Upstart 16 restoration

highcountrysailor · #1 (**permalink**) 10-26-2010

Hello,
I received, miraculously, as a gift, a 1964 Starcraft Upstart 16. It needs work. I have just replaced trailer bearings and dry wrought tires. Now for the important stuff.
How shall I remove the water from the below deck bilge? Where could I find a tiller and rudder assembly? What sort of condition does the flotation foam need to be in? I am just trying to get this old boat ready for next season, make it safe and fun, not perfect. Any other ideas? Thoughts?
Thanks
HCS

QuickMick · #2 (**permalink**) 10-27-2010

me thinks they only made those from 67-70 so your year may be off... anyway, in addition to my auto bilge system i do pack one of these, and it moves a lot of water...

Amazon.com: Thirsty-Mate Manual Pumps 24" Hand Bilge Pump: Sports & Outdoors

highcountrysailor · #3 (**permalink**) 10-28-2010

Thanks sir...I'll check the year and pick up a hand pump for the equipment trunk.

deniseO30 · #4 (**permalink**) 10-28-2010

tillers are easy to find on most marine supply sites. Rudders don't have to be the OEM style or type. It just needs to be for a boat about the same size of yours. Unless! you want to get real technical about it.
some people like to build them.
Small sailboat rudder

DWeaver · #5 (**permalink**) 10-28-2010

This brings back some good memories. I taught myself to sail on an upstart 16! Mine had 2 drainplugs on the back of the boat. The upper one drained the cockpit, and the lower one drained the space between the cockpit and the hull which acted as a bilge. The rudder was metal and was of a kick up design which hinged upward when coming in to the beach. Have fun with it!

Luce Robichaud · #6 (**permalink**) 08-11-2011

Lucky you... what a gift..... mine just died last summer..... it sailed all these years , and 3 generation learned and enjoyed this sail boat... unfortunately I kept it outside in the winter with 10 feet of snow on top of it and last year it splited . I still have the mast, the boom , the original sail and other parts.... I thought it was the last one on earth... I am glad to ear that it still exist... I am sure you will enjoy it.... I wish I had another one.... My father was a Canadian Dealer at the time..... I still own a Starcraft inboard boat and ride it on a lake.....and works perfectly.... Have a good time Luce