Can anyone help me ID this boat?

[offthehook67]

Good Morning,

I recently purchased this aluminum fishing boat. It is listed on the Minnesota DNR registration as:

1965

Starcraft 14'

There is no hull ID or serial number whatsoever. I have checked the boat over thoroughly.

I am trying to not only find out the maker of this boat but what really started this is my desire to max out the proper horse power for this boat.

Also on the port side of the boat near the transom it has the word "Craft" Not starcraft, not chris craft or any other type. Just Craft. The word is missing from the starboard side.

Boat dimensions measured to my best ability.

Length = 13' 9" ish
Width (at widest point) 52 1/4"
Depth at deepest spot 22 1/2"
Transom width 44"
Transom depth 15"

Here is a pic:



Thanks and I look forward to all and anyone's help.....

Gone Fishin!

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Can anyone help me ID this boat?

Welcome to iboats.

20 hp is the max on that hull. I have the same one from starcraft and mine is a 1963. The starcraft labels were molded plastic and broke away easy........

The old starcraft label that held the loading info and hp info was affixed on a sticky tin label on the inside of the transom...... those too used to fall off.

I use an 18 HP evinrude and have pulled a skier with it!

 

[offthehook67]

Re: Can anyone help me ID this boat?

Thanks,

After reading your reply I went back to a site I found with the old Star Craft brochures. From what I can tell looking at the 1963 brochures the Sea Scamp model is almost the identical dimensions I came up with. It is listed up to a 15 hp which makes sense since the transom does not seem to be the strongest in the world of aluminum fishing boats. I currently have a 2005 5 hp long shaft on it. Had it out 3 times so far and it seems to be dragging the boat down with the shaft length. I spoke to a guy out in Oregon this morning with the same boat for sale and a long shaft motor. He says he put a one inch block under the motor on top the transom and it made a huge difference. I am hesitant to do that due to safety reasons thus my search for a short shaft motor with more HP. Any thoughts???

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Can anyone help me ID this boat?

HI offthehook. Great new toy you got there. Your buddy is right about the engine height. Ideally, you'd like the anti-vent plate, found just above the prop to be level, or 1"-2" ABOVE the keel (bottom) of the boat, which means you'll need to jack your motor up more like 6" to get best results. However, a 1" increase would certainly help too, if that's all you can manage. You can buy, or make jackplates to sever your purpose, but I would probably sell the motor you have and get a short shaft models and save yourself the hassle. Note: Vintage Johnsons from the mid 50s- mid 70s while great motors, have sort of an odd shaft length of around 18" rather than the standard short shaft length of 15" and long shaft length of 20". As a result many of us who run these older motors have also had to jack them up to maximize performance. I simply clamped my '66 20 hp as high on the transom of my 14' tinny as I safely could. I was able to get an extra inch or two in height, which did help performance, particularly on the top end. I could probably squeeze a few more mph out of it if I raised the motor a bit more, but I'm happy with it where it is. Here are some jack plate pics.

 

[offthehook67]

Re: Can anyone help me ID this boat?

Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions......As of right now I am leaning towards picking up a mid 90's short shaft motor. However, I think before I do that I might just raise my current LS a bit and see what difference it makes.

Thanks again

Richard

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Can anyone help me ID this boat?

Might as well do a little experimenting while you have it. You'll learn lots and it will help you decide to set up your boat when/if you get the new motor. Good luck. Keep us posted.