1972 starcraft american 18'

[Coltzguy]

Just purchased my first boat, an american 18'. I gave $600 for boat and trailer. The boat has the original mercruiser 165 and runs ok (needs tune up). The boat was lacking, however, the plate that lists the max passenger capacity and hp. I have read several posts about opening the bow to make it a bow rider. The boat is fiberglass and I'm thinking that it may not be worth the money and trouble but I'm still unsure. Any advice? or further information on the boat would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!

 

[Daltonxj]

Re: 1972 starcraft american 18'

post some pics.. will be easier to see and help out..

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1972 starcraft american 18'

I don't think I'd want to get into cutting up the open bow on a fiberglass boat. It has been done to a couple aluminum hulls on here but I think it would take some major fabrication to do it on a glasser. That boat is going to be really great with that 165 in it. Those are pretty rock solid powerplants from what I understand. Welcome to iboats. We like pictures......

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: 1972 starcraft american 18'

You can pretty much do whatever you want with a 'glass hull(including extending a 19' into a 25' as seen in oops' thread) but buying a boat that's already a bowrider would be cheaper, faster and less itchy.

Plenty of sweet open-bow aluminum Starcrafts out there too, just a thought.

 

[Coltzguy]

Re: 1972 starcraft american 18'

I will take some pics tonight and post them. I am new to boat ownership as this is my first. When my wife and I took the boat out this last sat. I noticed some things that kinda concerned me. 1. The guy I bought the boat from said that it took unleaded gas, but on the engine there is a sticker that says clearly "leaded fuel only". 2. I noticed that I had no reverse. 3. The boat seems kinda slow to me for having a 165 in it. I'm going to take it in for a looksy ASAP. I'm not too concerned, because I'm sure that a tune up will help with the rough running and back firing. The hull is in pretty good shape. just needs some TLC and elbow grease and it will look awsome. Fuel gauge is broken so I must seek out a new one. The duel facing seats look good but someone at some time took out the seats at the rear next to the box covering the engine, and replaced them with a single platform that goes from side to side and is covered with indoor/outdoor carpet. We will probably make seats for the back again. I'm going to take your advice and leave the bow closed. There is alot of holes in the interior deck from different items that were added and taken off over the years. Any suggestions on how to fix those?

 

[Pugetsound]

Re: 1972 starcraft american 18'

If small holes in the deck ( Marine Tex )will do , it comex in white or gray ans small size so you dont waste a lot each use.