1966 Starcraft 16' questions

[eric_in_tx]

Greetings from Texas folks. I have been looking and looking and looking to get started boating. Like most folks I don't have the money to go on up to the local Bass Pro and say give me that big one all loaded out. After months of looking and comparing I received a HUGE blessing. My in-laws (God love em) recently purchased an RV and don't want to pay to store it AND their boat (it is an indoor storage unit) so he asked if I just wanted to come on up and bring the boat home for FREE!!

The boat is a 1966 Starcraft 16' with an 85HP motor. I don't know much other than that and the fact that the engine has not been run in about a year now. It has been kept indoors and the boat is in great shape. He said it is a four seat boat (I have never seen this thing and I've been giving him grandkids for 11 years now....thanks pop!)

Anyways, I have a couple of questions for someone with more brains than me (and that wouldn't take much......4 kids can diminish what you DID have). I want to know if the boat can be made from a 4 seat to a 6 seat and if this would be safe and cost effective to do. The boat does need a new canvas top so I will need to locate one of those. Also, what type of initial maintenance should I have done? I have research a little and found some pics of restored '66 Starcraft boats and I must say it is a very nice looking boat. I am only 37 but if it was built in the 60's, I'm probably a fan of it!

Thanks in advance for your replies!

Eric

 

[Pugetsound]

Re: 1966 Starcraft 16' questions

Some in-lawys can be very special. We will need photos to see what you have then mabey will have some ideas. I have a 16 Supersport and a 22 ft Holiday. Both are my first Aluminum boats and hope they will be my last. I have a 16 ft Supersport totaly rebuilt and a fairly stock 22 ft holiday. The interior design will give us some ideas on your new toy.. Nice to hear it has a O/B as with 6 in family you will need the room. Get them photos comeing and Welcome to the Starcraft forum.

 

[CBGale2]

Re: 1966 Starcraft 16' questions

How are the seats laid out now? Pictures would really help though, we love pictures.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1966 Starcraft 16' questions

If it's an open bow you've got plenty of room. If it's a closed bow, you've probably still got room. Check out the Jupiter link in my signature below. I had 2 back to back seats and 2 jump seats in that 16' boat.

Check the "awakening a sleeping outboard" thread in the engine FAQs section http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=158086

 

[eric_in_tx]

Re: 1966 Starcraft 16' questions

Thanks for the welcome. Pudgetsound? I was stationed at Fort Lewis for 1 1/2 years. Absolutely beautiful place! From what I understand the boat has 4 seats back to back. driver/passenger then 2 seats backed up to those seats and the rear of the boat empty to stand and fish from. I won't have pics for a while since I am not going up there for a month. He said that the only thing he can think that needs to be done is any needed engine maintenance. He took it out last year and ran it up and down the river a bit then stored it again. He is a fanatic about anything he owns so the interior is in really good shape. The top is just old and he said has one or two small tears and needs replaced. I was wondering since it is an O/B if I could just put two seats with a console in between at the rear of the boat to make room for the rest of the family. I am just worried about putting TO much weight in the boat!

 

[eric_in_tx]

Re: 1966 Starcraft 16' questions

sorry, it is a closed bow. Ezmobee I saw your pics and that is what I want to do. Just wanted to make sure that it would be safe to do it. Also, I would think that an 85HP Johnson would be a good motor for a 16' boat. Is this correct?

 

[Pugetsound]

Re: 1966 Starcraft 16' questions

Eric first off thank you for your service. Are you in Washington now. Need a addy on the title so we all know where you are. A lot of advise some times depends on what part of the country you are from . I spent 11 Summers at Camp Murry with the Wa. NG at a time when you were bored to death .Very fortunate tho as all service people now get involved in active service

 

[eric_in_tx]

Re: 1966 Starcraft 16' questions

Thanks for your service has well. God has blessed us with a fine group of men and women who voluntarilly serve is our military. I served 11 years of active duty and will eventually finish my time civilian service, good Lord willing. I am currently living in New Braunfels, TX and have 3 lakes of various sizes within 15 miles of my house in 3 different directions. Matter of fact, I can launch about 2 miles from my house and take a nice 5 mile ride down river to the first lake.

 

[Pugetsound]

Re: 1966 Starcraft 16' questions

Yikes it even says Texas in your heading Old age catching up. Have fun.

 

[fshngho]

Re: 1966 Starcraft 16' questions

Eric, welcome and thank you for your service. My son is a MP at Sam Houston.
Youre going to enjoy that boat. Since your 37, I would think the kids can't be all grown up so you will have plenty of room. Check the boat well and I'm sure its in good shape. As far as engine, first thing is to change the water impeller, never assume its in good shape. Maybe run gas cleaner through the carbs and fire it up, with a tub or ears of coarse. Good Luck and don't forget pics.
PS, your only worry is when the kids get old enough to mutiny and take the boat.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: 1966 Starcraft 16' questions

Welcome to iboats Eric, great place to get boating questions answered.

One thing to consider is locating the fuel tank in the bow if it's not already there. This will balance the weight of 6 passengers a bit.

