Oh well, time to troubleshoot the ignition system.

I forgot to bring my camera so no pics yet. There will be some tomorrow though. You guys are going to love the "re-done" floor the OP installed.

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: 1973 Starcraft American

Re: 1973 Starcraft American

DP you cant top my ( refloored and STRINGERED ) Starcraft if you try . The floor wasnt bad it was the ( aftermarket WOOD stringers ) in my Aluminum boat I had problems with .


Rick

 

[Andy in NY]

Re: 1973 Starcraft American

Re: 1973 Starcraft American

There is no telling what I'm going to find under there. ed.

The transom will get me through the summer but there are noticeable soft spots.

-Dave

This is what you are going to find...

is the american an aluminum boat? if so then i highly suggest doing the transom NOW rather than later. if its soft, its no good and will only take you an afternoon to replace now.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: 1973 Starcraft American

Re: 1973 Starcraft American

This is what you are going to find...

is the american an aluminum boat? if so then i highly suggest doing the transom NOW rather than later. if its soft, its no good and will only take you an afternoon to replace now.

American is a fiberglass boat with a notorious history of wood rot :redface:

 

[dp1one]

here are the pics

here are the pics

Update: Today I began troubleshooting the ignition system. Discovered all three cylinders are getting spark, so it's on to the fuel system tomorrow.

Here are the pics as promised:

Well, here she is. The paint is not as good as it looks in this pic. No matter, it's getting restored to it's original color this winter.

Another view from the port side. I love the lines of this boat.

Now to the down and dirty. The PO installed a "new" floor of raw plywood and covered it in carpet.

Here's what it looks like under the carpet. Nice glass work eh? Like I said before, there's no telling what I'm going to find under there.

Same thing up front.

Here's where the questions start. As you can see in the pic, the OP removed everything from the sidewalls. The is no support left at all on either side. What would I need to do here (if anything). Any advice in this area is greatly appreciated.

 

[Andy in NY]

Re: 1973 Starcraft American project *now with pics*

Whats with all the adhesive?

 

[dp1one]

Re: 1973 Starcraft American project *now with pics*

Whats with all the adhesive?

I have no idea. I'm assuming it was used to attach some type of cushions or other covering. It's everywhere. Luckily it seems to come off pretty easy.

 

[bababooey]

Re: 1973 Starcraft American project *now with pics*

I have the same exact boat you have. My steering doesn't work. Won't turn left or right. Are you having this problem too?

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: 1973 Starcraft American project *now with pics*

Dp thats a great looking Glass Starcraft she should clean up real nice . The Americans are one of 2 Glass Starcrafts I really like .


Rick

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: 1973 Starcraft American project *now with pics*

You could add knee braces at the transom if you think they're necessary. What kind of support are you looking for on the gunwhales/sides? If the floor is redone properly and glassed in, it adds support to the hull. The floor/deck is an integral part of the structure in most f-glass boats.