1966 Starcraft Jupiter (part-10)

Tried something different on the floor. We will see how well it holds up.
UPDATE: (07/25/2015)
In 2013 I did temporarily install the transom and took the boat on a few test runs with the 1985 Johnson 115 but quickly had issues with that outboard. It had low compression on the lower right cylinder. In a hurry to get the boat ready for my vacation coming up May of 2014, I purchased a 1998 Evinrude 115SPL (on a donor boat) • 1998 Evinrude 115 SPL but that outboard had a reoccurring overheating issue for the right two cylinders which took some time to work out so the Jupiter sat for all of 2014. The deck hardware, windshield, and a few other parts have been reinstalled since this video and I will edit and upload all the videos this year.
The wiring, interior, fuel tanks, and more will get finished this year as well.
Just sold off a couple of my project vehicles to help fund the completion of the Jupiter and my '91 Jeep YJ.
Also added another project to the mix which is for both the Jeep and the Starcraft Jupiter...

[@noemanzo4831]

No more part 11?

[@ziggyr9746]

I have the same boat where the hell is the finished product on this one?

[@juanluisgonzalez8131]

Hey man! I’ve recent bought a 1966 StarCraft jet star I’ve been binge watching your videos and I just have a bit of questions I’m hoping you can follow up and answer thanks!

[@donnylarmour5676]

I am considering putting that same flooring compound on my restoration. Would you mind giving an update on how it has held up for the past 6 years? Thanks, The videos were great.

[@jeepcollector91]

The Starcraft hasn't seen much use but the floor coating still looks the same other than a slight hairline crack at the joints between the sections of plywood flooring.

[@dieselwrench3621]

Would really love to see this boat finished.

[@carolinaskiffer7248]

I plan on using that same floor covering on my skiff! Looks real good.

[@captlarry-3525]

you want a bilge pump in there.. at least one.

[@flat6fever680]

Any updates on this and thank you for making the videos.

[@frankmangieri2077]

looks great! hey, i'm in NC and i was wondering how hard is it to get a title for these old boats when they don't come with one?

[@captlarry-3525]

not sure why you opted to rivet rather than screw down the floors, so they are easily removable for repairs, additions or inspection ? Stainless self tapping screws would work fine.

[@Remydelco]

Ok so I've followed you down the rabbit hole and here's where I ended up need to see this bad girl all finished up!! Love the yellow and white

[@medwaysman24]

Hey, how about that update? Been a few years!

[@kylestrauser5083]

I would love to see the rest of your videos for this boat! I hope you can get to them sometime. Very interesting!

[@jeepcollector91]

I had a couple videos for the boat and a bunch more for a few other projects all edited and ready for upload but then my computer decided to lose all those completed videos. I still have all the original footage in an external hard-drive. Just have to get back to editing videos.

[@kevinmcghee2785]

@@jeepcollector91 I have just bought a 60 Jupiter about to do the same, your videos have been super helpful, but boy I would love to see the rest of the footage.

[@jeepcollector91]

Should work good. I may have to do a yearly review video to show how everything holds up.

[@jkunz27]

How about more videos? Haven't even seen her on the water!

[@jeepcollector91]

I decided against putting any foam under the floor since boats with foam beneath the floor tend to roll over when swamped. Having it completely open under the floor also allows the floor to stay nice and dry (& clean). Before next spring I am planning to use the foam under the gunnels, bow, and splashwell as well as in the voids behind the side panels and under the foot rest. Should be more than enough to keep the boat afloat upright.

[@joefinn75]

Man I have enjoyed your video's. But what about the two part foam that you were going to pour under the flooring....

[@trevfirefy8179]

What size is the boat? I'd like to hear about how the 115hp worked out on it.

[@jeepcollector91]

This is a 16' boat. The 1985 Johnson 115 was great for this boat but lost power on it initial test run. Low compression on lower right cylinder. The 1998 Evinrude 115 SPL (basically the same as the 1985 115 model) is still waiting to be installed. Not sure how long the 115 SPL will actually stay on the boat. I would like to buy a Yamaha F70 or maybe find a deal on a large 3-4 seat waverunner to install the engine and jet drive on this Starcraft. Also thought about using the 1.9L diesel from my '03 Jetta maybe with a jet drive or even the Mercruiser outdrive from the Chaparral (parts boat). I really need to find time to edit and upload the rest of the videos for this build.

[@trevfirefy8179]

I thought maybe the 115 would be too heavy for it, but not so eh. it would have to be a rocket ship with that on it. the boat can't weigh more than 500 lbs. Yes I can't wait to see more of your vids on this project. I just recently purchased an old starcraft 16 aluminum much the same as yours.

[@davekimbler2308]

It's coming out great !! Are you going to use the back to back seats or pedestal seats ? Looks like a lot of room to fish from !!!

[@wetsu5506]

Before you pulled the transom you removed the end caps and you were going to snip the aluminum that went underneath the end caps so you could bend the aluminum up to remove the transom. When you replaced the transom and before you replaced the end caps what did you do to repair the aluminum that had been snipped? When you straightened the aluminum out was it flat or was it bowed?

[@jeepcollector91]

The aluminum flattened out perfectly and I did use a block of wood on the backside to tap against which helped flatten it out. Since the aluminum was snipped/cut in an area that provided no structural support I didn't repair the cut section. I did however apply a small bead of 3M 4200 sealant/adhesive over the cut section as well as a thin coating on the top of the wood transom ends that was then all neatly hidden under the end caps. (the sealant was completely cured before installing the end caps) Figured that may help keep some of the water off the wood. Didn't really have to seal it at all since any water that gets up there usually finds its way into the boat anyway behind the inner rub rail. One of these days I will get the rest of the videos edited and uploaded. The boat is currently awaiting its next repower since the 1985 Johnson 115 had some issues. I have a '98 Evinrude 115 that I had planned to install but am thinking about repowering with a newer emissions certified four stroke. Maybe a Yamaha F70? Or maybe even as small as a 40hp? Also looking into the Tohatsu MFS50.

