Asking price question (Potential Project)...

[JasonJ]

So there is this 18 foot Starcraft aluminum boat for sale about a half mile from my house. The paint is ruined, the windshield is gone, the interior and floor needs to be replaced. It has a 55 horse Johnson on it, but it is rated for 150 horse (I can't imagine that 55 horse does much for that boat). It is a fairly deep V hull, lots of freeboard, looks like it would be a comfortable fishin' rig. It also has a Johnson 6 horse kicker laying in its bowels. The trailer is decent, just the boat needs a total rebuild. They want $1500 obo, I am thinking way lower, it has not beed registered since 02, who knows if either motor runs. When I called the number a woman answered. She told me no one has been interested and she will probably just bring it back home and try again in the spring. I told her to give me a call if it doesn't sell. I am cash poor right now but things may be better in a few months.<br /><br />Anyway, what would a realistic asking price for this boat be? It is exactly what I have been looking for, its too bad it didn't show up during the summer when I had some loot handy...<br /><br />And for the record, its project name would be Project Bucksnort...

 

[JasonB]

Re: Asking price question (Potential Project)...

I would be in the $5-600 range max.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Asking price question (Potential Project)...

JasonJ<br /><br />I looked for the "right" aluminum hull for a long time, finally found "it". Paid $1,000 for boat motor and trailer, trailer was junk, but it got the boat home. Sold the motor and pump on Ebay, it was an inboard jet. Gutted it and rebuilt everything, then mounted an outboard jet, it was a smaller boat and needed the extra room that the outboard offered, plus I already had the motor. I've used it for three years now and love it, it's the best fishing boat I've ever had.<br />You will enjoy working with aluminum after doing all of the glass work on the SB, When it's time to eat dinner you just wash your hands and sit down. No nasty looks and comments about that funny smell (unless it is you), no itching either. I would just roam around the metal scrap yards and look for little pieces to cut drill or pound into the shape I wanted. I did put a glass floor in it though. Even if you don't get this one, don't give up, I see aluminum in your future.

 

[swimmin' for shore]

Re: Asking price question (Potential Project)...

Hey Jason, Good to hear that you have seen the light. I've done 3 aluminum hulls in a row, and this last one is the biggest and it's going to be the best, by a long shot. Bucksnort, huh? I love it!<br /><br />Yeah. You can see my project pics in my thread. That boat came to me for 600 dollars. She was asking 900, but it was a total rebuild, and no one had really shown any major interest. I asked what her bottom line was, and she told me that the bottom line was to get it out of her driveway(left by the ex). I took it away. That hull is nearly dent free. There's been some work on the bottom side, but that's about it. I haven't seen pictures of your starcraft, but there are probably cheaper options out there. At any rate, I can't wait to see your next project begin!

 

[Bondo]

Re: Asking price question (Potential Project)...

Hi Jason,....<br /><br />I caution you to Not buy a Starcraft..........<br /><br /><br />I, just this summer I sold a mid-80s Starcraft 180SS for $100.00,....... I got it 3 years ago for Nothing,....<br />It had a 55hp Johnrude Electric Shift on it,.... I sold him the motor for $500.00,...... It had No Spark,.... after some repair estimates$$$,... He brought it back,+ I refunded his coins...(Now a Parts motor if anybody needs anything)......<br />I picked it up for My Lovely's son,... He showed No Interest,..... I was ready to Scrap it for the Aluminum,+ this guy wanted it,.. So it's Gone.......<br /><br />The boat you see to the left is My Primary Ride,.... It Sunk,.. a few weeks ago,......<br />I Found the Fatal Design Flaw in the Starcraft Aluminum Hulls,..... Every 1 of them that have been built since the Early 60s............<br />A friend has told me about this since I bought the boat 6 or 7 years ago,... I was in denial,.... But He was Right,.......<br /><br />The outside corner chines, are the side-panel of the hull,... The side-panel is bent Out at nearly 90*,+ then bent In at nearly 180*,.. Then it joins the Bottom-panel of the hull a few inches in from the chine,.......<br />Then the Clincher is,.... When the Natalex is lain on the inside,.. They Trim it off at the bottom, which is on the inside of the 180* bend,... With a Utility Knife,....... It Scores the Aluminum,...... At about .045 thick,.. it took 32 years for Mine to Snap on that Score,.. I was Lucky,+ Reasonably near shore when the primary bilgepump Quit.........<br /><br />The local marina up on the St Lawrence River has sold Thousands of these hulls since the beginning,... They tell me they've also Repair countless Hundreds of them over the years.........<br /><br />If they'd have just moved the Seam to the chine,.. Instead of the Flat area,.... It would have Never been an Issue............<br /><br />You live in the Northwest,.... That's where All the Really Great Aluminum hulls are built,..........<br /><br />No matter the Price,.........<br />Don't buy an Old Starcraft............

