Aluminum Runabout / Bowrider

[JF660R]

So, I'm in the market for a new (to me) boat. My old '69 Speedliner needs a transom replacement among other things and I'm ready to move on ... hopefully to much less of a project and more good times.

Having been my only boat it has pretty well turned me against wood and I/Os ... and almost boats in general. I like the size and general layout of the boat so I have been looking for something similar. But this time I would like for there to be as little wood involved as possible and I think I want to go outboard.

Just from general web searching here are some boats that really peak my interest.

Most of these are nicer than what I would like to pay for. I'm looking to stay under $3k but could stretch to around $5k for the right deal. So far I've looked at some '60s and '70s Starcrafts with 85 horse Johnsons. They've been priced around $2k and not worth that in my opinion. Soft floors and questionable transoms, which I am disappointed are primarily wood.

Right now I'm just looking for advice on other similar boats I should be hunting for. Not finding much in my area, and the last one I drove any distance to see was fuel wasted. Any other advice like which outboards to look for or avoid. Feel free to share your boat if its similar. Mainly looking for something versatile, good power, a little more style than just a flat bottom.

 

[matt167]

Re: Aluminum Runabout / Bowrider

Most transoms are wooden, even in aluminum boats. Not sure on the Alumaweld but with a $5k budget, it won't buy one anyway..

Older Starcraft and Sea Nymph is basically your price range, and of course Lunds too.. Also the option of Bluefin and Spectrum but reportedly, they are not the best build quality and used quite a bit of wood below deck.. You should be able to pick up a Starcraft Super Sport, Mariner or even a Holiday in good shape for your $3-5k... As an old Merc owner, I will say to look for Evinrudes if your looking at engines made before 1979 or so. Avoid electric shift and hydro electric shift models ( switches select the gear, not a cable ). The Mercs are fine units, but they are mostly NLA so finding parts can be costly. Anything after 1980 or so is pretty much safe, even Force outboards to a point. Parts do exist for Forces and they are pretty simple engines. I don't know if any tin Starcrafts came with Chrysler ( pre US. Marine/ Force ) but I know some 'Glass ones did thru a deal with Chrysler marine

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Aluminum Runabout / Bowrider

Yup, they all have wood in the transoms. Slip down to the Starcraft forum area. I have a 16' Starcraft SS and it is great. I replaced the wood but I doubt I will ever have to do it again. The wood in boats will last 30-40-50 years if they are properly cared for. A typical neglected boat can be dead in less then 10 years.

The aluminum is great however, fiberglass does ride better. The better ride comes with more maintenance.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Aluminum Runabout / Bowrider

Caution: The $3 - $5K budget range is a really tricky one. You can find real beauties and the rotted out monster projects all mixed in together. Well shoot, $1K can buy you a totally rotted out boat that requires the same amount of work as a rotted out $5K boat.

Yah, with a budget in the $3 - $5K range you'll likely find rotted transoms and decks, even in alum boats. But like bob mentioned, the good news is that once you replace that stuff, you'll be worm food before you have to do it again.

 

[JF660R]

Re: Aluminum Runabout / Bowrider

Well I've looked at this one
16 and a 1/2 foot Starcraft Runabout

We couldn't agree on a price that reflected the soft floors. The transom wasn't mushy but it was...37 years old. Didn't have the keys or titles in hand so that really killed that deal, not going back after it. Too far away.

This is the next one on my list
16ft starcraft

Preferred the open bow of the other one, but price is better. The transom has been "reinforced" so, that seems like a red flag.

But I would imagine its simpler to replace than in a fiberglass boat.

I see what you mean about the tricky price range. There are some great deals that are just way more boat than I need, and some real turds that are the right size.

