Starcraft Vacation 18 project

C

chrisboheim

Member
Had a couple requests for some pics of my Starcraft remodeling project. I did this project last summer.

The boat started out life as a 1974 Starcraft Vacation 18. I bought it out of an old drunken guys yard for $150.00 (this was the value he had placed on the aluminum).

DSC_0189.jpg


DSC_0191.jpg


DSC_0195.jpg


I completely gutted everything out. I replaced the floatation, transom and decking. Replaced the old rotted wood engine plate with a 1/2 inch thick piece of aluminum. I built a blind setup that worked just fine, although I found early on that I prefer layout hunting over the boat blind. I keep it for rougher weather.

DSC_0070.jpg


DSC_0062-1.jpg


DSC_0074.jpg


DSC_0079.jpg


DSC_0005.jpg


I replaced the flooring and then started to work on the top half. My goal was to try to make the boat look as close to a Banks or TDB that I could.

DSC_0001.jpg


DSC_0002.jpg


DSC_0004-1.jpg


Covered the top with 1/8 inch plywood and made a console out of 2x4's and plywood. I then fiberglassed it in.

DSC_0007.jpg


DSC_0009.jpg


DSC_0011.jpg


DSC_0001-1.jpg


DSC_0004-2.jpg


I used paints from Sandusky Paint in Ohio. Nice guys and there stuff wears like iron. I used dull dead grass, black and a light dead grass.

DSC_0004-3.jpg


DSC_0005-1.jpg


DSC_0002-1.jpg


DSC_0008-1.jpg


DSC_0001-2.jpg


Powered with an ebay bought 1995 100hp Mercury. The guy threw in cables and controls with the motor. Purchased for 1250.00.

The boat holds over 150 blocks on the racks and loaded runs at 39mph on the gps.

001-7.jpg

 
Very Nice!

I have a fourteen footer done-up very close to the same. Too small though. It's amazing how a boat always gets smaller when you add water...

I am keeping my eye out for a boat similar to that exact one, to do virtually the same all over again.

Jon
 
very nice chris, I am going to attempt something similar with canvas and aluminum tubing, maybe just a tad taller so I can still use mine as a tender for the layout. They are great hulls and as you know can be found inexpensive to other makes.
 
Chris,
that boat has what I call work boat finish and looks like it hunts hard. Way to go on a project that has equal parts home brew and just plain old cool.

The pictures are a huge plus.

Thanks for posting them.
 
Chris,

Thanks for the pictures of a very nice build. You've got yourself a very nice rig for not a lot of money there! That certainly gives me some inspiration to get moving on my 16' Starcraft. They are a great platform to work off of.

Gene
 
Looks awesome!! Been trying to find a good open water boat for snows and brant out here with not much luck. Wanted to find a tdb or bankes, or DW boat but theres nothing up here and I'd have to find one in Wa or Or. But this I think we could do. Thanks for the photos and inspiration.
 
That is a really nice looking project boat. I've been really looking for an identical boat for St.Clair divers. I just haven't been able to find the right one yet. How much did you end up spending on the whole project ??
 
Looks Great! Nice Job!! Did you have to do anything with the "rivets"? I've had a few of them and they work great versus spending a ton of doe,but ledge hunting can be "Hazardous To Your Hull"
Go get em!!
 
This boat was a 1974 and seemed to be extremely solid. I had no leaky rivets at all. My buddy had the same boat was a 1980's and I think was when Starcraft was bought out by AMF. His hull was no where near as solid and he had alot of leaky rivets.

The costs for the boat are as follows:

These are approximates as I bought stuff here and there.

Hull $150.00

trailer $500.00

motor $1250.00

wood for the transom, deck, sides, shelves and top, about $500.00

fiberglass resin and mat $200.00

paint from Sandusky I think was around $200.00

wiring and new lights and stuff was about $100.00

Total was close to $3,000
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top