You can't beat a free boat, especially an aluminum Starcraft

 

[eric_in_tx]

Re: 1966 Starcraft 16' questions

Thanks all of you for the welcome. Huron, I was thinking the same thing about the gas tank after seeing the pics from Ezmobee's boat with his tank in the front. I figured that would help to balance out the boat. My kids range in age from 22 months to 11 years old so they will be small enough to not kill me weight wise I think.

 

[chuckndiscs]

Re: 1966 Starcraft 16' questions

Welcome to the forums! Welcome to the family (Im not sure I can even welcome you to the family yet as I have a SS but not sure if Ive been formally welcomed myself yet... might REQUIRE a resto thread... not sure )!!

But I do know this from being here (knew it within a few hours..) PICTURES! Need them ASAP!

ChuckNDiscs

 

[barato]

Re: 1966 Starcraft 16' questions

Eric, welcome. you DO realize this crowd will have you looking for a 22' Islander soon if they have their way? ("your family is growing bigger, dude, we found you a nice boat for them....")

Fishngho is dead on as far as maintenance. any old impeller IS waiting to break....the rubber turns to hard plastic over time, and it's worse when it's sat without moving for years. this is an easy job, simpler than changing oil on my 4x4 taco. sierra makes a good kit with most of the seals etc.

from your descrip of FIL, i suspect he ensured carbs were drained so you can hopefully get away without a carb rebuild. if you use carb cleaner, go with the stuff that mixes with the gas rather than spraying it down the throat....gas is your source of lube on an OB and you don't want too much raw solvent washing oil off your bearings. it never hurts to pull and clean/gap plugs on any 2 stroke......maybe also get $20 compression tester and check compression on all cylinders to get a baseline on what your engine internals are like. finally, it's always a good idea to change the lube in lower unit since this lives underwater.

 

[eric_in_tx]

Re: 1966 Starcraft 16' questions

Thanks barato for the maintenance tips. I won't even be going up until October. Just trying to get info now so that i can start trying to find what all I WILL need to do. I am one of those anal folks that likes to have a plan in place AHEAD of time.

The boat does have a top, which I am sure is not factory as I have not been able to locate a factory top. I believe the boat is a Jupiter V and so does he. He said it has a full top from windshield to the rear of the boat like a tent. I just spoke with him and he said the engine has been maintained and the only thing he can think that needs to be done is to flush the gas, replace the impeller just to be safe and add a little fuel stabilizer and fill er up. I am very interested in the fact that it has a full top. He said there is even a window at the back of the cover. Hmmmm....

 

[barato]

Re: 1966 Starcraft 16' questions

yeah, i hear ya on the anal part. i've had to do an impeller under a tree in Mexico and rebuild a fuel pump standing knee deep in an estuary....much easier in the workshop. but i sure was glad i was prepared and brought the kit in each case. speaking of which, fuel pump kit is also good thing to carry since thin rubber diaphragms also suffer from the turning-to-rock-over-time disease.

the full top sounds nice....cept that you'll be sweltering most of the year in New Braunfels with side curtains up. you may find you end up selling that to some of our great lakes or west coast bretheren to fund other stuff for the boat, or use it as patterns for mosquito netting enclosure.

sounds like it will be a nice boat. post pix when you can.

 

[eric_in_tx]

Re: 1966 Starcraft 16' questions

well, the top needs to be completely replaced so I DOUBT I will go with the full cover for just the reason you stated. Even if you vent it, the sun will bake you down here. I wouldn't mind a bimini top but would have to figure out where to get one that will fit that particular boat.

I am atleast a little relieved that the engine is in good shape. Dad was gonna fire it up and get it checked BEFORE I pick it up. I just want to look into simple things for it like a depth finder, probably just use a portable radio as opposed to cutting for one and adding the 2 seats in the back (maybe with a small console between the seats with a drain for ? cooler or live well? any help here?)

 

[Pugetsound]

Re: 1966 Starcraft 16' questions

You have a for now headstart with a useable top. If it is usable have a shop put a zipper from the windshield back a foot or 18 inches so that you can get fresh air in and still keep the sun off,. All you need for a bomini top is the width and length needed. Go to Bimini Tops on line there a several listed.

 

[barato]

Re: 1966 Starcraft 16' questions

i've been researching exactly this issue for my '64 version of same boat. the distance between your side rails (where the factory bimini mounts on mine) is about 69" if it's same as mine...a 44'" tall one mounted to rail will give you plenty of headroom over cockpit, or you could go with a 54" tall one mounted directly atop gunwale.

you can get one from any of the marine supply places incl Revered Sponsor iboats. i'll probably be getting mine from Cabela's as their deeeluxe model comes with stainless fittings and double thickness main bow....i'll be doing a lot of solo offshore fishing and want something sturdy that also provides a grab rail if i have to climb forward to keep a fish from wrapping itself under the hull. and it will win me the Ghetto Style competition for sure, but i'm thinking of going with a full 8' long one so it fits over the factory bimini and also shades much of the cabin roof as well as cockpit....sorta like the way folks in south TX erect metal carport roofs over their mobile homes for heat control

 

[eric_in_tx]

Re: 1966 Starcraft 16' questions

Once I get the boat and check the measurements I am sure fitting a new top won't be to difficult. I wants something that is sturdy and covers a minimum of the front 4 seats. They do make sunscreen for just being out and about with the family for 2-3 hours won't worry me as much as me and my son fishing and hanging out for 5-6.