 

[matt167]

Re: Aluminum Runabout / Bowrider

Way simpler to do a tin boat transom than a 'glass boat. Once those endcaps come off, you can pull the trim and splashwell and stick a new 1 in there. Should epoxy coat the plywood ( don't use pressure treated ) but you could probably get away with spar varnish. You will need 1 1/2" thickness so either 2 3/4" laminated together or 3 1/2" laminated togther, whichever gives you more plies

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Aluminum Runabout / Bowrider

If it meets your needs, I'd take the first picture hands down. That is a good looking rig which to me reflects care. A second indication is that the lower unit on the engine is not dinged up, nor is the prop. Third, the hull is not scratched up and the paint looks to be in good condition. The trailer and running gear are painted nicely.

That hull and the Merc engine are both time tested and survived the test (of quality products). Alum boats ride a little rougher than glass due to being lite and usually a shallower V like the Starcraft, but having had one, and reflecting on the number of years that hull was in production, and the thousands of them that ventured out on the Great Lakes and other large bodies of water they survived the test of time.

There are two places you'll find wood in that boat. One is the deck (floor) the other the transom. If the deck is covered in vinyl and the boat was stored inside out of the weather, which it appears to have been, then I wouldn't sweat it nor the transom.

The floor check is just to walk around and feel for soft spots. Any sign of a water mark inside is a clue that the deck may be soft in that area. On the transom, let the engine down. Get a second person to stand to the side so that they can look across the transom from side to side with their eyes a few inches above it.

Climb on the engine putting your feet on the anti-vent plate and hold onto the cowl. Jump up and down and see if it flexes. If not you can figure the transom is OK. Other thing is you can get to the transom wood at the sides and front. Just take a pocket knife and probe, looking for soft spots. You are dealing with Fir plywood which has a grain and filler wood so there will be some penetration, but not much if you get in the filler between the grain which will be hard. Again, any water marks on it would be cause for investigation/concern.

The price you pay for the boat is relative. You will do a lot better spending extra money up front and purchasing a well cared for boat which will ultimately cause you fewer problems than the converse. Fixing marine equipment can get expensive.

Other thing about alum boats is that they are easy to tow and to push (on the water). Both mean more miles per gallon for your tow vehicle and boat. I think that engine is Direct Charged which is an efficiency measure over cross flow like the one of the OMC engines....the 1972 V engine....can't tell the HP. The other OMC, smaller one is loop charged which is more efficient. I bought an OMC engine like the V in 1972 new. That has been a very long time ago. Going to guess that brown band Merc is early 80's or so.

HTH,
Mark

 

[pckeen]

Re: Aluminum Runabout / Bowrider

Good advice up here - your other option is to do what we did: keep an eye out for a good solid hull, but with a shot motor - the price on a non-running boat will be much lower. Sell the motor, and your old boat, then use the $$$ to repower with a newer motor. We did this on our 18' Starcraft Holiday - the type of boat that you are looking for - mind you, we bought a nearly-new 90 4 stroke Yamaha, and replaced all the steering, so by the time all was said and done, we had $11k into it.

 

[64osby]

Re: Aluminum Runabout / Bowrider

The wood reinforcement that was on the Holiday/closed bow boat is from the factory. It is not an attempt at a scabbing something together. My Starcraft from 1973 still has that wood on it and the original transom.

Lowe, LoneStar, Sea Nymph, Tracker, Browning, are a few other Mfg's of tin boats.

 

[JF660R]

Re: Aluminum Runabout / Bowrider

I found this which is much closer to me. Need to go check it in person.
16' Starcraft Runabout

40 horse seems weak, the red one is a 50, and the first one is 85.
That first one being open bow and 85 horse is really what Im looking for. But as I said, floor was soft, didnt have keys or titles like he was supposed to, didnt want to go under $1500, and that carport in the picture was no where around. Its been outside for a while.

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Aluminum Runabout / Bowrider

I have bought 3 boats recently with zero wood. Last Dec sold a 2004 McKee Craft 17' in great condition with a like new 2 stroke Yamaha 90 for $7K incl trailer. Not even a toothpick in that one.

