1987 Starcraft Mariner Restoration

[EastCoastMountaineer]

Greetings all! Three days ago I began modest restoration preparations for this vessel which used to belong to my dear brother. He had this boat since approx. 2009, although it has not been on the bay since 2013 at the latest. My goal is to restore this vessel and make it an admirable fishing boat. I hope to accomplish a number of goals restoration-wise, which I will list as I go along. For the near future, I am hoping to insure that the outboard runs properly (steering needs to be repaired), then clean and remove the console, followed by the flooring. I have already removed the makeshift rear seating he had installed, as well as the front well and 1/4 of flooring to take a peek below. Sadly as it sat for two years, plant matter began to grow along the flooring sides and has left a bunch of matter behind (mostly confined to the sides of the boat floor, which must be cleared out). Id like to assess the foam and hull including a float test, insure she is leak-proof, and then begin a rebuild. My goal completion date is May 2016, which I think, engine permitting, is do-able. I will be including a number of pictures below as the "before" pictures, as well as many pictures along the way. Look for them to be posted sometime this evening. Pretty excited about it all, as it should be an excellent learning experience on boat construction, power/electronics/wiring/controls, and some carpentry as well.

On a side note, I already received some good help in a short post I made regarding the remote control box (No one knows where the keys to the boat are) in the steering and controls section, and hope to attempt to start the engine tonight. I am sure I am leaving out information I want to include, but will add some as I think and work. Hoping to hook a charged battery up tonight to at least tilt the Johnson 90 down tonight and possibly try to start it. Will be ordering a new ignition switch/key soon as well. Will be updating tonight with results of battery test as well as photos I've taken over past few days.

 

[EastCoastMountaineer]

It took a few days but I have found some time to upload a few pictures and provide an update. First, for the photos.

this is after I removed the from dry well and floorboard:



This is the rear of the boat after I removed my brother's makeshift seating:



Here is the center console, which I plan on removing and reinstalling, and have already scrubbed clean though it is still in place:

 

[EastCoastMountaineer]

per my post in steering and controls from last week:

http://forums.iboats.com/forum/boat.../10060352-1987-starcraft-cc-throttle-ignition

I was able to remove the ignition switch and provide power to lower the outboard. I am not sure if the battery was low after that, or what, but when I turned on the bilge, I could hear its motor, but I could not turn the engine. I have since purchased a replacement ignition switch with keys, and even with this the engine would not turn. I am now recharging the battery with hopes that I will be able to turn the engine or at least her something from back there. A lot of this (wiring, motors) is new to me, so I am researching like mad as I go along. But I did read at least give the battery a full charge an try turning the engine to start a checklist of what could be wrong. Here's to hoping for a simple fix!

 

[EastCoastMountaineer]

I let the battery charge overnight and still was not able to make a sound with the new ignition. I switched the (m) magneto wires and same result. However, the bilge still turns on (I am sure this is unrelated.) I grabbed a voltage meter from my father and was picking up power from the red wire on the ignition switch, but now need to read up on how much is needed, and where else/what wires/components to check to determine where the problem(s) lie.

This whole engine thing is really holding up the rest of my plans. I want to remove the console and flooring to clean out the hull and begin refinishing. I was just checking the engine to see if it was usable and what work it would need to get running. If I can't figure it out within the next week, I think I will be disconnecting the wiring from the engine and will proceed with removing the console, and then the flooring. Any advice would be appreciated.

Still thinking positive!

 

[jbcurt00]

Engine doesnt need to be on the boat to start it. Just put it on a stand and make all the connections to it there.

Even on an 87, you'll want to go thru all the cables and wiring while you've got it pulled apart.

 

[EastCoastMountaineer]

JBcurt00 I thought about building a stand for it for the winter. Will look into some simple engine stand designs and construct one soon. Thanks!

 

[jbcurt00]

Try this one
http://forums.iboats.com/forum/boat...749-building-an-o-b-motor-stand-instructional

 

[fishin98]

Those Mariner's are tough old boats....build a engine stand and mount the motor...the interior work should be pretty straight forward....will be following your thread.

