Star Flite/Collegian Restoration (by The Boat Dr)

part three after a tea break.

Billy you let the cat out the bag its not you its the PC right

Cheers Roger.

I think Billy is now a Boat Surgeon.

Way to go - so few people (& we have most of them on this site) have the skills or motivation to bring a marine piece of art back to life!

Really cool boat and you have moved quickly! So sad I am going to miss the run. I know it will be a great time as always.

Billy,

One word my friend: A-WE-SO-ME !!!

Wow! That really looks great.

Kristof, There will be another classic CC for you to enjoy when you return.
I have had so much help from Pete, Allen and Roger on this project. I am sure they want her finished as much as I do.As far as we can tell, this is the only "utility " or aft seating version I have found.
There are a lot of oddities on this boat as well,all custom welded aluminum exhaust, the unusual seat bases and backs just to name a few.I wish I knew more about the history of her birth.
The SF serial number is being the biggest question, it clearly is not a Star Flite. The deck pattern and length and beam suggest it is a Collegian, late 1955 or early 1956......The saga continues.......

Awesome job Dr. !
What did you have to do to the engine?

Kirk

I think it's awesome...unless it has another one of those damn thumb throttles.

Holy ***************e, Billy.    That is a beautiful craft. Amazing work you have done.


Hats off to you, Doctor.

WOW Billy if you had let the cat out of the bag earlier I might have been planning a trip to the SJRR myself.

The fore deck on that boat is almost an artwork!!!

Billy now that the pictures have been posted we need the story to go with it.

Lewy, Not much more to add to the story that Roger started, but I will try for the hi lites...
We have little verbal history of the boat,but this is what the seller told me.
The boat was used untill 1963/1964 when the engine developed a small oil leak , possibly caused by the #5 connecting rod exiting the block.With a bit of aluminum welding, on the oil pan, to the close up the wound, along with a fresh short block, the engine sat on a pallet for 45 years.
The owner suggested a revarnish on the hull while the motor was removed, this was started, but after the owner death in 1964 no more work was done on the boat. The dealership in Cinncinati kept her inside till the fall of 1986, when the building and all contents sold to a new owner. At this time she was moved to a less desireable, but covered storage.
Fast forward to Oct. 2010, The boat and motor are found intact in a pole barn with many old cars and trucks.The tip led to the purchase of several classics including the boat.
The new owner was a car guy, not knowing what he had, he placed it on E Bay for a quick sale.I contacted the owner and offered him a buy it now price. He agreed to allow Gary Blackburn to survey the boat and it's hardware before making payment.
Gary's opinion was less than what I hoped, but I still wired him cash to "make the deal go down". Mr. Blackburn was good enough to be my point man, from start to finish.I am sure his wife was happy to see another CC in his drive.
In September Karen and I drive to Gary's house to remove it from his driveway and take her on her first road trip in 45 years.From Ohio to Charlotte for a survey from Pat Crusse @Crussen Classic's. He suggested transom work and a major refinish of thre deck and sides.Very little rot was found, as the boat was a jewel in the rough.
That is a shortened version, but hopefully that tells most of the story as I know it.I still have a long way till I wet her back side,but when I look at those pics in Gary's drive, I know I have come a long way baby.......Boat dr

Billy is on a roll now,there no stopping him great work.

Looking great Billy. Is that nautolex vinyl on the floor?

I like it. I was going to use that in my Skier as a more period correct floor cover but pennies started adding up fast and I figured since it is available I can put it in there after the kids trash the red carpet.