Finally Got my 1st StarCraft !

[oregonboatnewb]

So i've been on here a little. Always asking boat advise on what kind of boat to get for crabbing/tubing ect... long ago it was recommended that these starcrafts makes decent "hybrid" boats for all things... So i got around to getting one...

I don't know the year, the motor i'm told is an 80's and just got out of the shop with a full tune up. Alum Plate Floors, couple fish finders, and what looks like to be a perfect crabbing/fishing boat... I could care less about the 85hp motor, if it was 25hp i would be fine with it, i only want this thing for filling full of people and enjoy the outdoors.

Got the whole package for 2,200 cash, he was asking 3,600, how did i do ? Anything good/bad about the year of these boats ? Floor seems solid as hell, and can't wait to put a kicker on, and probably just use that for crabbing and salmon.

 

[oregonboatnewb]

Re: Finally Got my 1st StarCraft !

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Finally Got my 1st StarCraft !

Wow diamond plated decks!!! Someone put some time and effort in that boat!

IF it has a data plate it should be on the transom on the upper right hand side as viewed from the rear...... the last two digits are the year of manufacture.

Nice set up and with a tandem axle trailer too

 

[mr 88]

Re: Finally Got my 1st StarCraft !

Looks like it's built like a brick^%$house.Transom is solid? If so you may want to epoxy over it and tighten it up as much as possible, water has a way of finding every nook and cranny . I would raise the tilt adjustment on the motor one or two holes/notches. Angle appears wrong from side view.Serial number under front of motor will be the way to find out year of motor.Is your battery box through bolted on the inside ? If not secure it and keep in mind the corrision factor with sheet metal screws on on different metal.I have two Stars and they are great do all beater boats. You talked him down quite a bit on the price and if you are happy with what you paid thats all that matters.

 

[oregonboatnewb]

Re: Finally Got my 1st StarCraft !

The shop that had the boat said the transom is fine for whats on it now. Only issue i know and knew about getting it is, it has no power trim... Which i dont know is it possible to just buy something like that, and attach it to the motor ? If not, i think i'll just sell the 85, put a 40-60 on it, and call it a day. I've got my sea-swirl for scooting on the water, this one i only need just for putting around.

 

[oregonboatnewb]

Re: Finally Got my 1st StarCraft !

How do i tell what year the mercury motor is ? Serial # Is 4726412 85hp

 

[jspansel]

Re: Finally Got my 1st StarCraft !

Nice boat!

 

[sprintst]

Re: Finally Got my 1st StarCraft !

Nice setup. She's a tank with that decking. You won't have to be replacing that anytime soon.

 

[lmuss53]

Re: Finally Got my 1st StarCraft !

Nice rig newb, I'd love to find it around here and the $2200 seems like a good price. I'd think about some spray in/roll on bed liner for the diamond plate I bet it could get real slick as is.

You can buy tilt and trim add on units but they are pricey for the 85, about the best known is CMC.

http://www.dhcampingandfishingsupply.com/cmhytitrun.html

Here's the first link I found, they are sold all over.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Finally Got my 1st StarCraft !

Looks like the motor is a 1977.

How long is the boat?

The trailer looks like it is built to hold a much heavier boat.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Finally Got my 1st StarCraft !

good find!
Is that an 18'? I had 2 16' like that growing up--great for teenagers (and adults) for fishing, tubing, skiiing.
ours had 55's on them and that was plenty. however you have a lot of extra weight with the plating.
We didn't have tilt/trim but used a lever device to raise the motor. and a stick for shallow drive.
consider putting sliding doors across the back, to hold the battery, tanks and anchor, if not,at least a lip on the floor to keep them from sliding out. but leave the drain well accessible so you can pull the plug while running. we didn't even have a bilge pump on one of them; just ran the water out after a rain. But you should have a pump set up.
also consider a boot over your cables in the splash well to keep "back wash" out.

The trailer is too much. Sell it and get a single axle. Unless you have a weight issue. If it were me I'd get it weighed and see how much he added off the original weight of the boat.
I'd get some removeable cushions for the bow; that's what we had on ours.

 

[veilside180sx]

Re: Finally Got my 1st StarCraft !

Welcome to the PDX Starmada.=)

Looks like an 18' SS to me, judging by the other stuff around it.

