StarCraft Sea Flite

[prmichael]

Originally Posted by stickrules211

New to the site. I also just bought a 1974 12' Seaflite. Missing all the mast hoops. Also using a bent 3/4 Galv. pipe as a tiller. Very ugly. Any one have a pic they can post of the original tiller so I can fab a new one.
Also if anyone has a pic of the main sheets rigged in place on the boat that would be helpful.
Thanks
Marc

My tiller doesn't have the extension on it that wraith8's does, and my block is actually on the rudder itself. Otherwise, I believe it to be the original alloy handle. When the grip came apart it was replaced with a bicycle handle grip.

My sail has three large grommets, one in each corner. The bottom of the sheet slides into the boom and is secured at the mast end by a thumbscrew through the grommet. Twine tied to the opposite end grommet passes through the small hole in the end of ther boom and is secured to the cleat on the side that wraith8 mentioned. The third grommet is of course used to hoist the sail once it is secured to the mast with the hoops via the smaller grommets. I'm using the original snap ring type hoops.

I don't know if it is correct, but the sail has been rigged the same way since we acquired the boat when I was a young boy, probably around the year your boat was built. A tight knot at the end of the rope slides over the hook on the dagger board column. The rope passes up through the block at mid- boom, back through the block at end-boom, down to the block on the rudder.
The boat can be sailed this way with one hand grasping both the tiller handle and rope. The block on the rudder acts like a lock by pressing the rope against the rudder. Only the highest of winds, producing two to three foot waves, requires using the other hand to assist holding the rope.

[prmichael]

Originally Posted by wraith8

Hi, I'm new here as well. I just bought my first sailboat and it happens to be a '69 Seaflite, and it will need some restoration work this winter. What a happy coincidence that I found this site and post. I haven't had it out yet, I've only had it at home a couple of days, but am looking forward to it. I'm hoping it wil be roomy enough my wife won't have to sit on the top rail, that will seriously dampen her interest, and part of the reason for the purchase. Anyway, prmicheal, any other photos you could post would be great. I'd like to see more of this boat rigged up for the water. The folks I got it from never put it in the water and couldn't provide any information about how to set it up. I think it's simple enough to not do wrong, but verifying that is always best.
I know I'm going to have to replace a lot of wood this winter, so any guidance, manuals, suggestions, etc. will be greatly appreciated.

I just saw your post today. The boat is roomy enough to put about three adults in the hull. Usually the only time I am on the top is sailing alone in high winds. Even then I don't really need the foot strap, the boat just doesn't go over. Some square floatation cushions do nicely for seat and backrest, and make for a much happier spouse. I was able to pick them up half-price clearance.

We didn't have to replace any wood initially, just repair to some burnt fiberglass and paint. No manuals, and I'm just going with the set-up I remember as a child. I was able to find a cover pretty cheap on ebay that I adapted to the boat. Originally for a 13' Rhumba, I may re-sew it eventually, but for now I use some styrofoam to keep the back taut.

[stickrules211]

Thanks for the measurements. I had already scaled the length of the tiler and also came up with 34". I'm using 1" OD aluminum pipe with 1/8" wall. I'll be able to match the angle of the pic along with mounting it on the boat for comfort angle. I have the bracket and the block to mount on tille rear which falls right over the tiller pivot, nice for not pulling on the tiller under way. The rigging will work out nice also, thanks for all your help. I may have more questions in the future.

[jayc]

m looking for mast hoops too. Did yu ever manage to get any? How nice it was to put my ring up against the pic and see them line up perfectly...which gave me hope that they are out there somewhere lol

[prmichael]

No joy on actually finding a source, but another owner sent me his old ones. He went the pvc route. I know a couple broke, as they were pretty brittle, but I think I still have extras. Let me check this weekend, and if you send me your home address, I can mail you a couple if I have them to spare. I need to dig the sail out for some repair anyway, and get going on some boat maintenance before vacation time. I'm thinking some vinyl restorer will soften those rings up a bit. I'll continue to keep my eyes open if I happen to be in any old marinas.