16' Stardust Rebuild

Post your restoration and rebuild projects here.

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MattGent
Posts: 62
Joined: Wed Apr 12, 2006 10:27 am
Location: South FLA

16' Stardust Rebuild

#1 Post by MattGent » Tue Sep 30, 2014 6:23 am

I had already posted a build log when I completed this rebuild a few years ago. The shop where I buy boat building materials has its own forum, can be found here: http://forums.bateau2.com/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=24678

But I'm repowering, figured I will be more active here and post a few pics.

It was a pretty easy job, just pulled off fencing & accessories, re-decked with PT fir 3/4" panels, bolted down with deck bolts, and sheeted with vinyl. I didn't want carpet for holding water and dog hair.

The boat was "aquired" for free, in exchange for removing it stranded on a club's beach:
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Since all this we've run it a few times, but the engine has over-heated, and struggles to start. I don't want to put any more money or time into that, so looking for something new (possibly Suzuki DF25?).

Also, the bimini top was stolen, and I rebuilt the transom with Meranti 1/2" plywood and epoxy resin. I built a cradle so I can use an exisitng non-pontoon trailer for the occaional trip to the ramp (all local towing)

Hoping to get back on the water soon with new power.

Matt

RcgTexas
Posts: 2656
Joined: Wed Jun 18, 2014 6:37 am
Location: Texas

Re: 16' Stardust Rebuild

#2 Post by RcgTexas » Tue Sep 30, 2014 6:40 am

Nice Rig! With that big front deck it looks like it was originally set up to fish! A 25 four stroke would be adequate...... but if you aren't horsepower restricted you may want to compare a 40 for money and spare power. just :2cents
1995 beachcomber conversion to tritoon with Honda 135 ,

Link to rebuild [url=http://www.pontoonforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=19016][Knot Normal][/url]

God Bless America

RcgTexas
Posts: 2656
Joined: Wed Jun 18, 2014 6:37 am
Location: Texas

Re: 16' Stardust Rebuild

#3 Post by RcgTexas » Tue Sep 30, 2014 6:45 am

OH I forgot! Welcome to the forum!
1995 beachcomber conversion to tritoon with Honda 135 ,

Link to rebuild [url=http://www.pontoonforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=19016][Knot Normal][/url]

God Bless America

MattGent
Posts: 62
Joined: Wed Apr 12, 2006 10:27 am
Location: South FLA

Re: 16' Stardust Rebuild

#4 Post by MattGent » Tue Sep 30, 2014 8:39 am

The dogs like to hang out up front. It sits a bit bow-down, wish I had moved the console back a bit to balance their weight. I'll build a bench across the back for main seating.

Looking for cheap, quiet, reliable power...we use it for cocktail cruises in the canal out back. I think a 10hp may even be enough for that, but wanted some margin in case I ever put it in the river with a current. We have a couple other boats for covering distance. Looks like a 40hp would be about $2k more which is a no-go.

According to reference performance reports it should run 13-15mph light, 10-12 loaded, which is plenty.

RcgTexas
Posts: 2656
Joined: Wed Jun 18, 2014 6:37 am
Location: Texas

Re: 16' Stardust Rebuild

#5 Post by RcgTexas » Tue Sep 30, 2014 10:20 am

40hp would be about $2k more which is a no-go.
I wake up with sticker shock everyday......... Looks like the 25 is all you need!
1995 beachcomber conversion to tritoon with Honda 135 ,

Link to rebuild [url=http://www.pontoonforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=19016][Knot Normal][/url]

God Bless America

MattGent
Posts: 62
Joined: Wed Apr 12, 2006 10:27 am
Location: South FLA

Re: 16' Stardust Rebuild

#6 Post by MattGent » Mon Jun 01, 2015 1:59 pm

Update with a few pics....I ended up buying the Suzuki DF30. With a generic aluminum Solas 9" prop it runs ~18mph @ 5600. It probably needs an 8" quality prop but they are harder to come by, this works well enough for now.

Also built a new transom, 3 layers of Meranti 1/2" ply as before, but cut down a bit. I also spent my time to drill/fill every hole, and triple coat all the surfaces.

The dogs like it, and it was a good kid hauler over Memorial Day weekend.