 

[Wakko]

Re: Aluminum Runabout / Bowrider

I think he meant the very first boat on the top of the thread, not the beater under the carport. No title to me is a walkaway. In regards to the one you just posted, that's a cool looking boat! 40 does seem small to me, but I don't know anything. Are your passengers stuck facing backwards or do those seats flip around at all?

 

[JF660R]

Re: Aluminum Runabout / Bowrider

The wood reinforcement that was on the Holiday/closed bow boat is from the factory. It is not an attempt at a scabbing something together. My Starcraft from 1973 still has that wood on it and the original transom.

Lowe, LoneStar, Sea Nymph, Tracker, Browning, are a few other Mfg's of tin boats.

More points for the red boat. Tuesday is boat buying day, and so far the red one is in the lead.

 

[Wakko]

Re: Aluminum Runabout / Bowrider

Is the black and white one posted first out of the question? It looks well cared for and is definitely attractive. Those tape numbers on the red one make me wonder if anything else on the boat was skimped on.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Aluminum Runabout / Bowrider

Best the 2 cylinder OMC on the red one can do is 55 hp. You have a 75 on the first picture. You can see the overspray on the transom of the red one.

Where is the top picture located and who do I see about buying it. I might just buy that myself. I really like it.

Mark

 

[64osby]

Re: Aluminum Runabout / Bowrider

GREAT BOAT!

Saw this one out your way. 50 is a little small but it has PTT.

Don't know your boating needs, but an open bow is very nice to have on a 16' boat. A closed bow gets small real fast with 2 adults and 2 kids.

 

[JF660R]

Re: Aluminum Runabout / Bowrider

Is the black and white one posted first out of the question? It looks well cared for and is definitely attractive. Those tape numbers on the red one make me wonder if anything else on the boat was skimped on.

Best the 2 cylinder OMC on the red one can do is 55 hp. You have a 75 on the first picture. You can see the overspray on the transom of the red one.

Where is the top picture located and who do I see about buying it. I might just buy that myself. I really like it.

Mark

Those first ones are just the styles of boats I'm interested in, found via image search. But yes, I would stretch the budget for that top one if I knew where to get it.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Aluminum Runabout / Bowrider

Looks like the registration number is CT 4234 AA or 4294 AA. Check with the state parks and wildlife or whatever agency manages boat registration. Tell them what you want and maybe they'll accommodate you in who it belongs to.

Check with Bob VT, a moderator on this site, and see if he knows how his neighboring state handles things of that sort.

Mark

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Aluminum Runabout / Bowrider

Tin boats! List.
Alumacraft, Crestliner, Lowe, Lund, Mirrocraft, Smokercraft, Starcraft, Sylvan, All built boats in the size and spec you are looking for.

Sit down and start yourself a list. Wants, Needs, Likes, Dislikes. Expand your search area. There are many of these to be found throughout the region. As it appears you are in Missouri.

Decide if you want a turnkey boat or one that requires a little sweat equity. Such as I do and am not afraid to look at boats that need to have an outboard replaced. The last 2 boats I've bought came engineless and have worked out to be real steals. May sound crazy but the boat I have now I drove 6 hrs round trip to pick up the engine that is on it now and would do it again. It's worked out to be that good of a deal.

 

[JF660R]

Re: Aluminum Runabout / Bowrider

Yesterday we went to fayetteville to see the red boat. It was really small, has the 50hp motor, trailer bunks and rollers were falling off, and I could squish the transom with my kung fu grip.

We reverted back to our interest in the blue beater under the carport. We wanted the open bow, and the 85hp motor. I called the guy and he had found the titles, so we went back after it.

It cranked over nicely and gets fire, but wouldn't fire off for us. Gas is like 2 yrs old so Im confident thats the main issue. Ended the haggling at 1300. Trailer looks to have 3 new tires, pulled fine the 60 miles home.

I'll document any further progress in the Starcraft section.