70’s Starcraft 14’ Seafarer “By Golly”

Makaw · Post by **Makaw** » 21 Jan 2022, 20:58

Final throwback post! After the modifications already posted about, plus a little engine maintenance, the boat was made seaworthy and launched to test and explore new water around my home. I got out a handful of times over the summer and fall. The first time or two out was more focused on shaking down the boat, making sure everything was working, testing weight distributions of batteries, testing trim settings on the outboard and learning the trolling motor features. Then I just started wetting fishing lines.

I was pleasantly surprised at how stable the bow platform is to fish from. I think it helps that I have two 31 group deep cycles for my 24V trolling motor to keep weight low in the center of the boat. Yes, I know, it’s overkill.

The Johnson moves the boat nicely. I don’t have any other relevant aluminum boat experience to compare to, but it seems to hole shot pretty well and run smooth. I did several WOT readings via phone GPS and my highest recorded speed was 20.2 mph, shown below. Averaged around 19-19.5, which I’m thrilled with.

Plans for 2022:
- Install my new Garmin Striker Vivid 4cv and run the boat as-is for spring fishing.
- Strip the boat when weather gets nice and tackle hull sealing and new paint job.
- Replace / modify mid and rear bench seats. I have several ideas but I don’t have the exact plans locked in for what I’m going to do about these. Open to ideas!

Post by **Jim** » 22 Jan 2022, 06:41

Very nice! thanks for the update.

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Weldorthemagnificent · Post by **Weldorthemagnificent** » 22 Jan 2022, 09:20

Sweet. Nice job.

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Makaw · Post by **Makaw** » 24 Jan 2022, 12:09

Thanks Jim and Weldor!

Kismet · Post by **Kismet** » 24 Jan 2022, 22:28

By golly, that's a nice job.

tidmarshsmiths5 · Post by **tidmarshsmiths5** » 08 Feb 2022, 22:57

Wow! That is great! Your woodworking skills are impressive.

Makaw · Post by **Makaw** » 10 Feb 2022, 10:46

Thanks Kismet and Tidmarsh!

Makaw · Post by **Makaw** » 10 Feb 2022, 10:58

293621BC-4027-4F9D-BB2C-9D5A01BCA02D.jpeg

Looking for feedback… first look at my trolling motor mount location.

Do I have enough space on the bow to mount a low-profile LED navigation light SAFELY? By safely, I mean do you think other boats on my starboard side would actually be able to see the light? I don’t want the trolling motor to get in the way of light visibility.

Either way, I’d prefer feedback as well as any specific light recommendations that have worked well for you. Thanks in advance!

Weldorthemagnificent · Post by **Weldorthemagnificent** » 10 Feb 2022, 18:45

That's exactly how I mounted my motor. I had a bow light I was going to put on but now I think I'll install a base and use a stowaway.

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Makaw · Post by **Makaw** » 12 Feb 2022, 11:54

Weldorthemagnificent wrote: ↑10 Feb 2022, 18:45 That's exactly how I mounted my motor. I had a bow light I was going to put on but now I think I'll install a base and use a stowaway.

What’s the reason for the switch, Weldor? The stowaway was my second choice (more or less based on reviews of that style compared to hard-wired lights). Unless it’s necessary to get the lights higher on the bow, my first choice is still leaning low-profile. But the highest priority is functional and safe!

Weldorthemagnificent · Post by **Weldorthemagnificent** » 13 Feb 2022, 20:07

My reason is for visibility above the trolling motor

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Weldorthemagnificent · Post by **Weldorthemagnificent** » 13 Feb 2022, 20:08

Some people use led light strips below the gunwale. That actually looks pretty cool as well

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Makaw · Post by **Makaw** » 15 Feb 2022, 10:13

I think you’ve talked me out of the standard low profile. I’ve seen both the removable post style as well as the gunnel LED strip style, I’m not sure which I like more. Let me know if you make the change - I’d love to see a photo of your new setup.

I probably won’t be getting the boat out of storage for at least another month, so I’ve got some time to decide, but I’m thinking about tackling some of the electrical changes before the boat sees water this spring.

Makaw · Post by **Makaw** » 03 Mar 2022, 10:24

New push-to-choke ignition and switch panel are on their way. I'm itching for warm weather here in Michigan so I can finally get the boat out and start working on it! The new ignition will be relocated near the kill switch in front of the throttle control. The current choke control is on a separate switch, so cold starts require two hands...not ideal. One-handed ignition will be appreciated.

The switch panel will be mounted on the steering console where the ignition is currently installed. I spent a ton of time researching switch panel options and ended up pulling the trigger on a nicer Blue Sea Systems 4 switch panel. One switch is dedicated to the USB and 12-volt charging outlets. The other three will be set up for boat lighting (bow nav lights + interior lights + anchor light), which will allow me to venture out earlier and stay out later on the water in pursuit of fish.

As soon as the weather is consistently warmer, I plan on [gently] booting my wife out of her garage parking spot so that I can move the boat inside

Makaw · Post by **Makaw** » 26 Mar 2022, 13:22

Finally got the boat out! Trying to get a jump on more modifications before walleye season opens back up.

Big question for you experienced guys - do you think I could benefit from raising my outboard? The fin runs about 2” below the bottom of the keel, as it sits currently. See picture below.
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BFF45EC9-8DD9-4FF4-A464-E0997AC0FDB8.jpeg

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