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RcgTexas
Posts: 2656
Joined: Wed Jun 18, 2014 6:37 am
Location: Texas

Re: 16' Stardust Rebuild

#7 Post by RcgTexas » Mon Jun 01, 2015 9:11 pm

nice pics Thanks for posting! Kids and Dogs is where its at! :thumbsup :thumbsup :thumbsup
1995 beachcomber conversion to tritoon with Honda 135 ,

Link to rebuild [url=http://www.pontoonforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=19016][Knot Normal][/url]

God Bless America

MattGent
Posts: 62
Joined: Wed Apr 12, 2006 10:27 am
Location: South FLA

Re: 16' Stardust Rebuild

#8 Post by MattGent » Mon May 30, 2016 5:24 pm

In case anyone was curious, a 16' simple pontoon (light!) with two adults aboard and a 30hp four stroke can pull an adult waterskiing. Deep water start on two skis, and no trouble getting up. Three of us each tried it. Could be a mph or two faster on top end but it worked. Pulled a bunch of kids around on kneeboards too.

Fun Memorial Day again!

Bamaman
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Joined: Fri May 06, 2011 1:44 pm
Location: NW Alabama--Tennessee River

Re: 16' Stardust Rebuild

#9 Post by Bamaman » Mon May 30, 2016 8:53 pm

Just think how well it'd pull a skier with 150 hp.
'12 Bennington 24' SSLX Yamaha 150

MattGent
Posts: 62
Joined: Wed Apr 12, 2006 10:27 am
Location: South FLA

Re: 16' Stardust Rebuild

#10 Post by MattGent » Tue Jan 12, 2021 1:58 pm

My little pontoon has moved into its 3rd life. I bought a place on a creek with ocean access, but through a low-clearance bridge. So the boat needed to get lower, and also more fun.

I sketched up a concept, stripped it down to the deck, had a friend fabricate side rails, found a shop to fab a custom AL tank, found a large dock box, built a folding console, and made some side panels. Need to stitch up a new bimini cover, and make a seat backrest to finish it off. Its got lots of open space now, and fits under the bridge in all but the highest king tides.

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curtiscapk
Posts: 5393
Joined: Mon Nov 10, 2008 8:31 am
Location: OP KS\Hillsdale Lake

Re: 16' Stardust Rebuild

#11 Post by curtiscapk » Tue Jan 12, 2021 2:55 pm

HOOOOOLY shit!!!!!!!! that's tight!!!!!!!!!! AND AWESOME JOB!!!!! :scared :scared :scared :scared :scared :scared
Craig and Paula
"THE FLOATER" rebuild Spring 2013
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=15328
94 Party Barge 24' 115 merc
Turning Point hustler 14 x 13 prop
22mph gps 3 people
12 F150
Overland Park Ks
Hillsdale Lake, KS

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Marc K
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Joined: Fri Jun 01, 2018 4:35 am
Location: Eustace, TX

Re: 16' Stardust Rebuild

#12 Post by Marc K » Tue Jan 12, 2021 4:30 pm

Clever move on the laydown helm! Looks like a fun project given the parameters :lol3
Big and ugly but we love our 1999/2000 Crest II DL with a Yamaha F115

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TWB
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Joined: Sun Mar 18, 2018 7:40 am
Location: Navarre, FL

Re: 16' Stardust Rebuild

#13 Post by TWB » Wed Jan 13, 2021 6:25 am

I gotta say, as impressive as it all is, I like the flag most! :rofl :rofl
Paul & Michele
2003 Landau DX 24' Cruise "Loretta Jane"
2003 Mercury 75hp
My Rebuild: http://pontoonforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=26135

"Don't waste brain cells over something you can do nothing about." --My Wife

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bansil
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Location: Watâ'gi lake...Beautiful Waters

Re: 16' Stardust Rebuild

#14 Post by bansil » Wed Jan 20, 2021 4:39 pm

Awesome ride :nana
Check out "Dudes" site www.whereisdude.com

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ROLAND
Posts: 4248
Joined: Sat Oct 03, 2009 4:29 am

Re: 16' Stardust Rebuild

#15 Post by ROLAND » Thu Jan 21, 2021 3:06 am

WOW.... as someone else said, THAT IS TIGHT.... From the looks of the pictures it looks as if you only have an inch or two clearance going under that bridge.. Is that accurate, if not, just how much clearance do you have?
Roland & Jo
2010 Bennington 20 Sfi
Yamaha 75 4 Stroke
Shreveport, Louisiana

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