1973 Starcraft

[Jammer79]

New to the site and impressed with the knowledge. I picked up a 1973 Starcraft Nova as a project boat. The structure of the boat is sound but it has no motor. I have found a great deal on an early 1990's evinrude 60 hp. The data plate on the boat says it is good for up to a 65hp but that seems like alot of motor for this boat to me. I am not very familiar with the quality/strength of Starcraft boats and would like some opinions.

 

[bananaboater]

Re: 1973 Starcraft

Welcome. There are more and more Nova's showing up here, used to be rare. Starcraft boats are very sound as long as all the original parts are in place and tight. You don't need to go with the max HP but it is there if you want it. Post some pics, we are visual fiends.

 

[heyyou325]

Re: 1973 Starcraft

I've had marinas explain to me the max size of engine deals more with torque on the transom than weight. My 16 ft crestliner has a max of 85 hp. I have a 40 on it. A friend has a 16 ft something, both aluminum his has a max of 40 hp. I had a 14 ft glasser back in the 70's that had a max of 65. Too much hp will take out your transom. Boat for fishin or skiing? Bigger motors use a lot more fuel, and don't troll very well at all with out something like a trolling plate added. You have to sort of balance what you need. Always nice to be able to get off the lake quick with less fuel consumption, being able to ski (my 40hp I could) with being able to move the engine without help ( I could with my 40, but not a 50, starting to get real heavy with me in my 60's) You need to balance things out, esp price.

 

[Jammer79]

Re: 1973 Starcraft

Thanks guys. I had no intention of putting that big of a motor on the Nova but it belongs to my uncle and I can get it cheaper than I can find any other motors including much older and much smaller motors. The boat will be for fishing but I don't troll. I am working on the pictures.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1973 Starcraft

A 60/65 will be great for that Nova

Just be sure your transom is in good shape.

Welcome to iboats

 

[barato2]

Re: 1973 Starcraft

QUALITY/STRENGTH? THERE'S A REASON THESE THINGS ARE POPULAR ON THE GREAT LAKES AND pACIFIC oCEAN OOPS SORRY ABOUT SHOUTING BUT WELCOME

 

[Jammer79]

Re: 1973 Starcraft

Haha that's OK I am used to yelling! I actually had no idea they were popular but I am glad you feel so strongly about it!

 

[InMotion]

Re: 1973 Starcraft

Haha that's OK I am used to yelling! I actually had no idea they were popular but I am glad you feel so strongly about it!

Ya... the northern great lakes should be renamed the "great rocky lakes"... Starcrafts especially the older ones (but any'l do) fair a lot better when rocks are "kissed" then a glasser does. In Ontario, there are litterly 100,000's lakes... Alum. boats are hugely possible. Glassers/glitter boats are popular too... on lake Joseph/Rosseau etc were the likes of Kurt Russel et al "cottage" in the summer.

Nice part is that for a little cash outlay, you have a go anywhere/handyman special that you can turn into anything you can imagine --- well too a degree anyway!!

Have fun and looking forward to some pics... tip (if you haven't already heard it)...setup a free photobucket account, upload the photos and copy the img tag and paste into the response window!!!

IM

 

[heyyou325]

Re: 1973 Starcraft

Where ya fishin at? Seems like a fair number around the great lakes, and in the pacific northwest. If the transom's in good shape a 60 hp should be ok, if you get a good deal on it. As I say balance things out. Before I put a top on my crestliner, it'd do about 28, and with a $75 trolling plate I can do 1.8 with a 40 hp. My 21 ft starcraft jet only does 34 with an inboard. Welcome aboard, we're all full information here, and some other things too.

 

[Jammer79]

Re: 1973 Starcraft

I mostly fish for shovelhead catfish in SE Ohio. I plan to get the boat on the water ASAP and then restore it this winter.

 

[heyyou325]

Re: 1973 Starcraft

Never fished for them before, probably about the same as regulat catfish tho. Good luck. I'm sure we have other's from Ohio, but can't think of any now.

 

[roscoe]

Re: 1973 Starcraft

Throw the 60 on there.
My little 1965 Starcraft Nassau is rated for 75.

It launches onto plane, then you can cruise at 2/3 throttle and save all the gas you want.

Plus, it will give you all the power you want to pull skiers or tubes.
In this case, you need power, not speed, so you use a prop with a smaller pitch.


My 1977 Alumacraft 16' (400#) was rated for 65hp, it was scary with a 50.

Boats were rated at a lot higher hp back in the 60's and 70's, till the insurance companies and lawyers influenced them to lower the ratings.

NOVA Envy.

 

[Jammer79]

Re: 1973 Starcraft

Thanks for all the advice, it is exactly what I wanted to hear! I still haven't figured out how to post a picture but I will.

 

[Jammer79]

Re: 1973 Starcraft

James A Jones - Inbox
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<REPLICA 852573D8:006E6657>
<VIEW OF38D46BF5:E8F08834-ON852564B5:00129B2C>
<NOTE OF5AC7AF10:98712E49-ON85257A02:0042BFE0>
<HINT>CN=DSML3OH/OU=SERVERS/O=AEPIN</HINT>
<REM>James A Jones</REM>
</NDL>

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1973 Starcraft

You'll want a photobucket account, upload your photos there, then copy the IMG code and paste it in your thread here. Easy

 

[Jammer79]

Re: 1973 Starcraft

 

[Jammer79]

Re: 1973 Starcraft

I think it worked! I know it's not a great picture but you all get the point. I want to get her on the water ASAP then do then do the restore over the winter.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1973 Starcraft

Nova's are cool boats

 

[Jammer79]

Re: 1973 Starcraft

I agree! Thanks fo the photobucket advise too, not sure I would have ever figured all that out. I'm not sure what I am more excited about, hitting the water or the restore. Anyway I think I am going to go with that 60 hp Evinrude. The motor is in storage about an hour and a half away and I plan to go after it this weekend. My uncle wasn't sure if it was a short or long shaft though. I guess I just assumed being a 60 hp it would be a long shaft? Could it be a short shaft? It is a 1993 with power trim.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1973 Starcraft

Here ya go...