1987 Starcraft 18' restoration advice

[richardlee]

I just purchased an 18' Starcraft aluminum boat. The previous owner removed all the flooring. All of the parts are just laying in the bottom of the boat. I'm not sure of the model. The Serial # starts with STRE. I am attaching a picture.


Any advice about flooring, etc. would be appreciated. I probably should replace the transom wood while at it. I could get another season out of it, but since I have it apart, it would be easier to do it now.

Thanks for responding.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1987 Starcraft 18' restoration advice

Great looking rig you have there!

Take a gander at the Starcraft Rebuild thread right at the top of this forum, mountains of info and ideas there!

Welcome

 

[djpeters]

Re: 1987 Starcraft 18' restoration advice

Looks like a '79 SuperSport give or take 1 year. With it already apart you only have half the work the rest of us have. Good luck, we'd love to see more pics.

 

[00stephen]

Re: 1987 Starcraft 18' restoration advice

Agreed regarding the '78-'79 Super Sport. Check the 1978 brochure in the sticky at the top of the forum!

 

[richardlee]

Re: 1987 Starcraft 18' restoration advice

Thanks for the encouragement. There are some nice pics that give me some ideas about doing the interior. One disadvantage of not pulling the floor is figuring out where all the parts go. I have been spending my time replacing fuel lines on the boat and in the motor. Haven't done much to the boat yet. Concerning the year, the Michigan registration said 1987. It looks a lot like Jayb123's 16 ft ss, only mine is 18'. I will take pics of restoration process and post as I go along.

 

[richardlee]

Re: 1987 Starcraft 18' restoration advice

I am still working on my boat. Had a lot of interruptions. I replaced fuel line from tank to motor, plus lines in motor. Motor runs pretty good. I have gutted the interior and am ready to pour in foam insulation, lay down deck, and rebuilt consoles. I will need to rebuild the transom. 3 options: pressure treated plywood. Some say this does not work well with aluminum. I could use regular plywood and resin coat. Third I could use marine ply which is more expensive. Any thoughts? I need help in identifyting parts in the one picture of parts. Since I didn't take the boat apart, I am at a little disadvantage. I know where the long stringers go. Any ideas on the other parts? Thanks View attachment 113623View attachment 113624View attachment 113625View attachment 113626View attachment 113627

 

[64osby]

Re: 1987 Starcraft 18' restoration advice

Hi Richard,

I own a Starcraft, but have never restored one. I've read a lot of restore info here that others have posted. Prepping for the future.

A couple of suggestions.

One - don't use pour in foam, use pink or blue sheet, If you ever have to get back under the deck you won't have to dig it out.

Deck or transom - no pressure treated ever.

Have fun and Good luck on putting the puzzle back together.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1987 Starcraft 18' restoration advice

The Aruaco plywood from Lowes is a real nice compromise.

 

[MichaelP]

Re: 1987 Starcraft 18' restoration advice

I'm using Aruaco ply and the sheets I got have been 100% free of voids. Only $40 for 3/4" vs. $90 for marine that I'd also epoxy.

I can't view your latest pics for some reason.

 

[barato2]

Re: 1987 Starcraft 18' restoration advice

Richard--

what 64Osby and others have told you on not using PT wood is dead on. the copper in the treating solution reacts with the alum of your boat in a process called galvanic corrosion, and literally eats through your aluminum electrically.

any of you ever tested the Arauco for waterproof-ness of glue? if it is waterproof, not much reason at all to buy marine ply

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1987 Starcraft 18' restoration advice

The Aruaco plywood

I'm using Aruaco ply

Arauco

Yah, me too. Arauco + epoxy.

 

[barato2]

Re: 1987 Starcraft 18' restoration advice

not to toss a wrench in the Arauco adulation parade here, but......i'm using birch ply for my side panels since i'm not planning on wrapping them in vinyl and it's gorgeous...and tested waterproof, and cost competitive with Arauco ($40-50/sheet depending on thickness). altho at least here, you have to go to Home Despot for the 1/2" version as Lowes only carries 1/4 and 3/4 in full sheets

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1987 Starcraft 18' restoration advice

i'm using birch ply........and tested waterproof

I suppose I have always understood that hardwood ply (pretty much any kind, oak, birch, maple) isn't suitable for "exterior" sorts of use, eh?

 

[richardlee]

Re: 1987 Starcraft 18' restoration advice

Thanks for the advice. I had pretty much decided not to use PT, but just wanted some input to see what others are saying. I checked lowes.com for Aruaco plywood and it wasn't listed. Is this a special order? I had not found sheet foam. I thought I had some block foam lined up but the guy had already sold it. I talked with a couple of local boat rebuilders and they recommended the pour in foam. I can see what you are talking about if you ever pull your deck. I am dealing with some title issues right now. I hope to have the problem fixed this week so I can get back into working on the boat.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1987 Starcraft 18' restoration advice

Here ya go...

http://www.menards.com/main/storeLocator.html

They stock it every day.

Heads up, pour in foam will have drainage issues unless you provide some sort of avenue for the water to get to the bilge then over the side. (foam talk)

Cheers

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: 1987 Starcraft 18' restoration advice

Nice SS you've got there. I'd bet a dollar that the title has a typo and that rig is a '78

Great project, and very easy to work on compared to fiberglass boats.

Welcome to the Starmada!

 

[barato2]

Re: 1987 Starcraft 18' restoration advice

Jas--

i used birch ply for the raised gunwales of my other tinnie (before Starcraft Enlightenment...). project has been stalled since i got the starchief, and boat has been sitting uncovered for abt 18 mos. some of it i got epoxied first, some i did half arsed, and some is still bare wood. it all seems to be holding up pretty well in the weather, altho the bare wood is showing some wear....surface ply on bare stuff is cracking slightly, but wood is still sound and no glue delamination even though i have exposed end grain looking up at the clouds. here are some pics


so my short answer would be that it will do fine outdoors as long as you keep it coated in epoxy or spar varnish. remember, i actually tested the glue for waterproof-ness by soaking a piece for 2 weeks. i think sun deterioration will be more problem with this stuff than water.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1987 Starcraft 18' restoration advice

View attachment 113735

Uh, Bruce? Is that a gigantic chicken standing in your boat there?












(sorry man, just giving you carp)

 

[barato2]

Re: 1987 Starcraft 18' restoration advice

Jas--

yeah, StuporChicken. pretty scary, it ran off many women over the years........

 

[Bwana Don]

Re: 1987 Starcraft 18' restoration advice

Note to self; keep legs covered at all time when taking pictures for the unruly and heartless mob. Also top of head and no belly skin or side profile shots.

Anyone over 50 should get a free pass bro, even for chicken legs. ROTFLMAO, sorry Bruce if he's picking on you he's leaving me alone.

I used birch for my inner and outer transom on Zach's 12 footer. It will get 3 coats of epoxy and 3 coats of spar varnish. it looks attractive, much better than my legs. Time will tell how it holds up. Time will tell how Jasan holds up too, punk. Don't worry Bruce those three kids will slowly and surely suck the life out of him. Unfortunatly we'll need to wait another 20 years.

Still laughing, and wiping tears from my eyes, what a punk.