How old is this Starcraft?

[sly_karma]

Brought the family cabin boat home for a couple of months, it needs a new windshield and moorage cover. It's a 14 ft Starcraft, probably '73 or '74 model. I switched out the tired old blue stripe Merc 25 for a late 80s Evinrude 40 in 2011. I'm looking for suggestions about windshield replacement. It's curved plexiglass by Taylormade, pretty sure it's OEM. Do I look for similar replacement or make a new non-curved one from aluminum channels?

 

[GA_Boater]

'73 or '74 has a HIN - HIN's were assigned beginning in 1972. Last two digits are the year.

It would help to show more of the W/S if you're looking for input. It is possible to roll your own.

 

[sly_karma]

I haven't been able to find a hull plate with a HIN. This boat is in Canada now, not sure where it was originally sold new.

The windshield appears to be curved in one plane only. I'd consider fabricating something myself, on Monday I'm visiting a glazing outfit I often work with to get their opinion. It's possible they might be able to help with forming a curve for me, I've purchased plexi from them in the past so I know they work with it.

 

[sly_karma]

A couple more shots from front and side. Nothing in the side wing panels and I don't think there ever was, no evidence of deck track or other mounting system. Thanks in advance for any info or suggestions.

 

[sly_karma]

USCG plate is all I could find. Hard to read due but the model appears to be HLDY 14 O/B. That indicates Starcraft's 'Holiday' series and google images of this series concur.

 

[GA_Boater]

Did you look for a HIN plate on the upper starboard side of the transom, outside right under the corner cap? That's where it is if it has one.

 

[sly_karma]

I looked again and whaddya know, I found the plate. Was painted over so I didn't see it at first look. The engraved letters are more or less readable: STR 5160 DM 75. So this would mean 1975 model.

 

[GA_Boater]

Yep - A 1975.

Check the HIN - It's missing 1 position and doesn't decode.

But it is a '75 Starcraft.

 

[sly_karma]

Thanks. I have some enquiries out about a replacement windshield but it seems likely that we'll go with a used one. The hull design will permit a fair degree of flexibility with sizing. Unlikely to find the exact replacement but something close will work.

 

[GA_Boater]

The Starcraft in my sig had the same windshield. Now it has a bowrider 3 piece W/S from CL for 40 bucks. A few of us have done the same thing cuz 4-600 bucks is too much.

 

[sly_karma]

I agree, will look anyway but the windshield needs to be cheap. This is a 45 yr old utility boat kept for when no one has their own boat at the cabin. Spends 10 months a year tarped up.