Im thinking about buying this 1967 Starcraft, priced right?

[Sippen]

Hello, long time listener, first time post.
Was wondering if you think this is in the ball park pricing wise for an old fixer up-er..
From the Ad:
Starcraft with aluminum hull. 70 HP outboard Mercury engine with low hours, runs great! Hull is water tight with no known leaks. The boat was fully functional prior to the start of my restoration this summer. This boat has great potential but I am being relocated for work and will no longer have the time or space to work on it. The boat has already been gutted and a new floor has been cut, just needs to be installed. Also comes with boat trailer. $1500 obo


Im wondering if $1000. or less is where this should be.
Thank you for any feedback.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Im thinking about buying this 1967 Starcraft, priced right?

It would be worth $1500 to me if the motor ran well, see if it will start and run.

 

[TruckDrivingFool]

Re: Im thinking about buying this 1967 Starcraft, priced right?

Low ball em 700, I'd shoot for 1000, and yes I would probably shell out 1500 for it. Having been burnt by a runs on the hose - I would seriously ask for test drive at that price. It looks complete enough for it.

I'd also look at the condition of the transom wood if it hasn't been replaced it might make a good haggle point.

 

[TruckDrivingFool]

Re: Im thinking about buying this 1967 Starcraft, priced right?

Almost forgot......


Welcome to iboats!

 

[Sippen]

Re: Im thinking about buying this 1967 Starcraft, priced right?

It would be worth $1500 to me if the motor ran well, see if it will start and run.

I will b looking at it tonight. It looks promising. Without the motor u think $400 - $600 ?
From his email to me today:

This boat has been in my family for 30+ years. My grandfather owned it for the first 20+ years and took it out only 5-10 times a year when they went on vacation. My father has owned it for the past 10 years and takes it out a handful of times each year when family comes into town. My dad believes the motor is a '93-'94 and as I have described it has very low hours. In August of 2010 my father had a new carburetor put in, the fuel pump rebuilt, a new battery put in, had all the hoses and seals replaced and had a tune-up. The motor has never had any problems to my knowledge. We took it a couple times last summer/fall and had no issues with it. As of last fall the boat was completely sea worthy and had zero leaks. The steering is still completely functional. The trailer is functional but old. It is capable of towing the boat and did so last fall but has some rust and I can make no guarantees on the longevity of the tires. Our plans were to refinish the trailer after finishing the boat.

Any tips on evaluating the Merc70?
Thanks!

 

[starcrafter65]

Re: Im thinking about buying this 1967 Starcraft, priced right?

Run the motor with muffs on it:
- Get a compression test unit and check compression on all cylinders - they should be 120+ and all the same - when engine is warm.
- If you can't get in the water - make sure it goes into both F and R easily
- Check lower unit oil for water and or metal filings
- When you get there - feel the motor and make sure it is cool (hasn't been warmed up already).
- Check for proper coolant pressure (peeing)
- Check tilt and trim

OR - take it to a marine mechanic and spend $150 and have him check it - I did this once and it saved my arse - burned out piston on an otherwise great boat.

Remember - a motor that you have seen run - doesn't!!


If motor is good - you are about $1000-$2000 additional away from a great boat. Plenty of examples in the Starcraft Section.

 

[Sippen]

Re: Im thinking about buying this 1967 Starcraft, priced right?

Almost forgot......


Welcome to iboats!

Thank you TDF and all,

I will likely be putting in many hours here..

I will need all the help I can get

 

[brewern]

Re: Im thinking about buying this 1967 Starcraft, priced right?

Hello, long time listener, first time post.
Was wondering if you think this is in the ball park pricing wise for an old fixer up-er..
From the Ad:
Starcraft with aluminum hull. 70 HP outboard Mercury engine with low hours, runs great! Hull is water tight with no known leaks. The boat was fully functional prior to the start of my restoration this summer. This boat has great potential but I am being relocated for work and will no longer have the time or space to work on it. The boat has already been gutted and a new floor has been cut, just needs to be installed. Also comes with boat trailer. $1500 obo
View attachment 160101View attachment 160102View attachment 160103View attachment 160104

Im wondering if $1000. or less is where this should be.
Thank you for any feedback.

That's a really nice looking boat, from here...

I window shop on CL all the time and haven't found anything that nice for that price for that boat. I agree, try and low ball them some or see if they would take that old "fill in the blank" you have in the basement as part of the price.
(By the way, I have an air hockey table in my basement is anyone wants to trade a project tinny for it. :facepalm

We always need another StarCraft resto thread!

 

[Decker83]

Re: Im thinking about buying this 1967 Starcraft, priced right?

If it's a 18' I would say yes to the 1500. If it's a 16' he is to high.
1++^^^^^ what starcrafter65 said.

Very nice looking boat. Could be a real beauty.

Welcome to the i-boats.

 

[Sippen]

Re: Im thinking about buying this 1967 Starcraft, priced right?

