Update on Starcraft American 15 Redux

[Chinewalker]

Well, I FINALLY got back into working on my 1974 Starcraft restoration. I'm still in the deconstruction phase, but I am now in a position to start rebuilding something. Over the weekend I used the hand-grinder to cut away the inner skin of the transom and the rearmost parts of the side stringers. <br /><br />In digging out the foam near the transom I was amazed at how much moisture was STILL in the foam, considering that the boat has been inside a dry, heated shop for more than a year now.<br /><br />I am also amazed at the general poor quality of the construction used inside the boat. Everything that is visible is well done, but all of the stuff under the floorboards, etc. was really done on the cheap. The glass matt was not saturated with resin, the wood wasn't coated with anything at all, and the screws that held the deck onto the hull were STEEL! The transom tow rings were stainless steel, but they were held in place with steel (very rusted!) nuts. It didn't help that this boat came from Rhode Island and was used in salt. But, when I'm done, the boat will be better than it ever was new, so I'm not really too worried about what I found. I more or less expected it from what I found with my '77 American 15 when I redid that one two years ago.<br /><br />Can't wait to get the transom in and move on to the stringers. I am going to beef up the overall construction of the transom so I can eventually hang a cross-flow JohnrudeV4 115 on the back. I have found that these Starcraft 15s really respond well to extra power - a friend of mine has the same hull with a 140. I don't think I'll go that deep, but a 115 should be plenty. For now, I'm going to find a 3-holer 70hp for it...<br /><br /><br />- Scott <br />

<br /> <br /><br />

<br /> <br /><br />

<br /> <br /><br />

<br /> <br /><br />

<br /><br />

 

[CalicoKid]

Re: Update on Starcraft American 15 Redux

Yeah, that IS ugly inside. Good looking on the outside though! What will the interior configuration be? Bowrider? Runabout? Nice hull design, especially for a '74, I've never seen a F.G. Starcraft of that age. Looks like fun!

 

[swimmin' for shore]

Re: Update on Starcraft American 15 Redux

Most affectionately said, that looks like a LOT of work. Even for such a small boat. God bless my good luck to have bought a boat with decent stringers and not too much transom work. And it had to be luck because I doggone sure didn't know any better.

 

[Snookster]

Re: Update on Starcraft American 15 Redux

Mr. Chinewalker --- what were you thinking....

 

[G DANE]

Re: Update on Starcraft American 15 Redux

It is hard to see on pictures, but did they just lay the mat over the top of stringers, instead of laying it on the sides of the wood ??? Amazing.

 

[BillP]

Re: Update on Starcraft American 15 Redux

Nice pics...thanks for posting. What type and size wood did they use for stringers?

 

[Mark42]

Re: Update on Starcraft American 15 Redux

Chinewalker,<br /><br />When totally gutting a boat like you have, is there any problems with the hull loosing shape before new stringers/support structures are put back in place? Is it flexing on the trailer?<br /><br />And why did they even bother to drape fiberglass over the stringers like that????

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Update on Starcraft American 15 Redux

G Dane,<br /> Yes, the glass mat is more or less rolled right up over the tops of the stringers. They are only about 75% saturated with resin and are certainly not attached to the stringers in any way. Several pieces of the rotten stringers simple slid out the back where I have removed the overlay. Even the keel board is free to move inside the outer glass shell. <br /><br />Mark 42,<br /> Yes, I have concerns about losing the shape. However, I have decided to leave the keel in 'til last to help keep the bottom straight, plus I will be removing the boat from the trailer before installing any stringers. However, the boat still looks quite straight when sighting down the bottom from the transom, so it has a fair amount of rigidity to it as it is. I do have to make sure that when I am installing the stringers that I am not standing in the boat when the epoxy kicks, and I will only do one stringer at a time.<br /><br /> This procedure worked well with the first American 15 I redid a few years ago (see my website, linked of my profile page). That boat performs wonderfully - it's just such an awful color, and there's the cut-off bow issue with it - I can do glass work that isn't visible, but I don't have the patience to do the gel-coating, etc. to make repairing the bow on boat #1 worth it to me.<br /><br />Snookster,<br /> Several things. First, there simply aren't any new boats out there in this category that strike my fancy. Second, I will have invested a month's worth of weekends and a few evenings, plus about $1200 total and I'll have essentially a brand new boat. Know of any manufacturers making new 15-foot runabouts for $1200? Third, I really enjoy the process of rebuilding something. I can have a beer, listen to the shop stereo as loud as I want, and when I'm done I'll have exactly the boat I want, at least until the next one comes along. Fourth, winters are long up here and it's good to have a summer oriented project to keep the fires burning.<br /><br />Calico Kid,<br /> The boat will be a closed bow runabout. There are more pics of it on my website.<br /><br />- Scott

 

[G DANE]

Re: Update on Starcraft American 15 Redux

I know - I've asked a few already - how thick is your hull ?? Mine is only 1/4" most places, except from bottum, and even a bit thinner at sides under rubrail - I am still a bit concerned of structural strength, and my 115 HP Evin Do you know what your bare hull weighs ? Mine could be lifted a foot from ground by myselves and brotherinlaw.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Update on Starcraft American 15 Redux

Chinewalker,<br /><br />I had some time so I browesed your website. Very enjoyable. Really like that 15' American your restored. And you collection of Mercurys is really impressive. <br /><br />Please keep us posted on the progress with the Starcraft resto. We need something to read about this winter!<br /><br />Mark.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Update on Starcraft American 15 Redux

G Dane,<br /> The I actually haven't measured the thickness of the hull. The parts I can see (tops of gunwales, transom, etc.) are about 1/4-inch. It certainly looks thicker on the bottom as there is heavier glass used. The layup of the actual hull portion of the boat looks well done and has aged quite well. It's all the stuff they put in after the shell was done that came undone.<br /><br />Mark 42,<br /> Thanks for the kudos on my site. Yeah, the winters are long, but if it was summer all the time I'd never get anything done! I recall seeing a post with pics of your MFG awhile back - beautiful work! <br /> Just a thought - ever think of installing a more "retro" hood on your motor to give it a classic look? I think some of the early 1970s 2-cylinder 50hp hoods may fit, but I'm not sure where the cut-off year was in the late 1980s or early 1990s when they changed the hood style.<br /> I've been tempted to get a later model Johnson 70hp and dress it in 1974 Mean Machine "Stinger" Orange - the retro look with modern turn-key reliability. Maybe my winters are too long...<br /><br />- Scott

 

[G DANE]

Re: Update on Starcraft American 15 Redux

Thanks - I guess I'm just paranoid, then. I will get a pfd and try it out next summer.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Update on Starcraft American 15 Redux

Chinewalker,<br /><br />I know what you mean about the motor hood. Have thought about that same swap myself, but haven't had the time to research it. May just repaint it white in the meanwhile. Also working on a 60's steering wheel to fit the newer teleflex steering.<br /><br />G Dane,<br /><br />My hull (which is a pressure molded hull in a two piece steel mold) is only 1/4 inch thick near the gunnel, a little thicker at the bottom. I bet your hull is plenty strong.