Posted: 05/27/2009 at 9:07pm | IP Logged

Here are some pics of our 1974 Starcraft that my fishing buddy and I got.  We bought boat, motor, and trailer for $130.  It is pretty much a disaster and I plan on getting real dirty.  The motor is a 1974 Mercury 65 hp.  The boat sat uncovered for 2 years under a tree and the interior is pretty much shot.  The transom is a total loss as is the flooring and the wiring is 4 different harness's cobbled together.  We were going to restore it but the port side console is gone.  We plan on fixing it into a simple fishing boat.  We are going to put new Pontoonstuff marine plywood on the floor and rewire it with a kit from EZACDC.  We'll also add lights, maybe LED's, and a live well with pump and wiring from  EZACDC.  We bought this treasure back in November and have been pressed for time to work on it so please bear with us.

Posted: 05/27/2009 at 9:49pm | IP Logged

We completely gutted the boat.  The transom and floor came out in pieces.  We sold the motor on ebay for $380, so we're actually money ahead right now if we stop.  We bought a 1989 Johnson 35 hp for $650 and that is what is going on the boat.  We hope that will be enough motor, the boat isn't very wide and is only a 16 ft.  We had to drill out more rivets and screws than you can count.  The boat has been painted at least 4 times and all the screw heads were full of paint.  The flotation foam consisted of 1 inch styrofoam insulation for under vinyl siding stacked up under the floor.

Posted: 10/03/2009 at 7:32pm | IP Logged

Hey there dahogman.

even though this site is about pontoons I'm proud to see you doing this rebuild.

I have been looking for a 15 to 16 foot boat to rebuild.

I have found two, just waiting on the owners to give me a price.

Keep us posted and pictures.

Thanks, dahogman

Posted: 10/03/2009 at 9:14pm | IP Logged

Here are some pics, such as they are.  I ran out of time and didn't get the lights on the trailer.  I had a little trouble getting the axle assembly back on and wound up resquaring the trailer.  The trailer looks a little gray in spots as I did not clean it for the pics and it is covered in dust from sanding and grinding. 

Posted: 10/03/2009 at 9:23pm | IP Logged

Here are some pics of the boat.  It isn't great but I think its ok for a fishing boat.

Posted: 10/04/2009 at 7:04pm | IP Logged

lookin' good there dahogman.

to bad the stringers are metal, I can't see pictures of there rebuild.

found a third boat today but the guy wants $750 for it and it needs a rebuild.

Posted: 10/05/2009 at 6:53pm | IP Logged

Well I got the trailer lights on, ran the wires thru the frame like they are supposed to.  Old wires were just tied to frame and tucked into every crack and crevice.  I also installed bunk boards, treated 2x4's with marine carpet and stainless steel bolts.  I only carpeted the top half of boards to allow for faster drying time after trailer is used.  I got boat back on trailer, no small task for a one legged guy working by himself.  Boat has also been completely stripped inside and is ready for paint.  I do have to clean the center of the floor where everything accumulated during the lengthy stripping process.  Five layers of paint and glue were stripped off.

Posted: 10/06/2009 at 9:24am | IP Logged

Eric,

Nice job so far on your rebuild. It looks like you are having some fun. Good luck!

Joe

Posted: 10/06/2009 at 7:58pm | IP Logged

I got the transom in today.  I made it with 3/4 Treated Marine plywood from www.Pontoonstuff.com  I measured and measured and measured and then cut it out with a jigsaw.  I then glued and screwed it.  I then applied 2 coats of resin to each side and 4 coats of resin to the edges.  I let the transom cure in my Garage pretty much all summer.  I put transom in boat and then lowered front of boat until the transom was plumb, I then leveled boat side to side on the trailer.  I checked everything twice and started drilling the holes for the mounting bolts.  I got lucky and hit all eight of the existing thru hull holes for the transom.  I hit them dead solid perfect the first time, I was more than amazed that I could do this on a 35 year old boat.  I decided to call it a day after I got the bolts all in and tight, no sense ruining a good day.

Posted: 10/06/2009 at 9:53pm | IP Logged

I can't believe it myself.  I'm not exactly the sharpest tool in the shed.

Posted: 10/09/2009 at 4:49pm | IP Logged

Hey, this is the people I bought my pontoon from and if this were close I would be all over it but its a 1974 Starcraft and I think pretty close to you and it has lots of nice adds such as a jackplate for the engine.  For some reason it will not let me like but the item number is  120478428216 and it only up to 106 buck and it wont go much higher. It ebay.  Paul

***fixed link so its a hot link to item number***

Posted: 11/08/2009 at 10:06pm | IP Logged

Well I got the transom and rear motor rest completed today.  I still need to do a little touch up painting but the final asembly is now complete on the transom.  I used all new stainless steel screws, bolts, washers, and eyebolts.  I replaced the old tow eyelets with stainless steel eyebolts as the originals were badly corroded.  I don't like the looks of the bolts on the rear motor rest as they were drilled crooked when the boat was built new in 1974.  I reused the original holes and you can see in previous pics that they were crooked.  The motor will pretty well cover them up though.  I used nearly a whole tube of silicone between the new motor rest and the aluminium so it should be sealed up pretty well.  I can't say I'm thrilled with the way it looks right now but maybe after I clean up inside and touch up paint it will be better.