Thanks Starcrafter65, Brewern and Decker83,
After looking at it, turns out to be an 18' Holiday from 1969 not '67. No biggie.
My legs were getting heavier and heavier while looking at the amount of work this would take to restore.. to the point where I was thinking I should just walk away. The day light was slipping away and I did not have much time to do a proper engine check. He and his family seemed very genuine about the engine being solid and showed me his Aug 2010 invoice from the Marina for a $435 tune up

Even though the work overwhelmed me and the voice in my head from my wife was getting louder "You don't need ANOTHER project", I offered him $700. He about fell over but came back at $850. I told him $800 was my tops and he said no.. So I said "have a nice day" and began to pull out of his driveway. He stopped me and took my offer.
My first thought was crap, what have I gotten myself into.. :=)

90 miles later, the old trailer and boat were home. I cleaned out the inside with a pressure washer and it doesn't look too bad. I like the looks of it. My buddy thinks I should just paint it and put a new floor down (which the seller gave me) and go fishing.. My wife thinks I should just sell it.. Fishing it always Trumps Dishing it.

I'm going to get some fresh gas and oil for the Merc 70. Should I clean or check anything else before I fire it up?
Serial # C205789 3 banger, 1989 I think. Thanks!

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Im thinking about buying this 1967 Starcraft, priced right?

Dump some Sea Foam in with the fresh gas and oil and you should be good to go.

 

[BonairII]

Re: Im thinking about buying this 1967 Starcraft, priced right?

I offered him $700. He about fell over but came back at $850. I told him $800 was my tops and he said no.. So I said "have a nice day" and began to pull out of his driveway. He stopped me and took my offer.

That's a great deal! Motor alone is worth that(assuming it really does have low hours).

 

[Decker83]

Re: Im thinking about buying this 1967 Starcraft, priced right?

WOW what a great deal. That is a great boat. Look around the threads here and see how many restores there are on this type of boat.
No way would I dish this boat. Fix it, use it and then maybe think about selling it. I doubt you will want to sell after using it.
There are some beautiful restores for this boat here and lotts of ideals.
I can't even find any boats like this one here in Texas. Great find and deal.

 

[MichaelP]

Re: Im thinking about buying this 1967 Starcraft, priced right?

You did very well on that deal as long as there isn't anything seriously wrong with the motor. A find like that is almost unheard of around here and when they do show up usually go pretty quick.
Good luck and welcome to the STARMADA!

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Im thinking about buying this 1967 Starcraft, priced right?

Congrats, most excellent negotiation! Even better score on the holiday in such good shape, & pre-prepped.

Welcome & more pix as you move forward.

 

[Sippen]

Re: Im thinking about buying this 1967 Starcraft, priced right?

Yes, thank you all, the easy part was buying it.. I think it was on craigslist for 2 days when I got there. Everything happened fairly quick since I was suffering from boat fever.

Being a newbie, my eyes are blurry from reading all the information on this site. Checking out tons of awesome restores on here has definitely inspired me. I'm on here so much, if my wife walks by I click on a different web site.. like it's boat porn. ha

I'm handy with wood tools but replacing the transom looks intimidating. I'm not 100% sure mine is weak but it does look original and there is some water damage on it. I have not found pics of this being replaced on the boat I have, 18' 1969 Holiday V If you find the link, please send it. I will post pics when I get the ball rolling tho.

Thanks much!

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Im thinking about buying this 1967 Starcraft, priced right?

Gaining access to the transom is often easy compared to pulling it out:facepalm:

Drill out the rivets holding the end caps on at both ends of the gunwales. Check how much coverage they give you to confirm you can cut 1.625" (1 5/8ths) +/- off the end of the gunwale's tin. You might be able to bend it up out of the way, but it will probably crease the metal & that crease will likely remain when you try to bend it back.

Remove the motor

Remove the thru hull splashwell drains & the splashwell

Remove all the thru hull screws, bolts, fittings, drain plugs & etc

Securely fasten a 2X4 or other 2X block to the face of the transom wood

Then find a way that works for you to lift the transom via the 2X block. Some use the weight of the boat & attach an engine hoist to the blocking & lift. Jas may have used a chain hoist hung from a tree. Others use a car floor jack or scissor jack (place plywood support UNDER the jack to prevent hull damage). You might use a long 2X lever across a cinder block and apply down force on the lever (protect the hull under the cinder block).

Others go the caveman route, and use a BMFH* and hammer up on the 2X blocking, until it succumbs & agrees to be removed from it's 45yr resting place.


*Big Mo@#$% F&%$ing Hammer <<-- every tool box needs 1

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Im thinking about buying this 1967 Starcraft, priced right?

Also read thru some of these threads

There are transom removal posts in many if not most of them

 

[BonairII]

Re: Im thinking about buying this 1967 Starcraft, priced right?

I'm handy with wood tools but replacing the transom looks intimidating.

Removing the transom is so easy that it will surprise you.

 

[Sippen]

Re: I bought the 1969 Starcraft Holiday 18' from original family owner

Re: I bought the 1969 Starcraft Holiday 18' from original family owner

Thanks, I appreciate that.
I have a JD tractor with a front loader that I plan to use to lift off the Mercury. Could use that to pull out the ol butt board as well.

A couple of medium deep scratches on the outside hull. What is the best product to fill that prior to paint?
Thanks,