[@frankiee252]

Love the videos. My yard and shop looks like yours. I have boat projects and motors everywhere. I'm restoring a 18' Fiberglass Atlantic now with a 40hp evinrude. Had a 1974 28' wood Atlantic with a 471 Detroit built down east but maintenance on the old girlGot to be to time consuming. Plan is to have the smaller one ready for shrimp season fingers crossed. How is the deck holding up in yours?

[@jeepcollector91]

+Frankie Eubanks That deck coating is holding up great. Still wish I had used 3/4" or 5/8" plywood instead of the 1/2" though floor flex is minimal.

[@joefinn75]

Oh buy the way I have a 69 Starcraft Jupiter. Almost the same boat, Mine has a walk thru windshield. It is game warden green.

[@tomprenkert9981]

I'm working on 1968 Super Sport and liked the idea of the deck restore you did on the floor. I am wondering how it is holding up.

[@jeepcollector91]

The flooring hasn't seen much use yet and the boat is stored under a carport. The deck restore looks the same as it did last year. Now if I can just come up with some money for a new outboard... The 1985 Johnson 115 failed during the first test run on the boat (lost compression on lower right cylinder. The 1998 Evinrude 115-SPL drinks a ton of fuel and is currently off the boat again due to a slight overheating issue. Thinking water deflectors need replacing. The water-pump and thermostats had been changed before pulling it off other boat.

[@warduked9797]

I have recently aquired my Fathers 1954 18' Starcraft, its in need of a complete restoration. Your videos have been a great inspiration and very infomative as the boat is almost the same style. Looking foward to the rest of your progress.

[@wetsu5506]

Thanks for the information. I viewed all of your videos and thought they were really good. I recently purchased a 1971 Starcraft Super Sport project boat. It is different from the Jupiter but I see a lot of similarities. I’m in the beginning stages of demolition but I got a lot of the information from your video’s and found them very helpful. I do have one more question. In one of your video's you show a tube used as a vent from the floor to somewhere on top of the boat. I did not find a vent tube in my boat and I was wondering if the vent runs to an opening in the top of the boat. Thanks

[@jeepcollector91]

Since the Jupiter has a closed bow and was available with a full convertible/bimini top with windows, the vent in the bow and hose under the deck are there to help pull out gas/exhaust fumes. The super sport didn't have that as far as I know. If your super sport is a 16' it shares basically the same hull from the rub rail down and should have the same splashwell as the late 60's Jupiter with the angled corners which are easier to run the steering/shift/throttle cables thru. If you are not going to put foam back under the floor, go with a 3/4" floor instead of the 1/2" that I went with. I went with 1/2" since I intended to use foam beneath the floor again but after building the new floor, I chose to use foam higher up in the hull so it won't capsize when swamped. I then had to add those additional braces to the floor that wouldn't have been necessary had I gone with 3/4".

[@michaelbrodhagen8250]

I also have a starcraft Jupiter. Do you have a part 11 video? Any update on it? What type of steering system did you install? Would you reccomend the deck coating for the floor? love your videos, thank you so much for posting them. Once the weather is warmer I will post some on my Jupiter, has an original 80 horse Johnson super sea horse that runs very well.

[@jeepcollector91]

I had a few other videos for the Starcraft but after all the editing, my computer decided it wanted to lose all of my completed videos of the Jupiter along with some other projects. I still have all the original footage but haven't taken the time to complete the editing on them. The boat is mostly complete, just saving money for a repower. The 115hp Johnson gave me some issues during testing and also proved to be very thirsty for fuel. Also not emissions compliant for some of the lakes that I planned to take the boat to. Once I sell the 1985 Johnson 115 and 1998 Evinrude 115SPL, I'm hoping to downsize to a new 50hp four stroke Tohatsu (MSF50). The Jupiter currently has a Teleflex steering. The floor still looks the same though the boat hasn't really seen any regular use; just the testing. I think the floor will be fine for many years. I still wish I had gone with 3/4" plywood. I will be removing the original windshield again sometime this year to install a newer glass windshield. I like the look of the original but the new windshield is a little taller, a lot stronger, and much easier to see thru when heading into the sun. Plus I want to save the original windshield as I am afraid I'll break it. For the past couple years I have been using my little 2005 Alumacraft 1436-LT Jon boat and 2012 Mercury 6hp 4-Stroke. I'm ready to get the Jupiter back on the water...

[@wetsu5506]

You are correct. They both have similarities. That's why I found your video's so helpful. They have a lot of information and you go into the details which make them easy to follow. Thanks for the help.

[@MrSSIRON]

I watched all 10 videos. Much appreciated as I have a starch craft 21 I am about to start on. Really want to see more.

[@nickforsythe7789]

@jeepcollector91 I am working through a Starcraft restoration. Your Videos have been helpful. Thank you.

[@jeepcollector91]

I am installing two pedestal seats. It came with the two original lounge seats but I wanted to leave more floor area open. Thanks.

[@captlarry-3525]

I would make up some epoxy thinned with acetone, ( penetrating epoxy) and coat the floor boards on both sides, and do the edges an extra time. That will extend their life many times.

[@jeepcollector91]

I do wish I had the '68 & newer windshield. I love the classic look of the original curved wrap around windshield but the '68 and up windshield is more durable and more functional. I worry about cracking the plexiglass every time the boat hits a big wave. I am hoping to find the later style windshield and swap it onto my '66 then just save the original one to go with the boat if I ever sell it. I bet your Starcraft looks great.