 

[Watermann]

Welcome aboard,

Looks like the ole Mariner needs some love. Good on you for taking up the challenge :thumb:

 

[EastCoastMountaineer]

Fishin98 thanks! Should be slow but steady progress. Hoping by tuesday to trace any rlectrical problems then start removing the console after that.

Watermann, yes she does need love haha. And the falling leaves do not help. Pretty excited to turn this old gal into a class-act little fisher vessel.

 

[EastCoastMountaineer]

Hoping to post some progress pics later today. I removed all carpeting from the inside of the hull along with these two aft interior side panels that contained foam blocks as well as slots for the butts of fishing rods to slide into. I dont plan on reinstalling these panels, though I may rig up something to take the place of the pole holder ends. This is a fishing noat, after all!!! , I also removed the laminate/carpet/whatever from the gunnels and bow, along with the cleats, wood trim, and any other brackets (such as for biminy which I will not be reinstalling) that were atop the gunnels. The pics will show all progress once I post them later.

I was able to find a tiny in-line fuse near the engine between the engine and ignition switch which was blown. I am hoping to get a replacement over the next few days and try to fire up the engine again. Still would like to assess that before I rip the console and floor out.
Thats about all for now, look out for pics later today on the progress of stripping interior and gunnels

 

[EastCoastMountaineer]

Here are a few pics of the interior stripped as stated in previous post. Tomorrow I will post pics of the engine and hopefully will have the fuse I mentioned and will try to fire her up.

 

[EastCoastMountaineer]

Any suggestions for the best method of removing the glue and carpet remnants from the inner hull walls as seen in the bottom picture? considering either a grinder/sander or perhaps some type of solution. Thanks!

 

[Watermann]

Klean strip makes adhesive remover and paint stripper that will work on that stubborn old glue. Avoid the grinding it off, if anything use a wire wheel with the remover.

 

[EastCoastMountaineer]

Watermann thanks, once I get the flooring and console up I will do just that!

 

[EastCoastMountaineer]

Happy Sunday all! So yesterday I was able to pick up a couple of the fuses I needed to replace the one between the motor and the console. Finally was able to verify I installed the new ignition switch correctly. Once the fuse was in I was getting 12v at the remote control box and when I turned the key, there was action on the motor. Alas, the spark plugs are no good, but at least the engine turned! Attempting to include a short video below.



I am working the next two days but will have time Tuesday to get spark plugs and try to start the engine. After that I plan on finally disconnecting the motor and removing the console, and by wednesday afternoon I I'd like to have the flooring out. Feeling very excited. Also nervous to inspect transom for rot. I read some of your guys' transom replacement threads last night during the World Series for reference. I will also take some core samples of foam but feel I will likely have to rip it out and replace also. In due time...

Will update again tuesday when I get a chance to get my hands on her again!

 

[Watermann]

Nice to see the ole smoker kicking around in circles, that's always a big relief!

 

[EastCoastMountaineer]

Nice to see the ole smoker kicking around in circles, that's always a big relief!

You got that right! Could mean a lower overall cost for restoration... or more electronics who knows

 

[EastCoastMountaineer]

i wasnt able to get into the boat the past week and a half but on monday I was able to remove the rear floorboard.



It is clear all the foam is saturated and unusable. I also took a picture of the transom. Likely also unusable but any feedback is appreciated.



I was also able to disconnect the throttle cables from the motor, but not the steering yet. Not sure if thats easier to separate from the engine or the console. As far as electical goes, ill make the proper disconnects (i hope) and the. Be able to remove the middle teo floorboards.

Any input on disconnecting the center console and specifically the steering would be greatly appreciated.
And as I am suspecting, should I replace that transom?

Thanks all!

 

[64osby]

On the console steering cable, rotary or rack? should either have a screw on fitting or a pin to push in to remove the cable. Once it is off pull it from the rear. If you are planning on replacing it you can also cut it in pieces to remove it.