Oh look it's another boat! 69 or 70 Starcraft Falcon

First coat of Smoke Gray last night.

Untitled by hatchethairy, on Flickr

This morning I wire brushed all the brackets and hardware to prep for spray. I'm using Duplicolor black wheel paint. Mainly because I already have some, but also because the stuff is really tough and coats well.

Untitled by hatchethairy, on Flickr

Untitled by hatchethairy, on Flickr

Untitled by hatchethairy, on Flickr

Untitled by hatchethairy, on Flickr

Had to break away for a minute, but when I get back to it, I'll begin sanding the bottom of the hull and get the first coat of primer on.

Does anyone know what time I should put between coats? Rustoleum says 24 hours, but it can't be that much right every coat? I've seen somewhere that after a certain point the 24 hour period is a must because it will wrinkle like crazy, but what's the threshold for that? A couple hours?

I usually hit the second coat when it is still tacky.  If it is no longer tacky, but still soft then it can wrinkle.

Axle and springs are painted. All other brackets are painted. Last coat of paint on the trailer frame is done and drying. I'll assemble everything tomorrow, cut bunk boards, and glue down the carpet. It's too hot to do any more sanding right now and the with the frame paint being tacky still, I probably won't do that until tomorrow. I'm okay with things taking longer than planned as I don't want to rush the hull paint at all.

One of the axle bearings has some resistance and is making a little noise I think. I'll pull them soon to check if replacement or repacking will be sufficient.

Untitled by hatchethairy, on Flickr

Untitled by hatchethairy, on Flickr

Might look at the plastic "glides" for the bunks. Supposed to be better for alu boats as it doesn't hold water against the hull. 

That being said, my alu boat is on kinda carpeted bunks.. I don't do salt tho 

In reply to java230 :

I'll check that out. For now I've got the bunk carpet and lumber so that's the direction it's headed.

Couldn't resist starting the assembly process. New rubber rollers and winch installed. Got to cut bunk boards and attach brackets, but it's basically finished. There's some spots to touch up, but it looks as good as I envisioned. Tomorrow I'll get started on the hull after a good clean up session, the garage is a complete disaster right now.

Untitled by hatchethairy, on Flickr

Untitled by hatchethairy, on Flickr

Sunday morning I got right into the bunk boards. Using the nicest example of the old boards I cut two pieces to match with a couple drilled holes each. I bought some TEC glue for the carpeting as well as stainless staples in preparation as it was highly recommended.

This TEC stuff is sticky.

SOOPER STICKY

I managed to make a mess. A big mess. It got hot outside fast and I was frustrated as hell because I felt like Edward Sticky Hands. One board was done, but I had to plead the wife to google getting this stuff off me.

So I took a break.

Untitled by hatchethairy, on Flickr

Almost called it a day, but decided to at least clean up my mess in the garage. I've been stumbling over everything plus finding it increasingly difficult to locate anything anymore. It felt good to have things cleaned up again, so I did some sanding on the bottom of the hull to celebrate. I got one half done before taking a lunch break.

When I got back I decided to mount the trailer lights so I could stop tripping over hardware and brackets. The side marker lights required some drilling, but they are all in place and ready to wire.

Then off to the pool with the kiddos for some much needed R&R.

When I got back I wanted to run the new trailer harness, so I poorly tied it to the old one. When I tugged the harness through, I found that the new one was no longer attached. I tried to shove the old back through, but it kept getting stopped about 1/2 way through. When I pulled the harness back some acorn shells would slide out with it. Hmmmmm. I figured the leaf blower would made quick work of the blockage. Yup. That did it. A million acorns, some insulation, and a few wasp nests were responsible for the blockage. New harness has been pulled through and is ready to terminate ends. I'll finish that up this evening I think along with the last bunk board carpet to get the trailer DONE. I guess the bearings still need tended to, but that can wait until the hull is painted.

Untitled by hatchethairy, on Flickr

Untitled by hatchethairy, on Flickr

If you don't want pebbles kicking up onto your shiny new boat, I found these $12 door mats work well.  One mat = ~ 6 fenders.

In reply to 914Driver :

I like it. I'll add something like that I think. With all this effort to make things purty it sure would suck to chip the hell out of it.

I know what you are thinking. Can we look at more pictures of the trailer? Yes. Yes you can.

Last night I only got a few minutes to tinker, so I terminated all of the wiring connections with some bullet connectors. I have used these a bunch with old motorcycles, and they make quick work of the job.

Untitled by hatchethairy, on Flickr

Untitled by hatchethairy, on Flickr

Untitled by hatchethairy, on Flickr

Just need to get some clips to hold the wires inside the frame channel. The HF trailer light kit only had 4. Also need to do the last bunk board carpet.

