My New Project

[GatorTom]

I got this 1968 Starcraft and 72 25hp Evinrude with electric start for $800.  I cleaned the carb and replaced the impeller.  The motor runs like a champ!  So far, I've gutted the boat, primed and painted it, replaced the trailer, and installed the floor bracing.  Next up is deck bracing, livewell, storage, bench seats, and foam floatation.  Pics of progress are at the link below.

http://www.shareaproject.com/pages/projectTut,p,345,00.html

Let me know what you guys think and give me any suggestions.

[jcrazy]

nice project. i need to find a deal like that

[GatorTom]

Keep looking.  It took me about 4 months of looking in the papers, craigslist, etc before I found what I was looking for.

[jcrazy]

which 1 did you find it on?

[rbarkerjr]

jcrazy - where are you located.  I may have something you'd be intereted in.  

[GatorTom]

It was kinda funny.  I found a boat on Pensacola craigslist that I really liked.  On my way home I picked up a Thrifty Nickel and there was an add for this boat.  I called the guy and stopped and looked at it on my way home.  I really liked this boat too.  I slept on it overnight and picked this boat up the next day.

[MattStrykul]

NICE! We also just bought a starcraft, i believe it is an 87 with a 93 9.9 hp for 300 bucks. Was it hard stripping the seats and what not?

[jcrazy]

jcrazy - where are you located.  I may have something you'd be intereted in.  

i'm in ohio. thanks!

[GatorTom]

Not hard at all.  All the hardware is stainless.  So there was not a lot of stuck bolts.  One thing to be careful of...the bench seat are designed to provide structural support to the sides.  If you take them out, you need to think about what you are going to do to replace the support they gave.  In my case, the casting deck will act as a big support replacing the front seats and I'm putting the rear 2 back in and boxing them in.

[Black Bass]

GatorTom, what are you using for the framing/bracing?

[frogtog]

Good deal and looks like you have everything under controle.

[GatorTom]

I'm using 1/8"x1 1/2"x1 1/2" and 1/8"x1"x1" aluminum angle.  You can get it at most hardware stores.  All connections are made with 3/16" aluminum pop rivets or stainless bolts, lock washers and nuts.  The bracing is connected to the ribs with stainless self-tapping screws.

[Black Bass]

GatorTom, thanks for the info. I'm going to be decking the DuraCraft. Keep us up on your progress. I've never done this before so am looking for all the help I can get.

[GatorTom]

I'm updating the share a project site almost daily.  That site as well as this forum and other places on the web has a ton of info and pictures of different people's modifications.  I took about a month researching and getting ideas how to do mine before I even had the boat.

[gtbehary]

Tom,

Looks like a great project but you may want to reconsider the stainless self tapping screws.  When stainless and aluminum are used together, the metals react with each other and corrossion is the end result.  Not good.

[GatorTom]

Well, I'm almost done with the boat.  I've at least got it to where I can take it out on the lake again.  All that's left is the TM, fish finder and bimimi top.  Check out the project at the link below and let me know what you think.

http://www.shareaproject.com/pages/projectTut,p,345,00.html

[TopDog]

Very impressive!  Superb job!  I wish I could work with my hands LOL!

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Fantastic restore job!  I think I will keep your link around for oher members, hope you don't mind but the tutorials for restore jobs are always a big help for those people about to tackle a new project.

Great job, good luck with her!

[wickyman]

Amazing work.  I like that little boat.  Very good project.  You are quite the craftsman!  You get a cookie from the cookie monster!    You did a fantastic job on the floors, and storage, along with the carpet, and vinyl coverings!    Very nice job!