 

[Mybigjohnson]

Re: Asking price question (Potential Project)...

Originally posted by Bondo:<br /> Hi Jason,....<br /><br />I caution you to Not buy a Starcraft..........<br /><br /><br />I, just this summer I sold a mid-80s Starcraft 180SS for $100.00,....... I got it 3 years ago for Nothing,....<br />It had a 55hp Johnrude Electric Shift on it,.... I sold him the motor for $500.00,...... It had No Spark,.... after some repair estimates$$$,... He brought it back,+ I refunded his coins...(Now a Parts motor if anybody needs anything)......<br />I picked it up for My Lovely's son,... He showed No Interest,..... I was ready to Scrap it for the Aluminum,+ this guy wanted it,.. So it's Gone.......<br /><br />The boat you see to the left is My Primary Ride,.... It Sunk,.. a few weeks ago,......<br />I Found the Fatal Design Flaw in the Starcraft Aluminum Hulls,..... Every 1 of them that have been built since the Early 60s............<br />A friend has told me about this since I bought the boat 6 or 7 years ago,... I was in denial,.... But He was Right,.......<br /><br />The outside corner chines, are the side-panel of the hull,... The side-panel is bent Out at nearly 90*,+ then bent In at nearly 180*,.. Then it joins the Bottom-panel of the hull a few inches in from the chine,.......<br />Then the Clincher is,.... When the Natalex is lain on the inside,.. They Trim it off at the bottom, which is on the inside of the 180* bend,... With a Utility Knife,....... It Scores the Aluminum,...... At about .045 thick,.. it took 32 years for Mine to Snap on that Score,.. I was Lucky,+ Reasonably near shore when the primary bilgepump Quit.........<br /><br />The local marina up on the St Lawrence River has sold Thousands of these hulls since the beginning,... They tell me they've also Repair countless Hundreds of them over the years.........<br /><br />If they'd have just moved the Seam to the chine,.. Instead of the Flat area,.... It would have Never been an Issue............<br /><br />You live in the Northwest,.... That's where All the Really Great Aluminum hulls are built,..........<br /><br />No matter the Price,.........<br />Don't buy an Old Starcraft............

Bondo, <br /><br />I have never heard of this. Has there been any discussions on this or writings? Is there a fix out there that one can do?<br /><br />Thanks and so sorry about your boat,

 

[fishingdan]

Re: Asking price question (Potential Project)...

Wow, I just started looking at a 78 starcraft as well. Can you tell us more?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Asking price question (Potential Project)...

I'm sorry that I can't back up My statements with further web or print based Information,.... I haven't seen it,.. or searched it.........<br /><br />This is Just My Common Sense conclusions from My hull failure,+ the Talk at the local Marinas, Repair Shops, etc.......<br /><br />Mine is going to be Cured by laying a 3/8ths" Aluminum Rod on the inside of the chine,+ Welding a bead down the outside of the chine,...... The rod on the inside will support a good heavy bead of weld,..... I'm confident it'll be "Fixed",.......<br /><br />I'm also confident that my Old Town Atlantis project is moving Up on the project schedule rather Quickly.......... <br /><br />Somehow,..... I'm going to Feel Safer in a Fiberglass Hull when I'm out offshore........

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Asking price question (Potential Project)...

Thanks for the advice Bondo. If I get this hull, that area sounds like a beefing up would be in order. I would not have thought that would have been a potential problem, its good to know. One thing is for sure, whatever aluminum hull I get, it is getting foamed, I am not going to put that much work into something just to have it sink.

 

[fishingdan]

Re: Asking price question (Potential Project)...

Sorry to hear about the failure Bondo. Fortunately, it sounds like you are ok. <br /><br />Do you have any pics of the area you are describing? I think I am following the description, but a pic would sure help.<br /><br />Thanks

 

[Bondo]

Re: Asking price question (Potential Project)...

Hey Guys,..... I Kinda forgot about this,...........<br /><br />

<br /><br /><br />I haven't attempted the Repair yet,.....<br />But,.... A Good Friend who's a Welder Everyday,+ I have come up with a Reasonable sounding Plan to Fix it................ <br /><br />I'm going to open up the insides, pulling the side panels out to gain access to the Inside of this Chine,.. The ONLY Chines on a Starcraft hull that Aren't Rivited On,+ Wet on Both sides,.....<br />Then, after I Clean the area with abrasives,.... I'll lay a 3/8th" round aluminum Rod down along the Inside Radis of the Chine,.......<br />Danny will then Stitch it up the Outside of the Chine,... Making Sure that he Burns Into the Rod that I'm Holding in place,..................<br /><br />I Think it'll Work............... <br /><br />Then I'll Sell the boat,+ Recommission My Old Town Atlantis.............. <br />I've Already unloaded the Other Starcraft I had............