Untitled by hatchethairy, on Flickr

That's the nicest looking trailer I've seen in a while

Something to consider is putting some vertical PVC pipe outside your bunks so that when your trailer is submerged you can see a clear V where to pull your boat in to.   Makes loading boats so much easier and smoother when you can confirm you're cleanly between the bunks 

In reply to bgkast (Forum Supporter) :

Thanks! I'm pretty happy with it. Now I get to learn how to load and unload a closed bow boat with zero boating experience other than being a passenger.

In reply to SawzallSurgeon :

Once I get the boat painted and resting back on the trailer I plan to do something like that. Should have done it before painting, but it is what it is.

Watch this, do the opposite

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyk0MLrR12s

For real, don't forget the drain plug, have a rope tied to the bow or something similar to guide it.  Most of it is common sense and planning.

In reply to Mr_Asa :

Those were painful to watch.

I've logged a few hours watching loading/unloading videos, and each one has some good tips to help a novice like myself consider.

Rope on the bow works great If there is a dock or Shoreline. Don't even have to deal with getting it started or anything. Back in, grab rope, unhook bow hook and guide boat to shore or dock. Go park truck. I put it back on the trailer by hand often too. (19' alu CC) 

java230 said:

Rope on the bow works great If there is a dock or Shoreline. Don't even have to deal with getting it started or anything. Back in, grab rope, unhook bow hook and guide boat to shore or dock. Go park truck. I put it back on the trailer by hand often too. (19' alu CC) 

This.   That’s a nice light rig, it should float off easily.   When recovering, don’t put the trailer in any deeper than needed, bunks just submerged is ideal and will help get it aligned.  A few cranks of the winch and you’ll have it.   Once you’ve done it a half a dozen times you’ll be a pro, we all had to learn ourselves too.

I don't know how I forgot to post this, but my wife and kids got me a pretty rad father's day gift. I haven't started putting it together since I have too many projects already going on, but it's too damn cool to not share. I did a few models when I was a wee one, but nothing crazy. This should be a nice way to get back into something light and fun.

Untitled by hatchethairy, on Flickr

Untitled by hatchethairy, on Flickr

Took another night off, but I did manage to "install" my new Falcon horn button. I haven't removed the protective film yet, but I think it's an improvement.

Untitled by hatchethairy, on Flickr

Nice

captainawesome said:

I don't know how I forgot to post this, but my wife and kids got me a pretty rad father's day gift. I haven't started putting it together since I have too many projects already going on, but it's too damn cool to not share. I did a few models when I was a wee one, but nothing crazy. This should be a nice way to get back into something light and fun.

A scale model speedboat kit is pretty unusual, one with a Chrysler outboard motor is even more so.  Very cool.

I haven't really been able to do any work on the Falcon with normal vehicle maintenance, birthdays, track day, mowing stupid lawn, etc.

Yesterday I swung by Lowe's to buy supplies to implement a way to access the whole bottom side of the boat for sanding and painting. I wish I would have just flipped it at this point before putting in the floor and such, but oh well. Anyway, I bought a couple 2x4s, a wooden sawhorse, a couple bolts/nuts and got to work. I basically have two bolts through the transom to a web of 2x4s screwed together and then to the sawhorse to hold it up. It's sturdy as hell and gives the access I was looking for I'm calling it a win. Tonight I plan to do more sanding and prep for primer. I keep saying that, but it's time now.

Untitled by hatchethairy, on Flickr

Untitled by hatchethairy, on Flickr

Untitled by hatchethairy, on Flickr

Untitled by hatchethairy, on Flickr

Untitled by hatchethairy, on Flickr

Untitled by hatchethairy, on Flickr

Untitled by hatchethairy, on Flickr

Untitled by hatchethairy, on Flickr

I finally finished sanding. I used an orbital with 120 down the sides to remove some of the light scratches with a 220 grit follow up. The bottom and not so visible parts just a 220 pass.

It's ready for clean and prep for primer.

I'm trying so hard to not rush this stuff, so it's taking WAY much longer than I want. Or maybe it's because I'm petrified to really BORK it up.

Either way, tonight I clean every crack and crevice to make sure there's no paint stripper residue left.

Untitled by hatchethairy, on Flickr

Untitled by hatchethairy, on Flickr

Untitled by hatchethairy, on Flickr

Id be tempted to leave it a bare aluminum. It looks freaking NEAT!

In reply to Dusterbd13-michael (Forum Supporter) :

The thought is on my mind daily. Especially after last night's last sanding. Only issue is there are some holes topside that were patched with JB Weld. I could use rivets or some fasteners though. Also how do I keep the finish like it currently is without consistent maintenance? I'm too lazy to rub the hull down with scotch brite pads after each use.

My wife really wants me to paint it. I kinda want to with all this prep, but again it looks pretty neat right now.