14' Starcraft Rebuild-Boundary Waters Special!

[spacks013]

I finally got a small boat again to re-do. I'm planning on making this a super light weight boat for use mainly in the Boundary Waters. It will entail doing some portages with portage wheels, and packing it full with camping gear!

The seat posts, trolling motor and trailer were all included with the boat, and I got the 25 horse Evinrude for a deal too.

 

[spacks013]

Finished up the transom.

 

[Siguz]

I think I have the same boat....
I'll post my pics shortly.

 

[spacks013]

From what I can tell, its a 75 starcraft seafarer. I'm not 100%, though, the coast guard or mfg plate is gone.

 

[spacks013]

Can anyone tell me if this setup looks viable? I'm still planning on keeping the floor bare, except under the seat mounts. The driver seat will be where the temp. framing is over the tank. Across from that, where the smaller battery is, I plan on doing a smaller compartment for the batt. and wiring.

Any thoughts, or stuff I've overlooked?

Thanks!

 

[rscottp]

I would worry about hull integrity since you removed all the seats that were structural.

 

[Siguz]

I agree. The boat is very floppy without the benches.

 

[spacks013]

Yeah, I'm thinking of ways to address that. The boat already had all the benches removed when I got it. I'd rather just have the center one out. Do you think the deck for the TM will help stiffen it up, or should I make supports in the middle? I was thinking that where the center seat platform will go I could put in braces that go about half way up the side.

 

[Siguz]

If you create braces that go from side to side, running along the floor and up the sides, it will help.
You need to use 90° angles or a heavily bowed beam to create outward tension and intern side to side strength.
Think of it as creating a giant leaf spring inside the boat.

 

[spacks013]

Thanks for the advice! I was thinking of something like this to tie the sides into the floor.

 

[mfbear]

I think you would want to run the brace down to a floor rib. I would go with angle aluminum over a 2 by 4. Sure you would have notch the flooring but it would be a lot stronger. You can take a look at my build and maybe get your own idea of what to do. I would think the notch area for the floor would help quite a bit with a good tight fit.

 

[spacks013]

Thanks, mfbear, that's a great idea. I just bought some alu angle today and didn't even think to use it for that!

 

[spacks013]

So, here is what I decided on for stiffening up the sides. I'm just putting the one in the middle, where the bench would have been. I think the stern and bow should be good, as I'm adding a bench in the back and the top plate for the TM.

 

[Siguz]

Lookin' good

 

[rscottp]

Those supports should help a lot.

 

[muskiemike12]

I have the exact same boat, but a 1974 model. The braces should help some. When I removed the benches from my boat the sides sprung out at least 4 inches. If you do put a deck in the front it will help hold it together better. You can run angle from one side to the other and that will really stiffen it up. You are right about the 3/4 ply on the floor. As long as you are under 200# a 4x8 sheet fits in there perfect and you will not need any further supports for the low floor.

 

[spacks013]

Finished up the rear bench. I ended up using a ratchet strap to bring the sides in around 1 or 2 inches to stiffen it up. I took it out for a test run and ran into some problems...

 

[spacks013]

So, when in forward gear when I try to throttle up, there's a banging noise from the gear case. Almost like hitting a rock or something, but it does stay in gear. I took apart the lower unit after looking around to check the clutch dog. There was some wear on the dog and the cradle so I flipped them both around and went out again. The gears, however looked brand new.

On the second attempt, the boat got on plane once and then after that it was like it didn't want to stay in gear. Also the motor is a long shaft (5 in. longer) and the transom was only extended around 3 in. so the motor was catching on the water and shooting it straight up in the air just behind the transom!

I went to a place called twin cities outboard and tried to get the parts. $70 just for the dog and around $50 for the cradle. The guy suggested that I just buy a new lower unit from him as it might be cheaper in the long run (my shift shaft seal was leaking too). I figured I'd cut down the transom and run the proper length motor to solve my issues and it turned out to cost me around $225 for the complete lower.

At least now I have spare gears!

 

[spacks013]

I kind of changed my mind on the layout. I'll be putting in small platforms so I can fit the seats in, rather than larger floor panels. I really want to keep this boat light so I can portage it without issue.

I think I'll still be able to fit the correct amount of foam. Does anyone with a similar size boat have numbers on how much cu ft they put in?

 

[spacks013]

Got a few more things done.

-Wiring (well most of it, anyway).
-Seats and decking.
-Bow TM mount.
-All wood got 3 coats of spar.
-Most of the foam in. Still have to fill the front under the bow.

Taking her up to the Boundary Waters tomorrow! Hope I can get most of it finished in time!