1984 Starcraft SS 160

[Jaybird578]

Well, I'm new here, But here is my boat so far. I bought it from a younger guy. It had the 1975 Evinrude sizzler 50 on it. It runs fine but I had the Honda hanging around, so I tossed it on there. I had a 17' Bass tracker already, but I wanted a V hull bow rider that I could turn into a fish and ski. I mainly fish, but the lake my family's camp is on is very big, and the water can be pretty rough at times. No where you want to take a low riding bass boat. So, to continue, the boat had this disgusting tiny little trailer with it. I knew immediately that wasn't going to fly.I found an old ez-loader right up the street for a decent deal. It's a little bigger than it needs to be, but after converting it from rollers to wooden bunks the boat fits good, and rides amazing. It's a lot easier to walk around the outside of the boat because there is a good amount of trailer on either side to work on, mainly the fenders. I fully plan to completely restore it, but you all know how those things can go. So far, I took the Evinrude off, and tossed the Honda on. I was concerned that the 40 HP Honda would be too small, but it cruises right along at 32 mph with me and my father, the dog and all of our gear. Can't complain about that. When i did the motor swap, I sanded the back of the boat down and filled some hole with dowels and JB Weld. The left console was a little loose, so i snugged it up. I built a fishing platform in the bow, which I don't have pictures of(the boat is covered out back buried in snow) and added a 45 ft lb trolling motor. This year I need to replace the transom, finish the casting deck, build some storage, and get the light going in the rear. I would love to tear into it and get it all done, but I don't have the time or money for a full restore right now. I used 4x4 pressure treated to make the bunks on the trailer and covered them(except the bottom) in carpet. I want to get those plastic sliders but I am worried they will chew up the light aluminum boat. The Honda came off a 14' Boston Whaler, so i need to get the correct prop(which I have no ideal which to get) and hope to gain a little bit more out of the motor. I got a heck of a deal on it and it runs so great and trolls good too, I'm really quite pleased. I haven't tried to pull a skier yet, but I have faith. Anyway, Hope you guys enjoy.

 

[Watermann]

:welcome: aboard Jaybird

You found the right place to work on Stracraft boats. Nice looking SS, one of the newer models we've had in recent times, it's from the 80's! :lol:

 

[lckstckn2smknbrls]

Pressure treated wood must be avoided when you have an aluminum boat.
Since you went with pressure treated bunks you need to do the plastic sliders.

 

[g0nef1sshn]

Pressure treated wood must be avoided when you have an aluminum boat.
Since you went with pressure treated bunks you need to do the plastic sliders.

ditto on the bunks, pt combined with soggy carpet might not be good!

 

[Jaybird578]

Changing the bunks is as easy as pulling 16 lag bolts. I hadn't heard about that before. And it is a 1984 according to the data plate on the console. I need to get it pulled out and change out the transom. Any suggestions on what to use for plywood/what to treat the wood with?

 

[Watermann]

Personally I love working with marine ply and the 3/4" is 7 layers, no voids and no knot holes with very few eyes. I seal with Helmsman spar and oil based alkyd enamel paint.

 

[Candutch]

Welcome and nice find on the 160. Looks like it's in pretty good shape from the pics. Love your property by the way. Looks like where i use to live in British Columbia. One day I will get out of the city again.
As far as ply marine is the best but too pricey for me here in Canada. I used select and sheating Douglas fir for the floor a arauco acx for my transom. Arauco has minimal knots and minimal voids. The arauco was almost 1/3 of the cost of marine ply. I sealed it all with old masters spar varnish. I can't comment on how it holds up though as my rebuild is still in the hangar far from being ready to splash.
Lots of great info and ideas here and way more knowledgeable guys here than me.
Looking forward to watching your progress.

 

[Jaybird578]

Thanks, it is in fairly good shape, the floors had been redone, but it wasn't a pro job. Lots a little things and a few dings and dents on the outside. It is also a brushed on paint job, it looks terrible close up. Thanks for the compliment on the house, I live in Maine. Where exactly to I buy the spar? I am not familiar with it at all. I manly want to get it all solid and then eventually add some more seat/storage as well as redo the consoles and put in some gauges. I would love to find the new style rounded windshield for it.

 

[lckstckn2smknbrls]

You can find Spar Varnish or Spar Urethane most anywhere that sells paint.