First New Boat Purchase - Single Female Help

[ThrottleBack]

Re: First New Boat Purchase - Single Female Help

Just about any name brand motor that has been given the proper care has the potential to be a great and reliable motor, but the specifics fall to each motor. There's little things you can do once you own it to ensure that going forward it will be reliable for you. Some things include new fluids, spark plugs, etc

 

[NYBo]

Re: First New Boat Purchase - Single Female Help

low compression indicates the need to rebuild the engine.

Not necessarily. The piston rings in 2-stroke motors will often stick, causing low compression. A de-carbing procedure may unstick them and restore compression.

 

[ThrottleBack]

Re: First New Boat Purchase - Single Female Help

not a road I want to go down at this point. thx for the info.

To those of us who wrench for fun a rebuild is no biggy but it would be my suggestion to walk away from any boat that fails a compression test because it indicates not only engine issues but a non-attentive owner. Thats my 0.02 anyway

 

[ThrottleBack]

Re: First New Boat Purchase - Single Female Help

Not necessarily. The piston rings in 2-stroke motors will often stick, causing low compression. A de-carbing procedure may unstick them and restore compression.

that's a big and unlikely "may" and should that not work is beyond the scope of what she is looking for. That might work 25% of the time.

 

[first-time-boat]

Re: First New Boat Purchase - Single Female Help

Just about any name brand motor that has been given the proper care has the potential to be a great and reliable motor, but the specifics fall to each motor. There's little things you can do once you own it to ensure that going forward it will be reliable for you. Some things include new fluids, spark plugs, etc

Sounds like I will need to put together a PMS for the motor I end up getting. A little TLC will go a long way.

below are pictures of a 1964 StarCraft that I drove 3 hours to go see yesterday. overall she appeared to be sound but based on help form everyone sounds like I really need to take if for a test drive on the water. He wants $2500 and I think that is a little high price. any thoughts about what one would give for a boat like this?

 

[first-time-boat]

Re: First New Boat Purchase - Single Female Help

here are some better pictures appear to be bigger and better to see with my dear.

 

[matt167]

Re: First New Boat Purchase - Single Female Help

It's not a 'bad' price per say, but it's not a great price. Needs to be in top shape for that.. Pics are small but it looks like a Jet model. It's aluminum which is a plus and would be a great handeling boat... The only thing I would be concerned with is the transom which may be rotten but on an aluminum boat, not a big deal. The Motor is a Johnson which is a plus as they are easy to work on and parts are available. Only Selectric shift and hydroelectric shifts are kind of hard to get parts for ( that is if it has electric switches for Forward neutral and reverse ).... You can always talk the price down as you find stuff wrong. If your looking for a 'get in and drive' condition boat for $2,500 or less, your probably limited to tiller steer jon boats.. However, even needing work, that '64 SC could be brought back to life in a couple weekends with the help of this forum if your willing to put in some work.

Edit. The bigger pics appear that it is a decent boat. Trailer needs some tweaking. That axle looks way too far back to me, and the trailer will never tilt like that.

 

[xjdriver]

Re: First New Boat Purchase - Single Female Help

Cool starcraft, cant tell much from those pics i cant get them to expand, but if the boats solid and doesnt require a restoration, price is pretty close, do you know the model? Looks like my seamist, same year too. That evinrude is probly the original motor they're good motors to.

 

[first-time-boat]

Re: First New Boat Purchase - Single Female Help

here are a few more pictures.

 

[xjdriver]

Re: First New Boat Purchase - Single Female Help

She looks to be in really good shape, motors nice and clean, transom is easy to check on these the wood is exposed, also check floor just like evryone else has suggested. Im liking this one tho. Also make sure they have paperwork for boat and trailer.

 

[first-time-boat]

Re: First New Boat Purchase - Single Female Help

It's not a 'bad' price per say, but it's not a great price. Needs to be in top shape for that.. Pics are small but it looks like a Jet model. It's aluminum which is a plus and would be a great handeling boat... The only thing I would be concerned with is the transom which may be rotten but on an aluminum boat, not a big deal. The Motor is a Johnson which is a plus as they are easy to work on and parts are available. Only Selectric shift and hydroelectric shifts are kind of hard to get parts for ( that is if it has electric switches for Forward neutral and reverse ).... You can always talk the price down as you find stuff wrong. If your looking for a 'get in and drive' condition boat for $2,500 or less, your probably limited to tiller steer jon boats.. However, even needing work, that '64 SC could be brought back to life in a couple weekends with the help of this forum if your willing to put in some work.

Edit. The bigger pics appear that it is a decent boat. Trailer needs some tweaking. That axle looks way too far back to me, and the trailer will never tilt like that.

