82 Starcraft MR 180 floor, slight refit and leaks

[redneck joe]

Last section of flooring in, fuel tank valve mounted. Side panels in with foam. Rod holders in. Forgot to thank @MNhunter1 for gifting me the rodholders me made but he did not use.

So this boat has two panels under the splashwell, one each side. In the below pic i have put one close to where it goes. I really don't think they are anything structural, save maybe to add some support under the long run of the splashwell but that can be accommodated in other ways.

I've looked at other starcrafts models including the 21 version of this and a 22 ft outboard model and none see to have this. I want to use the area for the battery on one side and my toolbox on the other.


Thoughts?

 

[redneck joe]

Acetone will help you find all those little knicks really quick

Fun story....

I got the knicks yesterday so took a few hours for the real fun to kick in. So this morning I have a pair of boots that have the soles turning loose so of course I popped a tube of automotive windshield urethane to glue them back together. Of course I didn't use gloves so when done I had a good amount on my hands. Walked over for the obvious solution and as I was popping open the can of acetone I paused. Closed it up and just had black fingers for the day.

Here is one with a little bit left in the slice.

 

[MikeSchinlaub]

Come oooonnn, it's only a little pain...

 

[Fj40fiji]

I was sloppy at first taking my boat apart, drilling off the heads of pop rivets and pulling parts without paying attention to the bodies of the rivets. Before you know it I had 100 little widow makers waiting for me around the boat to get me in follow on steps. I got several cuts like that and the third or fourth one hurt and bled a mess, then I went through the boat and pulled the rivet remnants out of their holes.

 

[MNhunter1]

So this boat has two panels under the splashwell, one each side. In the below pic i have put one close to where it goes. I really don't think they are anything structural, save maybe to add some support under the long run of the splashwell but that can be accommodated in other ways.

I've looked at other starcrafts models including the 21 version of this and a 22 ft outboard model and none see to have this. I want to use the area for the battery on one side and my toolbox on the other.


Thoughts?

They do add structural stability to both the splashwell and side panels, so I would advise against removal. I cut in some of the big round inspection hatches to allow access to the area behind the panels. This allows you to hide and access all the wiring/cable back there and provides a place to store some stuff as well. My cranking battery sits in a tray just beside the knee brace. I want to say those areas were stuffed with floatation foam originally, but its been a few years since I stripped mine down.

 

[redneck joe]

One had foam, one was empty. All original rivets. With my trim pump down there i really do not have space to put the battery there. It was sitting on the floor just north of the knee brace.

My plan is to make a storage box in front of the splashwell at that same height so that can add support if I design it for that.

I'll study on that a bit.

 

[MikeSchinlaub]

My idea, change it to support panels running from back to front, walling off the bilge area. Then put in some easily removed sideways panels. Keep the structural support but get easy access.

 

[MNhunter1]

This was my original set up with the pump on one side of the knee brace and the battery on the other. The motor I'll be mounting has the internal trim, so I'll have that space back moving forward. There is only enough room with the tray next to the knee brace for a group 24 battery if you keep the original panels. I run a pair of group 27's in the bow for the TM and have a lithium under the console for house/electronics, so a basic 24 cranking for the motor works just fine for my needs, but you won't be able to fit anything larger.

 

[redneck joe]

My idea, change it to support panels running from back to front, walling off the bilge area. Then put in some easily removed sideways panels. Keep the structural support but get easy access.

I just was studying on that. If I move the starboard to port side and vice versa, cut off the front of them leaving an inch or so to snap on a canvas cover. That gives me the splashwell support, forward bilge access and side coverage to keep crap from falling in the bilge. Then I can build my added storage as I get time.

 

[redneck joe]

At 1030 this morning it was 84 with 99% humidity and zero wind. Short day, but did get started at 0600.

Steering all back in, finally learned how to use a grease gun properly. I know, a four year old could do it but it's me....

Muffs on, started up fine until it died. Would not restart. After getting a cold one i realized I did not hook up the fuel tank. All good, warm pee (from the motor), seems to shift fine. I did put in new cables and it sounds a bit louder of a clunk but thinking that is just because it is not in the water.

If all goes well with husband duties I'll shakedown tomorrow after the heat hits, if not brother in law will be back tomorrow night so he and I can hit it Saturday morning.

 

[redneck joe]

Ladies and gentlemen!! Friends and neighbors!! Children of all ages!!!

Off to the lake for shakedown.

Have three waters, three beers (one per planned hour out) and a tin of spicy sardines with a short stack of ritz.

May the force be with me....

 

[FLATHEAD]

Ladies and gentlemen!! Friends and neighbors!! Children of all ages!!!

Off to the lake for shakedown.

Have three waters, three beers (one per planned hour out) and a tin of spicy sardines with a short stack of ritz.

May the force be with me....

Good luck

 

[BWR1953]

Ladies and gentlemen!! Friends and neighbors!! Children of all ages!!!

Off to the lake for shakedown.

Have three waters, three beers (one per planned hour out) and a tin of spicy sardines with a short stack of ritz.

May the force be with me....

Rock on!

 

[redneck joe]

Shakedown cruise. Only thing is I might have a live well check valve in backwards. And even though fired up on the muffs this morning is was basically the first time in about 7 months it has been run so a bit smokey to start. About 30 miles at cruise then another 30 min hull speed to check for leaks at the bow. With my trim prob I put a pin in at second or third hole. Planed out about same amount of time but was a bit skyward. And I like to keep the hull spray just forward of the helm and this was about a foot behind and at WOT got some porpising but still need to put casting deck and at least the 6, hopefully 12 gall fuel up there.

Overall score, 98% success.


Brother in law home tonight, we get completely reassembled over the weekend and I take them all to the lake and falls on Monday.

 

[redneck joe]

 

[redneck joe]

 

[redneck joe]

All done, headed with BIL for final shakedown while all the girls go shopping. Such a good tradeoff...

 

[redneck joe]

Perfect day out, less than half a cup of water out at the ramp.

So my little sister lives in Denmark, born there. Aabenraa if yall want to look it up. They are sailboat people with minimal experience with powerboats so he had a blast. Had to teach him a bit about inland waters and how to judge depth but he ain't stupid so all good.

We ran up the main feeder arm, I love it up there no one else goes there but this time had a small family walking and spear fishing. Odd.

I like to get real shallow about 10 to 12 inches and trim the motor into the rocks and chill for a bit. There are some areas farther up that i get out and walk the boat thru and can run a couple more miles. Yes, I buy a prop every year. We had beers and cold pizza for an hour or so standing in the river feeding the minnows and perch pizza crust then ran back down to my preferred place to chill and grill. I keep tongs and a 12 inch stainless grate in the splashwell and charcoal under the casting deck. My lake is all owned by TVA so all public and open to 'rough camping'.

It was a great day, got home and the girls were drunk in the pool so I made sloppy dads and tots for supper.


So to the thread title i have succeeded in the floor and leaks, slight refit is coming but will be a fall winter project and I'll update then. Thanks for helping and for letting me bore you with stupid questions.

 

[Fj40fiji]

TVA. . . There is an outside chance I’ll relocated to Atlanta next year from California. May have to come see your boat. Congrats!

 

[redneck joe]

The fall run from nick nickajack into downtown Chattanooga is wonderful.