Time to get rid of an old boat. 1981 Starcraft 18' SS I/O

[lewistt]

Got the boat cheap, and now the motor is locked up. Not worth it to me to put a new one in, so I guess it's save for a newer boat. Fair condition, good trailer, could probably make somebody very happy. Sure do like the way Starcraft rides! Really bummed out.

 

[coolbikeguy]

Re: Time to get rid of an old boat. 1981 Starcraft 18' SS I/O

dont think this will last long here since this not the classifieds section.... lol anyway, while its here .... how much and where are your from ?? pics ??

 

[lewistt]

Re: Time to get rid of an old boat. 1981 Starcraft 18' SS I/O

Didn't really plan it as a classified. Just got off the water, and dang thing was locked! I'm in Southern Md. , and have only had the boat for a week. Three trips, and I found that the rebuilt motor was bad, NOT the oil pressure gauge. So much for truth in advertising. Don't know how to minimize pics yet, but I'll get on it. Still mulling it over, but probably will sell it.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Time to get rid of an old boat. 1981 Starcraft 18' SS I/O

Sorry to hear of your misfortune

That hull is a good one and I like it

The way I see it you have 3 choices.

1. Buy a VERY cheap old fiberglass boat that has a good-running I/O to swap.

2. Bolt a bracket on and attach an outboard motor.

3. Sell it for whatever you can get.

I vote for #2 as a proponent of salvaging tin Starcrafts and outboard motors.

 

[fshngho]

Re: Time to get rid of an old boat. 1981 Starcraft 18' SS I/O

Personally I think its still cheaper to put a good motor in that boat than buying a new(er) boat, especially since the boat is in good shape and you like the way it rides.

 

[lewistt]

Re: Time to get rid of an old boat. 1981 Starcraft 18' SS I/O

Still considering that option. That would be a good time to replace the shift interrupter, cables, bellows, gimbel bearing, (may have a new one though) just start out with new stuff in general. The upside is, it's a pretty simple boat to work on, downside is it's old, and all that stuff will probably run 3 - 4 thousand, done properly. Nowhere near a new boat, of course!

 

[fshngho]

Re: Time to get rid of an old boat. 1981 Starcraft 18' SS I/O

The "downside" of it being old dosen't mean a thing. It aluminum and that won't rot, and its easier to work on and lighter than fiberglass. Besides, it paid for. With the costs of new boats today, people are interested in condition, not age. Yours is a 81, we have seen some in 70's and 60's sell for over 5k. Like HA said, and what others have done, is find a donor boat you can get a motor from. Those are usually fiberglass (told you) that the boat is no good but the motor is, don't cost a penny to check it out.

 

[barato]

Re: Time to get rid of an old boat. 1981 Starcraft 18' SS I/O

Fishingho is dead on here...i got a donor boat for $650 and there's another with running motor on my local CL right now for 800. just look for wasted upholstery, soft floors n transom. once you have the engine out, you can give/sell the boat or scrap it and keep trailer.

 

[lewistt]

Re: Time to get rid of an old boat. 1981 Starcraft 18' SS I/O

Okay guys, ya talked me down. Gonna sit on it, and save for a rebuilt long block. At least it didn't leave me stranded on the water - the last one did! Looks pretty easy to pull. One question - what diameter flywheel was on a 1981 3.0? Haven't looked at all the teeth on this one, but given that the motor was locked, and the starter broke a bolt trying to turn it over, there are possibly some damaged teeth.