14' 1958 Starcraft Speed Queen

[roger.green]

Great forum here! Just bought my first fishing boat, a 14' 1958 Starcraft Speed Queen. Definitely a fixer upper, but that's what I'm looking for, a fun spring project. Lots of work ahead of me.

I've only located a few random photos of the original boat, not much other info online about it. A few on the forum here have restored them, but I haven't had much luck finding the boats specifications, weight limits, etc. I've searched Google for days now. Can anyone point me to copies of the original brochure, photos, restoration links, anything related to this boat?

I have what appears to be the original 15hp Evinrude for it too! We'll find out in the coming days how the engine works, it was stored in a pole barn about 10 years ago in condition, though.

It came with a trailer too, going to rehab that at my dad's property as it's in pretty rough shape. May end up scraping it and buying another one to haul her around.

I'll post updates as the project progresses if anyone is interested.

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[Ictalurus]

Nice rig, I'll follow the build. No info on your boat though.

Good luck.

 

[alexr1905]

I was in a similar situation with my 65 check out this site hopefully it helps

https://www.fiberglassics.com/library/Starcraft

 

[roger.green]

alex, great info. Thank you!

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[roger.green]

Cleaned the stern up, lathered on some Klean Strip, 30 minutes later wipe and repeat for another 15 minute cycle. 100 grit paper and some steel wool got it down to bare aluminum. Took about an hour and a half. Might bust out the palm sander for the big stretches. Definitely for the final sanding.View attachment 1View attachment 2View attachment 3

 

[roger.green]

 

[lckstckn2smknbrls]

Coming along nicely.

 

[WhatMyHeck]

Can't wait to see the finished product.

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[roger.green]

rained yesterday and today so no work

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[roger.green]

had some decent weather, got half the bottom finished sanding today. finally starting to look good. I plan on packing the seams with a bead of jb weld on the outside of the hull and on the inside before I put down the nonskid paint spraying rubber sealant around the rivets below the water line.

 

[roger.green]

would this be considered sanded far enough down for the primer to get a good bond? (enough around the rivets too?)

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[roger.green]

does anyone have experience using composite decking as trim on a boat? I have to replace the 2 pieces on each edge of the gunnel that sandwich the aluminum panels and I'm looking for other options that don't require steaming to bend. I could rip pieces down to use, it's flexible and durable.

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[user 20022]

Actually I was thinking of using it on the 59. The ease of bending makes it a prime candidate.

Sent from the dust in front of you!

 

[uncndl1]

does anyone have experience using composite decking as trim on a boat? I have to replace the 2 pieces on each edge of the gunnel that sandwich the aluminum panels and I'm looking for other options that don't require steaming to bend. I could rip pieces down to use, it's flexible and durable.
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Congratulations on your new/old boat! From the specs above, it is:
14 Ft. Length, 63 inches Beam, 255 pounds, 15 inch transom, Max HP 40, Max persons 4
From what I've been reading, composite decking is flexible and NOT for things as seats and transom. It is definately heavier though. Do you have pictures of what you want to replace?

 

[roger.green]

I circled it in red on the whole boat photo. you'll have to orient yourself to view the other 2 photos as I crawled under the boat (which is upside down lol) to take those pix.

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[lckstckn2smknbrls]

You can wrap the wood for the gunnels in towels and pour boiling water of the towels. It should bend enough to follow the shape of your boat.

 

[roger.green]

hmm interesting! but the problem is I want to epoxy reason over it... I wonder if I try your truck to bend it, attach it to the boat and after it dries in shape, remove to coat it and reinstall?

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[roger.green]

my gawd I hate auto correct on my phone, *epoxy resin and *trick. now if I could only figure out how to edit a post instead...

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[roger.green]

got all the old rotted wood off gunnell and removed the rotted transom. starting to look good! providing we have good weather after Easter dinner tomorrow I'm going to try and cut the new transom and pickup a piece of composite decking to rip down at work on Monday for an experimental gunnell rebuild.

I'm going to sand blast the 2 stern mounted handles and the bow cap on Monday at work as well. I might try to buff them out shiny and see if they have any sort of sealant to keep them from oxidizing.

slowly but surely!

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[LadyoftheLake]

You are pointing out the gunwales which were originally oak. They don't need to be soaked or steamed but you will need heavy duty clamps and patience to replace them. And whatever u do, don't use pressure treated wood. I realize based on the date that I am probly too late, but this info may help someone, or maybe you got sidetracked. We are currently in process of restoring a 57 speed queen. Good luck, or if u have finished, maybe post aome pics of the finished project?