Older Houseboat Plans - any original blueprints, schematics, floor-plans?

by Robert S. Grimaldi Sr.
(Knoxville, Tn)

Any older houseboat plans, schematics, or blueprints?

Bought an older houseboat, and looking for floor plans, or any original blueprints or schematics to help in the rebuild remodel of a gutted house boat?

Looking for a floor layout for either a 1972 or 1974 Stardust Cruiser houseboat (don't know which I purchased). The registration says 1974, but there is a 1972 Coast Guard inspection sticker on the window.

Can you direct me to some pictures or manuals so I can do a TOTAL rebuild. I bought it totally gutted, and it has no motor. Also need information on the original engine, size and type, plus about finding the original outdrive or the best way to convert to a newer smaller diameter outdrive.

Thank you so much in advance. Am ripping hair out trying to do this blindly. Can I get info from Stardust manufacturer?

Thanks again, Robert.



Reply - Answer
Good day Robert, and welcome to the houseboat forums, and congratulations on purchasing a houseboat.

I am sorry to hear about your troubles and difficulties in finding original manuals or floor plans.

Unfortunately, I don't have them, however the website reaches thousands of houseboaters, and maybe one of them can scan something for us here to post for you and others.

You said that the boat has no motor or outdrive, but I would venture to say that it was probably an OMC, Volvo, or Mercruiser, and likely the OMC combination. You can replace it with whatever engine / drive combination that you can find.

You mentioned that it has "no wiring or plumbing", and this could be a bad thing, or a good thing. This might be the opportunity to install it all with the new generation plumbing fittings, and for the electrical, be sure to use 'marine grade wiring".

You may want to have someone come over to the boat that is qualified to guide you, or to give you specific pointers in order to not remodel a boat and find out that many areas need to be changed.

You mentioned that it may be a 1972 or a 1974 Stardust model, and this happens frequently with the older houseboats, and HIN numbers. There's a website that can help if you wanted to get the house boats history.

If you want to get a hold of Stardust Cruisers, they may possibly have some information to give you, but remember that the boat is no long in production. You can find Stardust at www.stardustcruisers.com


Lastly, hopefully some of our readers will share and post comments about their Stardust Cruiser, or older houseboat remodeling experiences. Feel free to use the "Click here to post comments." link found near the bottom of this page.


Thanks again for sharing, IAN - from www.all-about-houseboats.com

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