I'm all for putting a little work in to her to make it look better. I enjoy working on things and am pretty handy if I say so myself. this is the original motor. no switches that I remember (you can see with better pictures I posted) just forward and reverse black handle with red for the throttle. Model it a 16ft starmist with a 75hp max according to the ID tag. Seats will need to be replaced and as you said not sure about condition of the transom. what is the best place to look for seats and parts?

thx LuAnn

 

[first-time-boat]

Re: First New Boat Purchase - Single Female Help

She looks to be in really good shape, motors nice and clean, transom is easy to check on these the wood is exposed, also check floor just like evryone else has suggested. Im liking this one tho. Also make sure they have paperwork for boat and trailer.

so you like the older boat better. I like them both but to be honest I like the older vintage looking starcrafts. He does have paperwork for boat and trailer both. Still think he wants to much for it($2500 for 1964 & $1500 for the 1974 16ft American) as ones I have seen on line are more in price range of $1400 to $2000 based on roughly same condition. I'm with you on the older one.........price has got me thinking to much.

 

[matt167]

Re: First New Boat Purchase - Single Female Help

Iboats has some nicer looking back to back lounger seats which is what that boat has. Even local marine stores will have a selection. The current seats look good enough that new covers could be sewn on if you were inclined to.. If it's got a lever for F-N-R then it is not an electric or hydro electric shift and not a problem.. Iboats as well as other places sell parts to fit that outboard. Starcraft used a lot of off the shelf parts and a lot is still available.

 

[sec56]

Re: First New Boat Purchase - Single Female Help

That Starcraft looks like a "Holiday" model. I have 1963 18' 4" Starcraft Holiday with a 70hp Evinrude on it. Colors are the same, white with light blue. Rear compartment doors and side storage looks the same. The only issue I had/have with my Starcraft is that it has some leakage. 3 or 4 years ago when I replaced the floor, I found pitting inside the hull from standing water which didn't thoroughly drain out. I suspect some of my leakage is due to the pitting. We went through and tightened all the rivets, but I'm uncertain if the rivets are still a part of the source of the leakage. It's been a great boat. My dad bought it when I was 7, and I bought it from him in 1984. It's been through a lot of rough water. Now I have 23' 6" Crestliner Eagle with a small cuddy cabin and deep V hull. Handles the rough water better.

 

[matt167]

Re: First New Boat Purchase - Single Female Help

so you like the older boat better. I like them both but to be honest I like the older vintage looking starcrafts. He does have paperwork for boat and trailer both. Still think he wants to much for it($2500 for 1964 & $1500 for the 1974 16ft American) as ones I have seen on line are more in price range of $1400 to $2000 based on roughly same condition. I'm with you on the older one.........price has got me thinking to much.

Consider this. The '74 American is a fiberglass boat. If it is rotted, you will have months of dusty, nasty and expensive work ahead to bring it back. 'glass boats use wooden stringers and transoms to support the hull, and the wooden deck supports the hull also. An aluminum Starcraft uses aluminum to support the hull, and the only supporting structure that is wood is the transom.

 

[xjdriver]

Re: First New Boat Purchase - Single Female Help

so you like the older boat better. I like them both but to be honest I like the older vintage looking starcrafts. He does have paperwork for boat and trailer both. Still think he wants to much for it($2500 for 1964 & $1500 for the 1974 16ft American) as ones I have seen on line are more in price range of $1400 to $2000 based on roughly same condition. I'm with you on the older one.........price has got me thinking to much.

Yep, i like the lines of the old boats, i dont like looking like every other boat out there, both those boats are sweet, but im more for the aluminium "tin" hulls becouse of simplicity, in the end its your decision. Check them both out good. Also, you havnt mentioned what kind of water you'll be boating in. Aluminum aint so great for salt water.

 

[first-time-boat]

Re: First New Boat Purchase - Single Female Help

what do you mean tilt like that?

I have a question to all. when I spoke with the owner of the 1964 starmist I asked him if the boat leaked. he told me that overall he thought is was good but did say that the boat gets roughly 1 to 2 cups in her after it sits in the water for 4 to 5 days. Should I be overly concerned about this. Is it normal for these older boats to leak a little water or not?

 

[first-time-boat]

Re: First New Boat Purchase - Single Female Help

fresh water only. no salt water in Northern Indiana. what kind of boat is in the picture under Petty Officer?

 

[xjdriver]

Re: First New Boat Purchase - Single Female Help

Pretty normal, at least i would say, boat in my profile pic is my 64 starcraft seamist, its that starmists brother,lol

 

[first-time-boat]

Re: First New Boat Purchase - Single Female Help

point well taken my friend! :yo:
Just got to love constructive feedback!