 

[oregonboatnewb]

Re: Finally Got my 1st StarCraft !

Thanks for all the great Input Gents ! As for plans with this one... Selling the 85, getting something 25-60hp (All i purchased this boat for is trolling for cokanee and crabbing, i could care less about anything else, i have a speed boat for that). Replacing the sterring cable as its very stiff, and putting a 5-10hp on for backup...

I think also i'll swap the trailer, its in great shape, so i should have no problem swapping it with a single axle one.

Also, i noticed after a good rain that the rear botton of the boat, where the transom meets the whole there is a leak in the alum below the plug hole, size of an eraser on a pencil, and i'm going to fill the gap with some blow torch alum filler stuff i got at cabelas.

Can't wait to get this on the water ! I still have not moved it from when i got it, as the motor i noticed isn't even bolted all the way on, which is fine as i'm trying to get ride of it... I've got it for sale local, and people are emailing me saying its a "67 race motor"... Says thunderbolt eng on it ? Can anyone confirm the year ?

Soooo excited to get crabbing again, and now i have the space and a boat rugged enuf to just beat it up and have some fun !

 

[SigSaurP229]

Re: Finally Got my 1st StarCraft !

The shop that had the boat said the transom is fine for whats on it now. Only issue i know and knew about getting it is, it has no power trim... Which i dont know is it possible to just buy something like that, and attach it to the motor ? If not, i think i'll just sell the 85, put a 40-60 on it, and call it a day. I've got my sea-swirl for scooting on the water, this one i only need just for putting around.

Leave the 85 hp on there or you will be solely dissappointed. Go on ebay or craigslist and buy a used working power tilt and trim.

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: Finally Got my 1st StarCraft !

Looks pretty good! You're in it right, go ahead and add the power trim. And I'll second the suggestion to keep the motor, that diamondplate ain't light. Keep the trailer too, yes the tandem axle may be a little overkill, but sure as hell beats a single should you suffer a blowout. Run it a bit, then decide what to mess with.

 

[oregonboatnewb]

Re: Finally Got my 1st StarCraft !

Gonna Sell the 85, buying this 50hp

http://portland.craigslist.org/clc/boa/2111626082.html

and couldn't be happier about it ! Better Gas Milage, small and easy to manage motor, perferct for what i want and need.

How hard are transoms on these starcrafts to swap out ? I learned the hard way that on a 17ft fiberglass seaswirl i would have rather given birth to quintuplets.

Can't wait to go crabbing !

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Finally Got my 1st StarCraft !

Holy crap is that ever a cherry evinrude.

An SC transom is a fairly simple project.

 

[oregonboatnewb]

Re: Finally Got my 1st StarCraft !

Yeah, boat came with a merc, i dont do mercs !

Any chance you got a link ezmobee on SS transom swap/build ? I just checked out your link, holy cow that SS you did turned out amazing ! Wish i could find one like that, as my hand skills for building are not of that caliber.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Finally Got my 1st StarCraft !

Thanks for the compliment. For the transom, it's just remove motor, pop off the transom caps and molding, remove all through bolts, remove old wood (this may be the hardest part. They stick in there pretty good, I ended up prying up on mine from the inside with a 2x4 in the lower corner), use old wood for a template to cut new wood (2 pieces of 3/4"), laminate wood together, seal new wood with whatever your chosen method, install new wood, mark holes, remove drill holes, reinstall everything. Done! Can be done in a weekend.

I didn't take many pictures of mine. Other SC guys definitely have. Here's my photo tutorial with all the important steps missing

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w200/ezmobee/New Boat/DSCF2363.jpg
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w200/ezmobee/New Boat/DSCF2586.jpg
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w200/ezmobee/New Boat/DSCF2589.jpg
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w200/ezmobee/New Boat/DSCF2591.jpg
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w200/ezmobee/New Boat/DSCF2622.jpg
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w200/ezmobee/New Boat/DSCF2623.jpg
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w200/ezmobee/New Boat/DSCF2640.jpg

 

[pmillar]

Re: Finally Got my 1st StarCraft !

Nice boat! Somebody must have worked at a sheet metal shop. If the seat bases don't open up you might consider engineering something to gain access to some nice storage underneath the seats. Just a thought... and enjoy.

mmmmm.... crab